Gary L. Flowers, an African American history enthusiast, has devoted over 35 years to civil rights law and activism. He’s worked alongside notable African American trailblazers such as the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson and former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and continues to battlethe suppression and inequities Black people face today.

Whether through his tours in Historic Jackson Ward, his national weekly radio show or his public policy consultancy, Flowers continues his work to preserve African American history and improve the lives of Black people.

Flowers believes his walking tours are integral to preserving African American history, noting that history can repeat itself and it’s important to know what has happened in the past.

The Southern Aid and Insurance Company, a black-owned insurance company, and the black-owned St. Luke Penny Savings Bank were founded in Jackson Ward. Businesses such as these formed in Black communities throughout the country during segregation because white institutions didn’t offer services to the Black community.

“When white America turned against us, we turned to each other,” he said, referring to the discrimination Black people faced during the Jim Crow era.

The Trump presidential victory drives Flowers to take even further action. Committed to preserving the history of Jackson Ward, the birthplace of Black capitalism in the U.S., Flowers cautions that the Black community may once again need to look inward for services.

“This is a poignant moment,“ Flowers said. Flowers, a Richmond native, returned home to care for his sister and late mother over a decade ago after living in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Boston. He enjoys jazz, dancing and meeting new people.

Meet the affable social justice veteran and this week’s Personality, Gary L. Flowers:

Volunteer position: President, Theban Beneficial Club of Richmond.

Occupations: Owner, Walking the Ward with Gary Flowers; host, “The Gary Flowers Show”, owner, Gary Flowers & Associates.

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

Where I live now: Richmond.

Education: B.A., University of Virginia, C.L.E.O. Fellow, Georgetown University Law Center, teaching fellow, Institute of Politics, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Family: Older sister, Jan Yolette Flowers.

Theban Club of Richmond: We are a 122-year-old beneficial organization founded in 1902 in Jackson Ward. The club was established after the post-slavery Reconstruction Period was dismantled during Jim Crow.

Club mission: The mission of Theban is to provide fellowship to its members and mutual benefit to the Black community of Richmond.

Founders: Chitman M. White, Robert O. Bland, Leroy R. Edmonds, Elam L. Banks, Joseph Y. Thompson, George W. Brown, James O. West, Robert C. Jones, Willie S. Funn, Chester P. Carter, Joseph A. Ackson and William Ross.

When Theban was founded: March 2, 1902.

Club Motto: All for One, and One for All!

When and why I became a member: I became a member in 1994 to provide mutual benefit to the Black community of Richmond and follow three generations of Fountain and Flowers family members.

Age range of members: 48 to 90 years of age.

Membership application process: Candidates 18 or older must be qualified voters and submit an application to the president or the membership chair, endorsed by two bona fide members, for processing by the membership committee.

Presidential tenure: One year.

Goal as president: To restore Theban to be of mutual benefit to the Black community in Richmond. 

Strategy to achieve goal: Solicit new members who are driven to improve the Black community in Richmond and join forces with other beneficial/service organizations, similarly missioned like the Astoria Beneficial Club.

How Theban remains relevant in 2024: Theban will remain relevant as we encourage the mantra of what our ancestors lived: In the Black community, we must turn to each other and not on one another.

How I’ve seen Theban make a difference: Most recently, Theban donated financial and household staples for furloughed federal workers during the end of the pandemic.

How I will honor our history as Theban president: I will use my position as president to incent new and existing organizations to understand we are entering the “third Reconstruction Era” in U.S. history, and, thus, we must align to preserve and build a more perfect union.

Upcoming events: I will propose an annual mutual benefit service event with the Astoria Beneficial Club in the spring of 2025.

How I start my day: I begin each day with the statement, “Thank you, Lord!” and “Forgive me, Lord!” while I read The Upper Room Daily Devotional and recite a prayer of thanks.

Three words that describe me: Faithful, family and friendly.

Best late night snack: Potato chips.

Top three on my playlist: Duke Ellington, Earth, Wind & Fire and James Brown.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Be quiet.

A quote that inspires me: “It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but to have no ideal to capture. It is not a disgrace to not reach the stars but to have no stars to reach. It is not failure, but low aim which is the sin,” — Dr. Benjamin E. Mays

Inspirational book: “Stolen Legacy” by George G.M. James.

What I’m reading now: “The Message” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Next goal: Be a better humanitarian.