2nd Annual Black History Month Extravaganza Honors Those Who Work In and For the Community
Councilwoman Delores McQuinn honored eleven Richmond residents at the 2nd Annual Black History Month Extravaganza. The 7th District's Community Heritage Awards 2005 were presented to men and women
who were recognized has having done important work in their communities, primarily in the 7th district.
The recipients were Annette Braxton, Lee Buffinton, Mary Lou Decossaux, Jennie
Dotts, Ana Edwards, David Thomas Frazier, Richard H. Greene, Bennie Jackson Sr., William Miles, James Tucker and Jean Wight.
Jennie Dotts was unavailable, so Kim Chen accepted the award in her place.
While given in the name of Ana Edwards, the award recognized the dedicated work of the Defenders and their
friends for speaking out against social inequities and for working to reclaim, preserve and appropriately develop
historic sites. The specific work -- the Gabriel historic highway marker,
the Burial Ground for Negroes, and the preservation of Shockoe Bottom’s historic significance -- was left out, probably
in order not stimulate discussion about the baseball stadium controversy, which might distract the media from the focus of
the day.
The day began at 1:30 pm with exhibits by regional organizations like the African American Inventors Association,
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center, MLK's resource art instructor's comprehensive African Textile exhibit, The
Defenders, and more. The 3:00 pm program was a very nice community-based event, featuring dance, step, band,
choir, and spoken word performances by children and adults of many of the district's congregations. Dinner was
served around 6:00 pm, at the end of the program, and it was soul food feast, provided free of charge and accompanied
by a truly wonderful singing foursome doing old school tunes - these gentlement were sharp.
Ana, her son Taimir and Defenders friend Cora Hayes attended. Defender
Phil Wilayto attended as well, but in his role as reporter for The Richmond Defender, had to leave before the awards presentation
to cover another event. Cora acted as event photographer in his stead.
The multi-faceted, faith-focused event took place at the Martin Luther
King Jr. Middle School on Mosby Avenue on Saturday, February 26, 2005.
