BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, September 30, 2024) - The City of Baltimore Office of Equity and Civil Rights (OECR) will kick off its annual Civil Rights Week, themed "From Protest to Progress," with the 31^st Annual Civil Rights Breakfast on Monday, October 7^th, featuring a keynote address by Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and one of the most influential voices for social justice, who has played a critical role in advancing civil rights nationwide.

"We are honored to have Marc Morial join us as our keynote speaker," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "His lifelong commitment to advancing equity and justice aligns with our mission of fostering an inclusive and just society."

During the breakfast, the OECR will also confer the 2024 Impact Award to five honorees for their significant contributions to protecting civil rights and advancing equity in Baltimore and beyond.

The 2024 Impact Award Recipients include:

• Wanda G. Best, Executive Director, The Upton Planning Committee
• Dr. Anthony Jenkins, President, Coppin State University
• Jamye Wooten, Founder, CLLCTIVLY
• Larry Gibson, Esq., Professor, Attorney, and Author
• Taylor Branch, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

OECR will also name its 2024 Community Leaders to Watch, presented to individuals whose transformative work in Baltimore is improving the quality of life for all.

The 2024 Community Leaders to Watch are:

• Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III, Founder, Black Church Food Security Network
• Natalie Wynn, Social Commentator, ContraPoints
• Natasha Guynes, Founder, HER Resiliency Center
• Lady Brion, Executive Director, Black Arts District

In commemoration of the 60^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the OECR will offer programming throughout the week that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires future generations to uphold the values of equality and inclusion. In collaboration with a diverse group of City agencies and organizations, the OECR will host 15 events between Monday, October 7, and Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Additionally, the OECR is encouraging an interfaith weekend of prayer beginning on Friday, October 4th, during which faith leaders are encouraged to pray over the City during their respective services throughout the weekend preceding Civil Rights Week.

"Civil Rights Week 2024 is not just a commemoration of our past struggles and triumphs," said Caron Watkins, interim director of the OECR. "It's a powerful call to action for our present and future."

For more information or to register for events, click here. Find a schedule of events below.

Monday, October 7th

31st Annual Civil Rights Breakfast Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: The Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Quarterly ADA Training for City Employees Time: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM Location: VIRTUAL

Demystifying Civilian Oversight in Baltimore City: From the 1800s to 2024 Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Eubie Blake National Cultural Center, 847 North Howard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Tuesday, October 8th

Inclusion at Every Stage and Every Age Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Location: National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Prayers for the City Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: The City Hall Rotunda, 100 Holliday Street, Suite 250, Baltimore, MD 21202

Mayor's Commission on Disabilities Fireside Chat Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Location: National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

History of Prince Hall Masons in Baltimore and Beyond Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Location: Morgan State University Student Center, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251

Music of Change: Protest, Uplift and Hope Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Morgan State University Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218

Wednesday, October 9th

Future Paths Expo: Beyond College Doors Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Location: Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center, 201 Reedbird Ave, Brooklyn, MD 21225

From Protest to Progress: How the Birthplace of Redlining Turned into the Black Butterfly Time: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM Location: Coppin State University Tawes Center Ballroom, 2500 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21216

Women of Courage: Baltimore's Civil Rights Trailblazers Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Location: Coppin State University Tawes Center Ballroom, 2500 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21216

Thursday, October 10th

Immigration and Inclusion: A History of Struggle and Progress Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, 1327 Division Street, Baltimore, MD 21217

Friday, October 11th

Civil Rights Cocktail Reception Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: Enoch Pratt Central Branch Library, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

Saturday, October 12th

Historic Upton Neighborhood Walk and Resource Fair Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Location: St. Peter Claver Church, 1526 North Fremont Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217