When you hear the name Colt Black Frederick MD, you’re probably thinking about one of two things: a school board member or a funeral director. It’s an unusual combination. Most people in local politics come from law or business management, not mortuary science. But if you’ve spent any time in Frederick County recently, you know that Colt Black has become a central figure in some of the most heated debates in the region.
Colt M. Black isn’t just a name on a ballot. He’s a guy who grew up in the shadow of the Catoctin Mountains, graduated from Catoctin High in 2006, and decided to bring a family legacy back to life. He’s the owner of Black’s Funeral Home in Sabillasville. Honestly, his background as a mortician and a former firefighter/EMT gives him a perspective on "life and death" issues that most politicians just don't have.
The 2024 Election: How Colt Black Won His Seat
Local elections in Frederick are usually quiet affairs. Not 2024. This was a battleground year for the Frederick County Board of Education. Black ran as a nonpartisan candidate, though his conservative leanings weren't exactly a secret. He secured his seat with roughly 16.2% of the vote—about 53,403 ballots cast in his favor.
He wasn't the top vote-getter—that was Jaime Brennan—but he comfortably beat out several other contenders to take one of the three open at-large seats. He assumed office on December 3, 2024. His term runs all the way until December 2028. You've got to wonder if the people who voted for him knew just how much of a lightning rod he would become within his first few months on the board.
The "Book Ban" Nuance
During the campaign, everyone wanted to talk about books. You know the drill: one side screams "censorship" and the other screams "protection." Black took a middle road that managed to annoy a lot of people on both sides. He calls himself a First Amendment absolutist. Yet, he famously stated that books containing "extreme violence or are sexually explicit" with no academic value should be removed.
It's a tricky needle to thread. He says he doesn't support "book bans," but he does support a rigorous review process involving public hearings. To his supporters, this is common sense. To his critics, it’s a dog whistle for removing LGBTQ+ content. This tension hasn't really gone away since the election ended.
The Title IX Investigation and Free Speech
Basically, things got real in January 2025. During a public board meeting, Black spoke out against Board Policy 443. This policy deals with gender identity and how schools handle student transitions. Black’s concern? He argued that the policy essentially forces students and staff to participate in "social transitions" by requiring the use of specific pronouns and names. He called it "compelled speech."
The backlash was almost instant. The Frederick County Democratic Central Committee labeled his comments as "hate speech." Within days, the school board's legal counsel notified him that he was under investigation for a potential violation of Title IX Nondiscrimination Policy.
- The ADF Involvement: This wasn't just a local spat. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) stepped in, sending a letter to the board demanding they stop the investigation.
- The Argument: ADF claims the board is weaponizing Title IX to silence an elected official’s protected speech.
- The Standoff: As of early 2026, this remains a massive point of contention in Frederick. It’s a classic case of what happens when constitutional rights clash with school district policies.
Why the Funeral Business Matters to His Politics
You might think being a mortician is irrelevant to the school board. Colt Black would disagree. He often talks about his business background—specifically the "efficiency" mindset required to keep a small business thriving. He’s the owner of both Black’s Funeral Home and the Acacia Society.
He holds licenses in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, and D.C. That's a lot of red tape to navigate. When he talks about the Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) budget—which takes up about half of the county’s annual spending—he looks at it through the lens of a guy who has to balance his own books. He’s big on "back to basics" education: reading, writing, and math. He’s also vocal about the fact that not every kid needs a four-year college degree. He wants more focus on trade skills and life skills.
The Man Behind the Headlines
Colt isn’t just a political figure. He’s married to his wife, Micheala, and they have three kids. He’s deeply involved in the community, being a member of the Acacia Lodge #155 in Thurmont and the Shriners in Cumberland.
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There’s this interesting bit of family history too. His great-great uncle, Elmer Black, ran "Blacks Undertaking" in Thurmont for 25 years until 1911. Colt basically spent his early twenties working trade embalming and transportation jobs across multiple states just to get enough experience to reopen the family name. It’s a "local boy makes good" story that resonates with a lot of people in the northern part of the county.
What’s Next for Colt Black?
The next couple of years will be defining for him. He’s currently serving alongside board members like Janie Monier and Josh Bokee, who don't always see eye-to-eye with him. The investigation into his comments remains a cloud over his tenure, but he hasn't backed down. In fact, he’s doubled down on his stance against lowering the voting age to 16, arguing that 18 is the age of majority for a reason.
If you’re looking to get involved or just want to keep tabs on what’s happening with the board, here are a few things you can do:
- Attend a Meeting: The Board of Education meets at 191 South East Street in Frederick. It’s the best way to see the dynamics in person.
- Read the Policies: Don't just take a headline's word for it. Look up Policy 443 and the Title IX Nondiscrimination Policy on the FCPS website to see what all the fuss is about.
- Check the Budget: Since Black is so focused on fiscal efficiency, looking at the annual FCPS budget report will give you context on his voting record regarding expenditures.
Colt Black is definitely one of the more "vocal" members Frederick has seen in a while. Whether you agree with him or not, he's shifted the conversation in Frederick County from routine administrative tasks to fundamental questions about parental rights and the First Amendment.