By Cindy Adams
It was a mostly sunny April day with a whipping wind in Richmond where 30 or so enCircle staff members gathered to learn more about the people, places and happenings of historic Jackson Ward, a neighborhood that embodies both tragedy and triumph for the city’s Black community.
The opportunity to experience a walking tour with Gary Flowers, a fourth-generation resident of the neighborhood, and a museum tour with Faithe Norrell, also with multi-generational ties to the community, was both informative and thought provoking. Staff time together sounded like friendly conversation, interspersed with periods of silent reflection. The education was superior and the "knowing" was profound.
Both Jackson Ward and the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia give voice to a community of entrepreneurs and leaders that overcame countless barriers of injustice. In the early 20th century, a successful Black neighborhood was born through their efforts. In the late 1950s, however, decisions by city and state leaders decimated the area. Efforts of restoration and protection are now underway.
"Working at an organization that values DEI and learning about history's role in today's world is lovely," said DeHanza Kwong, one of enCircle’s philanthropy coordinators. "The tour guides inspired me, and I wish I had learned this history in school. I hope to continue my education knowing what I know now. No person's culture is monolithic, but it feels that way when motivated individuals suppress chunks of history, including greatness, ingenuity, and resilience. I hope this experience influences us all to look at history differently and embrace those around us with compassion and tolerance, for we do not know what they went through to get them to where they are today."
A special thanks to the staff at Ebenezer Baptist Church of Richmond, who provided space for us to gather and advance our Guiding Principle of Social Justice.
