We are proud to host Run Richmond 1619 in the same city that Maggie L. Walker called home. Our event, organized with over 35 community partners, celebrates the rich history and culture of Richmond, taking participants through over 400 years of Black history. Join us as we honor the legacy of remarkable individuals like Maggie L. Walker who have paved the way for future generations. #RunRichmond #BlackHistory #RichmondVA
#OnThisDay in 1864, African American businesswoman Maggie L. Walker was born in Richmond, Virginia. In 1899, Walker became the grand secretary for the Independent Order of St. Luke, an organization dedicated to the social and financial advancement of African Americans. She held this position until her death in 1934. Walker assumed the helm of the leadership at a time when the organization was facing a financial crisis. In 1902, she founded the St. Luke Herald newspaper to improve communication between the organization's chapters. She also opened the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, becoming the first African American woman to charter a bank in the United States. In 1905, she opened the St. Luke Emporium, a department store specially created with African American employees and shoppers in mind. Learn more on our Searchable Museum: https://s.si.edu/3AXFj0Z #APeoplesJourney #HiddenHerstory 📸 Courtesy of National Park Service, Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.