[Archived] Charles Houston Recreation Center Naming Committee Seeks Nominations

The Ad Hoc Charles Houston Recreation Center Naming Committee, established to honor individuals who made outstanding contributions to Alexandria’s African American community by dedicating recreation center rooms in their honor, seeks nominations of honorees for a second round of dedications.  Last year, the Committee facilitated the naming of the recreation center gymnasium and pool.

Specifically, the Committee seeks nominees who fit the following criteria: People who participated in the struggle to advance African Americans economically, socially, educationally, and religiously from the 1920s to 1965, who have made

• a doctrine or technical contribution;
• an innovation with an identifiable impact on Alexandria's African American community;
• efforts that were an inspiration to others;
• any combination of the above that records the excellence of their achievements for posterity.

The goal of the committee, composed mostly of former students of the Parker-Gray School and other Alexandria schools attended by African American students before integration, is to preserve the history of those whose hard work left a legacy for others to emulate.

Nomination packets may be mailed or dropped off to RPCA, c/o Jack Browand, Division Chief, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Nominations must be received in person or postmarked by Monday, September 20.  For more information, contact Jack Browand at 703.746.5504, by email at jack.browand@alexandriava.gov, or visit the Charles Houston Naming Committee.