MARYLAND
SUMMIT & EXPO
November 14, 2025 American Legion Post #77 Easton, MD 21601
PRESENTED BY The Alliance of Business Owners, Organizations, and Supporters Lou Fields, Convenor Baltimore African American Tourism Council, Inc. www.bdxlive.biz | www.atasteofsoul.biz
FREDERICK DOUGLASS
The long journey of Frederick Douglass from enslavement to international fame as abolitionist, author, and statesman began in Talbot County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. See the Talbot County sites that formed one of the greatest 19th century Americans in four self-guided driving tours. You’ll pass through picturesque towns and historic farms on the way to understanding more about this man.
Scan here for more
410-770-8000 | FrederickDouglassBirthplace.org
EASTON • OXFORD • ST. MICHAELS • TILGHMAN ISLAND
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Tickets are available for advance purchase at FDHill.org. Tickets: $110
187th Anniversary Douglass “Escape from Slavery” Tour
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Greetings from the Maryland General Assembly
Dear Louis and Fellow Attendees: It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 Maryland Heritage Tourism Summit & Exposition! This year’s theme, “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future,” speaks to the strength of our heritage and the responsibility we share to carry it forward. As an Eastern Shore native, I am proud that Dorchester County—the birthplace of Harriet Tubman—stands as the backdrop for this important gathering. Our soil and waterways hold the stories of courage, resilient, and freedom that continue to inspire us today. As your representative in the Maryland General Assembly, I remain com- mitted to preserving and uplifting African American heritage across our state. May this summit enrich, connect, and inspire you to honor the past while boldly shaping the future. Yours in service,
Sheree Sample-Hughes Delegate, Maryland General Assembly Dorchester & Wicomico Counties – Legislative District 37A
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WELCOME
MARYLAND HERITAGE TOURISM SUMMIT & EXPO Theme: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future Hosts: MHTSE- Co-chairs: Cheryl A. Coles, Francine Allen, Morgan State University Student: Jazmen Wilkerson Summit Convenor: Lou Fields, President, Baltimore African American Tourism Council, Inc.
Thank you for attending and supporting the inaugural Maryland Heritage Tourism Summit and Business Expo. Join us in honoring the people of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Many a Easternshoreman have worn the uniform of the American Armed Forces. As we celebrate the November 11, 2025, National Veterans Day, we remember Uncle Nace aka Nathaniel Hopkins, a former Eastern Shore enslaved person, who served in the United States Colored Troops fighting for the Union Army’s dual cause; the effort to abolish slavery and the effort to save the Union.
Lou Fields, Convenor
Today we gather in the hometown of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and travel paths where Henry Highland Garnet, Jr., Samuel Green, William Still, Gloria Richard- son, Sam Ringgold Ward, Evelyn Townsend, Dr. Kay McElvey, John Crieghton, Anna Murray, Dr. William Hychte, Charles and Jeanette Chipman, Dr. Ron Managua Kare- na, and Dr. Earl Richardson all traveled. Today in Maryland, we have the nation’s only African American Governor; we have Senator Angela Alsobrooks, the first African American to be elected to the United States Senate from the State of Maryland; we have the nation’s largest number of African Americans serving in a state legislature. The only remaining question is: Are Maryland’s political and business leaders & their organizations working with their members, ready to take leadership, and work together to create more wealth creation and business opportunities for people of color? Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Parity are not dead and cannot be eradicated by any one person, not even the President of the United States. This is our Project 2026. Let’s Win Back The House Special thanks to Dr. Robert L. Wallace, Commander William Griffin, our sponsors, supporters, speakers, vendors, awardees, staff, our student interns, volunteers, and our co-chairs Cheryl A. Coles and Francine Allen. Note: The second Summit will be held in Annapolis on Thursday, January 15, 2026 Onward & Upward! Lou Fields www.atasteofsoul.biz / www.bdxlive.biz atasteofsoul443@gmail.com | Tel: 443.983.7974 (on the cover, l-r, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Gloria Richardson, Henry Highland Garnet, Jr.)
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SCHEDULE Presented by the Alliance of Business Owners, Organization & Supporters Friday, November 14, 2025 | 1– 5PM American Legion Post #77, 102 Glenwood Avenue, Easton, MD * Event is free and open to the public. 1:00pm • Welcome …………… Summit Co-chairs: Cheryl A. Coles, NSU Alum; Francine Allen, JHU alum, US Marines • Invocation …….......... Chaplain, Victor Middleton, American Legion Post #77 • Greetings ………...…..William Griffin, Commander Post # 77, US Army (Ret) • Welcome to the Shore …... Cassandra VanHooser, Talbot County Tourism; Kristen Goller, Talbot County Tourism • Presentations ……….…Mary Handley, Office of Comptroller Brooke Lierman 1:30pm • Introduction of Speaker …...Kendrick Tilghman • Speaker: Dr. Robert L. Wallace, CEO, BithGroup Global Technologies • Q&A • Presentation …………………Lou Fields, Maryland Friends of Freedom Awards 2:30pm • Panel Discussion-1: Establishing the Eastern Shore Black Chamber of Commerce Dr. Robert L. Wallace, BithGroup Global Technologies Kendrick Tilghman, CEO, 5 Star Enterprises, former President, Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce (GBBCC) Moderator: Lou Fields, leader founder/1st President, GBBCC • Panel Discussion-2: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Inspiring the Future Maya Davis, Program Director, Riverdale Plantation Dr. Clara Small, Professor of African American Studies, Salisbury State University (Ret) John Queen, Director, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation Moderator: Jazmen Wilkerson, Morgan State University, ‘26 4:00pm • Reflections from the Awardees 4:30pm • Closing Remarks : Dr. Dale Green 6pm-8pm • Booths on the Ground Roundup , American Legion Post #77 Door Prizes: MD Tourism Coalition, Nanci & Richie S. Music courtesy of DJ 5 Star | Photography by Hynson’s Photo Service
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connect * convene * collaborate
presents
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVOCACY DAY at Thursday, January 15, 2026 • 2:00 - 6:00 pm Delegation Room 170 6 Bladen St Annapolis, MD 21401 MARYLAND HOUSE of DELEGATES
PROJECT 2026: WBTH
Fmi: thealliance443@gmail.com Lou Fields: 443-983-7974 organize * strategize * mobilize
Harriet Tubman Freedom Center, where she plays an instrumental role in shap- ing the organization’s mis- sion to educate, inspire, and empower through his- tory, culture, and commu- nity engagement. Alex Green is a passion-
ate historical interpreter, cultural educator, and founder of the Harriet Tub- man Freedom Center and Harriet Tubman Tours on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. With more than a decade dedicated to researching and presenting the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman.
