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David Mills: Boneyarn – Photo Collage (11/20/2024)

Professor Lawrence Jackson honored by Senate of Maryland

Professor Jackson holding his honorary citation with Senator Jill Carter

Professor Lawrence Jackson was recognized by the Senate of Maryland on February 21, 2024, for his unwavering commitment to uplifting people of color and fostering positive change in Maryland. He […]

BHCLA launches year of programming with evening of culture

The Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts (BHCLA) at Johns Hopkins University set the stage for an extraordinary year of programming with a vibrant celebration of Black culture at the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center on Jan. 12.

The Fifth Annual Billie Holiday Jazz at Lafayette Square

A woman in a headwrap sings into a microphone in front of a band with upright bass, drums, and saxaphone, in a church with a gold organ.

The Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts, and founding director Lawrence Jackson, hosted the fifth annual Billie Holiday Jazz at Lafayette Square this September 9, 2023. The event is a musical celebration of […]

A Cut of Jazz in the Square, 2022

a woman in a long red coat and jazz band performing on stage over a Billie Holiday banner

“Man, I know what you are trying to do!” With those words, Ray Rice, a lifelong resident of Sandtown, congratulated Professor Lawrence Jackson, the director of the Billie Holiday Center […]

Inheritance Baltimore Welcomes Seven New Fellows

group of young fellows smiling

Seven new fellows and one Elder in Residence are joining Inheritance Baltimore to support the work of the Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts. The fellows will focus on different […]

Anna Deavere Smith speaks to the beauty of Baltimore

Following her rich performance highlighting Baltimore’s historic Black neighborhood’s, dramatist Anna Deveare Smith discusses her city origins with BHCLA Founder Lawrence Jackson Check out the full article click here.

A Space for Reflection and Celebration

Johns Hopkins and the Baltimore community commemorated Juneteenth with an event on the Beach featuring music, dance, and spoken word performances. The celebration was hosted by the Billie Holiday Center […]

Join us this Friday! Juneteenth Celebration at Homewood on June 17th

Coming this Friday: Take a mid-day break from 12 – 2 pm to celebrate Juneteenth with the Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts, in partnership with the Krieger School Office […]

Anna Deavere Smith highlights the beauty of Baltimore

In a lecture hosted by Billie Holiday Center, Baltimore-born dramatist Smith described a light that comes from the city and its people, even amidst ongoing societal struggles