“Who ordered this weather?” asked a tour participant.
The group of educators and community leaders chuckled in appreciation of the picture-perfect autumn afternoon, but attention quickly turned back to the students in charge.
"Five Landmarks: One Legacy" was underway, a walking tour created by students in the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course at National Academy Foundation (NAF). The project is one way that NAF students extend their learning beyond the curriculum.
Twelfth grader Khalee B. kicked off the tour by sharing the history of neighboring buildings on North Caroline Street: Public School #101 and the original site of Paul Laurence Dunbar Junior High School.
While both were built for African American students during early 1930's, the latter now houses the National Academy Foundation (NAF) high school.
"I was born in this community, so I love this class," Khalee shared. "We get to do the research ourselves and go in person, like across the street to the church."
Khanae J., grade 11, took over seamlessly from this segue.
Turning to face the church across the street, Khanae asked visitors to imagine what it was like for enslaved and free African Americans to worship together at First Baptist Church, which was built by enslaved people.
Continuing across McElderry Street to the fourth site, 12th grader Khalid S. explained that the Eastern Health District surveyed African American families about their health needs and challenges.
"My favorite part of this class is that we can learn our roots," added Khalid. "This is a chance to learn in the real world, which will definitely help us in the future."
Thalia W., an 11th grader, discussed the fifth stop. Built last of the tour sites, the Chick Webb Recreation Center was renovated earlier this year.
Each segregation-era site invited visitors to consider opportunities for African Americans to learn, worship, and play during the prior century, as well as current building use and plans.
Before cutting the ribbon on the tour's historical marker, NAF Principal Dr. Brynn C. Smith addressed her students.
"Our students did not just study history, they became historians," Smith shared. "I hope you are very, very proud of yourselves. You created something meaningful."
Smith also thanked Michael Douglas for his vision.
A 27-year veteran teacher at Baltimore City Public Schools, Douglas began teaching AP African American Studies in 2025-26. One of his goals is "to take learning beyond the walls of our classroom and into the city of Baltimore, a city rich in African American history."
He continued, "I want our students not only to learn about history but also to share what they discover with their families and the broader community." On Tuesday, December 15, the class will lead their second historic bus tour of the Baltimore domestic slave trade.
As a send-off to the tour group, Douglas advised, "As you leave, I hope you carry these stories with you. This is how legacy continues."
To learn about each landmark, join the self-guided Five Landmarks, One Legacy Tour. The historical marker in the courtyard behind NAF includes a map, site descriptions, and a QR code. The area around the marker will expand to include the Root and Reflection Park.
In 2023, the College Board invited Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly) to pilot AP African American Studies, an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with rich and varied sources.
The course is now offered across the country and at 13 Baltimore public high schools including NAF and Poly.
The other schools are: Academy for College and Career Exploration, Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts, Baltimore City College, Baltimore Design School, Benjamin Franklin High School at Masonville Cove, Baltimore Revolutionary Academy for Virtual Education, City Neighbors High School, Digital Harbor High School, Patterson High School, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, and Western High School.