Two events this week are about recognizing and honoring the leadership and service of Richmonder L. Douglas Wilder, a lawyer and politician who became the nation’s first elected African-American governor when he won Virginia’s gubernatorial race in 1989.

Prior to that, the former governor served in the Virginia senate and as lieutenant governor, and later went on to become the first directly elected mayor of Richmond, holding office from 2005 to 2009.

The celebrations are being presented by the former governor’s alma maters, Virginia Union University and Howard University, along with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The first event took place at VUU on Wednesday, Jan. 17. The evening featured a reception and the premiere of a documentary film on Gov. Wilder’s life on what was his 93rd birthday. The second, a black-tie event, takes place Saturday at the Washington Hilton in D.C.

In a phone call earlier this week, Gov. Wilder said that one of the proudest accomplishments of his political life was his role in having Virginia be the first in the nation to declare a holiday in honor of Dr. King.

“It took me eight years to get it done,” he said of the battle to get the holiday established. “One house or the other would kill it and when I finally did get it passed by both houses, there were two gubernatorial vetoes. Ultimately, we got it passed and we got it passed even before the national government.”

He noted that his own birthday falls two years and two days after that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and that he had spent the days before observing the MLK holidays attending events and ceremonies.

“Participating in these kinds of events reminds me of the unfinished agenda,” he said. “I think that’s what the gala in Washington is about.”

In addition to the gala celebrating the legacy of Gov. Wilder, it will be about continuing it with the establishment of a scholarship fund that will benefit students at Howard, VUU and VCU who aspire to a career in public service.

Gov. Wilder says the scholarship is important because it shows the value and importance of education to young people, providing encouragement to them. This is even more important at HBCUs.

“I wanted to do that in Virginia because Virginia, as well as other Southern states, would not allow Black students to go to college,” he explained, noting that when they did allow entrance, it was to separate colleges that were left underfunded.

“Education is the cornerstone in the advancement of any democracy and of any people,” Gov. Wilder added.

He hopes that when future generations look at his example they are encouraged to work for the people and believe that anything is possible.

“They can be anything they want to be and do anything they want to do,” Gov. Wilder said. “But do it and don’t be selfish. Look to the problems that need to be settled.

“Our leaders need to be part of that and I think that word describes itself — it means to lead,” he concluded. “That leadership should be of, for and, as President Lincoln said, by the people.”