Program
Presiding Mr. Keith W. Hicks
Past President and Chairman
Special Projects Committee
Invocation Mr. Ronald Ford
Chaplain
Greeting Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
and Purpose Past President
Dance Tribute Felecia Mann
Owner-Happiness Dance Studio
Introduction of Rev. Dr. Paul Flowers
Speaker Pastor-Antioch Baptist Church
Speaker Mr. Gary Flowers
Booking Black w/ Gary Flowers
The Gary Flowers Show
Walking The Ward
Closing Remarks Mr. Fennon Henderson
Astoria President
Benediction Mr. Ronald Ford
Chaplin
Refreshments
Astoria Special Project Committee
Mr. Joseph Clark
Mr. Ronald Ford
Mr.Alan J. Foster, Sr.
Mr. James Haymes
Mr. Fennon Henderson
Mr. Keith W. Hicks
Mr. Jonathan G. Johnson
Mr. Kirk C. Jones
Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Mr. Marvin R. Tart, Sr.
Astorian Ambassadors
Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Mr. Herbert Southhall, Jr.
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Statue
“Welcome to the Neighborhood”
Erected June 30, 1973
By Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. and the citizens of Richmond, Virginia
Located at Adams & Leigh Streets
Richmond, Virginia
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Project
After an enormous amount of work by the committee, the unselfish cooperation of many individuals, organizations, local companies and the City of Richmond, Virginia Government, the project was ready for dedication on June 30, 1973.
It is significant to note while our Richmond City has long enjoyed fame as the city of many statues, the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue was the first statue memorializing a prominent African American.
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson project is indeed symbolic of the spirit of the Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc., celebrating a rich past, while making a difference in the future.
It is hoped that in the years to come, residents and tourists alike will visit Robinson Square and the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue will be a cause of reflection and inspire civil pride, civil commitment, and participations in each neighborhood civics’ life.
The Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. Proudly Presents
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Commemorative Service 51th Anniversary
Saturday, June 22, 2024
10:00 A.M.
Adams & Leigh Streets
Richmond, Virginia
The Original “Bojangles” Committee
Carroll W. Anderson, Chair
Marion N. Roberson, Vice Chair
George Taylor, Rec. Secretary
Herbert H. Johnson, Fin. Secretary
J. Carroll Beard, Treasurer
Wesley T. Carter
Richard W. Foster
Willie L. Loving
Bernard L. Jones
Powell B. Williams
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Project
During a regular Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. meeting in April 1972, Carroll Anderson presented a proposal to erect a statue in tribute to Richmond, Virginia native Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. The intent purpose was to serve as an inspiration to future generations that they too might make meaningful contributions to the community and inspire civic pride.
The proposal was referred to the Board of Governors and approved in June 1972. Within a month the Astorian general membership voted and approved the measure which resulted in the establishment of the “Bojangles” Memorial Fund Committee. This represented the singled largest project in the Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc., history.
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was born Luther Robinson in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878, at 915 N. Third Street. Robinson started his career as a vaudeville performer, transitioning to Broadway and to Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s. He became a Broadway legend, his tap-dance style and cheerful personality made Robinson a favorite of both black and white audiences alike.
In 1936, along with financier James Semler, they cofounded the New York Black Yankees baseball team, based in Harlem. The team was a part of the Negro National League until 1948, when Major League Baseball first integrated. He donated the first traffic control light north of Broad Street, at Adams and Leigh Streets, for the safety of the students of Armstrong High School.
A public park in Harlem bears Robinson's name as well as the statue at Adams and Leigh Streets, in Richmond, Virginia honoring a native son and a way of honoring Bill “Bojangles” Robinson many philanthropic, civic contributions, and participation in the neighborhood's civic life.
He died in New York City on November 25, 1949, but his enduring legacy remains. In 1989 a joint U.S. Senate/ House resolution declared “National Tap Dance Day” to be May 25th, the anniversary of Bill Robinson’s birth.
