Frederick Douglass: An American Narrative

Frederick Douglass celebrated his birthday on Valentine's Day. Two centuries after he was born, we're looking at his early years fighting for the abolition of slavery.

Remembering the Victims of the Philadelphia Amtrak Train Crash

Remembering the eight who died in the Philadelphia derailment of Amtrak train 188.

Thomas Schelling (1921 - 2016), Nobel Prize-winning economist

The Nobel Prize-winning economist was known for his study of game theory.

Roger Wilkins (1932–2017), Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist

Roger Wilkins, a civil rights activist, historian, and journalist who won a Pulitzer Prize, died Sunday, March 26, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 85.

Perry Wallace (1948–2017), broke down racial barriers in college basketball

Perry Wallace, who broke down a racial barrier in the Deep South by becoming the first black varsity basketball player in the Southeastern Conference, has died after a battle with cancer.

Ronnie Franklin (1959–2018), jockey almost won the Triple Crown

Won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in 1979 aboard Spectacular Bid.

Jordan McNair (1999–2018), University of Maryland offensive lineman

Jordan McNair, offensive lineman for the University of Maryland, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, according to multiple news sources. He was 19.

Ric Ocasek (1944–2019), lead singer of the Cars

Ric Ocasek was the lead singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist of the Cars, who had a string of hits in the 1970s and ‘80s including “Drive,” “Just What I Needed,” and “Shake it Up.” Their 1984 album “Heartbeat City” was a massive success, and the video for lead single “You Might Think” became the first Video of the Year at the first MTV Video Music Awards. Along with the other members of the Cars, Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Elijah Cummings (1951–2019), Democratic U.S. Representative from Maryland

Elijah Cummings was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 7th congressional district. He was elected to twelve terms in Congress, beginning in 1996 and most recently in the 2018 election, by the district covering portions of Baltimore and Baltimore County. Cummings was popular with his constituents, typically receiving more than 70% of the vote and once running entirely unopposed. In Congress, he served as chair of the Committee of Oversight and Government Reform, where he was a leader in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. Cummings also presided over testimony by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Prior to his service in Congress, Cummings was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for 14 years, where he was the first African American in the state’s history to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore.

Morgan Wootten (1931–2020), legendary high school basketball coach

Morgan Wootten was a high school basketball coaching legend who coached DeMatha High School in Maryland from 1956 until 2002. Wootten turned the school into a basketball powerhouse winning five national championships and producing many NBA players including Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley and Danny Ferry. He has the second most career wins of any high school coach and is one of four high school coaches in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Most incredibly, for 31 years in a row, every senior on his team won a college scholarship.

Maeve Kennedy McKean (1979–2020), Robert F. Kennedy’s granddaughter

Maeve Kennedy McKean was the granddaughter of and a public health official who was the first senior advisor for human rights in the U.S. Department of State’s global AIDS program under President Barack Obama.

Benny Mardones (1946–2020), “Into the Night” singer

Benny Mardones was a singer known for the hit song “Into the Night” which hit the top 20 on the Billboard charts twice.

Paul Sarbanes (1933–2020), longtime U.S. senator from Maryland

Paul Sarbanes was a former Democratic U.S. senator from Maryland who served five terms and drafted the first article of impeachment against President Richard Nixon.

Pat Goss (2022), longtime “MotorWeek” mechanic

Pat Goss was a mechanic and TV personality who hosted the “Goss’ Garage” segment on the PBS show “MotorWeek” for more than 40 years.

Paul Siebel (1937–2022), 1960s singer and songwriter

Paul Siebel was a folk singer and songwriter known for songs including the widely-covered “Louise.”

Smithsburg, Maryland Shooting (2022)

Three people were killed in a shooting at Columbia Machine in Smithsburg, Maryland on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Two others were injured.

Bernard Kalb (1922–2023), journalist for CBS News, CNN

Bernard Kalb was a journalist for many years at outlets including CBS News and CNN.

Charlie Thomas (1937–2023), tenor singer with the Drifters

Charlie Thomas was a tenor singer with the Drifters, known for doo-wop hits including “Under the Boardwalk” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.”

