Then & Now | Building A Baltimore Landmark

Bridging historical narratives and contemporary industry.

Delve into “Then and Now”, a captivating program that bridges historical narratives with contemporary industry. Inspired by our dynamic galleries and exhibitions, these multidimensional presentations and moderated discussions illuminate the profound connections between our past and present. 

APRIL 2 | Building A Baltimore Landmark

Inspired by the museum’s newest exhibition, Key Bridge: Building a Baltimore Landmark, join us for a conversation exploring the legacy of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the role infrastructure plays in shaping Baltimore. Through reflections on the bridge’s creation, its impact on the harbor, and the people who built and maintained it, this program considers how a once-familiar landmark came to define a pivotal moment in the city’s history—and what it reveals about Baltimore’s future.

This program includes live music and complimentary refreshments.

6:00 pm – Doors Open & Check-In 

6:30 pm – Welcome

6:35 pm – Conversation 1

7:00 pm – Break

7:30 pm – Conversation 2

8:00 pm – Open Networking

8:30 pm – Program Ends

Kate Drabinski is Teaching Professor of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies at UMBC, where she also serves as Director of the Humanities Scholars Program. She is co-editor with Nicole King and Josh Davis of Baltimore Revisited: Stories of Inequality and Resistance in a US City. She is on the Board of Baltimore Heritage, and she leads walking tours about LGBTQ and Civil Rights histories in the city.

Giuliana Valencia-Banks is a public sector leader and advocate with more than a decade of experience advancing equity and opportunity for immigrant and refugee communities in the Baltimore region. She serves as the founding Chief of Immigrant Affairs for Baltimore County, leading integration efforts, building partnerships, and advising policymakers on issues impacting immigrant communities. A proud immigrant from Peru, she has led initiatives focused on language access, citizenship, workforce readiness, and community empowerment, and previously held leadership roles at Catholic Charities’ Esperanza Center. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore and serves on several nonprofit boards supporting immigrant communities.

 Ron Cassie is a senior editor at Baltimore magazine, where he has won national awards for profile writing and work covering the death of Freddie Gray, climate change, and the opioid epidemic. He is the author of If You Love Baltimore, It Will Love You Back: 171 Short, But True Stories. He previously served as editor-in-chief at Urbanite and his byline has also appeared at the Atlantic’s CityLab, the Pulitzer Center, Newsweek, Washingtonian, Grist, and The New York Daily News, among other outlets. His work has been chosen as a notable selection by The Best of American Sportswriting and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Over these many years was employed Beth Steel Shipyard over 30 yrs, Union Official, Past Post Commander Turner Station Post 4438 VFW. Affiliated Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland, Former President of Turner Station Boxing Association, Former President of Peninsula Democratic Club, The Committee partnership WJZ Bea Gaddy Chester Street Project, Services Duty United States Army Vietnam Tour.