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Members of The R.R. WILKINSON FOUNDATION, Inc.
Danita G. Wilkinson, COO
Nathaniel Raymond Benjamin
Nadine Wilkinson Benjamin Johnson
Marcella Benjamin
Cassandra Wilkinson Lighty
Donique Williams
Angel Benjamin
ABOUT
P*R*E*S*S *** R*E*L*E*A*S*E
THE R.R. WILKINSON FOUNDATION, Inc. MISSION
Monday, February 1, 2023
The R.R. Wilkinson Foundation, Inc. formulates on precipice events of 2020, in the aftermath of Black Lives Master, Black Votes Matter, an unequal justice system, emergence of domestic hate groups; and the revelations from the COVID-19 pandemic exposing still policing policies for people of color in the United States. The world watched as the Youth across America protested and took a stand in mass multi-color faces for the kind of nation this generation wishes to really exist while challenging the truth of the U.S. Constitution.
The R.R. Wilkinson Foundation, Inc. intends to educate, promote, and unveil the detailed Civil Rights movement in Roanoke, Virginia (1959-1968) by young pioneers who worked hard to move the fractions of inequality forward for the betterment of future generations. This fight was largely led by Rev. Dr. Raymond Rogers Wilkinson, Pastor of Hill Street Baptist Church and President of the NAACP for the city. His organizational and demonstrational methods were fiery in nature and necessary for the times. This foundation seeks to bridge the divide between our past and present via educational lectures with Universities, Colleges, and Public Schools in the State of Virginia, as well as community organizations. Eventually, the foundation seeks a publication on the works of Rev. Wilkinson for classrooms.
The R.R. Wilkinson Foundation, Inc., burgeons on the dawn of hope for a new tomorrow in the role of a history lesson where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. The foundation seeks to take the myriad fights of one man to amplify a detailed struggle during a period when integration for civil rights was tumultuous in Virginia history.
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Video Clips of REV. DR. RAYMOND R. WILKINSON
The Many Facial Expressions of
REV. DR. RAYMOND R. WILKINSON
DONATE
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Mail Donations to:
Danita G. Wilkinson
c/o The R.R. Wilkinson Foundation, Inc.
59 King Richard Ct.
Baltimore, MD 21237
THE R.R. WILKINSON FOUNDATION, Inc.
59 King Richard Court
Baltimore, Maryland 21237
rrwilkinsonfoundation93@gmail.com
410.262.0636
To Our Donors:
The R.R. Wilkinson Foundation, Inc. premiered to educate, promote, and unveil the detailed Civil Rights movement in Roanoke, Virginia (1959-1968) by young pioneers who worked hard to move the fractions of inequality forward for the betterment of future generations. The foundation desires to bridge the divide between our past and present via educational lectures and to develop future publications for classrooms on the extraordinary works and leadership of the Rev. Dr. Raymond Rogers Wilkinson.
An introduction of this website by the Family of Rev. Wilkinson occurred on Monday, February 1, 2021, for Black History Month which includes the following site pages:
Daughter, Danita G. Wilkinson, COO
Daughters Cassandra and Nadine attended Civil Rights rallies led by father, Rev. Dr. R.R. Wilkinson as
President of the NAACP
The foundation burgeons on the dawn of hope for a new tomorrow in the role of a history lesson on where we have been, where we are, and where we are going. The foundation seeks to take the myriad fights of one man to amplify a detailed struggle during a period when integration for civil rights was tumultuous in Virginia history.
This foundation invites your sponsorship, as contributors and partners to this historical era, for the direct benefit of enhancing platforms in existence to educate current and future generations. Therefore, we ask for donations as follows:
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$1,000 - $5,000
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$5,000 - $10,000
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$10,000 - $25,000
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$25,000 - $50,000
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$50,000 - $75,000
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$75,000 - $100,000
Other: _______________
Thank you for considering this sponsorship opportunity for the enlightenment of a new generation.
The Family of Rev. Dr. Raymond Rogers Wilkinson
EVENTS & NEWS
Below are events planned for 2023 that will highlight or feature
REV. DR. RAYMOND R. WILKINSON
June 15, 2023
Richmond, Va
Strong Men & Women in Virginia History
People of African descent have been a part of Virginia’s — and America’s — story since European colonization of the North American continent began. Yet the contributions of African Americans often have been ignored, obscured, or underappreciated by those who recorded history. The Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy honor distinguished Virginians, past and present, as Strong Men & Women in Virginia History for their important contributions to the state, the nation, or their professions.
