Verizon Supports Cultural Diversity in Maryland With a Free Black History Month Open House at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum

Verizon hosted a statewide Black History Month celebration and open house with government and community leaders at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture.

During the recent open house, guests explored the museum, recognized past and present history makers, and enjoyed a day full of educational activities and entertainment, featuring food, educational gifts for the first 200 children, laptop door prizes and more.

Guests at the open house included: Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, Maryland Senator and Chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland Catherine Pugh, NAACP President (Baltimore City Branch) Tess Hill-Aston, and Greater Baltimore Urban League President J. Howard Henderson.  The Morgan State University Choir performed during a special recognition program at noon.

"Verizon's long-standing commitment to diversity is based on a culture of inclusiveness that leverages the diversity of employees, customers, suppliers and community partners," said William R. Roberts, president of Verizon in Maryland and Washington, D.C.  "Black History Month is a great opportunity for us to celebrate and honor those individuals who have made a significant contribution and commitment in the past, and those who continue to make a difference today."

Verizon recognized key Marylanders in the areas of education, religion and nonprofit leadership.  Recipients of the 2011 Past and Present History Makers Award are:

Baltimore City

• The Rev. Dr. Agnes Alston (retired)
• The Rev. Dr. Marion C. Bascom of Douglas Memorial Community Church
• Dean Marcella A. Copes of Coppin State University's Helene Fuld School of Nursing
• The Rev. Dr. Vernon Dobson of Union Baptist Church
• James Hamlin, president and CEO of The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation
• Cheryl Hitchcock, vice president of Morgan State University
• Major Melvin Russell, commander of The Eastern District Police Station
• Dr. Charles Simmons, president and founder of Sojourner-Douglass College
• The Rev. Dr. Alfred C.D. Vaughn of Sharon Baptist Church
• The Rev. Dr. Marcus G. Wood of Providence Baptist Church

Baltimore County

• Dr. James G. Gresham of New Antioch Baptist Church of Randallstown - Academic Center for Excellence
• Superintendent Joe A. Hairston of Baltimore County Public Schools

Howard County

• Kenneth M. Jennings Jr. of The Council of Elders of the Black Community of Howard County

Prince George's County

• The Rev. Dr. Kerry A. Hill of New Chapel Baptist Church
• Bishop Shirley Holloway of House of Help City of Hope
• M.A. "Mike" Little of the Prince George's County Black Chamber of Commerce

Montgomery County

• Dr. George B. Thomas Sr. of The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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