Baltimore County Celebrates Black History Month

the streetcar, they had a school token. They'd walk to the end of the

line down here and then ride this to Catonsville elementary school. -

During this time, many Black men worked for the Baltimore transit

company as shopmen, cleaning and moving streetcars. That's where World

War II Veteran Burley Roberts Senior started and would soon make

history. - In 1952, Baltimore transit company, seeing a trend, decided

to elevate some of their shopmen to the position of motors, streetcar

motormen or operators. - Roberts became the first African-American

streetcar operator in Baltimore, driving route Number 8 from

Catonsville to Towson. One hundred additional black operators were

promoted after Roberts broke down that barrier, but they endured

racial slurs and demeaning harassment. - But it was not good, he was

spat upon, people would throw money at them and the abuse he endured.

I couldn't personally take it, but I believe they chose him because of

his personality which would be likened to like Jackie Robinson of the

Brooklyn Dodgers. They knew he could handle himself. - Handle himself,

he did. His three surviving daughters now, all in their 70s, say he

would never miss a day of work. - Because he said he had to make sure

he feeds his children and raise his children. - [NOISE] But I have to

hold back the tears because I knew what he went through, but

regardless of what he went through, he kept striving and he got to

make a point and he did. - Roberts worked 43 years in Baltimore

transportation before retiring. He passed away in 2001 with not a clue

that 20 years later, his life and legacy would be celebrated with a

mural on the very streetcar path he operated on. [MUSIC] It all

started when Catonsville rails to trails took over the Number 8

streetcar path in 1996. Clearing and paving it as part of their trail

network. A year later, an Eagle Scout painted a 30-foot mural of the

Catonsville streetcar junction circa 1950. Fast forward to 2021,

studio 33 artist Edward Williams helped refreshed the mural, getting

rid of Graffiti and adding figures including Roberts' image behind the

wheel of the streetcar. - Just an honor to be able to go back to the

history and honor somebody that had to deal with the problems that he

had to deal with as a black man in the '50s and '60s. - Maureen

Sweeney Smith, vice President of Catonsville rails to trails, tried

everything she could to reach the Roberts family to let them know. - I

had the obituary, so I had the names and I went through Facebook and I

went through white pages and I finally was able to come up with one

Facebook page of a brother, but I never got an answer. I just gave up.

- It wasn't until nearly two years later, in early 2023, when one of

Roberts' granddaughters discovered the mural while she was doing

research for Black History Month. - She got all excited and she sent

out emails [NOISE] to the family, we were all excited about it. - They

got Smith's number and gave her a call on February 1. - Was actually

on the trail when she called and she gave me her name and I said I

know who you are and so I told her if she wanted to directions and I

said oh no, we're going to give you a tour. - Eight days later,

Robert's three surviving daughters, Barber McGee, Sheila Roberts

Lewis, and Diane Cupid, were out on the trail. - It just put tears to

my heart and I just said I wish that dad was here to see it but he's

where God wants him at this time. But my children and grandchildren

and their children and generations to come will be able to see that

their great... the great man in my life the early Robert. -

Catonsville rails to trails is working to raise $3,000 to install a

permanent wayside exhibit at the mural so people passing by can read

about what Roberts did. - I think everybody needs to come down here,

understand what this man went through. I think we're in a time where

we're trying to dismiss that there are parts of our history that it's

just not that pretty and we need to deal with it. - If you'd like to

visit the mural, the Number 8 streetcar path runs from Dutton avenue

to Frederick Road, right next to Matthew's 1600 restaurant. [MUSIC]

From the past to the present, Baltimore County has so much to be proud

of and in Baltimore County Government, we don't have to look far to

find a trailblazer. In 2019, Stacy Rodgers became the first

African-American appointed to serve as the Baltimore county

administrative officer. She is responsible for directing the county's

day-to-day operations and providing oversight for the county's nearly

$4 billion operating budget. - I'm thankful and just extremely honored

to serve in this role and I'm deeply honored to have had the County

Executive have faith in me to even appoint me initially in the job and

then nominate me for a second term to work alongside him. - Rodgers

has more than 30 years experience working with federal, state, and

local government agencies and non-profit organizations, including

serving as the Chief of staff for the Social Security Administration

during the Obama administration. - That's one of my prize pictures

that I have in my life is to stand with the President and the First

Lady and know that they were making history and to be a part of the

first African American president administration, working in the Obama

administration. - Her passion for service also extends beyond the

workplace. Rogers contributes her time, resources, and talents to

numerous faith and civic organizations. She hopes to inspire the next

generation of committed public servants. The same way that leaders,

mentors, family members, and church members encouraged her. - As a

leader, particularly an African-American female leader. It is so

important that we set an example for the generations to come, not

where we are at the present time, but who is coming behind us. I

believe that Dolly Parton's quote, "If your actions create a legacy

that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become

more than you are an excellent leader" and I am honored to say that

many young people, particularly young administrators, just starting

out in their careers or even students in my early career when I worked

in higher ed.|" They have come back to me to say just that. - Her

biggest piece of advice for young people, or what she refers to as

emerging leaders, is to pursue your passion. - Because if you're

passionate about the work you do, it's easy to do the work, not only

pursuing your passion, but never give up on your dreams and never

allow anyone to cause you to give up on your dreams. Makes sure that

you speak truth to power, meaning if you believe firmly in something

and, it's the right thing that you always do, what is right and what

is ethical, regardless of who is looking or not, what you do in front

of folks is the same that you must do when there's nobody looking

because ethical standard is an ethical standard. - Rogers says in

tough times, she also has something called a pick-me-up box. It's a

collection of cards, letters, and notes that people have given her

over the years that help reaffirm her worth and value. - It sometimes

it brings tears to my eyes to know the impact that I've had and so I

have to remind myself, I know who I am, many people know who I am and

what I stand for. When I'm challenged or derogatory, things are said

that are not true, then you have to let that go and stay focused on

what you're doing. - Madam CEO, we thank you for your dedication to

the people of Baltimore County and beyond. [MUSIC] Thank you for

listening to this episode of The County, tune in next time.