Talbot Family Network will host its March Conversations on Race program, titled “Dialogue on Race Through History: Legacy, Landscape, and the Lives We Remember,” on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum at 215 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels, Md. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.

This month’s conversation will explore the region’s history through the lens of Frederick Douglass and the broader landscape of enslavement that shaped Talbot County. While Douglass’ life story is extraordinary, his experiences offer a powerful window into the realities faced by many people who lived and labored in the region, including countless individuals whose names and stories were never recorded.

The session will also connect to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s exhibition Bear Me Into Freedom: The Talbot County of Frederick Douglass, which examines Douglass’ early life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the historical landscape that influenced his journey. Opened this month, Bear Me Into Freedom is inspired by local photographer and historian Jeff McGuiness’ book of the same name.

“Frederick Douglass’ story begins here in Talbot County, and it provides an opportunity to reflect not only on his remarkable life but also on the broader history of this place,” said Talbot Family Network Executive Director  Nancy Andrew. “These conversations help our community explore how the past continues to shape our understanding of identity, belonging, and shared responsibility today.”

Participants will consider how communities remember history, whose stories are preserved, whose are lost, and what it means to live alongside that legacy today. The discussion is designed to encourage thoughtful dialogue and reflect on the connections between local history and present-day community life.

“History is not just something we study in textbooks. It lives in the places around us and in the stories we choose to remember,” said Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Vice President, Learning & Innovation Jill Ferris. “Frederick Douglass’ experiences here on the Eastern Shore help illuminate a larger story about the people and landscapes that shaped his life, and the many voices that remain part of that history.”

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/march26convo.

The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session is designed to stand alone while contributing to an ongoing community dialogue about race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025–26 series include ShoreRivers, Shore Lit, Talbot County Free Library, and additional community organizations.

Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. The organization identifies local priorities, directs resources, and promotes collaboration among agencies and community partners. More information is available at www.healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network.

More about the exhibit is at www.cbmm.org/bear-me-into-freedom/.

(Photo courtesy CBMM)

FEBRUARY 23, 2026 UPDATE: This event is now cancelled due to the winter storm.

Talbot Family Network will host a community screening and discussion of excerpts from the documentary film Descendant as part of its ongoing Conversations on Race series. The event will take place Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Eastern Shore Conservation Center, 114 S. Washington St., Easton. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.

The February program, presented in partnership with ShoreRivers, will explore environmental justice by examining how environmental conditions, historical inequities, and access to decision-making power continue to shape health, opportunity, and belonging in communities.

Descendant tells the story of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last known ship to carry enslaved Africans to the United States. The documentary follows members of the Africatown community in Alabama as they uncover their ancestors’ story, preserve cultural traditions, and confront environmental and economic challenges tied to industrial development in their community.

The film highlights themes of resilience, environmental stewardship, and the ongoing impact of systemic inequities.

Film is a powerful way to engage people in conversations that might otherwise feel difficult to approach,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Talbot Family Network. “By watching and discussing Descendant together, we hope to create space for meaningful dialogue about how history, environment, and community well-being are connected, both nationally and here on the Mid-Shore.

Following the screening, participants will engage in a facilitated discussion designed to encourage reflection and community dialogue.

ShoreRivers will provide local context by helping participants consider connections between the environmental justice issues highlighted in the documentary and challenges faced by communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Environmental justice is closely tied to who has a voice in decisions that affect land, water, and public health,” said ShoreRivers Senior Community Engagement Coordinator Maegan White. “This conversation offers an opportunity to connect a powerful national story to local experiences and to better understand the environmental challenges our Eastern Shore communities face.

The event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required, and seating is limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/feb26convo.

The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session is designed to stand alone while contributing to an ongoing community dialogue about race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025-26 series include Shore Lit, the Water’s Edge Museum, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and additional community organizations.

ShoreRivers works to protect Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, education, and engagement, with a vision of thriving rivers cherished by all Eastern Shore communities. More information is available at shorerivers.org.

Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. The organization identifies local priorities, directs resources, and promotes collaboration among agencies and community partners. More information is available at healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.

Talbot Family Network will launch the January installment of its Conversations on Race series with a new community partnership and an interactive program focused on language, power, and equity.

The event will take place on Monday, January 26, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Fello’s Port Street Commons, located at 480 Port Street in Easton. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.

For January, Talbot Family Network is partnering with Shore Lit to present a 90-minute facilitated program centered on Critical Language Awareness and Linguistic Justice. The session will explore how language shapes perceptions, reinforces bias, and influences a sense of belonging, with an emphasis on listening, reflection, and dialogue.

