Mid-Atlantic Climate Action Hub Closeout Celebration
Photo from MATCH Newsletter - June 2025 | Issue 04 | Upton neighborhood in Baltimore, MD
On May 17th, the Mid-Atlantic Climate Action Hub (MATCH) held its Closeout Celebration at the historic P.S. 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, nestled in the heart of the Upton neighborhood in Baltimore, MD.
The event was full of warmth—wonderful people, good food, and an atmosphere of shared purpose. But what made this gathering truly special was the venue itself, a place steeped in historical significance.
In a city that has borne the scars of redlining and blockbusting—systems that systematically dismantled Black wealth and communities—this building stands as a powerful counterpoint. It is here that Thurgood Marshall, a giant in the fight for civil rights and justice, was born, raised, and educated. P.S. 103, later renamed the Henry Highland Garnet Public School and now known as the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, is where Marshall’s journey began. It’s where the seeds of justice were first sown in a young boy who would go on to shape the legal and moral framework of a nation.
The legacy of Justice Marshall is inseparable from our own mission. His foundational education within these very walls helped launch a career devoted to dismantling “separate but equal,” defending the rights of Black Americans in the South, founding the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and ultimately serving as the first Black Supreme Court Justice. His trailblazing work continues to guide today’s movements for justice—legal, racial, social, and environmental.
To host this MATCH celebration in a space so rich in history was more than a privilege—it was a reminder of what’s possible. The P.S. 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center is not merely a preserved relic of the past; it is a beacon for the future, rooted in a rich, regal, and resilient legacy.
As Father’s Day and Juneteenth approach, we invite you to take a moment to learn more about Justice Thurgood Marshall’s life and enduring impact. His story is not just history—it’s a call to action. Statement by Dr. Sacoby Wilson and photo from MATCH Newsletter - June 2025 | Issue 04
