How urban renewal nearly destroyed this Black community in Maryland

Lakeland, a once-thriving Black community in Prince George’s County, Maryland, was nearly erased by urban renewal policies that displaced families and dismantled hundreds of Black communities across the country.

Today, the city of College Park is working toward restorative justice, acknowledging past wrongs and seeking to repair the harm done.

Yet, through it all, Lakelanders remain resilient, preserving their history, celebrating their heritage, and ensuring their community’s spirit lives on for future generations.