The program is being designed and facilitated by Shore Lit Founder and Director Kerry Folan, who will incorporate audio storytelling and guided discussion to examine how oral prejudice and assumptions about language affect individuals and communities. The format is intended to encourage shared learning in an accessible, welcoming environment.

“Conversations on Race creates space for our community to engage with complex issues in thoughtful and meaningful ways,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Talbot Family Network. “This partnership with Shore Lit allows us to explore race through the lens of language, which is central to how we connect, include, and understand one another.”

“Our conversations about race often focus on visual signifiers and perceptions. But there are also relationships among race, language, and power,” said Folan. “This conversation draws on my training as a professor of writing and literature and invites people to reflect on their own experiences with language, considering the often invisible power structures inherent within and the impact of linguistic hierarchies on our perceptions of race.”

The event is free and open to the public, with advanced registration required and seating limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/jan26convo.

The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session stands on its own while contributing to a broader community dialogue on race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025–26 series include Shore Lit, the Water’s Edge Museum, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and others.

Shore Lit is a nonprofit literary organization based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that promotes reading, creative writing, and literary engagement across the region. Through free author talks, youth writing workshops, and literacy programs, Shore Lit amplifies diverse voices and creates experiences of joy and connection around storytelling. Its programs serve readers and writers across ages and backgrounds throughout the Mid-Shore, with more at www.shorelit.org.

Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. TFN identifies local priorities, targets resources, and fosters collaboration across agencies and communities. More information is available at www.healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.

Talbot Family Network will launch the April installment of its Conversations on Race series with a new community partnership and an interactive program focused on language, power, and equity.

The event will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Talbot County Free Library, located at 100 W. Dover Street in Easton. A light dinner and refreshments will be provided.

For January, Talbot Family Network is partnering with Shore Lit to present a 90-minute facilitated program centered on Critical Language Awareness and Linguistic Justice. The session will explore how language shapes perceptions, reinforces bias, and influences a sense of belonging, with an emphasis on listening, reflection, and dialogue.

The program is being designed and facilitated by Shore Lit Founder and Director Kerry Folan, who will incorporate audio storytelling and guided discussion to examine how oral prejudice and assumptions about language affect individuals and communities. The format is intended to encourage shared learning in an accessible, welcoming environment.

Conversations on Race creates space for our community to engage with complex issues in thoughtful and meaningful ways,” said Nancy Andrew, executive director of Talbot Family Network. “This partnership with Shore Lit allows us to explore race through the lens of language, which is central to how we connect, include, and understand one another.”

“Our conversations about race often focus on visual signifiers and perceptions. But there are also relationships among race, language, and power,” said Folan. “This conversation draws on my training as a professor of writing and literature and invites people to reflect on their own experiences with language, considering the often invisible power structures inherent within and the impact of linguistic hierarchies on our perceptions of race.

The event is free and open to the public, with advanced registration required and seating limited. Registration is available at bit.ly/apr26convo.

The Conversations on Race series is held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Each session stands on its own while contributing to a broader community dialogue on race, equity, and inclusion. Partners for the 2025–26 series include Shore Lit, the Water’s Edge Museum, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and others.

Shore Lit is a nonprofit literary organization based on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that promotes reading, creative writing, and literary engagement across the region. Through free author talks, youth writing workshops, and literacy programs, Shore Lit amplifies diverse voices and creates experiences of joy and connection around storytelling. Its programs serve readers and writers across ages and backgrounds throughout the Mid-Shore, with more at www.shorelit.org.

Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. TFN identifies local priorities, targets resources, and fosters collaboration across agencies and communities. More information is available at www.healthytalbot.org/about/talbot-family-network/.

Note: This event was originally scheduled in January, and rescheduled due to a weather-related cancellation.

Register Here

Participants in the upcoming Conversations on Race series will view a CBS 60 Minutes feature on the Clotilda—the last known ship to bring enslaved Africans to the United States—and explore the experiences of their descendants in Africatown, Alabama.

The story examines how families connected to the Clotilda are grappling with questions of legacy, power, and reconciliation generations later.

The screening begins at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8, in the Easton Room of the Talbot County Free Library and includes a shared discussion, refreshments, and a light meal. You can save a seat by registering here. 

The Clotilda segment shares the story of the ship’s 1860 voyage, which illegally transported 110 captive Africans to Mobile, Alabama, more than 50 years after the transatlantic slave trade was outlawed. The vessel was later burned and sunk in an effort to conceal the crime.

Its wreckage, discovered in 2019, renewed attention to the descendants of Africatown’s founders—a community built by survivors and their families.

The segment explores the experiences of both the descendants and the families whose ancestors enslaved them as they grapple with questions of inheritance and healing. The longer Netflix documentary Descendant and Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” also delve into the Clotilda story.

