The Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project is made up of dedicated volunteers with a variety of skills and backgrounds, representing a broad swathe of our diverse communities.
Co-Chairs:
Diane Teichert, Krystina Tucker, and Crystal Carpenter
Committees & Facilitators:
Initial Structure:
Our organization originally operated with four committees: Education, Community Remembrance Projects (formerly the Soil Collection Committee), History and Genealogy, and Outreach. These were guided by an overarching Steering Committee.
2023 Restructuring:
In the fall of 2023, the Steering Committee revisited our structure to ensure alignment with our goals. During the 10/10/23 Steering Committee meeting (view minutes here), we agreed to streamline our committees, retaining only three: Steering, Education, and History & Genealogy.
Work previously managed by the Community Remembrance Projects Committee will now be handled by ad hoc teams formed as needed. These teams will focus on specific initiatives, such as soil collections or remembrance events, and will disband after completing their tasks.
The Outreach Committee was also disbanded due to its overlapping responsibilities across all committees. Instead, we appointed two facilitators to lead outreach efforts:
- Community Outreach Facilitator: Mary Craft
- Communications Facilitator: Emily DeMarco
This new structure allows us to work more efficiently and collaboratively across the organization.
- Steering Committee
This committee meets quarterly or more frequently as–needed.
Members:
- Three Co-Chairs: Krystina Tucker, Crystal Carpenter, Diane Teichert
- Co-Secretaries: Lula Beatty, Katie Pugliese
- Treasurer: Aaron Tinch
- Committee Chairs: Pat Neal
- Liaisons: Emily Demarco, Mary Craft
- Education Committee
The Education Committee of the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project (PGCLMP) will develop educational materials, information sessions and community involvement programs to engage the public in conversation and reflection on the enduring legacy of slavery and racial terror lynchings. The Committee will recommend strategies to redress their continuing impact on present day criminal justice, health, and social inequities.
Co-Chairs: Pat Neal and Crystal Carpenter
- History and Genealogy Committee
The History and Genealogy Committee of the Prince George’s County LynchingMemorial Project (PGCLMP) will document and present the history of racial terror and lynching in Prince Georges County, during the period between, 1869: Thomas Juricks; 1875: John Henry Scott; 1878: Michael Greene; 1889: Joseph Vermillion; and 1894: Stephen Williams. This committee will also research those who participated in these acts of terror. It will:
- Utilize a methodology which encompasses working with the Prince George’s African American Historical and Genealogical Society, the National Archives, Maryland State Archives and other organizations which will assist with historical research, data collection and interpretation of documents, diaries and oral histories to determine those identified individuals who were lynched during the specified period of time.
- Establish a centralized location on the shared drive which is easily accessible to view and utilize historical information obtained through research collected and added by interested parties.
- Pursue genealogy research of both the victims and perpetrators of lynching. This effort offers the potential to discover new information regarding these acts as well as present an opportunity for forgiveness, reconciliation and spiritual release between descendants of both parties.
- Collaborate with the work of the other subcommittees to accomplish their goals.
It is imperative that research conducted does not accept historical data at face value, since many diaries, memoirs, reposts and testimonies are written to enhance the writer’s position, stature, or importance. This possibility requires that historical data has to be examined for authenticity and truthfulness. Such examination is achieved through critical review; by asking and researching to help judge, establish and, when applicable, remedy accuracy, potential bias, omissions and narrative data consistency.
Chair: Krystina Tucker
Community Outreach Facilitator – Mary Craft. focused on fostering connections with interested individuals and organizations and supporting other committees’ efforts to do so
Communications Facilitator – Emily DeMarco. Available to assist with written communication items including press releases, letters and other needs
The PGCLMP extends heartfelt gratitude to our past committee chairs—Elizabeth “Liz” Muller, Jade Eaton, and Jody Wildy—for their outstanding contributions in advancing our mission.