Black history — for people of all ethnic backgrounds — is a requirement and not an elective in understanding the common origins of all people, says Gary L. Flowers.

This fall, Mr. Flowers hopes the Richmond community can complete its black history “requirement” at the 101st Annual Convention of the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.

The national event, which is expected to draw more than 1,000 people, will be held Oct. 5 through 9 in Richmond. As the local arrangements coordinator for ASALH, Mr. Flowers is responsible for coordinating fundraising, volunteer recruitment and training, media promotion and program logistics.

People can attend more than 200 sessions covering African-American history that will feature prominent speakers and presenters. Among them writer, and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates; Black Lives Matter activist Jelani Cobb, director of the Institute for African-American Studies at the University of Connecticut; Bryan Stevenson, lawyer, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative; and Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, the Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and of African and African-American Studies at Harvard University.

A Richmond native, Mr. Flowers served as the national field director for the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition before becoming executive director and CEO of the Black Leadership Forum in Washington. He returned to Richmond in 2014, where he has his own consulting firm.

He attributes his love for black history to his 20th century history class at Thomas Jefferson High School in 1979. His teacher, Rodney Suddith, taught the course — an elective.

He remembers Mr. Suddith teaching about the Harlem Renaissance and celebrating the contributions of writers such as Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen and Langston Hughes to American literature and art.

Mr. Suddith, he says, encouraged students to research their own family history. That’s when Mr. Flowers learned that his great uncle owned a restaurant in Harlem at the height of the Harlem Renaissance.

The course ignited Mr. Flowers’ passion to learn more. Now 53, Mr. Flowers continues to read and learn more about African and African-American history.

He hopes the ASALH conference will be a similar spark to inspire Richmond youths to learn more, including about their own history and the origins of black history in Virginia.

“This year’s national conference is salient by virtue of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s central role in the landing of Africans to Port Comfort, Va., in 1619; Virginia’s development of systematic perpetual enslavement; the home of Dr. Carter G.

Woodson and Mrs. Maggie Lena Walker; and the presence of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, all of which help to form the conference theme: ‘Hallowed Grounds,’ ” Mr. Flowers says.

ASALH conference topics will include how to commemorate black history through public art and understanding the archeological and anthropological significance of Lumpkin’s Jail, he notes.

Information and registration for the ASALH conference is available at www.asalh.org.

For Richmonders who travel to Shockoe Bottom and cross the Manchester Bridge every day, learning the history that is right under their feet could be life changing, Mr. Flowers says.

“If we can ignite a thirst for our own history in our people, especially young people, they will have more pride in the significant contributions black people have made in Richmond and in world civilization.” Meet this week’s Personality, history buff Gary L. Flowers:

Occupation: Self-employed, Gary Flowers & Associates, LLC.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 13, in Richmond

Alma mater: University of Virginia.

Current residence: Richmond’s Jackson Ward.

Family: Mother, Ellalee Fountain Flowers and sister, Jan Yolette Flowers.

Mission of Association for the Study of African-American Life and History: To promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about black life, history and culture to the global community.

How I got involved with ASALH: I was introduced to the work of ASALH while completing my thesis at the University of Virginia and later when living in the nation’s capital, I regularly attended ASALH luncheons during Black History Month.

How I’ll feel when the conference is over: Energized for my next set of projects — national and international.

How I feel about it now: I feel the conference is developing an increased excitement among attendees.

The three words that best describe me: Energetic, affable, and loyal.

Leadership is: The amalgam of apprenticeship, competence, commitment, courage and vision.

If I had more time, I would: Travel, research and write.

No. 1 hero in history: One, with six parts: Pharaoh Akhenaten/Nefertiti, Frederick Douglass/Harriet Tubman and Dr. Carter G. Woodson/Maggie Lena Walker

Reason: The first two co-ruled Ancient Egypt (Kush) and developed monotheism; the second two were critical to the North winning the American Civil War and enacting the 13th Amendment; and the third two placed the missing pages of black history into world history and exemplified how a “Renaissance woman” should affect change.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother Ellalee Fountain Flowers, and my father, the late Stafford A. Flowers.

What I do to unwind: Travel, listen to classical jazz and laugh regularly.

Hobby: Painting, sculpting, creative arts and photography.

What really turns me on: A good beach, good company, good food and good music.

How I start the day: On my knees at my altar praying, confessing and asking God for direction and discernment.

A perfect evening: More music, good food and good company.

Best late night snack: Potato chips, but don’t tell anyone ….

Prized possession: A good family reputation.

What people think when they first meet me: I am more “in the box” than so.

The best thing my parents ever taught me was: Mother: Do the right thing! Father: Trust and duty are two of the most important words to know and actualize.

The one thing I can’t stand: Phony, self-serving, arrogant people.

Nobody knows that I: Really appreciate solitude.

The book that influenced me the most: “The African Origin of Civilization” by Cheikh Anta Diop.

Book I’m presently reading: Re-reading “The Mis-education of the Negro” by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

If I’ve learned one thing in life, it is: Be true to yourself, your family and your God.

Best time of my life: Every day!

Next goal: Affect international change.