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Program
Presiding Mr. Keith W. Hicks
Past President and Chairman
Special Projects Committee
Invocation Mr. Ronald Ford
Chaplain
Greeting Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
and Purpose Past President
Dance Tribute Felecia Mann
Owner-Happiness Dance Studio
Introduction of Rev. Dr. Paul Flowers
Speaker Pastor-Antioch Baptist Church
Speaker Mr. Gary Flowers
Booking Black w/ Gary Flowers
The Gary Flowers Show
Walking The Ward
Closing Remarks Mr. Fennon Henderson
Astoria President
Benediction Mr. Ronald Ford
Chaplin
Refreshments
Astoria Special Project Committee
Mr. Joseph Clark
Mr. Ronald Ford
Mr.Alan J. Foster, Sr.
Mr. James Haymes
Mr. Fennon Henderson
Mr. Keith W. Hicks
Mr. Jonathan G. Johnson
Mr. Kirk C. Jones
Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Mr. Marvin R. Tart, Sr.
Astorian Ambassadors
Mr. Harry D. Reid, Sr.
Mr. Herbert Southhall, Jr.
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson
Statue
“Welcome to the Neighborhood”
Erected June 30, 1973
By Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. and the citizens of Richmond, Virginia
Located at Adams & Leigh Streets
Richmond, Virginia
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Project
After an enormous amount of work by the committee, the unselfish cooperation of many individuals, organizations, local companies and the City of Richmond, Virginia Government, the project was ready for dedication on June 30, 1973.
It is significant to note while our Richmond City has long enjoyed fame as the city of many statues, the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue was the first statue memorializing a prominent African American.
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson project is indeed symbolic of the spirit of the Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc., celebrating a rich past, while making a difference in the future.
It is hoped that in the years to come, residents and tourists alike will visit Robinson Square and the Bill “Bojangles” Robinson statue will be a cause of reflection and inspire civil pride, civil commitment, and participations in each neighborhood civics’ life.
The Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. Proudly Presents
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Commemorative Service 51th Anniversary
Saturday, June 22, 2024
10:00 A.M.
Adams & Leigh Streets
Richmond, Virginia
The Original “Bojangles” Committee
Carroll W. Anderson, Chair
Marion N. Roberson, Vice Chair
George Taylor, Rec. Secretary
Herbert H. Johnson, Fin. Secretary
J. Carroll Beard, Treasurer
Wesley T. Carter
Richard W. Foster
Willie L. Loving
Bernard L. Jones
Powell B. Williams
The Bill “Bojangles” Robinson Project
During a regular Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc. meeting in April 1972, Carroll Anderson presented a proposal to erect a statue in tribute to Richmond, Virginia native Bill “Bojangles” Robinson. The intent purpose was to serve as an inspiration to future generations that they too might make meaningful contributions to the community and inspire civic pride.
The proposal was referred to the Board of Governors and approved in June 1972. Within a month the Astorian general membership voted and approved the measure which resulted in the establishment of the “Bojangles” Memorial Fund Committee. This represented the singled largest project in the Astoria Beneficial Club, Inc., history.
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was born Luther Robinson in Richmond, Virginia, on May 25, 1878, at 915 N. Third Street. Robinson started his career as a vaudeville performer, transitioning to Broadway and to Hollywood films in the 1930s and 1940s. He became a Broadway legend, his tap-dance style and cheerful personality made Robinson a favorite of both black and white audiences alike.
In 1936, along with financier James Semler, they cofounded the New York Black Yankees baseball team, based in Harlem. The team was a part of the Negro National League until 1948, when Major League Baseball first integrated. He donated the first traffic control light north of Broad Street, at Adams and Leigh Streets, for the safety of the students of Armstrong High School.
A public park in Harlem bears Robinson's name as well as the statue at Adams and Leigh Streets, in Richmond, Virginia honoring a native son and a way of honoring Bill “Bojangles” Robinson many philanthropic, civic contributions, and participation in the neighborhood's civic life.
He died in New York City on November 25, 1949, but his enduring legacy remains. In 1989 a joint U.S. Senate/ House resolution declared “National Tap Dance Day” to be May 25th, the anniversary of Bill Robinson’s birth.
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