On Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
when many of us are home, slowing down, reflecting, and recommitting ourselves to the ongoing work of justice—I felt called to share a place in Baltimore that deserves more visibility, reverence, and support: Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum.
Recently, I had the profound honor of visiting the museum alongside the President & CEO of the Association of African American Museums for a private walkthrough and conversation with the dedicated stewards of this historic space. From the moment you enter, you can feel that this is not just a museum—it is a home that once held courage, strategy, sacrifice, and unwavering love for Black liberation.
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Iris Leigh Barnes, Associate Director and Curator of the museum and a longtime AAAM member. She graciously shared the legacy of Lillie Carroll Jackson and the immeasurable impact she had on Baltimore and the Civil Rights Movement at large. As the president of the Baltimore branch of the NAACP for over three decades, Jackson transformed her home into a meeting place for organizers, activists, and community leaders committed to dismantling segregation and injustice.
Walking through the space, you are reminded that this was once her living, breathing home. The preserved bedroom and parlor tell a quiet but powerful story—one of planning, prayer, resilience, and resolve. These walls witnessed history being shaped not in grand halls, but in intimate rooms filled with purpose.
The Lillie Carroll Jackson Civil Rights Museum stands as a reminder that the Civil Rights Movement was not abstract, it was personal. It lived in homes, in families, and in everyday people who chose courage again and again.
On this day especially, I encourage you to visit, support, and learn from this sacred space. Preserving Black history is not just about remembering the past—it’s about grounding ourselves as we continue the work forward.
Baltimore holds so many stories worth protecting. This is one of them.
Without giving too much away, here are some images of the museum and the team.
Love Deeply,
Megan Pitts
