THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

COMING UP A LOOK BACK AT THE CAREER OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT Dr.

EARL RICHARDSON.

AND THE APRENTISS IS PAYING IT FORWARD.

BUT FIRST THIS WEEK RETHINKING POLITICAL DISCOURSE FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF A CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST.

AND WHETHER MARYLAND SHOULD JOIN THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING MOVEMENT.

[♪♪] JOINING US NOW ARE TWO EXPERTS IN POLITICAL COMMUNICATION, MARTHA MCKENNA IS THE FOUNDER OF McKENNA MEDIAN A FORMER POLITICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE SENATE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

MIKE RICCI IS THE FORMER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR GOVERNOR HOGAN AND FORMER DIRECTOR IN THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE ON CAPITOL HILL.

SO GLAD YOU COULD BOTH JOIN US AGAIN.

LET'S START WITH YOUR REACTION TO THE KILLING OF CHARLIE KIRK.

MIKE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW HIM BUT I'M SURE YOU KNEW PEOPLE WHO DID KNOW HIM?

>> I DID.

AND I HAVE TO SAY I'VE BEEN IN WASHINGTON FOR 20 YEARS AND THIS LINE OF WORK YOU LEARN TO ABSORB A MOMENT AND GET ON YOUR WITH JOB.

AND THIS HAS BEEN VERY DIFFERENT.

PEOPLE OF ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IN DIFFERENT AGES, THE SHEER BRUTALITY OF IT.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN ON THIS 15-YEAR POLITICAL VIOLENCE ARC GOING BACK TO WHEN GABBY GIFFORDS WAS SHOT AND IF YOU DID NOT KNOW CHARLIE SOMEBODY YOU PROBABLY KNOW SOMEBODY WHO IS A THREAT OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND IT'S GOTTEN SO REAL IT'S PUT UP A MIRROR TO THIS ENVIRONMENT AND WE OBVIOUSLY DON'T LIKE WHAT WE SEE.

I WILL ALSO SAY I KNOW QUITE A FEW STUDENTS WHO FOLLOWED HIS WORK.

AND WHO HE HAD INSPIRED TO WHETHER IT WAS TO BE MORE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OR BE MORE OUTSPOKEN ON THEIR CAMPUS.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHERE WE WILL SEE A LOT OF IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN BUILD A HEALTHY POLITICAL CULTURE FOR THEM TO RISE UP IN.

BUT I'VE SEEN A LOT OF THE IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS THAT HE AFFECTED.

>> Jeff: MARTHA, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> WELL, WHEN THE SHOOTING WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED IT WAS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE YOU TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND SAY, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.

IT WAS SO CHILLING AND TERRIBLE.

AND THE FOOTAGE IMMEDIATELY ON-LINE OF THE KILLING ITSELF WAS LIKE, IT JUST STOMACH CHURNING AND TERRIBLE.

SO I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH MIKE THAT IT IS BEEN PART OF A LARGER SOCIETAL MOVE WITH GUN ACCESS TO GUNS.

WE'VE HAD SO MANY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS YOU HAVE ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE GROWN-UP KNOWING THEIR SCHOOLS WERE VULNERABLE AND KNOWING PEOPLE AFFECTED BY SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS A SIMILAR TRAJECTORY OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE.

IT IS AWFUL IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY.

AND WE SHOULD TAKE ALL THE STEPS THAT WE CAN TO TRY TO MINIMIZE IT, END IT.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO COOL OFF AND STOP THIS KIND OF REALLY TRAGIC ACTIVITY THAT IS TEARING US APART.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE TRAGEDY THAT WILL HAVE REVERBERATIONS AND MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD COME TOGETHER AS A COUNTRY TO TRY TO JUST COOL THINGS OFF AND TRY TO END THIS GUN VIOLENCE THAT IS REALLY JUST TEARING US APART AND DESTROYING FAMILIES AND IT NEEDS TO END.

>> Jeff: MARTHA, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE DIFFERENT POLITICALLY THESE DAYS?

MIKE BROUGHT UP THE SHOOTING OF GABBY GIFFORDS, POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY GOES BACK TO BURR AND HAMILTON.

ARE THINGS TRULY DIFFERENT NOW?

