Unveiling The Vanguard

Video Courtesy of Duron Chavis, David Riley, Amanda Barnes, Brian Bullock, Ryan Pace, and Kenneth Warren

The JXN Project culminated its celebration of the 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward with "Unveiling The Vanguard" as part of the Second Street Festival. Beginning on October 2, 2021, community members were invited to experience the unveiling as the project introduced the largest mass honorary street installation in the city's history via self-guided tours.

 In addition to a curated map, directional "JXN Ward" stamps were installed on the sidewalks to guide tourists along the route, which starts at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia located at 122 W Leigh Street and ends at Maggie L. Walker Plaza located at N. Adams Street and W. Broad Street.

  • The honorary street signs include designations in tribute to Abraham Peyton Skipwith, A.D. Price, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Charles S. Gilpin, Giles B. Jackson, John Jasper, John Mitchell Jr., Lille A. Estes, Lorna L.P. Pinckney, Lucy Goode Brookes, Maggie L. Walker, N.A. Eggleston Sr., Oliver Hill Sr., Rosa Dixon Bowser, and W.W. Browne. To learn more about each honorary designee, please click each of the below photos. Which are digitized woodcuts by Barry O'Keefe with graphic designs by Meredith Carrington.

    JXN would like to give a special thank you to Venture Richmond, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Richmond City Council, City of Richmond, Big Secret,Korman Signs, Keith Fabry, Mosca Design, and Walk The Ward with Gary Flowers. Also, thank you to a long list of project sponsors, such as Richmond Times-Dispatch, Initiatives of Change, The Valentine Museum, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, BLKRVA, and VPM, as well as community partners, such as the Historic Jackson Ward Association, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, Jackson Ward Collective, Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, Library of Virginia, andRichmond Public Library — alongside support staff, to include the Afrikana Ambassadors. Also, the project would be remiss not to thank the many descendants, direct loved ones, and|or community organizations who supported the unveiling, as well asthe news outlets, photographers, and videographers who helped to capture the moment.⁣In addition to its co-founders, The JXN Project is supported by a project team who deserve honorable mention — to include Meredith Carrington, NigelRichardson, Marc Holland, Morgan Dye, Todd Waldo, Dr. Michon Moon, Jonah Hodari, Barry O'Keefe, Dennis Winston, S. Ross Browne, David Riley, Amanda Barnes, Joey Tran, Keshia Eugene, and LeMore Printing.

Project Highlights

Map Courtesy Meredith Carrington, Graphic Design Courtesy of Meredith Carrington, Portrait Courtesy of S. Ross Browne, Drawing Courtesy of Dennis Winston

Previous
Previous

Declarations of Independence

Next
Next

Illuminating Legacies: Giles B. Jackson Day