‘Greatness can begin anywhere;’ Wilder Middle School unveils new portrait of former governor

Students and staff of L. Douglas Wilder Middle School last week celebrated a new portrait of the school’s namesake that will hang front and center in the building’s auditorium.

Wilder, a Richmond native who served as governor of Virginia from 1990 to 1994, was the first Black governor elected in the United States. He also served as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, becoming the first Black man elected to statewide office in the Commonwealth, and served as the City of Richmond’s first directly-elected mayor.

On April 25, students and community members gathered in the school’s auditorium to witness the unveiling of the new painting, with state senator and Democratic party chair Lamont Bagby (D-9th District), Henrico supervisor Roscoe Cooper III, and Henrico School Board member Ryan Young present in the audience. 

Wilder Middle School opened in Henrico’s Fairfield District in 1997, just three years after the end of Wilder’s historic gubernatorial term.

“At Wilder Middle School, the students, staff, and community are an extension of firsts – first Black lieutenant governor, first Black governor of the country, and first mayor to be elected in the City of Richmond,” said Henrico NAACP president Monica Hutchinson. “His legacy is a bright and shining example of what we can be.”

After remarks from school principal Leah Segar, several Wilder Middle students took to the stage to speak about the legacy of the former governor. 

“This portrait is more than just art on a wall, it’s a symbol of excellence, perseverance, and pride,” said seventh grader Maliyah Ingram. “Especially for our students, many of whom see a part of their own story reflected in him.”

The grandson of former slaves, Wilder was a trailblazer in a state with abounding hallmarks of slavery and the Confederacy, said Pam Cox, the communications manager for the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“In Virginia, Governor Wilder became the first African-American elected governor in these United States, and this is the capital of the Confederacy,” she said. “So when you look at that, you look at how proud you all should be to represent Wilder Middle School.”

Richmond artist Ed Shelton, who painted the portrait of Wilder, said he felt a connection with Wilder’s many firsts, as Shelton was a VCU graduate at a time when few Black students attended and was the only Black painter in his regional artist collective. 

Through his own unique approach, inspired by the paintings and murals he has walked by on Richmond’s own Main Street, Shelton said he aimed to capture not only Wilder’s likeness in the portrait, but more importantly his character.

“I’m not striving to get a likeness, even though a likeness will come. What I’m striving for is character,” he said. “And what my intent was for this portrait was to capture the character of L. Douglas Wilder.”

Shelton’s portrait of Wilder will inspire the students that come through Wilder Middle for years to come, said Ingram, and serve as a reminder of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.

“By walking past this portrait everyday, students are reminded that they, too, can make history. It encourages us all to lead with courage, to believe in ourselves, and to never let obstacles define us,” she said. “Governor Wilder’s life is proof that greatness can begin anywhere, even in the neighborhoods and schools we call home.”

Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s Report for America Corps member and education reporter. Her position is dependent upon reader support; make a tax-deductible contribution to the Citizen through RFA here.