Maryland “Friend of Freedom” Awardees, cont’d (from page 11) Lisa Green is a dedicated leader, faith-driven vision- ary, and co-founder of the
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SPONSORS/ SUPPORTERS SDS
VENDORS PLEASE SUPPORT OUR VENDORS! Alagra’s Creations | Alagra Weaver Everything Dope | Kenyotta Griffin Dr. Clara Small | Author, Historian Karen Jones | Karen’s Handbags Blacks Of The Chesapeake | John Queen Lou Fields | Author, Historian Kreative Artisan Threads | Letropier D. Coles Reginald Lewis Museum | Kali Dodson
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Robert L. Wallace Robert L. Wallace is an internationally-known entrepreneur, author, speaker and consultant. With more than 40 years of business experience spanning engineering, energy and IT, Bob blends decades of research with practical real-world ad- vice to educate and inspire entrepreneurs and executives worldwide.
His rags-to-riches story began in the Baltimore projects amidst poverty and racial segregation, before overcoming obstacles to establish three companies: BITHGROUP Technologies, Bithenergy, and through RobertWallace. com, EntreTeach. Now, he shares his innovative strategies for success with other corporate and com- munity leaders through his growing library of books and other content, and through his energetic keynote presentations and training workshops. Wallace earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics at the University of Pennsylvania, and his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, where he began his research on the characteristics of success- ful entrepreneurs. He was also awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honor- ary) from Sojourner-Douglass College. Bob is a passionate community leader and devoted church elder who believes in the intersection of spirituality and business. He’s written six books on wealth cre- ation, strategic partnerships, business spirituality, emerging markets and entrepre- neurship. His books address the challenges faced by women, people of color, and entrepreneurs of all stripes from domestic and global emerging markets. Bob tells the story of these amazing people with an insightful approach that makes his writing equally compelling to large corporations with an “intrapreneurial” spirit. Politically, he also made history when he became the first independent candidate for Mayor of Baltimore to earn a spot on the ballot in 2020. Garnering close to 50,000 votes, Mr. Wallace has built a coalition that will forever change the political terrain of Baltimore City. When he’s not researching, mentoring or presenting to other business leaders, Bob enjoys spending time with his wife of 44 years, their five children and ten grandchildren.
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HONOREES
Maryland “Friend of Freedom” Awardees
Jan’s professional mileage extends through her role as Principal of Water 2 Wine Consulting Group, where she equips non- profit executives and small business owners with the tools to build capacity, se- cure funding, and achieve sustainability.
Tarence Bailey The 5X great nephew of Frederick Douglass was the pivotal force be- hind creating the Dou- glass Mural in Easton, Talbot County, MD. Mr. Bailey is available for lectures and presenta- tions. He can be reached at tarencebailey70@ gmail.com .
Bill Jarmon
Mr. Bill Jarmon is a multi-faceted, very talent- ed, exceptionally astute man who values education and strives to educate the public on all levels. Bill taught at North Dorches- ter Middle and Junior Se- nior High School, where in 1966, he became the first black teacher at the school. Bill was also the first black teacher at Seabrook Elementary School in Prince Georges County. Bill volunteers with the Dorchester County His- torical Society, the Harri- et Tubman Museum, and other local institutions because he firmly believes that through education cul- ture can be preserved. He is a true educator at heart!
Tonet Ross Cuffee
Tonet Ross Cuffee, a proud descendant of Har- riet Ross Tubman, carries forward her great-aunt’s legacy through leadership, advocacy, and storytelling. She has represented the Ross-Tubman family at major events, including the 2024 Maryland Na- tional Guard ceremony recognizing Tubman as a one-star general. Beyond public speaking, Tonet serves as a 2GEN Coordinator and ROMA Implementer at Delmar- va Community Services. Through her work and voice, she emphasizes that “The Underground Railroad is still under con- struction”ensuring Harriet Tubman’s story is not only remembered but lived out in action.
Jan Desper Peters For nearly two decades, Jan Desper Peters has been behind the wheel of High Ground Transporta- tion Services, Inc., steer- ing one of Maryland’s most respected minority-owned transportation toward con- sistent grown, impact, and integrity. As CEO, she has built Higher Ground into a trusted partner for major infrastructure projects like the Frederick Douglass Tunnel.
Alex & Lisa Green (continued on pg 8)
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www.bdxlive.biz
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PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EXPERIENCE THE CIAA TOURNAMENT IN BALTIMORE
FEBRUARY 24-28, 2026
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HEROES OPEN FOR
Step into Maryland and step into the most powerful
Underground Railroad storytelling destination in
the world. Plus, enjoy many more heritage-based
experiences on Maryland’s sprawling scenic byways. If
you’re into history, Maryland is open for your curiosity.
Be open for an overnight trip. Go to visitmaryland.org.
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