- [MUSIC] Hello. Welcome to The County where we examine issues
important to Baltimore County, Maryland. In honor of Black History
Month, we're telling stories of barrier breakers past and present. I'm
your host, Mandy Remmell. First, we're going to Catonsville back in
the 1950s when a small group of Black men changed the course of
Baltimore history just by sitting in the operator's seat on the
streetcar. [NOISE] It was a time when schools were still segregated
and car ownership was becoming more widespread, but streetcars were
still popular with commuters. Historian David Depman recalls how he
and his family would frequent them. - My brothers rode to school on
the streetcar, they had a school token. They'd walk to the end of the
line down here and then ride this to Catonsville elementary school. -
During this time, many Black men worked for the Baltimore transit
company as shopmen, cleaning and moving streetcars. That's where World
War II Veteran Burley Roberts Senior started and would soon make
history. - In 1952, Baltimore transit company, seeing a trend, decided
to elevate some of their shopmen to the position of motors, streetcar
motormen or operators. - Roberts became the first African-American
streetcar operator in Baltimore, driving route Number 8 from
Catonsville to Towson. One hundred additional black operators were
promoted after Roberts broke down that barrier, but they endured
racial slurs and demeaning harassment. - But it was not good, he was
spat upon, people would throw money at them and the abuse he endured.
I couldn't personally take it, but I believe they chose him because of
his personality which would be likened to like Jackie Robinson of the
Brooklyn Dodgers. They knew he could handle himself. - Handle himself,
he did. His three surviving daughters now, all in their 70s, say he
would never miss a day of work. - Because he said he had to make sure
he feeds his children and raise his children. - [NOISE] But I have to
hold back the tears because I knew what he went through, but
regardless of what he went through, he kept striving and he got to
make a point and he did. - Roberts worked 43 years in Baltimore
transportation before retiring. He passed away in 2001 with not a clue
that 20 years later, his life and legacy would be celebrated with a
mural on the very streetcar path he operated on. [MUSIC] It all
started when Catonsville rails to trails took over the Number 8
streetcar path in 1996. Clearing and paving it as part of their trail
network. A year later, an Eagle Scout painted a 30-foot mural of the
Catonsville streetcar junction circa 1950. Fast forward to 2021,
studio 33 artist Edward Williams helped refreshed the mural, getting
rid of Graffiti and adding figures including Roberts' image behind the
wheel of the streetcar. - Just an honor to be able to go back to the
history and honor somebody that had to deal with the problems that he
had to deal with as a black man in the '50s and '60s. - Maureen
Sweeney Smith, vice President of Catonsville rails to trails, tried
everything she could to reach the Roberts family to let them know. - I
had the obituary, so I had the names and I went through Facebook and I
went through white pages and I finally was able to come up with one
Facebook page of a brother, but I never got an answer. I just gave up.
- It wasn't until nearly two years later, in early 2023, when one of
Roberts' granddaughters discovered the mural while she was doing
research for Black History Month. - She got all excited and she sent
out emails [NOISE] to the family, we were all excited about it. - They
got Smith's number and gave her a call on February 1. - Was actually
on the trail when she called and she gave me her name and I said I
know who you are and so I told her if she wanted to directions and I
said oh no, we're going to give you a tour. - Eight days later,
Robert's three surviving daughters, Barber McGee, Sheila Roberts
Lewis, and Diane Cupid, were out on the trail. - It just put tears to
my heart and I just said I wish that dad was here to see it but he's
where God wants him at this time. But my children and grandchildren
and their children and generations to come will be able to see that
their great... the great man in my life the early Robert. -
Catonsville rails to trails is working to raise $3,000 to install a
permanent wayside exhibit at the mural so people passing by can read
about what Roberts did. - I think everybody needs to come down here,
understand what this man went through. I think we're in a time where
we're trying to dismiss that there are parts of our history that it's
just not that pretty and we need to deal with it. - If you'd like to
visit the mural, the Number 8 streetcar path runs from Dutton avenue
to Frederick Road, right next to Matthew's 1600 restaurant. [MUSIC]
From the past to the present, Baltimore County has so much to be proud
of and in Baltimore County Government, we don't have to look far to
find a trailblazer. In 2019, Stacy Rodgers became the first
African-American appointed to serve as the Baltimore county
administrative officer. She is responsible for directing the county's
day-to-day operations and providing oversight for the county's nearly
$4 billion operating budget. - I'm thankful and just extremely honored
to serve in this role and I'm deeply honored to have had the County
Executive have faith in me to even appoint me initially in the job and
then nominate me for a second term to work alongside him. - Rodgers
has more than 30 years experience working with federal, state, and
local government agencies and non-profit organizations, including
serving as the Chief of staff for the Social Security Administration
during the Obama administration. - That's one of my prize pictures
that I have in my life is to stand with the President and the First
Lady and know that they were making history and to be a part of the
first African American president administration, working in the Obama
administration. - Her passion for service also extends beyond the
workplace. Rogers contributes her time, resources, and talents to
numerous faith and civic organizations. She hopes to inspire the next
generation of committed public servants. The same way that leaders,
mentors, family members, and church members encouraged her. - As a
leader, particularly an African-American female leader. It is so
important that we set an example for the generations to come, not
where we are at the present time, but who is coming behind us. I
believe that Dolly Parton's quote, "If your actions create a legacy
that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become
more than you are an excellent leader" and I am honored to say that
many young people, particularly young administrators, just starting
out in their careers or even students in my early career when I worked
in higher ed.|" They have come back to me to say just that. - Her
biggest piece of advice for young people, or what she refers to as
emerging leaders, is to pursue your passion. - Because if you're
passionate about the work you do, it's easy to do the work, not only
pursuing your passion, but never give up on your dreams and never
allow anyone to cause you to give up on your dreams. Makes sure that
you speak truth to power, meaning if you believe firmly in something
and, it's the right thing that you always do, what is right and what
is ethical, regardless of who is looking or not, what you do in front
of folks is the same that you must do when there's nobody looking
because ethical standard is an ethical standard. - Rogers says in
tough times, she also has something called a pick-me-up box. It's a
collection of cards, letters, and notes that people have given her
over the years that help reaffirm her worth and value. - It sometimes
it brings tears to my eyes to know the impact that I've had and so I
have to remind myself, I know who I am, many people know who I am and
what I stand for. When I'm challenged or derogatory, things are said
that are not true, then you have to let that go and stay focused on
what you're doing. - Madam CEO, we thank you for your dedication to
the people of Baltimore County and beyond. [MUSIC] Thank you for
listening to this episode of The County, tune in next time.