05/08/2026
Earlier this week, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland joined state leaders, advocates, descendants, and community members at the marker unveiling ceremony honoring the children of the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children at the Cheltenham Juvenile Detention Center.
Last year, members of the Caucus visited the burial grounds where more than 230 Black boys are believed to be buried in unmarked graves after suffering under the institution’s abusive and inhumane conditions. This week’s unveiling marks another important step toward truth, acknowledgment, and healing.
During the 2026 Legislative Session, the Caucus advanced HB 552 / SB 776 as a LBCMD priority bill. Sponsored by Del. Jeffrie Long and Sen. Will Smith, the legislation establishes an independent investigation into the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, including the burial sites and institutional conditions tied to this painful chapter of Maryland’s history.
Special thanks to the Moore-Miller Administration, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and the Maryland Department of Transportation for their partnership and commitment to preserving this history and honoring the children impacted by this institution.
We honor the lives of these boys and remain committed to ensuring their stories are remembered with dignity, truth, and justice.
