Henrico NAACP History
_The Henrico County Branch NAACP was organized during the year 1938,
under the leadership of Mr. M. J. Robinson, Sr., who served as president
for some 23 years.
From 1961 through 1965, Dr. H. R. Plummer, Sr. succeeded Mr. Robinson as President of the local branch.
Mr. Plummer's primary interest focused on Education and a better school system. Ms. Annie E. Hewlett a long time worker with both past Presidents, continued to hold the branch together as Life & Regular Membership Chairperson and Freedom Fund Worker, along with the solicitors that were appointed in each church within the county. There were at least two (2) solicitors in each of 21 churches, focusing still on Education, Voting, and Self Motivation.
On Sunday, July 20, 1975 at 6:00 P. M. The Branch held its first Freedom Fund Dinner Banquet at the Holiday Inn located at 3200 West Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia.
From 1974 through 1976, Mrs. Lucy Cordell Wells served as the first female president. The heart of her administration was Civil Rights, Voter Education, Self Motivation and increasing both Life and Regular memberships. She was re-elected for a second term and served from 1976 to 1978.
In 1978, Rev. Waverly E. Taylor, Jr., served as President for a short time (less than one year).
In 1979, Mr. Ray Perry became President and served for a short period.
Rev. Joe B. Fleming served as President form 1980 through 1981. During his presidency
membership was at an all time record high, exceeding 400 members. After one and a half years, Rev. Fleming was called to pastor the Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.
In 1982, Rev. David Forbes became President, serving a one year term, still carrying out the goal of the branch. In 1983, Mrs. Eve Davis became President for a term of one year. The Executive Board of the Branch grew with the help of Mr. Donald A. Willis, as a great Co-Chairman of the Freedom Fund Banquet, until his early departure.
Rev. Leonard Davis served as our President (1985-1986).
In January of 1987, Mr. John E. McNeil, Sr., was elected President. We continued the struggle for human
equality, justice and freedom for all Americans.
On April 29, 1988, we celebrated our 1st Annual Prayer Breakfast, under the leadership of Mrs. Wells as chairperson. On June 2, 1990, we enjoyed our first Day in the Park and Membership Rally.
In December 1990, the Rev. James E. Coleman, Jr. was elected as President and served for one year.
Subsequently he was called to serve as Pastor of the Hayes Grove Baptist Church of South Hill, Virginia. By a common consent, Mrs. Wells moved up to serve as President. In 1991, Mrs. Lucy Cordell Wells was elected and became the First Woman President of the Henrico Branch. She served in that capacity through the year 2000.
Mrs. Helen Clayton-Brown was elected president in 2001. Under her leadership, the membership has increased by 192%. In March 2002, National elevated the branch from a small branch to a medium branch and Mrs. Clayton-Brown received a trophy on behalf of the branch. Also, during her administration, the branch held its first Fashion Show Fundraiser.
Rev. Dr. J. Rayfield Vines, Jr. was elected in in December 2004 and served the branch tirelessly in his fight for freedom. President Vines lead by example and promotes the cause of the Association as well as celebrating its legacy. In 2007, President was elected President of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP being the first Henrico Branch President to do so.
At the end of 2008, the branch elected its youngest President, Tyee Davenport. During her administration, the branch held their annual Freedom Fund Banquet, A CROWNS luncheon, a health forum in the Essex Village Community, forums with the Henrico School Board and Board of Supervisors, a House of Delegates forum and awarded $3,000 in educational awards to Henrico County High School Seniors.
In 2010, the branch elected E. Drusilla Bridgeforth as it's President. A long-time veteran of many positions within the NAACP, Drusilla has pledged to continue building community alliances, engaging Henrico's youth keeping in with the theme "Affirming America's Promise!"
From 1961 through 1965, Dr. H. R. Plummer, Sr. succeeded Mr. Robinson as President of the local branch.
Mr. Plummer's primary interest focused on Education and a better school system. Ms. Annie E. Hewlett a long time worker with both past Presidents, continued to hold the branch together as Life & Regular Membership Chairperson and Freedom Fund Worker, along with the solicitors that were appointed in each church within the county. There were at least two (2) solicitors in each of 21 churches, focusing still on Education, Voting, and Self Motivation.
On Sunday, July 20, 1975 at 6:00 P. M. The Branch held its first Freedom Fund Dinner Banquet at the Holiday Inn located at 3200 West Broad Street in Richmond, Virginia.
From 1974 through 1976, Mrs. Lucy Cordell Wells served as the first female president. The heart of her administration was Civil Rights, Voter Education, Self Motivation and increasing both Life and Regular memberships. She was re-elected for a second term and served from 1976 to 1978.
In 1978, Rev. Waverly E. Taylor, Jr., served as President for a short time (less than one year).
In 1979, Mr. Ray Perry became President and served for a short period.
Rev. Joe B. Fleming served as President form 1980 through 1981. During his presidency
membership was at an all time record high, exceeding 400 members. After one and a half years, Rev. Fleming was called to pastor the Third Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.
In 1982, Rev. David Forbes became President, serving a one year term, still carrying out the goal of the branch. In 1983, Mrs. Eve Davis became President for a term of one year. The Executive Board of the Branch grew with the help of Mr. Donald A. Willis, as a great Co-Chairman of the Freedom Fund Banquet, until his early departure.
Rev. Leonard Davis served as our President (1985-1986).
In January of 1987, Mr. John E. McNeil, Sr., was elected President. We continued the struggle for human
equality, justice and freedom for all Americans.
On April 29, 1988, we celebrated our 1st Annual Prayer Breakfast, under the leadership of Mrs. Wells as chairperson. On June 2, 1990, we enjoyed our first Day in the Park and Membership Rally.
In December 1990, the Rev. James E. Coleman, Jr. was elected as President and served for one year.
Subsequently he was called to serve as Pastor of the Hayes Grove Baptist Church of South Hill, Virginia. By a common consent, Mrs. Wells moved up to serve as President. In 1991, Mrs. Lucy Cordell Wells was elected and became the First Woman President of the Henrico Branch. She served in that capacity through the year 2000.
Mrs. Helen Clayton-Brown was elected president in 2001. Under her leadership, the membership has increased by 192%. In March 2002, National elevated the branch from a small branch to a medium branch and Mrs. Clayton-Brown received a trophy on behalf of the branch. Also, during her administration, the branch held its first Fashion Show Fundraiser.
Rev. Dr. J. Rayfield Vines, Jr. was elected in in December 2004 and served the branch tirelessly in his fight for freedom. President Vines lead by example and promotes the cause of the Association as well as celebrating its legacy. In 2007, President was elected President of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP being the first Henrico Branch President to do so.
At the end of 2008, the branch elected its youngest President, Tyee Davenport. During her administration, the branch held their annual Freedom Fund Banquet, A CROWNS luncheon, a health forum in the Essex Village Community, forums with the Henrico School Board and Board of Supervisors, a House of Delegates forum and awarded $3,000 in educational awards to Henrico County High School Seniors.
In 2010, the branch elected E. Drusilla Bridgeforth as it's President. A long-time veteran of many positions within the NAACP, Drusilla has pledged to continue building community alliances, engaging Henrico's youth keeping in with the theme "Affirming America's Promise!"