Nancy Andrew, executive director of the Talbot Family Network, said the Conversations on Race program is designed to create meaningful community connections through shared learning.

“We chose this impactful film because it explores issues of legacy, generational wealth, and personal agency,” Andrew said. “Each session stands on its own, but together they deepen our understanding of race and history.”

Dana Newman, executive director of the Talbot County Free Library, said hosting the series aligns with the library’s mission to foster dialogue and inclusion.

“Public libraries are one of the few truly shared spaces in any community,” Newman said. “Hosting Conversations on Race helps us bring people together to learn from one another and confront history with empathy and understanding. It’s how we build a stronger, more connected Talbot County.”

The event is free, with space limited. Advance registration is required at bit.ly/dec8convo.

The Conversations on Race series is free and open to the public, held monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Partners for the 2025–26 series include the Water’s Edge Museum, Shore Lit, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and others.

The Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board, established by the state of Maryland to improve coordination of services for children and families. TFN identifies local priorities, targets resources, and fosters collaboration across agencies and communities. More information is available here. 

Talbot County Department of Parks and Recreation is teaming up with the Talbot County Hunger Coalition for a special community event to support local food pantries. “Skate Out Hunger: Charity Skate” is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the County ice rink (10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton).

Admission and skate rental will be free for participants who bring three (3) or more non-perishable food items for donation. The collected items will benefit local food pantries served by the Hunger Coalition and its network of partner organizations. Donations collected through the event will help restock shelves ahead of the busy holiday season, ensuring families have access to nutritious meals before Thanksgiving.

Monetary donations supporting Talbot County’s food pantries can also be made through Talbot County Empty Bowls here.

“We invite families and friends of all ages to join us for an evening of fun on the ice and help us fight hunger in Talbot County while we’re at it,” said Emily Gilmer, Director of the Talbot County Parks and Recreation Department.

For resources or to get involved, visit feedtalbot.org.

To make a monetary donation supporting Talbot County’s food pantries, visit www.talbotcountyemptybowls.org

REGISTER HERE

Talbot Family Network’s Conversations on Race series continues on Monday, October 27, with an exploration of the Talbot Historical Society’s United States Colored Troops: With Valor and Honor exhibition, followed by discussion and a shared meal.

Participants in the free event will be invited to explore the exhibition between 5 and 6:00 p.m., with a museum docent available to answer any questions.

Guests will then gather at the Talbot County Free Library beginning at 6:00 p.m. for dialogue, a light meal, and refreshments.

The With Valor and Honor exhibition highlights the sacrifices and contributions of local men whose courage and perseverance helped reshape American history as part of the United States Colored Troops (USCT).

Developed in collaboration with descendants, local organizations, and historians, the exhibit tells the story of the United States Colored Troops from Talbot County who served in the Civil War after the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This order allowed both free and enslaved Black men to join the Union Army and Navy.

Of the 180,000 Black men who served, 8,718 were from Maryland, and more than 600 were from Talbot County. Their enlistment was significantly influenced by Frederick Douglass, the Talbot County-born abolitionist and orator who strongly advocated for Black participation in the war.

At 6:00 p.m., participants will gather in the Easton Meeting Room of the Talbot County Free Library for a light meal and refreshments, followed by a facilitated conversation about the relevance of this historical exploration to our community and lives today.

Nancy Andrew, executive director of the Talbot Family Network, said the Conversations on Race program is designed to create meaningful community connections through shared learning.

This exhibition offers an opportunity not just to reflect on the contributions of these men, but to consider how their legacy continues to shape Talbot County today,” Andrew said. “By engaging in dialogue after the tour, we invite participants to connect history to present-day experiences and aspirations.

Peggy Morey, executive director of the Talbot Historical Society, hopes program participants will walk away with a more profound sense of appreciation for the stories told in With Valor and Honor.

These men showed extraordinary courage in answering the call to serve, often under impossible conditions,” Morey said. “Their contributions are too often overlooked, and we are proud to honor their memory here in their own community.

The free event has limited participation, and advanced registration is required at  bit.ly/oct27convo.

The Conversations on Race Series is free and open to the public, taking place monthly from September through May, typically on the last Monday of each month. Other 2025-26 Conversations on Race partners include the Water’s Edge Museum, Shore Lit, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and more.

The Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board and was established by the state of Maryland to change the way services are provided to children and families. TFN identifies priorities and targets resources for the jurisdiction’s communities while coordinating child and family services and administering state resources. Local Management Boards improve coordination across state agencies and empower local stakeholders to help drive local priorities.