>> WELL, IT ALWAYS -- I DON'T KNOW.

I WAS -- THE TIME OF HAMILTON WAS SO LONG AGO.

BUT THE SHOOTING OF GABBY GIFFORDS AND THE SHOOTING OF THE PRESIDENT, THE SHOOTING OF MELISSA HORTMAN AND HER FAMILY AND NOW CHARLIE KIRK THIS -- IT IS SO INTENSE RIGHT NOW.

AND SO TRAGIC.

AND THEN ALMOST EVERYDAY ALONG THE WAY THERE ARE ISSUES OF VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS.

IT DOES FEEL WORSE NOW THAN IT HAS IN THE PAST.

BUT I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, JEFF, TO KEEP IN MIND IT'S MILLIMETER CHANGE AND GABBY GIFFORDS WOULD HAVE DIED THAT DAY, 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO.

IT IS TERRIBLE AND AWFUL AND JUST BECAUSE IT IS PART OF OUR HISTORY OR JUST BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONGTIME DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT AND DOESN'T MEAN WE SHOULD DO ALL WE CAN TO TRY TO END IT.

>> Jeff: MIKE WE ARE A DEEPLY DIVIDED COUNTRY MAYBE A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM YOU ARE AUTOMATICALLY A DEEPLY DIVIDED COUNTRY.

BUT ARE THE FRINGES FARTHER OUT THERE?

>> I THINK THAT THE CENTER IS CERTAINLY WEAKENED AND PART OF THAT IS THE INCENTIVE STRUCTURES ARE JUST OFF.

MEANING, WHEN I WORKED FOR GOVERNOR HOGAN IF HE CRITICIZED TRUMP OUT OF EIGHT OUT OF 10 THINGS HE DID, WE CAUGHT MORE HELL FOR THE TWO THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T THAN THE PRAISE FOR THE EIGHT THINGS WE DID.

IF YOU TALK TO THE MODERATE OR NO LABELS THEY FEEL BEATEN DOWN.

IT'S HARDER TO RAISE MONEY.

YOU ARE CONSTANTLY EXPECTED TO BE ON THE FRONTLINES AND IT CAN WEAKENED OVER TIME.

>> Jeff: ALTHOUGH, SORRY TO JUMP IN, BUT THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE, MORE PEOPLE REGISTERING AS INDEPENDENTS OR UNAFFILIATED.

>> VOTERS ARE CERTAINLY AND MARTHA KNOWS MORE THAN I DO, VOTERS ARE COMPLICATED ANIMALS AND DON'T WANT TO BE PUT INTO BOXES.

I 'A REPUBLICAN WHAT PUBLICS PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SCHOOL CHOICE AND PEOPLE TELL ME THEY CANNOT COMMINGLE.

AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT TO FOLLOW CERTAIN SET OF TALKING POINTS AND RULES.

AS PEOPLE LOSE TRUST IN INSTITUTIONS, YEAH THEY WILL BECOME UNAFFILIATED AND UP FOR GRABS WHAT THAT LEADS TO, WE'LL SEE.

CERTAINLY THERE'S LESS TRUST AND I THINK THAT I DON'T THINK THE SYSTEM ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS I DON'T THINK THIS WILL LEAD TO A THIRTD PARTY WE ARE SEEING THAT IN THE U.K.

WITH THE REFORM PARTY.

BUT VOTERS ARE MORE COMPLICATED THAN WE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR, I THINK.

>> Jeff: MARTHA FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN ON THAT.

AND A LITTLE BIT ON THE SUBJECT OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND JUST THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT THAT YOUR POLITICAL COMMUNICATIONS WORLD OPERATES IN NOW, WHERE IT'S RUN BY ALGORITHMS THE ALGORITHMS ARE LOOKING FOR CLICKS.

THE CLICKS FROM THE OUTRAGEOUS STUFF.

>> YEP.

AND I THINK ON THE QUESTION ABOUT THE FRINGES, I DO THINK WE ARE IN A PERIOD OF TIME AND MIKE HAS LIVED THIS, WHERE TRUMP REALLY DECIDES WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES.

PARTICULARLY IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SO HE HAS NOT SHOWN A PROPENSITY TO SUPPORT MODERATE CANDIDATES, MIDDLE OF THE ROAD CANDIDATES.

