"We had never visited Baltimore, nor did we know anyone living there... Believing that we didn't have much to lose, that we were young and hopefully had many years ahead, we made the decision to move to Baltimore and to Johns Hopkins."
-- Vivien Thomas

In 1941, Vivien Thomas moved to Baltimore, Maryland, a place just as segregated as Nashville, but with its own distinct black culture and community. He had agreed to continue working with Dr. Blalock, who had assumed a department chair at Johns Hopkins University. Although Thomas had a job, he faced the challenge of settling his family in an unfamiliar city.

Explore segregated Baltimore as African Americans experienced it in the mid-twentieth century.

Choose a topic to explore about Vivien's Baltimore:

Coming to Baltimore
Find out about segregation in the city.

Arts & Culture
Visit a landmark black theater.

Church and Community Life
Explore black churches and schools.

Wartime Economy
Learn about shipyard opportunities.

Enterprise and Self-Sufficiency
African Americans in Masonic lodges and Lafayette Market.

Activism
Black residents recall protests for housing, equal pay, and job opportunities.