Whether it was a profound sense of community, a desire to help children grow through music or her ministry, the Rev. Marilyn Heckstall found a way to raise funding for music and arts programs in Richmond Public Schools.

She now serves as chair of the RVA East End Festival.

“Music has the power to help children embrace math and science,” Heckstall explains.

Like many school districts across the country, Richmond Public Schools face challenges maintaining robust fine arts programs because of budgetary constraints that prioritize core academic subjects to meet standard testing requirements.

In its sixth year, the festival has raised $458,000 and has set an aggressive $300,000 goal for this year. Heckstall sees the festival as a way to demonstrate the power of community to the beneficiaries of the fundraiser—the children.

“Strengthening the community is what it’s all about. I want to teach the children what a community can do and the power of education,” Heckstall said.

Music is the thread woven throughout Heckstall’s life.

Born and raised in Richmond, Heckstall and her five siblings learned to use their talents for good by observing their parents. Her father, a long-time minister and musician, and her mother, who began working as a washerwoman at the tender age of 10, instilled in them the values of dedication, hard work, service and community from an early age.

Inspired by her parents, Heckstall spent her life in creative expression and service to the community—ultimately leading her to spend 22 years as an ordained elder in Full Connection with the Virginia Conference with The United Methodist Church.

She grew up singing in choirs and married Larry Heckstall, a member of Parliament-Funkadelic, a loose collective of musicians and performers that was popular in the 1970s. They had a son, but the marriage ended.

Years later, she attended a Yoruba celebration of life for her best friend’s daughter and met her current husband. After 24 years of marriage, they continue to enjoy music and dancing at Yoruba celebrations and travel frequently for family celebrations in Atlanta.

As a longtime Richmond resident, Heckstall has witnessed the city’s transformation over the past 20 years.

While acknowledging that change is inevitable, she maintains a positive outlook.

“We serve a God who is a change agent,” she explains.“The diversity helps us deepen relationships in the community.”

Meet the minister who offers her gifts in service to the community and this week’s Personality, Marilyn Heckstall:

Volunteer position: 2024 RVA East End Festival chair.

Occupation: I served as an ordained elder for 22 years in Full Connection of the  Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Now, I’m a retired elder, appointed to Journey United Methodist Church in Amelia, as a part-time pastor.

Date and place of birth: Dec. 8 in Richmond.

Where I live now: North Chesterfield County.

Education: Armstrong High School, bachelor’s in history and religious studies from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s of divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary.

Family: Husband, Morris Odusanya; son, Lamar Hextall; stepchildren, Morris Jr. and Chrystal; siblings, Herbert, Clifton, Dannie, Marilyn, Wayne and Colette Armstead.

The RVA East End Festival: Is a community celebration that incorporates an eclectic mix of stage performances, including music, dance and more. Most of the performances highlight the talent we have in our city of Richmond.

When and why started: In 2016, Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille asked community leaders to meet with David Fisk, executive director of the Richmond Symphony and Rebecca Christenson, director of community partnerships at Bon Secours Richmond Health Systems, to find ways to make sure we leave a legacy of prioritizing excellence in education including music and the arts. As the pastor of Asbury UMC in Church Hill, I was blessed to receive an invitation to be one of the leaders at this meeting.

We formed partnerships to launch the RVA East End Festival. We are celebrating our 6th Annual RVA East End Festival on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Chimborazo Park 3215. E Broad Street.

Founders: Councilwoman Newbille, Fisk, executive director of the Richmond Symphony, Christenson, director of community partnerships at Bon Secours Richmond Health Systems, other 2016 RVA East End planning team members and myself.

This festival is meaningful to me: Because I understand the impact of music on the development of the brain  for comprehension of other disciplines such as science and math.

Why I accepted the position as chair: Because I love music and the arts and I was reared to use all our gifts for the glory of God.

No. 1 goal as chair: To lead with a heart of love, respect for all people and, their gifts and prioritizing our purpose to inspire our children to embrace music and the arts as a propeller foundation for future possibilities.

Biggest challenge: Despite the challenges of fundraising goals, to embrace the love ethic of “extravagant risk takers trusting in the miraculous prime mover,” God, who is always working behind the scenes for victory!

Music and arts are vital for our entire community: Because it inspires celebration, inspiration, healing, hope and movement for relationship building.

Richmond Public Schools and the RVA East End Festival: Are in partnership because we prioritize the importance of our children’s future.

Volunteers can get involved: By visiting Facebook and RVA East End Festival webpage: rvaeastendfest.wixsite.com/rva-east-end-festiva.

How I start the day: With a devotional time with God in Christ Jesus including prayer.

The three words that best describe me: Inspiring, selfless, devoted.

If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I would add those 10 minutes to a prayer of thanksgiving to God in Christ Jesus.

Best late-night snack: Peanut butter crackers, strawberries and a banana.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Dance with my husband, Morris Odusanya.

Top three on my playlist: “The Goodness of God” by CeCe Winans, “Because of Who You Are” by Martha Munizzi and the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”

A quote that inspires me: “Never forget, the estimate of your own importance and self-worth can be judged by how many weapons and how much power people are willing to use to control you and keep you in the place they have assigned to you.”— from “With Head And Heart: The Autobiography Of Howard Thurman.”

The best thing my parents taught me: Trust the power of God in Christ Jesus’ love for you and respect yourself and others.

The person who influenced me the most: My grandmother Irene Elizabeth Armstead.

Book that influenced me the most: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. She made a statement that encompasses the twists and turns of life with yet victorious surprises as stated: “Always on a journey to find yourself again.”

Next goal: Always be open to new possibilities in life!