Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

1. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Memorial

Inscription.

Liberty is our claim. Reverence for our Great Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, all convince us, that we have an indubitable right to liberty. Has not the wisdom of america solemnly declared it? Attend to your own declarations: "These truthes are self evident; all men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: among thse are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." … Disparity in colour, we conceive, can never constitute a disparity in rights. … A people who have fought; who have bled; who have purchased their own freedom by a sacrifice of their choices heroes; will never continue the advocates for slavery.

Vox Africanorum
Excerpt from an anonymous essay
The Maryland Gazette, May 15, 1783

We strove to liberate ourselves from a restrictive society ★ We freed our kinfolk from enslavement-when we could ★ We awakened the hearts and minds of some of our white neighbors ★ We inspired future social movements rooted in our example of service ★ We struggled for the right to fight as patriots ★ We fought

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to achieve independence for ourselves and this nation ★ We served longer enlistments than most

Erected 2026 by State of Maryland; Branly Cadet, sculptor.

Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 38° 58.716′ N, 76° 29.437′ W. Memorial is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. It is on State Circle east of School Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 100 State Cir, Annapolis MD 21401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Central Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

<i>Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

2. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty

Standing at this section of the memorial are Deborah Pierce-Fakunle and David Fakunle, PhD, who performed the Blessing and Libation at the unveiling ceremony.

of this marker: A different marker also named Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty (here, next to this marker); USS Maryland (a few steps from this marker); Maryland State House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); General Washington (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary's City Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Matthew Alexander Henson (within shouting distance of this marker); Baron Johann de Kalb (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annapolis.

Other markers no longer nearby. Roger Brooke Taney (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Dred Scott, 1799 - 1858 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Roger Brooke Taney, 1777 - 1864 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

3. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

4. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Memorial

Dedication plaque for <i>Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

5. Dedication plaque for Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty

Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendent Liberty
This monument commemorates Maryland Black Patriots: the free and enslaved individuals who enlisted in and served within the Maryland militia and the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. These soldiers and camp followers fought for and forged the birth of the United States with faith in its Declaration of Independence, and with a dream of liberty, fraternity, and equality for all Americans.

Branly Cated, b. 1964
Bronze and granite, 2026

For more information please visit msa.maryland.gov

Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

6. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Dedication

Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Unveiling Ceremony Program image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 1, 2026

7. Black Patriots: The Pursuit of Transcendant Liberty Unveiling Ceremony Program

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 1, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the entire memorial in context • Can you help?