Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is turning 90.

And Virginia Commonwealth University’s Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs is hosting a virtual tribute honoring his historic career and commitment to public service education with a virtual celebration 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15.

The public is invited to attend the hour-long, free online event by registering at https://bit.ly/3nhkow1.

The celebration, called “Ahead of His Class: Celebrating 90 Years of Pathbreaking Leadership in Education,” will feature remarks from VCU President Michael Rao; Dr. Susan Gooden, dean of the Wilder School, and remarks from the honoree.

A video tribute also will be shown.

Born Jan. 17, 1931, Gov. Wilder, made history when he won a narrow election in November 1989 becoming the nation’s first elected African-American governor. He served as Virginia’s 66th governor from 1990 to 1994.

Before that, Gov. Wilder represented Richmond in the state Senate from 1970 to 1986. He ran for lieutenant governor in November 1985 and won, becoming the first African-American to hold statewide office in Virginia.

After his four-year term as governor, Gov. Wilder served as mayor of Richmond from 2005 to 2009.

VCU named the School of Government and Public Affairs, where he has been an adjunct faculty member, in his honor in 2004.

Details: www.wilder.vcu.edu