HE REALLY WANTS PEOPLE TO BE 100% MAGA AND 100% WITH HIM ALL THE TIME.

THAT HAS CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT, I THINK, FOR THE COUNTRY, WHERE WITHIN HIS OWN PARTY THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE WILLING TO CRITICIZE HIM AND WILLING TO STAND UP AND SAY THERE IS A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND SO THE POLITICS OF THE RIGHT HAS BECOME REALLY CONCENTRATED WITHIN THE POWER OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND SO IT IS MY HOPE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TAKES THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THERE ARE LOTS OF IDEAS IN OUR PARTY WE DO NOT ALWAYS AGREE AND IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO REACH OUT TO THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND SAY LOOK YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH US ALL THE TIME BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS TOUTING 100% COMMITMENT TO DONALD TRUMP.

AND WE ARE NOT THAT WAY.

WE WANT TO ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE SOLUTIONS THAT HOPEFULLY MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, BRING DOWN COSTS AND REALLY STAND UP FOR WHATEVER STATE OR DISTRICT AND THE ECONOMY OF THAT AREA THAT OUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR.

IT IS MY HOPE AS THE PARTY WE CAN SORT OF REACH OUT TO THOSE INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION.

BUT IT IS A MOMENT IN TIME THAT WE HAVE NOT HAD AS A DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN A LONGTIME WHERE THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE HOUSE, THE SENATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

SO WITH THAT 100% OF THE TIME WITH DONALD TRUMP BEING SOMETHING THAT ALL THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL BE CARRYING WITH THEM, HOPEFULLY WE CAN SAY WE'RE INDEPENDENT AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> Jeff: I WAS GOING TO PICK UP ON THE IDEA THAT THE ELECTION REALLY ISN'T THAT FAR AWAY.

AND REPUBLICANS DON'T JUST CONTROL THE LEVERS OF POWER IN WASHINGTON THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF STATE CAPITALS THAT MOVED TO A I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S UNPRECEDENTED, BUT UNUSUAL MID-CYCLE REDISTRICTING OF CNGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TO ENGINEER MORE REPUBLICAN SEATS WHEN THE MARYLAND LEGISLATURE COMES BACK IN JANUARY WHERE DEMOCRATS ARE IN CHARGE THEY COULD DO THE SAME TO ENGINEER ANOTHER DEMOCRATIC SEAT IN THE MARYLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

SHOULD THEY DO THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF TIME TO SEE WHERE HOW THIS ALL SHAKES OUT.

CALIFORNIA IS TAKING THE LEAD AND THEY HAVE MANY, MANY MORE SEATS IN PLAY THAN THE STATE OF MARYLAND DOES WITH ONLY ONE SEAT HELD BY A REPUBLICAN.

AND THE REMAINDER HELD BY DEMOCRATS HERE IN MARYLAND.

I DOUBT THAT THIS IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO A ONE-SEAT DECISION ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ABOUT WHERE CAN WE PICK UP A SEAT QUICKLY IN REDISTRICTING.

I DON'T THINK THEREBY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO REDRAW THE MAP IN MARYLAND FROM NATIONAL FORCES.

I THINK THAT GOVERNOR NEWSOME SAW AN OPPORTUNITY THERE WHEN TEXAS WAS GOING TO REDRAW THEIR MAPS HE SAID WAIT A MINUTE LET'S FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE PLEASED TO SEE DEMOCRATS NOT HAVE AN ACADEMIC DISCUSSION ABOUT REDISTRICTING BUT INSTEAD SAY HOLD ON WE CAN PLAY THIS GAME, TOO.

THE STAKES ARE SO HIGH.

AND IT'S CLEAR THAT REPUBLICAN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FRANKLY WANTS TO REDRAW THE MAPS BECAUSE IT WILL HELP THEM HOLD CONTROL OF THE HOUSE.

AT A TIME WHEN IF THE MAPS HELD TODAY, DEMOCRATS WOULD WIN.

THEY ARE TRYING TO REDRAW THE MAPS AND CHANGE THE RULES AND GIVE THEMSELVES AN ADVANTAGE AND I'M PROUD OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS WHO SAID WE'RE GOING TO MOVE JUST AS QUICKLY AND FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE AND WE'LL LOOK AT OUR MAPS, TOO.

