About

The Alexandria African American Hall of Fame Story

Alexandria is a community full of significant African-American history. Sometimes extraordinary people, often from humble beginnings, have endured decades of frustrations, have been embedded with unimaginable psychological scars, and in the end have not been adequately recognized for their accomplishments and contributions to local and national history. Their history is far greater than one can imagine.

This project to create a Hall of Fame became a reality, through scholarly research and community input. The goal was to select Alexandrians of affluence and influence whose will to succeed against all odds propelled them to prominence representing diverse professions and educational backgrounds including education, business, religion, sports, medicine, literature, and politics. As one reflects on Alexandria’s African-American history, it is hoped that students, teachers, and the community will treasure this worthwhile and enriching endeavor. The Hall of Fame was created so that it would not only be informational but also inspirational, and serve as a point of historical reference for future generations.

The Charles Houston Hall of Fame Committee hopes that this exhibit provides a better understanding of the numerous accomplishments of Alexandria’s African Americans. The Committee members have gone to great lengths to protect the intellectual and the visual property of our ancestors. We hope that our investment will benefit present and future generations. Furthermore, it is hoped that all who view this display will be inspired to pursue the endless educational, economical, political, and social possibilities that the future holds. This exhibit has been created with the idea in mind of cultivating preservationists who advocate support of African-American history. It is hoped that each viewer will be inspired to become an engaged participant in future Alexandria African-American legacy projects.

Narrative by Robert Dawkins Hoop Academy International ,Inc., 

Committee Members

Julian Haley, Jr.—Chairman

Robert Dawkins—Project Director, Researcher & Writer

Louis Hicks—Researcher & Writer,

Andrew Winfree—Researcher & Writer

Sheila Whiting–Director, Charles Houston Recreation Center
James Beatty
John Taylor
James Henson
Dorothy Turner
Catherine Ward
Gwendolyn Brown Henderson

Hall of Fame Project Donors

Alfred Street Baptist Church

Alexandria Re-Development Housing Authority – (ARHA)

EYA

Grafiks

Hoop Academy International, Inc.

Simpson Development

City of Alexandria

Speck-Caudron Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors