Astoria Beneficial Club Honors Bojangles
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Posted By: Rudolph Hickman on July 06, 2011 He was a nationally renowned tap dancer, actor, co-founder of a black baseball team, Richmond native and philanthropist. Given this stellar resume, it is little wonder that members of The Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. have convened at the intersection of Adams and West Leigh Sts. for the last thirty-eight years to commemorate the life and legacy of Bill Bojangles Robinson. The Astoria Club was founded on August 8, 1901 at the home of Christopher F. Foster with a mission to uphold firm religious values, high moral standing, intellectual growth, and civic & social responsibility. Over the years the men of Astoria have made significant contributions to The City of Richmond and its African American community. In fact, the venue of the 38th Annual Bill Bojangles Commemorative Service has historical significance because it is the site of a statue of Robinson, the first of an African American in Richmond, and was erected by Astoria members in 1973 to recognize Bojangles unyielding generosity. Evidence of this generosity can be found only a few yards away from the statue. In 1933, Robinson paid to have stop lights installed on the corners of the intersection bounded by Adams and West Leigh Streets. The stop lights were needed to guard the safety of Armstrong High School students who risked injury daily when crossing the dangerous intersection. The statue stands as a visible reminder to all that every one of us is charged with the responsibility to help those in need. It is said that Bill Robinson’s greatest contribution was his ever present sense of who he was and where he came from. He gave much of himself and his personal finances to those who needed a hand up. During his remarks, Astoria President Vance Horne, praised the dedicated service of The “Bojangles” Memorial Fund Committee whose members included Carroll W. Anderson*, Chairman; Marion Robertson*, Vice-Chairman; George Taylor*, Recording Secretary; Herbert H. Johnson*, Financial Secretary; J. Carroll Beard*, Treasurer; Wesley T. Carter, Richard W. Foster*, Willie L. Loving, Reginald M. Dyson*, Bernard L. Jones, and Powell B. Williams*. Through their efforts the statue idea moved from concept to visible reality. Mary Lauderdale, Manager, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, shared a number of anecdotes about events that occurred during Robinson’s life. The most memorable had to do with an encounter with a caucasian restaurant owner who refused to serve Robinson because of his race. As the story goes, Robinson engaged the man’s participation in a little experiment. He asked him to go into his pocket and give him a $10 bill. Once the man complied, Bojangles took five $10 bills from his pocket and shuffled the bills. Then he asked the restaurant owner if he could pick out the colored bills. The restaurant owner quickly got the message and gladly agreed to serve Robinson. Lauderdale stated that “while Robinson’s movie image cast him in the role of a docile black man, he always stood up for himself in real life”. Other program participants included Mr. Vance Horne, Astoria President; Mr. Hamlet Hood, Past President; Mr. Charles Woodie, Jr., Astorian of the Year; Mr. Gary Young, 2ndVice President; Mr. Benjamin Spencer, Chaplin; Mr. Charles White and master Xavier Young. *Denotes deceased members See related photo gallery at: http://rudolphhickmanphotography.smugmug.c... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Rudolph Hickman
Owner, Rudolph Hickman Photography Virginia Union University class of 1974 Member Since August 2005 |
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