Uncovering Maryland's Lynching History and Reflections on Italian Heritage Month

When we think about lynching in America, we might not think about examples of racial violence in Maryland. But lynching did happen here. For decades, Black Marylanders were subjected to brutal acts of violence, often with the cooperation of institutions sworn to protect them. No one was ever held accountable. For the past seven years, the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission has been bringing that painful history to light and calling for action. So, what does justice look like generations later? We hear from Dr. David Fakunle, who was the chair of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is an Assistant Professor at Morgan State University. Plus, author Jim Emison discusses his new book, Murder on the Hatchie. In the book, Emison writes about Elbert Williams, a Black civil rights activist whose murder in Tennessee exposed the deadly consequences of fighting for equality in Jim Crow America. On Saturday Fakunle and Emison will be attending the 9th Annual Lynching in Maryland Conference. Later in the show, reflections on Italian American Heritage Month with Nicolino Applauso, founder of the Applauso Italian Learning Center and the Director of the World Languages Laboratory at Morgan State University. Baltimore has long been shaped by Italian immigrants and the culture, businesses and tradition crafted by their hand. ### Guests: - David Fakunle is Museum Director of the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum and an Assistant Professor at Morgan State University. He chaired the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission. - Jim Emison, author of Murder on the Hatchie. - Nicolino Applauso, founder of the Applauso Italian Learning Center and Director of the World Languages Laboratory at Morgan State University. ### Related Links: - Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report from Dec. 2025 - 9th Annual Lynching in Maryland Conference on Oct. 24, 2026 - Baltimore's Little Italy history and events ### Credit: The Engagement had help from Isaac Moss, Sam Bermas-Dawes, Elizabeth Nonemaker and Malarie Pinkard-Pierre. Gabe Ortis and Shawn Murphy are our studio engineers. Khaleel Rahman is our Producer and Amy Walters is WYPR's Executive Producer. ### Join us: Want to have your voice heard on The Engagement? What should we be talking about? There are several ways to reach us: - Leave us a voicemail at 410-735-1616. - Leave us a voice message or a text on the Baltimore Public Media app. - You can also message us on Instagram or Facebook.