I DON'T THINK THE PRESSURE WILL COME TO MARYLAND BECAUSE WE HAVE A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

BUT I DO THINK THE OVERALL MOVE TO GO GO TOE-TO-TOE HAS BEEN IMPORTANT.

>> Jeff: AND MIKE, YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS IF THE MARYLAND DEMOCRATS TRY TO MOVE ENOUGH REPUBLICANS OUT OF ANDY HARRIS' CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE, PLACES WHERE YOU HAVE FRESHMEN DEMOCRATS.

>> EXACTLY.

THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN THEY TRIED TO TIP THIS SCALE A BIT AND A JUDGE IT WAS A DEFINITIVE RULING THEY HAD TO GO BACK AND REALTER THE MAP.

BUT, YES, THIS TIME AROUND IN THAT CORRIDOR, ESPECIALLY THAT BALTIMORE, ANNAPOLIS CORRIDOR THE FRESHMEN DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO SOLIDIFY THEIR SEATS.

AND THEY HAD A DELEGATION MEETING RECENTLY AND HOYER WAS NOT BULLISH ON MOVING FORWARD.

I KNOW THE ACTION HAPPENS IN ANNAPOLIS BUT IT IS UP TO THE DELEGATION TO GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO THE LEGISLATURE TO THE GOVERNOR.

AND I DON'T THINK TO MARTHA'S POINT WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT THERE'S TIME HERE NOT SEEING OVERWHELMING ENTHUSIASM TO OUT WHERE I LIVE IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT OUT WEST, THAT DISTRICT IS STILL SOMEWHAT CLOSE TO COMPETITIVE.

AND IF YOU MAKE TOO MANY MOVES, YOU COULD ALTER THE BALANCE.

I THINK IN THE END IT WILL REMAIN STATUS QUO.

BUT AS MARTHA SAID THIS IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL TALK ABOUT AND DONORS IN PARTICULAR, DEMOCRATIC DONORS WANT TO HEAR GOVERNORS TALKING ABOUT SO IT WILL CONTINUE BEING DISCUSSED.

>> Jeff: MIKE RICCI AND MARTHA MCKENNA WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: NOW MARYLAND STATE SENATOR COREY McCRAE IS A FAN OF APPRENTICESHIPS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HE TELLS THE STORY IN A NEW BOOK AS OUR NANCY YAMADA REPORTS.

>> I CAN REMEMBER MY HAIR PRETTY LONG AND PROBABLY WILD AT THAT MOMENT.

BUT THIS IS THE SPACE THAT HELPED GROW ME UP.

THIS WAS THE SPACE THAT GAVE ME MENTORSHIP.

SHOWED ME DISCIPLINE IN REFERENCE TO LEARNING FUNDAMENTAL THINGS LIKE COMING ON TIME.

>> THE TRAJECTORY OF HIS LIFE CHANGED THE MOMENT HE WALKED INTO IBEW'S TRAINING CENTER IN BALTIMORE.

>> 18 YEARS OF AGE, IN AND OUT OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM INCARCERATED IN THE ADULT SYSTEM, I THINK YOU CAN SELF SAY, HEY THIS WAS THE OUTCOME THAT WAS BORN FOR COREY.

BEING ABLE TO SEE A PATH WHERE I COULD SEE MY FIVE-YEAR TRA SCREKRY ON A SHEET OF PAPER SAYING IF YOU DO WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO YOU MAKE $12 AN HOUR.

IF YOU CONTINUE THE NEXT YEAR YOU MAKE 15, THEN 18, 21 ALL THE UP TO 32.

THIS IS 2003 WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION.

>> AFTER SPENDING FIVE YEARS IN THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TODAY HE WALKED IN AS A MENTOR, A STATE SENATOR AND AUTHOR WHO WROTE A BOOK ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE ENTITLED THE PRESCRIPTION THAT SAVED MY LIFE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

ONCE YOU GARNER A CERTAIN NOW KNOWLEDGE CAPTURED THAT YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY IT FORWARD AND PUT THE INFORMATION OUT THERE AND NOT KEEP IT TO YOURSELF.