Theodor O. Diener (1921–2023), scientist who discovered viroids

Theodor O. Diener was a scientist who discovered the tiny infectious disease agents now known as viroids.

Ian McGinty (1985–2023), Welcome to Showside comic book artist

Ian McGinty was a comic book artist known for his creator-owned series “Welcome to Showside.”

Evelyn Boyd Granville (1924–2023), NASA mathematician 

Evelyn Boyd Granville was a mathematician who worked with NASA to help safely send some of the first astronauts into space.

Charles Ogletree (1952–2023), Pres. Obama's Harvard law mentor

Charles Ogletree was an attorney and Harvard law professor who served as a mentor to the Obamas and represented clients such as Anita Hill and Tupac Shakur, as well as advocating for victims of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.

Burkey Belser (1947–2023), FDA Nutrition Facts label designer

Burkey Belser was a graphic designer best known as the creator of the Nutrition Facts label mandated by the FDA, which adorns most food sold in the United States.

Roland Griffiths (1946–2023), psychedelic-assisted therapies pioneer 

Roland Griffiths was a psychopharmacologist and psychedelics researcher who helped pioneer the study of psychedelic-assisted therapy for depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD.

Reggie Wells (1947–2024), Oprah Winfrey’s longtime makeup artist 

Reggie Wells was Oprah Winfrey’s personal makeup artist for more than 25 years, and he also worked with many other notable women.

Peter Angelos (1929–2024), longtime Baltimore Orioles owner 

Peter Angelos was a prominent Baltimore attorney who became the majority owner of the Baltimore Orioles in 1993, running the team’s affairs for more than 30 years. 

Casey Benjamin (1978–2024), Grammy-winning saxophonist

Casey Benjamin was a Grammy Award-winning saxophonist, an original member of the Robert Glasper Experiment, and a vocoder wizard who influenced jazz-based hip hop and R&B.

Phil Wiggins (1954–2024), iconic blues harmonica master

Phil Wiggins was a master of the blues harmonica known for his long musical partnership with guitarist/vocalist .

Tony Lo Bianco (1936–2024), played Sal Boca in The French Connection

Tony Lo Bianco was a Tony Award-nominated actor best known for playing Sal Boca in the neo-noir classic, “The French Connection.”

Khyree Jackson (1999–2024), Minnesota Vikings rookie

Khyree Jackson was a former college football player about to make his professional debut as a cornerback with the Minnesota Vikings.

Nicholas Pryor (1935–2024), Beverly Hills, 90210 actor

Nicholas Pryor was an actor with over 170 credits to his name, best known for long stints on “Beverly Hills, 90210” and the “General Hospital” spinoff, “Port Charles,” as well as for playing Tom Cruise’s father in “Risky Business.” 

Jerrod Mustaf (1969–2024), Maryland basketball star

Jerrod Mustaf was a star basketball player at the University of Maryland who had a brief career with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns, as well as overseas teams. 

Rodney Jenkins (1944–2024), acclaimed horse jumper

Rodney Jenkins was one of the most celebrated equestrians of his time, a Hall of Fame show horse jumper who later had a successful career as a racehorse trainer.

Barry Michael Cooper (2025), New Jack City writer

Barry Michael Cooper was a journalist, screenwriter and producer best known for his “Harlem trilogy” of films: “New Jack City,” “Sugar Hill,” and “Above the Rim.”

Beverly Byron (1932–2025), former congresswoman from Maryland

Beverly Byron represented Maryland in the U.S. House from 1979 to 1993.

Gene “Groove” Allen (1964–2025), Groove B. Chill rapper

Gene “Groove” Allen was a rapper and actor best known for his work in the hip-hop trio Groove B. Chill and for his roles in movies like “House Party” and “House Party 2.” 

Bob Rivers (1956–2025), radio DJ and parody songwriter

Bob Rivers was a noted radio DJ in Seattle and other cities, known more widely for musical parodies that included his 1988 “Twisted Christmas” album.

Ron Nessen (1934–2025), press secretary for Gerald Ford

Ron Nessen was a journalist best known for serving as press secretary for President Gerald Ford in the years immediately following the Watergate scandal, when American trust in government institutions was at a low point.