Arts and Entertainment

Marcus Stephens, Plank Industries

Marcus Stephens was born in Cumberland, Maryland and is a 1997 graduate from Frostburg State University with of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Frostburg State University. He currently (January 2018) holds the position of Executive Creative Director at Plank Industries. As noted on the Plank Industries website, this is “the private-investment office of Kevin A. Plank, the founder, Chairman, and CEO of Under Armour.”

Parris Arin Ashley, Artist

Upon graduation from high school Parris Ashley worked for ten years prior to his enrollment at Frostburg State University. He was 28 years old. While at FSU Parris maintained a 3.55 GPA and went on to graduate in 2015 with a BFA in Painting and a Minor in Art History.

Ruthie Mae (York) Turner - Ms. Senior District of Columbia, 1947 - 2014

Ruthie Mae, or "RC" as she is known to friends, graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1965. Raised on Glenwood Street in South Cumberland she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Taylor. After attending Allegany Community College Ruthie eventually relocated to Washington, D.C. She held various positions until securing a banking post with the Riggs National Bank. Ruthie Mae Turner would over a forty year career in the banking industry work her way up the ladder from teller to Vice-President.

Roy H. Redman, better known among his ex-associates at the Luke mill as "Jake," disagrees with the persons who believe there is nothing like your first horseback ride to make you feel better OFF. His view is understandable because Jake, a longtime resident of Piedmont, apparently was born to ride.

City history on public TV

CUMBERLAND — Maryland Public Television will air a half-hour special that explores the state's African American heritage, including the history of Cumberland, on Thursday at 8 p.m.

The group of about 10 local people who was involved with the filming will hold a reception Thursday beginning at 7 p.m. at the Fulton Myers Post 153 American Legion, 158 N. Mechanic St. The club has a wide-screen TV for viewing the show.

PBS films black history series in Cumberland
Documentary shot at C. William Gilchrist Gallery

CUMBERLAND — The C. William Gilchrist Gallery was recently the site of the filming of a Public Broadcasting System documentary series titled African American Lives, which traces black history through genealogy and DNA science.

The program is a co-production of Thirteen/WNET New York and Kunhardt Productions Inc.

Tamela Frazier is the first African-American to win the title of Miss Allegany County.

Shana Powell

There have been two African-American Miss Allegany Counties. The first of these was in 1994, Cumberland native, Tamela Frazier. On March 10, 2007, 21 year-old Shana Powell became the second African-American to win the title, "Miss Allegany County".

On June 30, 2007, Shana Powell became the eighth Miss Allegany County to win the title of Miss Maryland. A native of Bowie, Maryland and a student at Morgan State University, Shana's talent competition consisted of singing, "Glitter and Be Gay" from Candide.

Therese Washington - New York City’s "Page One Ball Queen"

Alice Darr - Recording Artist, Song Writer, and Composer, (1930-2024)