Crystal Carpenter

February 21st Presentation: “The Untold Story of the 1875 Lynching of Mr. John Henry Scott in Oxon Hill”

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We hope you can join us for a presentation by the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project (PGCLMP) on a lesser-know part of community history:  The Untold Story of the 1875 Lynching of Mr. John Henry Scott in Oxon Hill.   

This in-person event is free and open to the public. Details are provided below and in the attached flyer. 

  • Title:   The Untold Story of the 1875 Lynching of Mr. John Henry Scott in Oxon Hill
  • Date:  Saturday, February 21, 2026
  • Time:  11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Where:  Oxon Hill Branch Library*, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill MD  20745 (In-person only)
  • Registration (Optional):  Link to Register.  Walk-ins are welcome.

Discover the untold story of John Henry Scott and the history of racial terror lynching in Prince George’s County. Learn about the mission and work of the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project (PGCLMP) and explore actions we can take for racial justice. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Mr. Scott was a laborer and farmhand who lived in the Oxon Hill area. He was extrajudicially murdered by a mob on March 23, 1875, in one of the four documented instances of racial terror lynchings that took place in Prince George’s County. 

Sources including contemporary newspaper articles and independent research conducted by PGCLMP and the Prince George’s Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society inform the presentation about Mr. Scott’s lynching. 

According to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), 4,400 such racial terror lynchings took place throughout the United States from the 1860s through the end of World War II. The effects of these traumatic events continue to reverberate in our communities. The PGCLMP in its presentation will discuss some of those effects and detail its work in fostering truth-telling and advancing the cause of racial justice. 

2026 Racial Justice Essay & Creative Arts Contest

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Racial Justice Essay & Creative Arts Contest

The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project is pleased to announce a Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Contest open to Prince George’s County students in grades 9-12. Scholarships totaling $5,000 or more will be awarded to winning participants.

To learn more and/or for submissions: https://pgclmp.org/racial-justice-contest/

Deadline

Submissions will be received by February 28, 2026. Entries must be original creative works that shed light on an historical or present-day racial injustice.

Moving Toward Truth, Healing, and Repair: MLTRC Final Report

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Maryland has taken an important step toward facing a history that has too often been ignored or minimized.

On December 9, 2025, the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MLTRC) submitted its final report to the Maryland General Assembly — the culmination of more than six years of research, community testimony, and collective reckoning with the racial terror lynchings that occurred across our state between 1854 and 1933.

This work is historic. The MLTRC is the first state-led effort in the nation dedicated specifically to investigating racial terror lynchings, documenting what happened, honoring the lives lost, and identifying pathways to meaningful repair.

Recommendations for repair and reconciliation

The final report offers 84 recommendations designed to move Maryland toward healing, responsibility, and systemic change. These include proposals in areas such as:

  • Public acknowledgement and apology
  • Material reparations
  • Criminal legal reform
  • Education and curriculum development
  • Community healing and memorialization
  • Mental health and trauma-informed supports
  • Ongoing structures to carry this work forward

Importantly, the Commission recognizes that harm extended far beyond individual families. Entire communities lived under threat, and generations experienced the consequences — lost opportunities, displacement, silence, and grief.

Looking forward

PGCLMP stands in solidarity with the communities, descendants, scholars, faith leaders, and organizers who have carried this work — often long before the Commission existed. We honor the families and communities who spoke painful truths, and we recognize the deep courage required to confront this history.

We encourage our community to read the report, engage in dialogue, and consider how each of us — individually and collectively — can help turn truth into action.

📄 Read the full MLTRC Final Report:
https://msa.maryland.gov/lynching-truth-reconciliation/reports/MLTRCFinalReport.pdf

Fourth Annual Student Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Contest

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The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project is pleased to share and congratulate the winners of our 2025 Student Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Contest. We invited all Prince George’s County high school public, private, or homeschooled students to submit an essay, creative writing, or visual artwork that addressed an historical or current racial justice issue to an online portal. A panel of expert judges selected 10 winners from over 50 submissions representing 12 high schools across the county.

