The Baltimore Police Department Community Collaboration Division Unity Bowl Banner was designed for the annual football game between the Baltimore Police and the students of Frederick Douglass High School.

Protests roiled through West Baltimore last April 27, 2015 after about 100 students walked out of Douglass in protest, one of many demonstrations that transpired in the city following the funeral of Freddie Gray, the 25-year-old man who died from injuries he sustained while in police custody.

Shortly after the walkout a violent standoff between youth and residents unfolded at Mondawmin Mall, which is adjacent to Douglass, and where its nearly 1,000 students go to take the bus to and from school. Both police and students hurled rocks at each other, and students were shot with pepper balls.

It was later revealed that the Mondawmin bus transportation hub was shut down, leaving Douglass students and more than 5,000 other students who pass through the hub daily stranded. To this day, no city agency has taken responsibility for ordering the shutdown.

The annual football game is designed to promote peace.

The Baltimore Police Department Community Collaboration Division is operated by Chief Melvin Russell. He and the Division work diligently and relentlessly to foster relationships between the Baltimore Police Department, residents, businesses, organizations, youth, and community leaders in an effort to build relational equity.