Jackson Ward

Jackson Ward is a community of open arms. The rich history serves as the groundwork that draws residents together, determined to preserve their neighborhood’s future. With live music pouring down the street, neighbors chatting on a stoop, and the scent of soul food wafting into the air, Jackson Ward presents itself as a flurry of senses enriched in culture and history. The neighborhood is a 42-square block located in the Northern section of downtown Richmond. Known as “The Harlem of the South,” Jackson Ward played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement and broader desegregation efforts in Richmond, leaving the community packed with historical landmarks and a proud local culture. With Interstate 95 just to the North and two major roads to the South and West, this neighborhood is easily accessible to the city’s busy downtown region, while still granting the feeling of an independent community.

The area offers a variety of housing possibilities, primarily catering to single families and renters. A large portion of Jackson Ward’s residential makeup is preserved from the 1800s and consists primarily of townhomes. Visitors will also come across some Federal-style cottages and Greek-revival homes. Historic Richmond, a local nonprofit determined to protect the foundation of Richmond’s oldest neighborhoods, actively revives houses across historic Richmond in order to modernize them for current residents. Jackson Ward’s Meredith House serves as one of their most transformative projects, as the location has been restored after its previous foreclosure.

Inspiring residents, the streets are full of historic pitstops paying homage to Jackson Wards’ very own heroes and change-makers. Visitors can walk through the memorialized home of Maggie Lena Walker, the country’s first African American woman to be the principal founder of The St. Lute Penny Savings Bank. The Hippodrome Theater, preserved since 1914, continues to entertain audiences on the same stage Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong once graced. Jackson Ward also hosts The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. There, guests can gather a deeper understanding of the historical successes and struggles of the black community, with a focus on Jackson Ward.

Mama J’s Restaurant is a legendary spot for residents. Velma Johnson (“Mama J”) hopes visitors get the same feeling as going to grandma’s house for Sunday dinner. Legend proves reliable, as Mama J’s is recognized by national magazines such as Food & Wine, Forbes, and Style Weekly. Big Herm’s is another hot-spot, popular for its convenient take-out—for when comfort food is an urgent necessity. Additionally, Jamaica House Restaurant offers traditional Jamaican cuisine behind a colorful storefront.

Richmond’s art district borders Jackson Ward, allowing its influence to bleed into the neighborhood. In many areas of the city, local artists cover empty brick walls with colorful tributes. Gallery5, based in a remodeled firehouse from 1867, hosts weekend art events and exhibitions. Art 180 serves as a local nonprofit which promotes creativity amongst the community and provides a safe space for youth.

Jackson Ward youth also have the opportunity to learn entrepreneurial skills through The Hustle & Motivate Fundraiser. Organized by Richmond rapper B Lovee, Hustle & Motivate spreads education on financial management and communication skills in order to assist young people in need. The program also works to ensure youth access to a state ID, as well as open accounts for them at Richmond’s Heritage Bank.

Situated in the center of Jackson Ward, Abner Clay Park provides a spacious getaway from the raw energy of the city. The park features a vast lawn fit for leisurely walks and lunches, as well as a playground and nearby rotunda for residents young and old to enjoy. The park often hosts a variety of community events such as the annual Soul Vegan Block Party. This event promotes a plant-based lifestyle amongst attendees while embracing the community’s cultural ties to southern soul food. The park also hosts the Down Home Family Reunion, an annual program aimed towards celebrating African American folklife through music and dance. Set up as an open-air market, this reunion gives a platform to small business exhibitors and promotes local community-service efforts.

Aiming to assist younger students who face struggles in a traditional public-school environment, Jackson Ward offers students across the city enrollment at Richmond Alternative School. Regardless of academic background, the Alternative School provides students with temporary remedial assistance when deemed necessary by the students’ parents and/or teachers. The location also provides older students with a chance to receive a GED and other vocational skills in order to fulfill academic requirements in a manner best suited to their strengths.

The Richmond area provides many opportunities for employment from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses alike. Residents have easy walking and driving access to Richmond’s City Center and Central Office District, both hosting a slew of financial institutions and corporations. Residents are also close to Interstate 95, allowing for convenient commuting all over the city. Jackson Ward’s legacy of internal entrepreneurship offers residents a competitive environment of small business ventures supported by a strong sense of community pride.

Written By

Elise Steele

Photography Contributed By

Alex Gray

Video By

Timothy Cerva