Archives Programs

The Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts and the Sheridan Libraries is growing a collection of African American primary sources with a special emphasis on local history and culture that stands unprecedented in Maryland. In collaboration with donors, we are developing collections that illuminate the region’s arts, politics, and history. The Baltimore Africana Archives Initiative is only the first phase of this ambitious historic preservation plan. The JHU-University of Baltimore Community Archives Program is a joint program of BHPLA and the University of Baltimore Special Collections and Archives, endeavors to support the dedicated efforts of Black community archivists by strengthening the visibility and efficacy of community archive and heritage activities.

Helena Hicks Emancipation School

Helena Hicks Emancipation School at Baltimore’s Historic African American Churches is a public program partnership of the Billie Holiday Center and several faith communities in West Baltimore. The bi-monthly speaker series endeavors to bridge the intellectual life of Johns Hopkins University with historic Baltimore neighborhoods and cultural institutions.

Public Arts Program

The goal of the Public Arts Program is to share the abundance of intellectual human resources at the Homewood campus with historically racially segregated portions of Baltimore City. The program has several components, from lectures, exhibitions and artist residencies, to publishing and performance events.