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Commission renames state museum, reports increased online engagement; FY 2026 budget rises modestly
Summary
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture presented a $1.8 million FY 2026 allowance, highlighted a museum name change to include Harriet Tubman and a surge in online visitors, and described a $5 million African American Heritage Preservation capital grant program co‑administered with Maryland Historical Trust.
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture told the Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee its fiscal 2026 operating allowance would be $1,800,000 and described growing online engagement and museum initiatives.
Commission analyst Yoshadura (Yoshi) Rai presented the Department of Legislative Services review, noting the fiscal 2026 allowance is about $200,000 above the fiscal 2025 working appropriation, that 75% of the budget supports personnel (11 regular positions), and that the largest proposed increase is for Department of Information Technology services. Rai said two positions were vacant as of December 31, 2024, for less than six months.
Executive Director Cina Compton, appearing virtually, described the November 1 name change of the state's museum to the Banneker Douglas Tubman Museum and highlighted the commission's programs, including Maryland's Year of Civil Rights in partnership with the governor's office. She said youth and after‑school programs aim to connect students to state history and cultural identity. Compton also described the commission's role co‑administering the African American Heritage Preservation Grant Program, a $5,000,000 capital grant program administered with the Maryland Historical Trust to support cemeteries, schoolhouses, churches, community centers and museums.
Rai's presentation included visitor metrics showing online engagement rose markedly in fiscal 2024 to about 300,000 online visitors, while in‑person attendance increased modestly. The commission reported 328 events attended by commissioners in fiscal 2024 and said it began tracking two new performance indicators in fiscal 2024: public meeting attendance and out‑of‑school program attendance. Compton said a five‑year strategic plan is in development.
Ending: DLS recommended concurrence with the governor's allowance and invited questions; none were asked. The commission asked for continued support for programming and preservation grants.
