Severn Improvement Association
Queenstown Rosenwald School
The Rosenwald School Project was a major early-20th-century effort to improve educational opportunities for Black children in the segregated South by building better school facilities. Beginning in the 1910s and expanding through the early 1930s, it was supported by the Julius Rosenwald Fund—created by Julius Rosenwald, the president of Sears, Roebuck & Co.—and shaped in partnership with Booker T. Washington and the Tuskegee Institute.
Experience the Severn Improvement Association’s 3D Tour
Explore the Severn Improvement Association like never before with an immersive 3D tour that lets you walk through the space from anywhere. You’ll encounter a living history of Queenstown and Severn’s Black community, preserved in the walls, photos, and gathering spaces. It’s not just a virtual tour—it’s an invitation to connect, remember, and imagine what comes next for SIA.
Severn Improvement Association
Meet Our Board Members
Tracey Williams-Simms, President 2016 – Present, Member since 1994
Deborah Odum-Price, Vice President Since 2026, Member since 2000
Kylin Mayberry, Treasurer 2024 – Present, Member since 2022
Auriel Mayberry-Gaballa Secretary 2024 – Present, Member since 2023
Rodney Jones, Officer at large since 2025, Member since 2023
Ravene Diggs, Officer at Large since 2025, member since 2023
Marvin Hayes, JR, Officer at Large since 2026, member since 2023
Historical Black Community. Culture, Memory, Collective Identity
Queenstown, in Severn, Maryland is a historically black community with origins dating back to the early 1900’s where descendants of freed black slaves settled and farmed, providing fruits and vegetables for Baltimore’s Marsh Market.
Founded by Ambrose Queen, hence the community’s name, the Queenstown Community is one of the oldest communities in Anne Arundel County. Queenstown is known for it’s diversity and generations of thriving business serving Anne Arundel County and other surrounding areas.
Upcoming Event
The Severn Improvement Association hosts year-round events that bring neighbors together—from youth programs and family activities to cultural celebrations and community meetings. Whether you’re gathering to learn, celebrate, or give back, SIA offers a welcoming space where Severn’s history and community spirit come alive.
Why Join SIA?
- Get to know your neighbors
- Learn Neighborhood history
- Help revitalize the neighborhood
- Join a community committee
- Obtain community service hours
- Make a difference
- Public meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the Month at 7 PM
Severn Improvement Association
Location
SIA Headquarters aka “Sunny Side School”- National Register of Historic Places
430 Queenstown Road, Severn MD 21144