THE APPRENTICESHIP THAT SAVED MY LIFE IS A GUIDE BOOK TELLING YOU HOW COREY McCRAE GET THERE AND ALSO STORYTELLING TO LET YOU KNOW I WAS AT BOTTOM.

FOLKS THINK THEY ARE AT BOTTOM WHO YOU ARE FACING DECADES OF BEING INCARCERATED AT ONE POINT IN TIME THAT IS WHAT I DEFINE AS THE BOTTOM.

IF I CAN MAKE IT OUT THROUGH HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE AND SHOWING FOLKS WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THERE IS WHY I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION.

>> WATCHING AND LISTENING.

>> IT IS A BOLD MESSAGE AND PEOPLE SHOULD FOLLOW IT.

>> ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE ENGAGED AND LEARNING AND SEE POSSIBILITY FOR THEIR FUTURES.

>> BY HIS EXAMPLE ALONE YOU CAN SEE WHERE YOU CAN GO FROM WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW TO WHERE YOU CAN BECOME.

>> WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT THE TRADE IS THAT IT'S HANDS ON.

SO TRADITIONAL SCHOOL EDUCATION YOU LEARN EVERYTHING IN CLASS YOU DON'T GET TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO BE DOING.

>> I'M PLANNING TO BUY A HOUSE AS SOON AS I GRADUATE THIS APPRENTICESHIP.

I'M 20 AND ON TRACK TO GET MY OWN HOUSE BY 25.

THAT IS WHAT THIS PRESCRIPTION, CAREER DOES FOR PEOPLE IT MAKES THEM PUTS THEM IN A GOOD FINANCIAL SPOT TO BE GET THAT FINANCIAL FREEDOM.

>> I FEEL LIKE I GOT THIS.

>> ER IN McCRAE HOPES TO BRING ACCESS AND EXPOSURE TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE WHO MAY NOT REALIZE COLLEGE IS NOT THE ONLY PATH TO SUCCESS.

HIS MESSAGE... >> REACH FOR WHAT IS UNIMAGINABLE.

PEOPLE WILL TRY TO BOX YOU IN.

COREY YOU CAN ONLY BE AN ELECTRICIAN.

AND YOU CAN ONLY BE A STATE SENATOR.

AND THAT IS YOUR PEAK.

I'M TRYING MY BEST ESPECIALLY AS AN AUTHOR NOW TO BE ABLE TO SAY YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO.

THAT'S THE THRILL OF IT WHAT FULLY LIVING LOOKS LIKE AND DON'T LET ANYONE PUT YOU IN A BOX.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: SAD NEWS FROM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY WHERE EARL RICHARDSON HAS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 81.

CHARLES ROBINSON LOOKS BACK AT HIS TENURE AND THE PEOPLE HE INFLUENCED.

>> Dr.

RICHARDSON, WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE INSTITUTION'S MOST EFFECTIVE LEADER.

>> Dr.

EARL RICHARDSON JOINED A LONG LIST OF PRESIDENTS WHO PRESIDED OVER CHANGES AT THE HISTORICALLY BLACK INSTITUTION.

THE LEADERSHIP HE EXUSED AT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY LASTED FROM 1984 TO 2010.

HE BEGAN HIS COLLEGE EDUCATION ON THE EASTERN SHORE.

AS A STUDENT, HE JOINED GLORIA RICHARDSON AN ACTIVIST IN TRYING TO INTEGRATE SCHOOLS.

IT WAS CHRONICLED IN THE HISTORY MAKER SERIES.

>> I SAID HOW COULD YOU ALLOW HIM TO DO THAT AND HE SAID TO ME IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF THE WAY I WILL DO IT TO YOU, TOO.

THAT WAS A TURNING MOMENT IN MY LIFE.

>> THE WOMAN YOU PUT IN FRONT OF ME WHAT Dr.

RICHARDSON HE EXPERIENCED GROWING UP ON THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND, AND PEOPLE THAT HE THOUGHT WERE IN HIS CORNER, BUT MAYBE THEY WERE NOT EXACTLY THERE.

I'M REMINDED OF THAT STORY THAT IN A LOT OF WAYS IS THE STORY OF MORGAN.