These men and women offer powerful examples of individuals who refused to be defined by their circumstances. Their biographies are a testament to the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times. These individuals demonstrate how African Americans have actively campaigned through education and advocacy for better lives for themselves and all Americans.
This program, which combined Dominion’s Strong Men & Women: Excellence in Leadership series and the Library of Virginia’s African American Trailblazers in Virginia History, operates in Virginia only, and was inaugurated in January 2013. With this program is an annual student contest with awards to students and their schools. On this date, Rev. Wilkinson will be one of six African American Trailblazers 2023 honorees at the annual Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia's Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Program in Richmond, Va. for 2023. Past and present posters of these Virginia Changemakers are available for viewing at libraries throughout the state. https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/strong-men-women-in-virginia-history/
On March 20, 2023 the Roanoke, Virginia City Council voted officially on a resolution to name a street after Rev. Raymond R. Wilkinson! The street runs through Washington Park in Roanoke, Virginia where 60 years ago in 1963, Rev. Wilkinson demanded an all white city council to remove a massive dump from Washington Park in the black community! Because of his persistence and threats of extreme demonstrations, the city council voted to close the dump in Washington Park on June 1st, 1963. This has been a long time coming! The street name will be called R.R. Wilkinson Ave. Below is the video of the resolution vote with guest speakers who spoke on Rev. Wilkinson's behalf!
Starts: 17.39 Seconds Ends: 26:42 Seconds
Hill Street Baptist Church - Roanoke, VA
HILL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH | Rev. R.R. Wilkinson (rrwilkinson.org)
The Hill Street Baptist Church where Rev. Dr. R. R.Wilkinson pastored for 33 years would like to thank the City Council of Roanoke, Virginia for approving the resolution in renaming the former Carver Avenue in northwest Roanoke to R. R. Wilkinson Avenue on Monday, March 20, 2023. Nearly 100 years after Rev. Wilkinson was born and 60 plus years after he fought for equal rights in the City of Roanoke. This recognition is long overdue.
The Hill Street Baptist Church and Wilkinson Families look forward to the unveiling date and what a grand celebration it will be.
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Rev. Dr. R.R. Wilkinson, President of the NAACP
1959 - 1968
JUNE 16, 2023
11:00am
STREET RENAMED FOR ROANOKE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER
The Roanoke Rambler
Mar 21, 2023 • 3 min read
Courtesy of Henri Gendreau,, Editor-in-Chief
Roanoke has renamed a street through Washington Park after a local civil rights leader who helped shutter a nearby dump in a mostly Black neighborhood. Rev. Raymond R. Wilkinson, a pastor at Hill Street Baptist Church for 33 years, served as president of the Roanoke branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), from 1959 to 1968.
In that role, he convinced city government to close the Washington Park dump in 1963.
City Council on Monday decided to rename Carver Avenue Northwest, between Lucy Addison Middle School and Interstate 581, to R.R. Wilkinson Avenue Northwest. A street sign unveiling will take place in June at the earliest.
In 1960, Wilkinson organized a biracial committee that met secretly with local store owners. In that way, he helped integrate a dozen downtown lunch counters, including at Woolworth Co, according to an online biography. He also helped integrate Victory Stadium, the city’s fire department and Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to a city report.
Born in 1923, Wilkinson grew up in Amelia County, served in World War II and moved to Roanoke in 1958. Wilkinson died in 1993.
STREET RENAMING CELEBRATION SCHEDULED FOR ROANOKE's JUNETEENTH WEEKEND
JUNE 16 - 18TH, 2023
Scheduled Activities TBA
The street sign unveiling will take place on
June 16th at 11:00am
Carver Avenue Northwest, between Lucy Addison Middle School and Interstate 581 will be renamed to R.R. Wilkinson Avenue Northwest.
You can also visit The R. R. Wilkinson Library at Hill Street Baptist Church, 111 Madison Avenue N. W. Roanoke, Virginia. Rev. Preston K. Tyler, Pastor.
Born June 18, 1923 - Died June 15, 1993
QUESTIONS
59 King Richard Ct., Baltimore, MD 21237
410-262-0636