Celebrating Black History
Love Wins!
The bright red pin sporting the phrase is pinned to resident Bob Hetherington’s lapel as he recalls what it was like to be among those who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama. The Selma to Montgomery March was then – seminary student Bob Hetherington’s first introduction to civil rights. Later that year his classmate Johnathan Daniels was murdered while protecting civil rights volunteer Ruby Sales. Daniels’ sacrifice in that moment went on to forever guide the call on Rev. Hetherington’s life – love wins.
That work continues today at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. Rev. Hetherington is among several residents who work in tandem with our own staff-led Diversity Advisory Council, to champion our mission of being a place of equality, diversity and inclusion through education and programming.
Among the resident and staff events planned by the Diversity Advisory Council are this year’s Black History programs. With an eye to education, Westminster Canterbury Foundation board member Rev. Marlene Forrest and our own Rev. Deacon David Curtis will share what they learned while visiting historic civil rights sites on the Racial Justice Pilgrimage in 2023; Myra Goodwin Smith, President and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, will inspire us with her continuing work to create a path for social equity; and a video of Bob Hetherington’s memories of the Selma to Montgomery March will be made available across our digital media platforms. Community-building events will include on campus Pop Up Sales by local black-owned businesses; a performance by the Moi Pei Sisters of Kenya; and a service of worship led by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Choir.
As you celebrate Black History Month remember, Love Wins.