Year 1 – The Black History Exhibit Project
During the 2023-2024 school year, eleven student volunteers created a traveling exhibit focused on Frederick, Maryland. The 20-panel exhibit explored the historical struggles and achievements of Frederick’s Black community. It was divided into four sections: 1) Slavery, 2) Black Churches, 3) Racialized Violence, and 4) Segregation. Since its opening at C. Burr Artz Library in downtown Frederick, the panels have been exhibited at every high school in Frederick County, Middletown Public Library, the FCPS Board of Education, Brunswick Library, and several middle schools. It will be on public display at Mount Zion Church in Urbana, Maryland the weekend of September 20th.
Virtual copies of each panel can be found here.
Photo Gallery
Related Videos
Above: Principal Bill Caulfield discusses the Black History Exhibit Project at the 2024 Oakdale graduation.
Above: Board of Education member David Bass discusses the opening event for the Black History Exhibit Project and the students’ work in February 2024.
Above: The student volunteers discuss the project and what they hope individuals take away from the exhibit. The video was used as a promotion for the opening event.
Above: This clip comes from a longer video developed to share information about student agency in the Oakdale feeder pattern. Students Kessia Donfack Djoko and Liliana Meertens discuss their participation in the Black History Exhibit Project.
Media Coverage
Oakdale High School students delve into black history (February 3, 2024 – Frederick News Post)
High-School Produced “Black History of Frederick County” Exhibit to Open in February (Feb/March 2024 – Frederick’s Child)
Black History Month: Take a look at what Oakdale brings! (February 8, 2024 – The Oakdale Post)
The Black History Exhibit: Creating an Authentic Learning Experience (Jan/Feb 2025 – TEACH Magazine)
Oakdale High Students Showcase Frederick’s Black History in Traveling Exhibit (February 11, 2025 – Out 40)
Black History Exhibit Project Volunteers
- Rhaja Allen
- Eli Corridon-Crum
- Kessia Donfack Djoko
- Natalie Johnson
- Ocoee-Rose McCaskill
- Liliana Meertens
- Gloria Mokash
- Noelle Olson
- Oluwafisayomi Oyolola
- Mikayla Sando
- Jordin White
Individuals or groups interested in hosting the Black History Exhibit Project should contact Ms. Ehrlich ([email protected]) for more information.
This project was paid for in part by a grant from the Institute for Common Power.