READ MORE: United States Colored Troops History, African American Civil War Memorial Museum

Talbot County residents are invited to the Community Resource Expo on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Easton Elementary School, where more than 50 resource partners will be on hand to connect community members with a wide range of services designed to help support families, individuals, and older adults.

Hosted by the Neighborhood Service Center and its community partners, the free event will feature $50 gift card giveaways every half hour, a $100 gift card Golden Ticket, children’s activities, a rolling bicycle rodeo, a provided meal, and more.

A free technology drawing takes place at noon, with an iPad and a laptop awarded to the lucky winners. The packages also come with complimentary setup support provided by the Apollo’s Dream Foundation.

Event attendees will have access to numerous resources for free dental and health screenings, as well as mental and behavioral health resources, including peer support; housing support; utility assistance; a legal aid clinic including expungement services; budgeting and money management; and other services for children and youth, seniors, and veterans.

Limited transportation is available and must be reserved by calling 410-763-6745 by Oct. 10.

“Events like the Community Resource Expo make a real difference for families who may not know where to turn,” said Andy Hollis, executive director of the Neighborhood Service Center. “Our partners will fill Easton Elementary’s gymnasium, media center, cafeteria, hallways, and more to ensure resources are accessible, coordinated, and responsive to the needs of our community.”

Hollis also emphasized the importance of collaboration in strengthening local support systems.

“The Expo brings together organizations that are dedicated to helping residents thrive,” Hollis said. “By working side by side, we can meet people where they are and connect them with the tools and services they need.”

The Neighborhood Service Center, Inc. is a nonprofit Community Action Agency that provides services and assistance to low-income families and advanced-aged residents in Talbot County. More is at www.nsctalbotmd.org.

EVENT PHOTOS

Talbot Family Network’s Conversations on Race series will begin its 2025-26 season with an evening at Spiralis Gallery exploring the “Cryin’ Out Loud” exhibition, followed by a facilitated discussion and a shared meal at the Talbot County Free Library on Monday, Sept. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Cryin’ Out Loud” celebrates the legacy, emotion, and cultural power of the Blues, and showcases the work of artists Dane Tilghman, Don O’Bannon, and Emery Franklin. A special feature of the exhibition will be “Blues Chapel” by Susan Lenz, an installation honoring female Blues legends. “Cryin’ Out Loud” opened on September 5 and continues through November 2.

Conversations on Race registered participants will gather at Spiralis Gallery, located at 35 W. Dover St. in Easton, at 5:30 p.m. to view the exhibit and hear a short gallery talk by owner Gail Patterson. Following the tour, the group will move to the library’s Easton meeting room for a light dinner, refreshments, and a facilitated dialogue.

The event is free, with limited participation and advanced registration currently closed.

“This partnership with Spiralis gives us the chance to enter this conversation through the richness of story-based art,” said Talbot Family Network Executive Director Nancy Andrew. “Hearing each other’s interpretations will make this a meaningful opportunity to make connections across the community.”

Spiralis Gallery focuses on emerging and mid-career artists to amplify the visual narratives of Afro-Caribbean artists while presenting bold pieces, vibrant fiber art, bricolage, and sculpture. More about the gallery and its artists is at www.spiralisgallery.com.

“Art is a necessary and vital part of our human experience; it can inform, challenge, inspire, and comfort us,” said Patterson. “The mission of Spiralis is to use art as a vehicle to spark human conversation, which can lead to deeper connections. I hope that art can be used in this case to lead us to more authentic conversations about race.”

The Spiralis Gallery program will conclude with a facilitated discussion at the library, where participants will reflect on the artwork and explore their personal narratives and mental models around race.

Upcoming Sessions

The fall schedule continues with a partnership with the Talbot County Historical Society around its “USCT Exhibit: With Valor and Honor.” Participants in the October 24 Conversation on Race will be invited to tour the exhibition before gathering at the Talbot County Free Library for dialogue.

The Conversations on Race Series is free and open to the public, taking place each month from September through May, generally on the last Monday of the month. Other 2025-26 Conversations on Race partners will include the Water’s Edge Museum, Shore Lit, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and more.

About Talbot Family Network

The Talbot Family Network serves as Talbot County’s Local Management Board and was established by the state of Maryland to change the way services are provided to children and families. TFN identifies priorities and targets resources for the jurisdiction’s communities while coordinating child and family services and administering state resources. Local Management Boards improve coordination across state agencies and empower local stakeholders to help drive local priorities.

The mission of the Talbot Family Network is to identify and develop support systems for a healthy, safe, caring, and equitable community for all Talbot County children and families through collaboration with public and private entities. For more information, visit www.talbotfamilynetwork.org.