JPPM Supports Work of the Equity in History Coalition

For the past two years, JPPM has been actively involved in the Southern Maryland
Equity in History Coalition. The Coalition’s mission is to promote a more inclusive and
balanced understanding of our region’s rich local history. Too often the histories of Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color in Southern Maryland have been overlooked or tucked away in inaccessible corners of local organizations. JPPM has joined forces with over 30 other community organizations to bring these diverse
experiences and voices to life as a way to honor and humanize all those who
contributed to our local history.

On May 1st, the Coalition premiered the launch of its website which pulls together the
historical resources of the 30 participating organizations in southern Maryland. Museums, community organizations, school systems, colleges, historical societies, churches, and libraries all worked together to identify these histories and make them accessible through a comprehensive and easily searchable website.

The website premier was held at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It featured a powerful performance by Melisande Short-Colomb, who is a descendant of two of the 272 people enslaved and then sold by the Maryland Jesuits in 1838 to ensure the solvency of then Georgetown College. “Knowing where you come from is the only way to know who you are,” said Short-Colomb.