In all aspects of life, from politics and education to religion and
business, the Black Baltimore community has been a leader for civil
rights. From the 19th century until the 1970s, Baltimore has been at
the forefront of various civil rights movements. Black Baltimoreans
helped establish the Niagara Movement, the precursor to the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and had
one of the most active NAACP branches, counting among its members
pastors, politicians, entrepreneurs, educators, athletes, musicians,
and others. Meritorious services were rendered by Rev. Harvey
Johnson; William Ashbie Hawkins; Lillie Carroll Jackson; Lillie's
daughter Juanita Jackson Mitchell; Juanita's husband, Clarence
Maurice Mitchell Jr.; Walter Thomas Dixon; Enolia McMillan; Lena King
Lee; and countless others who created a proud legacy of activism in
the Monumental City.