8th Annual Parren J. Mitchell Dinner to Honor Civil Rights Pioneer’s Legacy

The West County Democratic Club (WCDC) will host its 8th Annual Parren J. Mitchell Dinner, an event honoring the legacy and life of the late Parren J. Mitchell, the first African American elected to Congress from Maryland.

Congressman Mitchell, a native of Baltimore, built a distinguished record of service across military, academic, and political spheres. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during World War II, earning two Purple Heart medals under General George S. Patton.

Following his military service, Congressman Mitchell earned his bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University. He later challenged segregation in higher education by successfully suing the University of Maryland, College Park for admission into its master’s degree program. After completing his graduate studies, he returned to Morgan State as a sociology professor.

During his tenure representing Maryland’s 7th Congressional District, Congressman Mitchell became a leading advocate for economic equity. He advanced legislation requiring that recipients of federal grants and loans allocate at least 10 percent of funds to minority-owned businesses and contractors. Congressman Mitchell also encouraged civic engagement, urging minorities to recognize the connection between economic opportunity and political participation.

Congressman Mitchell was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and earned a reputation as a champion for minority communities nationwide. He retired from Congress in 1987 but continued his work as chairman of the Minority Business Enterprise Legal Defense Fund.

Over the course of his career, Congressman Mitchell received 14 honorary degrees and recognition from more than 3,000 national, business, religious, and civic organizations.

Congressman Mitchell passed away on May 29, 2007. More than 1000 people attended his funeral service including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor Martin O’Malley, Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman Elijah Cummings, who delivered the eulogy. Congressman Cummings said Mitchell “earned the trust of people throughout the country and the world because he was constantly building bridges for others to cross, while tearing down the walls that had excluded them.”

This year’s Dinner will feature Congressman Kweisi Mfume as the keynote speaker. Organizers invite the public to attend and celebrate Mitchell’s enduring impact. For more information, contact wcdc12020@gmail.com, or visit: 8th Annual Parren J. Mitchell Dinner