It was my honor to serve the people of Richmond for 48 years as an elected official on City Council (1966-1991) and in the state Senate (1992-2014). This included my service as Richmond’s first Black mayor from 1977 to 1982.

I entered politics to fight for the equal, civil, political and economic rights of all people in Richmond and Central Virginia. Challenging and overcoming the legacy of entrenched racial segregation has been the battle of my lifetime.

Over the decades and across many different issues, I found that making progress requires courage, long-term commitment to a vision of justice, and the willingness and ability to work with all people.

Dr. Danny Avula has all three qualities. He has spent the last 20 years working to uplift and empower people across our city and state. He has connected public housing residents to vital resources and named poverty and racial disparities as urgent public health issues requiring our focused attention. And he took on the responsibility and burden of helping lead our city and state through the pandemic.

That’s why I am endorsing Dr. Avula for mayor on Nov. 5. He is the proven leader with a heart for justice that we need to heal what remains broken in our city, and to carry Richmond forward to a brighter future that leaves no one behind.

HENRY L. MARSH, III

Former City of Richmond Mayor