>> SO BY HIS FOURTH YEAR, THE PRESIDENT WAS CONFRONTED BY STUDENTS WHO WANTED TO KNOW WHY MORGAN WASN'T BEING FUNDED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS WHITE SCHOOLS.

>> Dr.

RICHARDSON WAS THE PERSON INDICATION OF A COMPASSIONATE LEADER.

HE TAUGHT ME WHAT SERVANT LEADERSHIP WAS ALL ABOUT.

HE PROBABLY IS THE SINGULAR MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN MY LIFE.

HE HELPED ME UNDERSTAND THAT I WAS -- I ARRIVED AT MORGAN AS A BASKETBALL PAYER AND HONOR STUDENT AND I LEFT AS A LEADER.

THE SOMETIMES WE GOT A CHANCE TO INTERACT TOGETHER I SAW A MAN WHO HANDLED ADVERSITY WITH DIGNITY AND GRACE AND NEVER FLINCHED WHEN THE PRESSURE HIT.

IN TERMS OF THE VALUE OF HBCU'S, EVERYTHING THAT I LEARNED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCU'S MOST OF IT I LEARNED FROM HIM.

>> MITCHELL AND FELLOW STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO DO WHAT RICHARDSON COULDN'T; MAKE THE CASE FOR FUNDING AND CHANGE.

SIMULTANEOUSLY THERE WAS A GROUP OF STUDENTS ALUMNI AND CONCERNED CITIZENS WHO SUED THE STATE.

IT WOULD TAKE NEARLY 15 YEARS FOR MARYLAND TO SETTLE GIVING ALL THE STATE HBCU'S ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND NOT REPLICATE THEIR NEW PROGRAMS AT THE TIME OF THE WHITE INSTITUTIONS.

IN KIPLING'S POINT HE TALKS ABOUT HAVING THE ABILITY TO WALK WITH KINGS AND NOT LOSE THE COMMON TOUCH.

IF NEITHER FOES NOR FRIENDS CAN HURT YOU, ALL MEN COUNT WITH YOU BUT NONE NOT TOO MUCH.

YOURS IS THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING THAT'S IN IT.

IT EPITOMIZES WHAT EARL RICHARDSON LIVES ON FOR THOSE HE TOUCHED.

I'M CHARLES ROBINSON FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: NOW A PROPOSED DATA CENTER IN PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY IS ON HOLD AFTER A MASSIVE PETITION DRIVE.

OUR NEWSMAKER IS THE LEADER OF THAT DRIVE, TAYLOR FRAZIER MCCOLLUM.

[♪♪] >> IT IS THE PROPOSED SITE OF THE DATA CENTER FROM LEARNER ENTERPRISES AND THAT IS SITUATED AND IT'S LIKE EXIT 17 OFF OF 95.

495.

AND IT'S BEEN VACANT FOR 20 YEARS.

MY GRANDFATHER AND MOTHER OWN HOMES IN POWER PARK AND THAT IS RIGHT ONE MILE DOWN THE ROAD FROM WHERE THIS CENTER WILL BE PLACED.

SO ONCE I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT I WAS VERY CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT BUT THE PROPERTY VALUES OF THE PROPERTIES.

SO I STARTED DOING MORE RESEARCH WHEN I CAME UP WITH THE PETITION.

>> Jeff: YOU DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TROUBLE GETTING PEOPLE TO SIGN THE PETITION, DID YOU?

>> IN THE BEGINNING I DID WHEN IT WAS ME WORKING BY MYSELF IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A PUSH ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

I PUT IT ON FACEBOOK AND MY INSTAGRAM BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF FOLLOWERS.

AND THE PARTY FOR SOCIALISM AND LIBERATION STUMBLED UPON MY PETITION AND ONCE THEY FOUND IT THEY WERE ABLE TO CREATE A REAL INSTAGRAM THAT WENT VIRAL.

WE LITERALLY IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS WERE ABLE TO GO FROM 80 SIGNATURES TO 20,000.

>> Jeff: I'VE SEEN PEOPLE PROTESTING CHEMICAL PLANTS OR PRISONS.

I CAN'T RECALL ANOTHER DATA CENTER GATHERING THIS MUCH OPPOSITION.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY REALLY WAS ABLE TO UNDERSTAND MY MESSAGE IN THE VIDEO.

