African Americans History

Cumberland Pride/March for Black Lives

On Sunday afternoon, June 14, 2020, between 100-125 people gathered on the Downtown Cumberland Mall for a rally and march in support of black lives. The group peacefully marched down the mall and along the sidewalks of adjoining streets. Chants of "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice No Peace" were heard. The event was organized by Ian Robinson, Sydney Spaulding and Tifani Fisher.

Photograph by Albert L. Feldstein

"Justice for George Floyd Rally" - Main Street - Frostburg, Maryland – June 2, 2020

On Monday morning, June 2, 2020, about 100 people showed up at the corner of Center and Main Streets in downtown Frostburg, Maryland to protest the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer. Chants included "Remember George Floyd," "Black Lives Matter" and "All Lives Matter."

"George Floyd Demonstration and March" - City Hall - Cumberland, Maryland - May 31, 2020

On Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020 about 100 people showed up in front of City Hall in Cumberland, Maryland to protest the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer. Chants of "No Justice, No Peace" and "Black Lives Matter" were chanted as well as the singing of several religious hymns.

Eugene Frazier, Cumberland City Councilman

CUMBERLAND — 13 May 2011

Joyce Williams-Vickers had worked at the First National Bank on Baltimore Street for nine years when the opportunity arose for a job in the courthouse on Washington Street.

“As a teller, I used to wait on the judges, and one day Judge (James) Getty asked me how I would like to work at the courthouse,” said Williams-Vickers, who this month will end a 30-year public service career that began Aug. 3, 1981. She worked for Ray Walker, clerk of the court, for the next eight years as an assignment clerk.

Citizens told 'We must stand up and be counted'

LIZ BEAVERS
CUMBERLAND —

African-Americans who do not participate in the upcoming Census 2000 would be, in effect, failing their ancestors, according to Delegate Joanne Benson, who spoke to the crowd at the Metropolitan AME Church Sunday Morning. Benson was the featured speaker Sunday morning during the combination Black History Celebration/Census 2000 Kick-Off co-sponsored by the Metropolitan AME Church of Cumberland and the Allegany County Chapter of the NAACP.

Will Pinder, Patrol Deputy of the Year

Richard W. "Baldy" Powell (1940-1992) - City Council Candidate

In April 1982, the Cumberland News announced that Richard Wendell "Baldy" Powell had declared his candidacy for Cumberland City Council. Richard Powell had graduated from Allegany High School where he excelled in sports and continued to be a well-known sports figure in the community. He resided at 311 Avirett Avenue with his wife, Patricia.

Susan Marie Jones (1942-)

Susan M. Jones, a Democrat, is the first African-American, man or woman, to be elected to Allegany County-wide office.
This was in 1990 when she was elected as a Judge to the Allegany County Orphan's Court. Jones served in this capacity from 1991-1995.