SNAPSHOT: ARTHUR ASHE BOULEVARD DEDICATION

“It’s a good day,” that was the overall sentiment I heard from the many friends that I visited with on the lawn of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture Saturday morning. We joined thousands who had gathered for the unveiling ceremony for Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

The ceremony featured a keynote address from civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis. Lewis told the audience that he had prepared remarks but the “spirit” and the magnitude of the day caused him to dismiss those remarks and speak from the heart. Lewis then proceeded to take the audience to church and speak about many issues that are challenging our current political climate. He implored the audience to “get in trouble, good trouble” to combat a Trump administration that is taking America in the wrong direction.

Other speakers on the program included: U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, U.S. Representative Donald McEachin, and Mayor Levar Stoney. Ashe’s nephew David Harris spoke about what the day meant to him and the entire Ashe family.

The unveiling ceremony was the flagship event within a weekend that started on Thursday with a social justice forum, which featured Arthur Ashe’s younger brother Johnnie Ashe. Following Saturday’s ceremony, there were several events that focused on Richmond’s youth both at Battery Park and at the Arthur Ashe center.

The events of the weekend continue to highlight the period of transition that Richmond’s leadership and community are in. While it is a major step, in the right direction, to rename the Boulevard in honor of Ashe, Confederate monuments still line Monument Ave, the prominent street that Ashe Boulevard now intersects. Richmond still has major challenges to address regarding social justice, race, equity, and inclusion. This weekend does not remove those challenges but it does signal that things can get done and there are opportunities to continue moving our region in the right direction. It was a great day. I hope we have many more.