The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission

was established in 2019 by House Bill 307 (PDF) , opens in a new tab and amended by House Bill 297 (PDF) , opens in a new tab in 2021 and Senate Bill 478 (PDF) , opens in a new tab in 2023. The Commission is authorized to research cases of racially motivated lynchings and hold public meetings and regional hearings where a lynching of an African American by a white mob has been documented. Current evidence reflects 38 such cases.

Final Report of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission - Submitted December 2025

View of Darlington Courthouse and the Sycamore Tree Where Amy Spain, the Negro Slave, Was Hung by the Citizens of Darlington, South Carolina. Slaveryimages dot com item 1324
View of Darlington Courthouse and the Sycamore Tree Where Amy Spain, the Negro Slave, Was Hung by the Citizens of Darlington, South Carolina.
Image Courtesty of Slaveryimages.org, RegID: SI-OB-440


Meetings and Hearings, Open to the Public

  • Reconciliation Committee Meetings are usually held on the first Friday of the month from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm ET.
  • Full Commission Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of the month from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm ET.
Meeting of the Frontiers social and civic club from MSA special collections
Meeting of the Frontiers Social and Civic club from MSA Special Collections.
Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Public Hearing Template
This presentation is an outline of the areas and the steps which should be addressed to hold a public hearing on the subject of racial terror lynchings. These events are sponsored by the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission and planned collaboratively with private and public citizens and groups from the county in which the hearing is held. Topics include: Hearing Venues, Outreach, Program Agenda, and Public Comment.

This Month's Public Meetings and Hearings