It was a day of celebration and reflection last Thursday as members of the public gathered virtually to recognize the life and accomplishments of former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder.

The daylong event was the 2020 Wilder Symposium, sponsored by Virginia Union University and the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, and included panelists and discussions that repeatedly stressed the importance of having accountable leaders and an engaged community.

The event marked the 30th anniversary of Mr. Wilder being sworn in as America’s first elected African-American governor.

Mr. Wilder provided a keynote address and participated in a question-and-answer session that mixed nostalgia with criticism of the current moment in America. While there were discussions of Mr. Wilder’s personal and political achievements, Mr. Wilder also spoke on the influence of corporate money on the nation’s political duopoly, the need to address inequality, health care disparity and education, and the importance of the public’s effort to address these issues now and in the future.

“The problems didn’t come to bear when George Floyd was killed. They were there before,” said Mr. Wilder, discussing racial controversies he views as symptoms of wider problems that have gone ignored by those in power. “We need to demand more of those persons who say that they’re there to represent us.”

Moderated by VUU student government President Bobbie Newell and closing remarks from VUU Dean Ted Ritter, a panel explored diverse methods of civic engagement for the young, underserved and marginalized.

“Civic engagement is, to me, the foundation of change,” said Whitney Brown of VCU, pointing to protests, voting, nonprofits and social media as examples of the methods people have used that “lead to or can lead to policy change.”

Panelists discussing the 2020 election talked about ensuring voting access and security, along with learning from the mistakes of the 2016 presidential election. There was an undercurrent of concern for the upcoming presidential election and the impact of its outcome.

“America is in real trouble and this election is important,” said Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III, noting the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, mass unemployment and foreclosures and the lack of support on the federal level on the country’s future.

That tone ultimately colored much of the symposium. It was a day where Mr. Wilder’s joy at his upcoming 90th birthday in January also carried a reminder of great responsibility.

“Look how fortunate I am to even be standing here today, and look how many people unfortunately never got a chance to breathe an air of freedom,” Mr. Wilder said. “You and I have an opportunity to make certain we reach out, continuing to de- mand what’s right, to criticize what’s wrong and to fearlessly face the future.”