Club 533 celebrated its 65th anniversary last Saturday with an anniversary and holiday ball held at a Downtown hotel. Started in 1956, Club 533 is one of the oldest private groups in Richmond founded by seven men seeking to improve the social and civic welfare of people in the community. The Jackson Ward club has been used as a meeting place to develop strategies for social, political and economic gains that would benefit the African- American community. In the 65 years since its founding, the organization has grown to more than 200 members— all men of accomplishment, including 41 new members who were welcomed during the summer. Members and their guests enjoyed the festive black-tie dinner dance featuring Legacy Band. President Robert M. Lester, right, honors the club’s longest-serving members of more than 40 and 50 years with plaques. They are, from left, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, the evening’s keynote speaker; Linwood Eddleton; Dr. James McCain; Dr. Anthony Malloy; and Alexander “Jack” Mosby.
