Bowie State University Honors Black History Month with Inspiring Program at Jessup Correctional Institution

Bowie State University marked Black History Month with a powerful program Feb. 26 at Jessup Correctional Institution. The fourth annual event at the correctional facility, organized through BSU’s Prison Education Program, showcased student talent and the university’s commitment to educational access, community engagement and restorative pathways.

Thirteen BSU students traveled from campus to nearby Jessup to perform alongside six incarcerated students, creating a shared space for artistic expression, dialogue and mutual learning. Students from both groups offered performances and reflections on unity, education and second chances for an audience of three dozen incarcerated students of the Prison Education Program. Performances included spoken word, a step show and musical selections from the Triple Threat Triad, a Bowie State musical theater organization. BSU undergraduate students from campus taught school pride chants to the Prison Education Program students in a show of unity, emphasizing one campus and one community.

“This event is extremely impactful,” said Alexis Kennedy, a 2025 BSU graduate who earned a degree in theater arts and coordinated the showcase. “This is the one day a year we bring our two communities together through art.” Participants described the experience as an opportunity to build understanding and connection across different lived experiences.

“This is incredibly important work done in partnership with Jessup Correctional Institution,” said Dr. Charles Adams, executive director of the Prison Education Program. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of education and the arts to transcend walls, dismantle misconceptions and foster community across diverse experiences.” As the only HBCU in the state offering a four-year degree program to incarcerated individuals, the university remains committed to restorative justice and expanding access to higher education.

Former Prince George’s County Councilman Calvin Hawkins served as keynote speaker and delivered an energizing message centered on empowerment, perseverance and recognizing potential in every individual. His remarks resonated with students, faculty, staff, correctional partners and guests in attendance.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services produced a video of the event, documenting the performances, collaboration and community spirit that defined the day. Through academic coursework, arts programming and community partnerships, the Prison Education Program enriches lives and supports student success on the BSU campus and within the correctional environment.