The students were celebrated at an awards program held at the Greenbelt Community Center on May 3, 2025. Students presented their inspirational and moving essays, creative writing, and artwork to an enthusiastic audience of families, friends, teachers, and community members. Winners received certificates and scholarships ranging from $1000 for first place to $200 for third place. In addition, local elected officials including State Senator Alonzo T. Washington, State Delegate Ashanti F. Martinez, and Prince George’s County Council Member At-Large Jolene Ivey attended and presented citations of recognition to each student.

We thank the Greenbelt Black History & Culture Committee, Greenbelt Recreation Department, and the City of Greenbelt for continuing to co-sponsor our awards ceremony and the Greenbelt Access Television team for recording the ceremony.

We are especially grateful for the donations from community individuals and organizations that make the scholarships possible. We applaud every student who entered their justice reflections in our contest.

We look forward to the 2026 contest and welcome anyone who would like to join us in this work.

The 2025 contest winners are:

NameAwardTitleSchool
Essay   
Ginelys Tavarez Ramirez1st Place“From Chains to Denial: The Hidden Cost of Colonialism in the Dominican Republic”Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High School
Zyon Lawson2nd Place“The Unfinished Fight Against Lynching”Oxon Hill High School
Caroline Gyan3rd Place“Veil of Injustice: The Erasure”Frederick Douglass High School
Devin Bond3rd Place“The Struggle to Desegregate Prince George’s County Public Schools: A Legacy of Resistance and Resilience”Frederick Douglass High School
Creative Writing   
Cheyenne M. Godfrey1st Place“Fields of Greed”Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Kaliyah Fletcher2nd Place“The Strength in Our Stride”Frederick Douglass High School
Ava Raines3rd Place“Parties Unknown”Eleanor Roosevelt High School
Visual Arts   
Angel Adesoji  1st Place“The Intercepting Fingers”Chesapeake Math and IT Academy North High School
Angelina Akumkperik2nd Place“Latasha Harlins”Charles Herbert Flowers High School
Riley-Alicia Burton3rd Place“Never Forgotten”Charles Herbert Flowers High School

Special thanks to the PGC LMP Education Committee members: Crystal Carpenter and Pat Neal Co-Chairs, Lula Beatty, Mark Collins, Mary Craft, Mark Docken, Terry Hamlin, Neil Hartigan, Pat McCartney, Sherri Mehta.

Join Us: 2025 Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Ceremony

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We would like to invite you to our Award Ceremony to be held on Saturday May 3, 2025, from 1-3pm at the Greenbelt Community Center, Room 201, 15 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD. The Award Ceremony is co-sponsored by the Greenbelt Black History & Culture Committee. The student winners will present their award-winning essay, creative writing, or visual art. This event is free, open to the public, and no registration is required. The Greenbelt Community Center is a fully accessible building. If you are unable to attend, please check our website later for a summary of the ceremony.

Join Us for a Meaningful Book Discussion on Barracoon (2/11/2025)

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Join Us for a Meaningful Book Discussion on Barracoon

The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project invites you to an engaging and thoughtful conversation about Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston. This powerful book recounts the true story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last known survivors of the transatlantic slave trade, in his own words. Through this discussion, we will explore themes of history, resilience, and community remembrance, while connecting them to our ongoing work of honoring those affected by racial violence in Prince George’s County.

In addition to the discussion, we will be joined by Evelyn D. Milton, a fourth-generation descendant of Osia and Innie Keeby, whose ancestors were brought to America aboard the Clotilda, the last known slave ship. Through her family’s powerful story, Evelyn will share a unique and personal connection to this pivotal chapter in American history.

Whether you’ve read the book or are simply interested in the conversation, we welcome you to join us as we reflect, learn, and build together.

Event Details:
📅 Date: February 11, 2025
🕒 Time: 7pm
📍 Link to register: https://bit.ly/2025PGCLMPBook

2024 PGCLMP Essay and Creative Arts Contests Winners

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The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project is honored and excited to congratulate the ten winners of our 2024 Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts contest. Prince George’s County high school public, private, or homeschooled students were invited to submit an essay, creative writing, or visual artwork that addressed an historical or current racial justice issue. Over 80 entries were received from seven high schools across the county.

