The world lost one of the most principled civil rights and civil society leaders of our time with the recent passing of Robert L. Woodson Sr. His impact on communities across the country was significant, and the way he shaped conversations about empowerment and helping people solve problems in their neighborhoods will live on through his legacy.
He celebrated resilience and excellence, writing in a 2020 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal that “History is full of inspiring examples of Black people succeeding against the odds … made possible by a set of values cherished among the Blacks of the time: self-determination, resiliency, personal virtue, honesty, honor and accountability.”
The Woodson Center, which he founded in 1981, has amplified the reach and impact of his values through initiatives that promote social mobility and local solutions that empower people to thrive and give back to their communities.
Woodson was a champion of liberty, opportunity and personal responsibility. His voice will be missed, but his legacy will endure.
