Saturday’s unveiling of Maggie Walker statue marks a full day of Jackson Ward activities

Maggie Lena Walker is perhaps best known as the first African-American woman to charter a bank. Shes founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903 but that was just one achievement in a lifetime devoted to changing Jim Crow-era Richmond.

She serves as an inspiration to all and will be honored with her own statue this Saturday. The unveiling takes place at 10:00 AM.

Full details on what’s going on in the area:

Please join us in a celebration and dedication of the newest public art for Richmond. We will unveil the statue and celebrate the legacy of Maggie Walker on her 153rd Birthday. Artist Toby Mendez will be there along with local elected officials, family members and all of the wonderful community members who have supported and encouraged this incredible project.

Before the unveiling, Delegate Delores McQuinn 70th District will host a gravesite cleanup and wreathlaying on Ms. Walker’s grave at Evergreen Cemetery (Richmond, Virginia) with the Enrichmond Foundation at 8 am.

After the unveiling make it a day in the neighborhood!
Walking tours of neighborhood by Maggie L. Walker National Historic Sitewith reception at the house and tours of the NPS Site provided by Leadership Academy students beginning at 11 am from the statue.

Free Trolley provided by Venture Richmond from RVA Trolley from Leigh to Belvidere to Marshall to 10th for the event!

Studio Two Three will have the S23 truck onsite with giveaways for the event!

The Valentine will offer free admission to those who show an event program

Black History Museum & Cultural Center will have cookies and special Maggie Walker displays.

Max’s on Broad will open early at 8 am for the event.

Bistro 27 will offer 10 % off that day to those attending the event and will be open for brunch at 10:30 and dinner at 5 pm.

Stop by Virginia Repertory Theatre to learn more about the Walker Theatre – the first purpose built cinema in the area and the first public tribute to Maggie Walker in 1936. The public voted to name the theatre after Maggie Walker. The original marquee and stain glass front are still used by Virginia Rep and the theatre vertical blade is identical to the one used for the Walker Theatre.

In solidarity with this monumental day, historical strategist Free Egunfemi organized a community design street team and produced a series of interactive public art along Broad Street which reveals one fascinating backstory for each of the positive attributes that encircle the base of her statue. To learn even more about Mrs. Walker’s self determined accomplishments, just dial the telephone numbers boldly presented on any of Untold RVA installations located between Adams and 2nd.