Jaelynn Walker smiles with her artwork and award.
 Janelle Bassole challenges the audience with her essay.
Emmanuella Umoh’s impassioned presentation.

The students were celebrated at an awards program attended by their families, friends, teachers, and community members held at the Greenbelt Community Center on June 15, 2024. Students presented their inspiring essays, creative writing, and artwork to audience applause. Winners received certificates, commendations from local elected officials, and scholarships ranging from $1000 for first place to $100 for honorable mention.

Greenbelt Mayor Emmett Jordan welcoming the audience

We thank the Greenbelt Black History & Culture Committee, Greenbelt Recreation Department, and the City of Greenbelt for sponsoring our awards ceremony and Greenbelt Access Television for recording the ceremony.

We are especially grateful for the donations from community individuals and organizations that made the scholarships possible. We commend every student who entered their justice reflections in our contest.

We share the full list of 2024 contest winners here:

Creative Writing

NameAwardTitleSchool
Shana McFadden1st Place“Oh Innocent Emmett”Suitland High School
Marli Jones2nd Place“The Pipeline” Frederick Douglass High School
Mikayla Hollis3rd Place“The School to Prison Pipeline” Eleanor Roosevelt High School

Essay

NameAwardTitleSchool
Janelle Bassole1st Place“A Practice Built Off the Back of Suffering” Laurel High School
Emmanuella Umoh2nd Place“The Power of Representation: Illuminating Paths to Racial Justice Through Media”College Park Academy
Anike Akinfolarin3rd Place“Environmental Racism in Communities of Color”Charles Herbert Flowers High School

Visual Arts

NameAwardTitleSchool
Onyekachukwu Roland Akwara1st Place“Justice for Our People”Charles Herbert Flowers High School
Jaelynn Walker 2nd Place“Bars of Freedom”Chesapeake Math & IT Academy North High School
Tyla Inyamah3rd Place“Slave to Miseducation”Charles Herbert Flowers High School
Seanna DayeHonorable Mention“BLM Memorial”Chesapeake Math & IT Academy North High School

Join Us: Prince George’s County Public Hearing on Lynching – January 25, 2025 (REGISTER TODAY)

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The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s public hearing for Prince George’s County will be held in partnership with the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project on Saturday, January 25th from 10am to 2pm at Bowie State University, and virtually. The stories of the four Black men who were victims of documented racial terror lynchings in PGC will be told, descendant testimonies will be heard, and expert witnesses on the impacts and will speak. An opportunity for Public Comment will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged: Link to RSVP

The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established in 2019 by House Bill 307 and amended by House Bill 297 in 2021 and Senate Bill 478 in 2023. The MLTRC is authorized to research cases of racially motivated lynchings and hold public meetings and regional hearings where a lynching of an African American by a white mob has been documented. Home – Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Join Us: PGCLMP Winter 2024 Book Discussion: February 27, 2024

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“PGCLMP Book Discussion: Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words“

Join the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project (PGCLMP) for a discussion on Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre In Her Own Words by Viola Ford Fletcher and Ike Howard. Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest survivor and last living witness of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, shares the journey and lasting impact of the Tulsa Massacre on her life.

In addition to the book chat, educator and author, Karen Gross, will join us for a special discussion on trauma. 

The book is available in many media, at local libraries, independent, online and in person bookstores. If you plan to buy it, consider Black-owned/progressive independent bookstores in the area (e.g., Loyalty Books, Mahogany Books, My Dead Aunt’s Books, Politics and Prose, Sankofa, and Solid State).

Date: Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm

Link to register: https://bit.ly/2024PGCLMPBook

2025 PGCLMP Racial Justice Essay & Creative Arts Contest (ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS)

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Our 2025 racial justice essay and creative arts contest for high school students opens for submissions on 12/1/2024.

For detailed information on our 2025 Racial Justice Essay & Creative Arts Contest, including how to upload submissions, visit: https://pgclmp.org/racial-justice-contest/.

This contest is for Prince George’s County public, private, and homeschool students, grades 9-12.

If you have questions or suggestions, or need additional information about the contest, please contact Lula at lulabeatty@verizon.net.