As soon as I walked into the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, Maryland,

I was greeted with a warm smile and the harmonic tunes of a live band playing soft jazz. On this special evening, the museum was celebrating 40 years as the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American heritage. The Banneker-Douglass Museum serves to document, interpret, and promote African American history and culture, particularly in Maryland, through exhibitions, programs, and projects that enhance understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural diversity.

After giving guests some time to explore the museum,

everyone gathered for special announcements about the museum's past and its bright future in collaboration with the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. They also introduced their newest exhibit, "REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today."

Curated by Thomas James, REVISIT/REIMAGINE commemorates the legacies of civil rights leaders and their impact on Black Marylanders and the United States as a whole. In collaboration with Afro Charities, the exhibit features images of nationally and locally recognized civil rights leaders from the AFRO American Newspapers archives, accompanied by the work of contemporary artists living and working in Maryland. As a Marylander, I felt a strong sense of nostalgia, often finding myself saying, "Oh yeah, I remember that".

The exhibition space is designed to emulate an interior home setting, with books, records, and other objects scattered throughout.

It is an immersive visual representation of intergenerational relationships and how civil rights issues have transformed, progressed, and regressed over the 60 years since the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a photographer, I was captivated by the exhibit but also wanted to respect the artists by not taking too many photos. This is truly an experience best enjoyed in person.

I don't want to spoil any surprises or reveal too much about the exhibit,

but I am excited to encourage you to plan a visit to the museum with your family soon. The Banneker-Douglass Museum has an exciting future ahead, and you won't want to miss out. It was my absolute pleasure to document this night, and I look forward to more events at this esteemed museum.