The Story of Mr. Thomas Carney is the first book on a Maryland African American military man of the Revolutionary War.  A free Black enlistee from the Eastern Shore, Thomas Carney was a heroic soldier who served in both the Maryland Line and the Continental Army.  Written by the Baltimore native author, Steven Xavier Lee, it is an allegory for adults, in the format of a storybook for youths.

Mr. Lee has written broadly on the omitted history of early Maryland’s free American Americans, including the articles: “Forgotten Forefathers of Maryland” and “Mount Gilboa of Oella,” at the “Our History, Our Heritage” website of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Joining us here, the author shares his journey of historical research that led to the
creation of the book. Multi-cultural in its portrayal of early Maryland heritage, innovative in its image of early Maryland free-Black community, and premiere in its representation of a Maryland African American hero in the War for the birth of our nation – The Story of Mr. Thomas Carney is a ceiling-breaking publication in Maryland and American history.

Steven X. Lee is a commissioner for the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, project director of the Heritage Museum, an adjunct professor of history at Stevenson University, and was the founding director for the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park & Museum.

• This FREE event will be presented in-person and virtually.
• To attend in person we strongly encourage you to register here.
• Free parking vouchers are available to program attendees who park at the Franklin Street Garage (15 W. Franklin Street) after 4pm.  Ask Pratt event staff for your parking voucher prior to or after the program.