Walter Black

Walter Black, born in Salisbury, Maryland, is a key figure in the civil rights movement, particularly known for his role in the 1962 Riverside Park Pool protest in Baltimore. Raised in McDaniel, Maryland, he became actively involved in the desegregation efforts as the executive director of the Maryland State Conference of the NAACP. In 1962, Mr. Black played a pivotal role in the desegregation of public spaces, specifically the Riverside Park Pool in Baltimore. He recounted the events surrounding a protest at the pool after a group of Black children, including an 11-year-old Elijah Cummings, were denied entry to a public pool that had been ordered to desegregate by a 1955 federal court decision. Mr. Black and a group of youth council members marched to the pool, facing intense opposition from a hostile white mob. Although initially urged to leave for safety reasons, Mr. Black and the group remained committed to their cause, ultimately retreating for safety concerns for the children when a young Elijah Cummings was injured by a thrown rock. During the interview, Mr. Black recounted his experiences advocating for equal rights, including organizing protests against racial segregation in public spaces. He emphasized the importance of staying true to one’s convictions and staying engaged in the fight for justice, particularly in education and housing. He also reflected on the ongoing need to preserve and share stories from the civil rights movement to inspire future generations.