For most of Maryland’s existence it was a slave society as many thousands of Africans were forcibly brought into the colony and then the State from the 17th through the 19th centuries. This forced bondage brought with it untold suffering, death, and discrimination that bestowed privileges on some segments of society, including slaveholders and their descendants, largely at the expense of African Americans. Slavery continues to impact the social development of Maryland and to cast a shadow over the State, and the impact on its victims remains inadequately researched.

Giving balanced attention to all regions of the State, the Commission encourages public awareness of the importance and influence of slavery on our social development and facilitates the generation and dissemination of accurate information about this much misunderstood and misconstrued subject. The Commission functions as a mechanism by which the State promotes reconciliation and fairness. Working with community groups, foundations, and government agencies to publicize and encourage initiatives relating to the history and legacy of slavery in the State, including particularly programs that will benefit Maryland youth, the Commission is the advocate for mutual assistance and support. Museums, private collections, cultural organizations, parks, and centers will be encouraged to partner with the Commission in the cataloguing, preservation, and presentation of cultural resources relevant to this history and legacy.

The Commission has administrative and research responsibilities and documented Implications For Further Study and Action. To meet these responsibilities, it must actively engage the general public, government officials, funding agencies, museums, cultural institutions, scholars, educators, and other stakeholders. This requires operating funding and two full-time employees beginning with the FY 2003 budget (one to serve as administrative representative and secretary, and the other as a program/project specialist). One new slot was funded in the FY 2002 budget of the State Archives for a Research Administrator with a concentration in the area of slavery. However, no budget has been provided for the Commission to carry out any aspects of its administrative, commemoration, equity oversight, or legacy mandate.