On Jan. 18, Governor Wes Moore was officially sworn into office on the steps of the Maryland State House. The first Black man to take the governor’s seat in the state publicly stepped into his role on the steps of a building built by slaves, with his hand on a bible that belonged to the world-renowned abolitionist and Maryland native, Frederick Douglass.

Moore was introduced by celebrity journalist and activist Oprah Winfrey, and throughout the day those who know the new governor personally spoke about his integrity and courage to make change. 

Photos by James Fields

  • Mia and James Moore, children of Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn, wave and greet guests at their father’s inauguration. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Oprah Winfrey beams before introducing Governor Wes Moore to the country. (Photos by James Fields)
  • The 104th Fighter Squadron of Maryland’s Air National Guard holds a ceremonial 19-gun salute and an inaugural flyover. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Democratic Sen. Mary Washington, of District 43 in Baltimore City, prepares to watch the historic moment. (Photos by James Fields)
  • William Rowel (left), senior adviser and community relations specialist, with Adetola Ajayi, an African-American community services specialist for the Office of the Mayor City of Annapolis. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Zafira Cross (left) and La’Claire Cross with their parents, Mayor Cashenna A. Cross City of Glenadren, Md. and Mario Cross. (Photos by James Fields)
  • James Moore, the son of Gov. Wes Moore, leads the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder (right), Tyrone Taborn, CEO and publisher of the Career Communications Group, with Jean Hamilton, the company’s president and CFO and William Brooks (back), CEO of the Protection Detail, Police Security Group, Baltimore, Md., at Gov. Wes Moore’s inauguration. (Photo by Patricia McDougall)
  • Joseph Harris and Johnetta Shearer. (Photos by James Fields)
  • The inauguration crowd buzzed with excitement throughout the swearing-in of Governor Wes Moore. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Gov. Wes Moore and his wife Dawn, greets the state of Maryland before beginning the public swearing-in ceremony. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Governor Wes Moore is the only sitting Black governor in the country and only the third person to be elected to the highest state office. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Internationally- known comedian Chris Tucker made an appearance at both Gov. Wes Moore’s swearing-in ceremony in Annapolis, Md. and the People’s Ball in Baltimore. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Parijita Bastola of Severna Park, Md. delivers the national anthem. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Wes Moore is sworn into office as his wife, Dawn, holds the bible of abolitionist Frederick Douglass. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder (right), Tyrone Taborn, CEO and publisher of the Career Communications Group, with Jean Hamilton, the company’s president and CFO and William Brooks (back), CEO of the Protection Detail, Police Security Group, Baltimore, Md., at Gov. Wes Moore’s inauguration. (Photo by Patricia McDougall)
  • Governor Wes Moore shares a moment with his daughter, Mia James, shortly after taking the oath of office. (Photos by James Fields)
  • Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller with husband, David Miller. (Photos by James Fields)

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