My dad and co-author, Dr. John F. Leeke and I traveled to Hagerstown, Maryland, and met with Mayor Bill McIntire and City Councilmembers Tiara Burnett, Candice Anderson, Erika Bell, Kristin Aleshire, and Sean Flaherty on August 11th.
During our meeting, we introduced them to our book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion. We discussed our requests for the issuance of a proclamation and a historical marker recognzing our family’s connection to Hagerstown and use of the Underground Railroad to escape slavery in the late 1830s.
We also shared our interest in co-hosting an event that would introduce American Change Agent and our family’s Underground Railroad journey to the Hagerstown and Washington County communities during International Underground Railroad Month in September, Maryland Emancipation Day in November, or later this year.
Several councilmembers expressed an interest in issuing a proclamation and purchased copies of our book. We look forward to working with the them and the City of Hagerstown in the coming weeks and months.
Special thanks to City Councilmember Burnett for helping us secure a meeting with the City Council!
The meeting was live streamed on the City of Hagerstown’s Facebook page. Click the video below to watch our presentation. Start watching the video at the 3.10 minute mark (ends at 15.1 minute mark).
Ananda Leeke 