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The Bill "Bojangles" Robinson Project

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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
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“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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