Bishop Douglas Miles—beloved alumnus and friend of the Johns Hopkins University and notable activist and organizer within the greater Baltimore community—passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021. He was 72.

President Daniels, the Johns Hopkins University, and the family of Bishop Miles are remembering his impact through the creation of the Bishop Douglas Miles Scholarship Fund. These scholarship funds will act as a continuation of the good work Bishop Miles started, and will offer life-changing educational opportunities to deserving future applicants.

For more than 50 years, Bishop Miles has been a leader, teacher, and pillar of Baltimore through his social justice advocacy and community organizing. He was the co-chair of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), with whom he pushed for financial equity in underserved communities and partnered with Johns Hopkins on a number of Baltimore-based projects. His work with BUILD also led to the creation of the CollegeBound Foundation, which offers college financial aid to Baltimore City Public School students, as well as Child First Authority, Inc., which provides enriching educational opportunities to thousands of young Baltimoreans.

Bishop Miles is credited with several other social justice efforts throughout Baltimore City and beyond. He advocated for the construction of affordable housing and pushed for the rebuilding of the East Baltimore’s Oliver neighborhood following a fatal firebombing. He helped heal broken communities after the Freddie Gray unrest, and has consistently spoken out on racial injustice nationwide. He has been described as “a voice for the voiceless,” and “a go-getter [who] believed in using his gift for the empowerment of people.” Bishop Miles is survived by his wife, Rosanna Miles; his sons, Pastor Dante K. Miles and Harvey Miles; and all those touched and impacted by his remarkable work. 

Bishop Douglas Miles has made a lasting impact on Johns Hopkins and on Baltimore. Please, take this opportunity to make your own impact in his honor. Your support today will empower future leaders, trailblazers, and change-makers.