IN MEMORIAM
“ HE PRACTICED LAW UNTIL 1966, WHEN HE BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SERVE AS AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE OF THE SUPREME BENCH OF BALTIMORE FROM JUNE 29, 1966, UNTIL JANUARY 2, 1968.”
“George was a legal giant and a symbol of progress. He went from the segregated era to the integrated era to one of power. His life marked the historical progress in our community.” - Kurt L. Schmoke, Former Baltimore Mayor A trailblazer in Maryland’s legal and civic landscape, Judge Russell made history as the first African American to serve as associate judge of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore, city solicitor for Baltimore, president of the Baltimore City Bar Association, and the first Black candidate to run for mayor of Baltimore. Because of his foresight and unwavering commitment, our museum stands today as a living testament to Black excel- lence, resilience, and history. His legacy continues to inspire every story we tell. - Reginald F. Lewis Museum “He was a giant. He was a pioneer. He was somebody who paved the way for so many Black attorneys in this state. But for George Russell, I wouldn’t have the opportunity that I have today. There wouldn’t be this pathway for the legal practice for Black attorneys.” - Malcolm Ruff, Maryland State Delegate (D-Baltimore City) “I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Judge George Russell Jr. He was a trailblazing jurist, attorney and public servant who made the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland better for all its residents while opening doors to African Americans that were closed for too long.” - Luke Clippinger, Maryland State Delegate (D-Baltimore City)
of the Russell Committee, formed to investigate the drug crisis and under- funding of the Baltimore City justice system. In 1994, Maryland Gover- nor William D. Schaefer named Russell the chair of the 16-member Maryland Museum of African Amer- ican History and Culture Commission. The commis- sion determined that there was a need for a museum dedicated to preserving African American heritage in the state of Maryland. Under Russell’s steward- ship, the Commission established the Maryland African American Museum Corporation, which was ultimately responsible for planning, developing, and managing the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History
and Culture, which opened in 2008. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Russell was a longtime member of the Baltimore (MD) Alumni. In 1968, at the 55th Grand Chapter Meeting hosted by Baltimore (MD) Alumni, Russell served as the key- note speaker at the Closed Banquet. He also appeared on the covers of the Octo- ber-November 1966 and December 1968 issues of the Kappa Alpha Psi Jour- nal. The Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore named its annual and charities after Russell. At the 78th Grand Chapter Meeting held in Minneapo- lis, MN, the Grand Chapter conferred the 62nd Laurel Wreath to Russell due to achievements in the legal profession.
In 1994, Russell chaired the Governor’s Salary Commission, and, in 1995, he chaired the 13-member Baltimore Judicial Nominat- ing Commission. Russell was a member of the board of directors of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maryland from 1995 to 2001 and of Constellation Energy Group Inc. from 2001 to 2001. He is a fellow of the Maryland
Bar Founda- tion and of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Brother George L. Russell, Jr., is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Marion Anne Russell. He is survived by his son, George L. Russell III, who became chief judge of the U.S. District Court of Maryland in May 2024. ♦
SPRING 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 77
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