Founders Day Black History event offered many interesting messages

The past has many lessons. And, it’s important to capture family memories and preserve them for future generations, the Rev. Woodland L. Holmes told the audience at the 2024 Founders Day Black History Presentation on Feb. 10 at Immanuel Baptist Church near Saluda.

“Remember, we do not always have to race to the National African American Museum and Culture in Washington, D.C., to learn about the many accomplishments made by African Americans. There are African-American heroes and heroines living in Middlesex today, if only we would recognize their accomplishments, both past and present.”

“Heroes”

The Rev. Woodland Holmes, pastor of First Baptist Church of Harmony Village, shared examples of African-American “heroes” who broke barriers in Middlesex County.

They include Frank Jessie, the first elected Black member of the Middlesex Board of Supervisors; Josh Holmes, the first Black Middlesex County sheriff; and educator John Henry St. Clare Walker. St. Clare Walker was a principal for two decades of the Middlesex Training School and expanded the African-American high school curriculum from two to four years despite inadequate funding, states a highway marker at the school at Cooks Corner that is now the school board office.

Later, the school was renamed in Walker’s honor. “It was among the first rural high schools for Black students to be accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.”

The current middle school at Locust Hill is named in his honor…