Celebrating the Legacy of Henrietta Lacks at Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University broke ground Monday on its newest multidisciplinary space, which will be named in honor of Henrietta Lacks.

“Today we make a specific commitment to ensure that the name of Henrietta Lacks will be as immortal as her cells,” says Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University.

The building will support the programs of the Berman Institute of Bioethics, the School of Medicine and other departments of the university.

“The breadth and depth of our work will expand with this new building,” says Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Bioethics Institute. “And his dedication to Henrietta Lacks is an important reminder of the need for ethics, justice, responsible science and community-engaged research.”

WMAR-2 News/Christy Harper

“We recognize not only the scientific contributions that were made possible by her cells,” says one of Lacks’ granddaughters, Jeri Lacks Why. “We also acknowledge the story of the black woman who did not live to see the world her cells helped create—a story that has been hidden for too long. We hope this building will continue to shine a light on her legacy.”

The building will be located on the Johns Hopkins University East Baltimore campus and will feature flexible curriculum and classroom space.

The university expects construction to be completed in 2026.