If you’ve enjoyed Route One Fun’s series on nearby Lakeland, the historic African-American community of College Park, then listen up! Register now for this Thursday’s virtual presentation, “The Lakeland Spirit: Through Digital Footprints.” At this virtual event, you’ll be treated to an evening full of oral histories, personal documents and photographs spotlighting the resilient spirit of this century-old African-American community in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Education & the African American Community of Lakeland, College Park
What do you know about Lakeland, a historically significant and tight-knit African American community in College Park? Did you know that this community fought to see their children education in their community – and many lost their homes when the Prince George’s County School Board decided to build a new school on land occupied by houses, including that of Maxine Gross’s grandmother? When asked about it, “my grandmother said she could build another house; children should be educated in their own community.” More from Maxine and Lakeland here.
Lakeland: Historic African American Community of College Park
What do you know about Lakeland, a historically significant and tight-knit African American community in College Park? Did you know that this community was established in 1890 just beyond the grounds of the University of Maryland? Did you know that Lakeland’s firm belief in the value of education brought about the 1928 opening of the area’s only high school for African Americans at the time (Lakeland High School)?
Did you know that the Lakeland community flourished and thrived for decades, despite institutional and de facto racism and segregation?
Read more about this historical African American Community of College Park in this new series about Lakeland by Maxine Gross (a Lakelander herself).