AND IT WAS IMPACTFUL IT ALLOWED THEM TO SEE THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF DATA CENTERS PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW THAT A DATA CENTER WAS COMING.

AND I DO THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH OUR CURRENT UNITED STATES POLITICAL CLIMATE.

A LOT MORE PEOPLE ARE FEELING EMPOWERED TO CHANGE THINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITY IF THEY CAN.

>> Jeff: THIS WOULD MEAN NEW JOBS AT LEAST FOR THE COMMUNITY.

DOES THAT INFLUENCE YOUR VIEW OF THIS AT ALL?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS OUR INDIVIDUAL HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND I FEEL THAT THE BENEFITS DON'T OUTWEIGH THE RISKS.

A HANDFUL OF SKILLED JOBS IS NOT GOING TO BE THE PUSH THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE FACT WE'RE USING THIS AS A REVENUE DRIVER IS KIND OF LIKE WE'RE NEGLECTING OUR FUTURE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT TO PUT THE PROFIT FIRST IF WE DON'T HAVE THE ENVIRONMENT WE HAVE NOTHING WE HAVE NOWHERE TO LIVE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON THE PLANET AND NOT JUST LOOK AT THE DOLLARS AND CENTS OF EVERYTHING.

>> Jeff: HOW WOULD IT HARM THE ENVIRONMENT?

AS YOU SAID IT'S OFF THE CAPITAL BELTWAY SO IT'S NOT A PRISTINE SPOT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIVE THERE AND A LOT OF INDUSTRY THERE, TOO.

>> YES.

SO THIS PROPOSED DATA CENTER WILL USE 820 MEGAWATTS OF ELECTRICITY AND TO T WOULD NEED A SMALL POWER PLANT BUILT ON THE FACILITY OR GENERATOR USE MORE POWER THAN ALL OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS COMBINED.

WE HAVE TO THINK THAT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE WE'RE PLACING THE DATA CENTER.

AND I ALSO THINK THE STADIUM AND A LOT OF OTHER BIG BUILDS THAT DIDN'T BRING THE PROMISES WE WERE EXPECTING.

SO I DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A SCENARIO WHERE WE'RE PROMISED GROUNDS AND IT IS SECURITY PEOPLE THAT GET HIRED FROM THE COUNTY AND SPECIFICALLY 25,000 RESIDENTS I DON'T SEE MANY HAVING THE SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS TO WORK AT THE DATA CENTER.

>> Jeff: I WAS WONDERING WITH THE SAME THING, FEDEX FIELD AND SIX FLAGS CLOSING DOES IT BECOME A LARGER DISCUSSION?

>> IT HAS TO BE AN ECONOMIC DISCUSSION FOR THE COUNTY.

WEHAVE 171 MILLION SHORTFALL IN OUR BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.

I KNOW THAT'S IMPORTANT AND I DO WANT US TO SPEAK TO THAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING TOGETHER WITH RESIDENTS OF LANDOVER AND THE AREAS.

ON BI WEEKLY BASIS TO OFFER A SOLUTION.

I DON'T HAVE THAT SOLUTION YET.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO DRIVE BIG BUSINESSES TO THE COUNTY OTHER THAN DATA CENTERS.

BUT I DO FEEL THAT AS A COMMUNITY WE WILL COME TOGETHER AND REALLY DIG DEEP TO GET A SOLUTION FOR THEM SO THEY HAVE ANNAL INTERPRET ACTIVE.

>> Jeff: THANKS TO TAYLOR FRAZIER MCCOLLUM, A COUNTY TASK FORCE IS TO SHARE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS LATER THIS YEAR.

>> AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

JOIN US EVERY WEEK AT THIS TIME FOR THE LATEST ON MARYLAND'S POLITICAL STAGE.

REMEMBER YOU CAN SEE OUR RECENT PROGRAMS AT VIDEO.MPT.TV AND THE FREE VAN.

WE CAN BE FOUND AT SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

WE'RE BACK MONDAY WITH "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND YOUR CHANCE TO ASK THE EXPERTS MONDAY EVENING LIVE AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY.

[♪♪]