It's Juneteenth, and we’re celebrating. But first, as voters head to the polls, we look at how the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 affects Black voters here in Maryland. Then, we dig into the history of emancipation celebrations in this state. The month of June is also Black Music Appreciation Month, which means indulging in a little Jimi Hendrix and Black Rock and Roll before we ‘Pass the Mic’ to an artistic Baltimore rapper. To close the celebration: AFRAM turns 50. Baltimore's signature summer festival steps into its golden decade, and we've got the music and the memories to mark the occasion.

Guests

• William J Ford, Maryland Matters Reporter
• Monica Brooks, President of the NAACP Wicomico County
• Ida E. Jones, Archivist, Morgan State University
• abdu mongo ali, Artist and Rapper
• Wesley Case, Baltimore Banner Reporter
• Jasmine Vaughn-Hall, Baltimore Banner Reporter

Related Links

• Voting Rights Act for Maryland stirred emotions well before Monday meltdown
• What AFRAM means to Baltimore, through 3 generations
• As AFRAM hits 50, Baltimore’s celebration of Black culture is a tale of resiliency

Credits: Matt Bush is the host of WYPR's News Roundup. We had help from Isaac Moss, Elizabeth Nonemaker, and Malarie Pinkard-Pierre. Shawn Murphy and Shanya Mapson were our studio engineers. Amy Walters is WYPR's Executive Producer.