Baltimore community recognizes 30th Anniversary of Million Man March 

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By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

Men and women of all walks of life came together Oct. 16 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Million Man March. In Baltimore, community members, local and national leaders kicked off the day in Druid Hill Park at 6 a.m.

Though cold in the body, attendees were fired up in spirit, ready to continue the fight for unity, peace and equality started by more than nearly 1 million Black men three decades ago. 

The Oct. 16, 1995, Million Man March was one of the largest gatherings of Black men in U.S. history. Men gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., calling on Congress to address their needs and help combat harmful stereotypes about Black men. The march was organized by Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), and led by Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., now president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). 

Chavis shared why he decided to support Farrakhan in organizing the march, even though they were of different faith communities at the time.

“God Almighty put a vision and a word in the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” said Chavis. “I heard that word coming out of the mouth of Minister Farrakhan. I heard the Minister Louis Farrakhan make that call. I said to myself, ‘Somebody needs to help the minister.’”

Many questioned Chavis’ actions. Still, he continued to move the collaboration forward.

“It is our obligation and responsibility to respond to a call from God,” Chavis recalled telling his Christian colleagues at the time. In 1995, Chavis was an ordained Christian minister but in 1997, he joined NOI.

He recalled to those present how the men who answered the call occupied the National Mall for 12 hours, standing shoulder to shoulder, like a mighty army. He noted that some people did not believe the gathering of Black men could be achieved, but when it all came together, the power of what they accomplished could not be denied.

“The Million Man March helped us to see each other as part of one family,” said Chavis. “Prior to the Million Man March there was too much killing one another, self hatred underestimating our own power.”

“The drums, and the prayer were not just heard on the mall, they were heard all over the nation’s capital,” said Chavis. Today, Chavis leads NNPA, the trade organization of the Black Press, which he says has been influential in carrying the message and goals of the Million Man March forward.

The civil rights legend wasn’t alone when it came to men who were at the original event. Several who attended the commemorative event in Baltimore today were also at the 1995 demonstration. They reflected on their experience and commented on the state of Black America today.

Kaleb Tshamba, 76, reflected on his time at the Million Man March.

“There was no smoking marijuana, there was no drinking,” he said. “We were peaceful, and we were united.”

Tshamba highlighted that Black women were present too, supporting Black men.

“On that morning, as we men prepared an d entered Baltimore Penn Station on our journey to the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., we were met with a breathtaking display of love and support from hundreds of Black women,” he said. “Their voices rang out in a powerful chant of appreciation. Each shout was a profound reminder of our value and importance.”

Sister Velma Muhammad, now 84 years old, was living abroad when plans for the march were announced. The Chester, Pa., native heard the call and returned to the United States to do her part. 

“I moved to D.C. in 1995 to do the sales and marketing for the nation—just to do that work. I moved from Africa…I was living in Ghana,” she said, as the sun rose above the reservoir.

Carltaise Ransom, who has attended the annual commemoration in Baltimore a few times before, emphasized the importance of showing up and standing together as African Americans.

“We have to come together to combat what’s coming against us,” said Ransom. “It’s about our enlightenment and our power because we will stay down if we don’t come together.”

Thirty years later, he and others say much progress has been made. 

“Last night I drove around Baltimore and saw the progress that the city is making. A lot of times we underestimate our progress. A lot of people would point to what didn’t happen in 30 years. I’m pointing to what did happen,” Chavis told the AFRO. “We have a young brother who’s the governor of this state…a young brother who’s the mayor of this city. There are more opportunities today in 2025 than we had in 1995, but we have to keep pushing.”

“The determination, strength and perseverance of the people in Baltimore, quite frankly, helped to make the Million Man March successful 30 years ago,” said Chavis. He noted that many of the local groups that helped organize the original march have folded, but the Black men of Charm City have held strong. 

“Baltimore is the only city that kept the local organizing committee alive for 30 years,” he said. 

Other events during the Million Man March anniversary weekend in Baltimore include a gathering at Coppin State University from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 17, and a Brothers to Brotherhood Town Hall at the Morgan State University Student Center at 10 a.m. on Oct. 18.