Reginald D. (for Darnell) Ford revs himself up for the day by going on a 10-mile run after waking at 5 a.m. “It is the best medicine on the market,” he says. “It relieves stress, the pressures of life and you can lose weight, too.”

He has run 26.2-mile marathons, with his next goal to run a 50-mile race.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters hopes Mr. Ford brings that same energy and passion as the organization’s new president.

He was installed in December, taking over for former president Lamar E. Dixon. Mr. Ford will serve a two-year term. He moved into the position from his post as fundraising chair and a member of the organization’s research committee.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters was created in 1956 to educate and mobilize African- American voters in order to back candidates supportive of overall community progress and the African-American community. Mr. Ford, 46, joined the Crusade in 2013. “I was looking to increase my local political awareness,” he recalls. Mr. Ford says he will seek to increase Crusade member- ship and increase member participation in Crusade activities. He also vows to hold elected officials accountable to the citizenry and to help register more voters. He says his top priority as Crusade president is to “consistently bring political education to the community.” He plans to do so through civic engagement, creating a coalition and by providing elected officials a platform from which they can speak and be questioned by citizens.

Mr. Ford calls the biggest challenge facing the Crusade recruiting and retaining new and younger members and connecting them with veteran members.

“The lifeblood of any organization is the relationship between the newcomers and veterans, with each bringing their own unique nutrient to help grow the organization,” he says.

Mr. Ford plans to hit the ground running as the Crusade monitors the General Assembly, which opens its new session this week.

Mr. Ford said he hopes the Crusade can move the ball forward to increase representation in the General Assembly on issues important to the African- American community.

He recalls when, as a child, politicians would visit his church “only during election season, and I knew they did not know anything about my experience and they certainly did not represent me.”

Ironically, Mr. Ford says, “Several years ago, I attended a few days of the General Assembly session, and what I saw in those halls brought back those feelings I had as a child — no representation.”

A close-up of this week’s Personality, Reginald D. Ford:

Birth date and place: Feb. 11 in Galveston, Texas.

Current place of residence: In Richmond’s 6th District Downtown.

Education: I’m certified in Personal Banking on Leadership and will graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree.

New Year’s resolution: I don’t make New Year’s resolutions. A change or a stance can occur anytime, not just Jan. 1.

How long have you been in the Crusade? LaMar Dixon, the immediate past president, asked me to join the team. I had visited the Crusade off and on for several years. I joined in 2013.

How I plan to meet the biggest challenge facing the Crusade: I have a fantastic team in Vice President Corey Nicholson, 2nd Vice President Amelia Lightner, Recording Secretary Corey Fauconier, Corresponding Secretary Rodney Thomas, Treasurer Eula Bazile, Sergeant at Arms Rufus Fleming, Chaplain Cassandra Shaw, Parliamentarian Lisa Nicholson, Historian Willie Williams, and the Immediate Past President LaMar Dixon. We have a lawyer, accountant, organizer and the list goes on, all equipped with political and civic acumen. I am proud to be part of such a great team. The body of the Crusade is instrumental in helping us grow and bringing relevancy to the community.

Crusade then versus now:

Civil rights was the focus then and still is the focus now. There are other ways to disenfranchise voters other than a poll tax. For example, unnecessary voter ID laws or having an election where only 100 voters are al- lowed to vote. We have to be politically astute and respond with action.

How the Crusade plans to increase membership:

We must build strong relationships with the community. We will be visible, informative and relevant.

Greatest myth about voting:

My vote doesn’t count. The establishment already has hand-picked who they want. The greatest myth of all is that local elections are not as relevant as the national election. We need to realize that a lot of blood, sweat and tears contributed to our right to vote in all elections, not just the national elections.

Impact of economics on politics in Richmond:

The impact of economics on politics is our responsibility. We elect politicians to make deci- sions on our behalf. This is why the Crusade, along with other organizations, are needed. We have to put in office the best candidate who addresses our needs. The research committee of the Crusade, chaired by Bernice Travers, is committed to vetting candidates. The Crusade will praise when necessary and hold ac- countable when necessary for actions that are not conducive to the uplifting of black people.

Black Richmond’s economic clout:

The economics for black people in general, not just in Richmond, is that of riches but not wealth. The city is more than 50 percent black and the ownership of businesses in the city should be reflective of that. Black people have money, (but) we have to learn how to reinvest our money back into our community to have wealth.

How economic clout can be used to uplift the black community: Pride, when you have something you can call your own or you can see the fruits of your labor. It does something to the soul of a person. It is as simple as the African proverb “Each one teach one.”

Definition of a leader: There are three essential qualities of a great leader. First, being socially and professionally communicative. Second, set expectations and roll up your sleeves, too. Third, be able to make decisions not based on emotions.

What makes me tick:

Toast- masters. I think Toastmasters is the best thing that happened to me. I credit it for a lot of my accomplishments. I enjoy giving speeches and presentations.

Nobody knows that I: Meditate, do yoga and run marathons.

Biggest chance I ever took:

Throwing my name in the hat to become president of the Crusade.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was:

First, be impeccable in whatever you do. Second, do something because you want to, not because some- one else wants you to.

Best late-night snack: Peanut butter and jelly on toasted wheat bread.

Person who influenced me the most: My mother. She taught me and my three sisters how to persevere and to stand on our morals.

The book that influenced me the most:

“Narrative of The Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass and “Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl” by Harriet A. Jacobs.

The book I’m reading now:

“The Spook Who Sat by the Door” by Sam Greenlee is my favorite book, so much so I’m reading it again.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is:

Take self out of the equation. If you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want in return.