W. Franklyn Richardson

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William Franklyn Richardson II, born June 14, 1949 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known as W. Franklyn Richardson. Dr. Richardson is an American Baptist pastor,ecumenical leader and best selling author.[1]

Biography

Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson is the thirteenth pastor of the historic 132-year-old Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, NY. He is chairman of the boards of the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC), National Action Network (NAN), Virginia Union University (VUU), Grace Community Development Corporation and a member of the National Council of Churches’ board of directors. Dr. Richardson is a graduate of West Philadelphia High School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Virginia Union University, a master’s degree in divinity from Yale Divinity School and a doctorate in ministry as a Wyatt T. Walker Scholar from United Theological Seminary.[2][3]

Early Life

William Franklyn Richardson II is the first of William Franklyn Richardson Sr. and Amanda Florine Richardson’s three children. His parents raised him in the Christian faith in Community Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Richardson said in his book Witness to Grace: A Testimony of Favor, “My mother’s father, the Reverend Wade Clifton Ellison, the pastor of the Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church in southern New Jersey, modeled the notion of ministry as a vocation for me.” He graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1966 but was discouraged by his high school counselor, who told him he was not college material. Positive family support and mentors like his pastor, the Reverend James Edward Hamlin, encouraged him to accept his call to ministry. He applied to Virginia Union University (VUU) after he struggled and dropped out of West Philadelphia Community College. Dr. Richardson maintains that “without [remedial] intervention” from VUU, a Historically Black College and University, “I am certain that I would have stumbled through life.”[4]

Education

For ten years, Dr. Richardson has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia.[5] Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, Virginia Union is positioned to be one of the highest regarded Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the country. It houses the preeminent seminary for preachers of color, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Additionally, with a focus on student success, academic excellence, community partnerships, and financial viability, Dr. Richardson continues to lead Virginia Union upwards toward institutional prominence. For ten years, Dr. Richardson has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Virginia Union University, in Richmond, Virginia. Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, Virginia Union is positioned to be one of the highest regarded HBCUs in the country. It houses the preeminent seminary for preachers of color, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. Additionally, with a focus on student success, academic excellence, community partnerships, and financial viability, Dr. Richardson continues to lead Virginia Union upwards toward institutional prominence. [6]

Ministry

Dr. Richardson was called to his first pastorate at nineteen years old while a sophomore at Virginia Union University. In his book Witness to Grace: A Testimony of Favor, he describes how he became the youngest pastor in the history of the 100-year-old, at that time, Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. After Rising Mount Zion said he would not be considered for the church’s pastoral vacancy, he was advised that he could preach there until a pastor was found. Two years later, he was called to his second pastorate at St. James Baptist Church in Varina, VA. He served both congregations simultaneously until he was called in April 1975 to Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, NY to serve as its thirteenth pastor. In 2012 the people of Grace wrote a congregational book Reflections From The Pew...A 36 Year Journey... And The People Speak About W. Franklyn Richardson. A leather bound copy was presented to Pastor Richardson for his 36th Pastor's Anniversary.[1] April 2021 marked his 46th year as pastor of Grace which has grown to one church in three locations: Grace, Port St. Lucie, FL, and Grace, Yonkers, NY, with more than 4000 members nationally and over 70 ministries since his arrival in 1975.

Ecumenical

Dr. Richardson extends his role of leadership as an ecumenical trailblazer through the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC). CNBC, an interdenominational religious-advocacy organization, is comprised of the eight largest historically Black denominations in America, representing more than 65,000 churches and over 20 million individuals – 70% of African American Christians in the United States. With a focus on addressing racism in America, Dr. Richardson promotes ecumenism through CNBC and works with clergy, faith-based organizations, and other institutions to improve the quality of life for African Americans and other underserved populations through programs and advocacy.[7]

Social Justice

Social Justice is another cause central to the life work and legacy of Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson. He currently serves as the Chairman of the National Action Network, one of the leading civil rights organizations in the country. Working alongside Reverend Al Sharpton, Dr. Richardson fights for causes of justice, equality, and opportunity for all people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship, criminal record, economic status, gender, gender expression, or sexuality. Under Dr. Richardson’s leadership, the National Action Network, serves as the vehicle for the collective voice of the Black church to fight social injustice. Whether it is criminal justice issues, police brutality or voting rights, Dr. Richardson stands on the vanguard of social justice in America to be a champion for those who otherwise would have no voice.[2]

Diversity

Diversity in corporate America is another struggle that Dr. Richardson works relentlessly to influence and improve. As an active member of the board of Comcast and PepsiCo’s diversity councils, Dr. Richardson, strives for workplace diversity and inclusion beyond race and gender quotas. He applies his deep understanding of the connection between community, diversity, and inclusion, and business growth and innovation to help corporations be more accountable for their choices internally and externally.

