Preservation of African American history in College Park, part one

Abstract

Maxine Gross is a fifth-generation Lakelander who is chair of the city’s Restorative Justice Commission. She has committed her time to documenting and preserving the history of Lakeland and sharing the stories of so many who called the community home. She is the Lakeland Community Heritage Project chairwoman, whose website features historical photos and documents and a vision for Lakeland’s future. She is also on the advisory Board for The 1856 Project. Her family’s contribution to the University of Maryland dates from the early 1900s with employment by her great uncle Ferdinand Hughes, great grandmother, grandfather (48 years), and father (28 years). She was the first of the family able to enroll at the University, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also serves on the College Park City- University Partnership and Embry Center for Family Life boards. Maxine is a former College Park City Council member.