BALTIMORE, MD. — Mayor Brandon M. Scott, along with various city leaders and cultural figures, unveiled a portrait of Thurgood Marshall at City Hall on July 6, 2023, in celebration of what would have been the Supreme Court Justice's 115th birthday.
The event featured notable attendees, including Tonya Miller, Senior Advisor of Art & Culture, Dr. Alvin Hathaway, former pastor of Union Baptist Church, and contemporary artist Ernest Shaw, Jr. Spoken word artist Eze Jackson also contributed to the occasion.
Mayor Scott remarked on Marshall's profound influence, stating, "The impact that Baltimore's native son, Thurgood Marshall, made on our city and our nation transcends race, age, and time." He expressed hope that the portrait would inspire future generations and noted that it would be displayed in City Hall until June 2024 before moving to the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in West Baltimore.
The Amenity Center, located on the site of PS 103 Elementary School, where Marshall studied from 1914 to 1921, will serve as a permanent home for the portrait. Dr. Hathaway emphasized the importance of honoring Marshall, likening his significance to that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta.
Marshall, who was born in West Baltimore, played a pivotal role in civil rights as the chief legal counsel for the NAACP and was instrumental in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which challenged educational segregation. He later became the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Artist Ernest Shaw, Jr. expressed his honor in creating the portrait, highlighting the importance of recognizing figures like Marshall who fought for justice and equality.
The unveiling of Marshall's portrait is a testament to his lasting legacy in Baltimore and beyond, serving as a reminder of his contributions to civil rights and social justice.
Reported by HarborBeat based on Baltimore City (.gov) (source).
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