Recognitions

  • 2021 Westchester County Power 50 Most Influential Leaders
  • 2021 National Action Network Living Black History Honoree[8]
  • 2020 Released new book Witness to Grace: A Testimony of Favor[9]
  • 2020 National Action Network Get Your Knee Off Our Necks' March
  • 2020 W. Franklyn Richardson Interview with Comcast Newsmakers[10]
  • 2020 NAACP Legal Defense Fund Press Release by National Black Faith and Civil Rights Leaders
  • 2018 Call to Conscience/Day of Action Keynote Speaker
  • 2018 Westchester County Power 50 Most Influential Leaders[11]
  • 2015 Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson on Walmart’s Decision to Remove Confederate Flag Merchandising from Stores and Websites[12]
  • 2013 Inducted into the National Black College Hall of Fame[13]
  • 2013 Released Debut CD Songs of A Shepard[14]
  • 2012 The History Maker[15]
  • 2012 Reflections From The Pew...A 36 Year Journey... And The People Speak About W. Franklyn Richardson[16]
  • 2011 Sworn In as Board Chairman of Virginia Union University
  • 2011 Portrait installed in International Hall of Honor at Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College
  • 2010 Inducted into Martin Luther King, Jr. International Chapel Board of Preachers at Morehouse College
  • 2000 Serves on Comcast Corporation and NBC Universal Joint Diversity Council
  • 1999 In The Pulpit, Seeking To Relieve Suffering, New York Times[17]
  • 1982 - 1994 Former General Secretary National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Inc.
  • 1984 Represented National Baptist Convention - World Council of Churches Central Committee
  • Life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Awards

  • 2020 Torch Bearer Award - The Positive Community Magazine[18]
  • 2015 Golden Harvest Humanitarian Award - Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services[19]
  • 2013 Yale Distinguish Alumni, Distinction in Congregational Ministry Award[20]

References

  1. ↑ "gracechurchtoday.org". www.gracechurchtoday.org. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  2. ↑ "gracechurchtoday.org". gracechurchtoday.org. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  3. ↑ "Our Leadership". Conference of National Black Churches. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  4. ↑ Online, The Church. "Activist, Religious and Civil Rights Leader Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson Releases Witness to Grace: A Testimony of Favor". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  5. ↑ "Office of The President | Virginia Union University". www.vuu.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  6. ↑ "Virginia Union University Board of Trustees Votes to Invest More than $8.9 Million in Enhancements and Purchasing | Virginia Union University". www.vuu.edu. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  7. ↑ "Conference of National Black Churches". Conference of National Black Churches. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  8. ↑ "» NAN Celebrates Living Black History, Honoring Reverend Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson". National Action Network. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  9. ↑ "» NAN Board Member Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson Releases Book: Witness to Grace". National Action Network. 2021-02-19. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  10. ↑ "Exploring Race Relations in America". comcastnewsmakers.comhttps. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  11. ↑ Woodson, A. J. "Dr. Belinda Miles & Rev. Richardson Make Westchester Power 50 List | Black Westchester Magazine". Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  12. ↑ Walsh, David (2020-09-22). "EURweb". EURweb. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  13. ↑ ejones. "REV. DR. W. FRANKLYN RICHARDSON TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE 2013 CLASS OF THE NATIONAL BLACK COLLEGE HALL OF FAME | White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities". Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  14. ↑ "Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson Release Debut CD "Songs of A Shepherd" - b". The Bookstore At Grace. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  15. ↑ "Reverend Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson's Biography". The HistoryMakers. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  16. ↑ "And The People Speak: Practicing "Kujichagulia" The Second Principle o". The Bookstore At Grace. Retrieved 2021-08-06.
  17. ↑ Brenner, Elsa (1999-09-26). "In the Pulpit, Seeking to Relieve Suffering". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  18. ↑ "Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson accepts the Positive Community's Emancipation Day Torchbearer Award – The Positive Community". Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  19. ↑ Higgons, Jenny. "Three receive Westchester Golden Harvest Awards". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  20. ↑ "Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, 1990 M.A.R. | Yale Divinity School". divinity.yale.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-02.

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