Dr. Marla Frederick opened the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 2026 Black History Month activities with an address on several topics focusing on the African American experience.
Frederick, the first black woman to serve as Dean of Harvard Divinity School, spoke with the campus community during a Feb. 5 event held at the Student Services Center Theater.
During the presentation, Frederick examined the role of Historically Black Colleges in American history.
“Despite recent and persistent efforts to erase Black history, the admonition of generations is clear – we must remember,” said Frederick, who has also served as the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. “It is a story we must hear, we must know, we must read, we must understand, and, by all means, we must remember.
Frederick emphasized the importance of HBCUs as incubators of leaders, as well as a number of players in the role of the development and growth of the country.
“The compound interest of their decades-long impact is felt in both places seen and unseen, known and unknown, she said.
UMES President Heidi M. Anderson said Frederick’s background in African American studies and religion made her the perfect fit to launch this year’s programming.
“History and religion are intertwined,” Dr. Anderson said. “UMES was founded with the Methodist church. So, to kick off Black History Month with Dr. Frederick is so powerful.”
Frederick added that having insight into the roles and responsibilities of what an HBCU can do is essential to understanding black history.
“The work of HBCUs has long been to create generations of leaders who not only excel in their work, but understand who they are,” she said. “A people, without knowledge of their past history, origin and culture, is like a tree without roots.”
