It is an insult to Maggie Walker’s legacy for Dr. James Taylor to serve as a member and be chairman of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School Board representing Powhatan County, Virginia.

Dr. Taylor has advocated for the demolition of the original primary school and home economics building at historic Pocahontas School, the former African American centralized school for Powhatan County prior to integration.  It was originally built through the tenacity of early, pioneering families in the Powhatan community who were persistent and dedicated in standing up to the racist and resistant forces of early Virginia and local history who resisted efforts for advancement in education for African American members of society.

The entire Pocahontas complex is historically significant to the Powhatan community and Virginia as a whole.  It is a direct representation of progress in public education and must be preserved.  It is meaningful to the community members today - many of whom attended it as a pubic middle school after integration.  It is especially meaningful to the descendants of the early pioneering families who worked tirelessly to see the school built in the first place.

Dr. Taylor’s blatantly racist and destructive plan disrespects the educational heritage of central Virginia - most especially Powhatan County — it is in direct conflict with the ideals and values that Maggie Walker represented.  His association with Maggie Walker Governor’s School is a slap in the face to history and to the memory and legacy of Maggie Walker.  He must be removed from the board immediately based on his racist and fiscally irresponsible plan for Powhatan County and local history.  We must preserve our history as it shapes today and tomorrow - especially our historic resources of lasting impact such as Pocahontas School.  Dr. Taylor has instead chosen a narrow minded and harmful path in his leadership in Powhatan schools.  That same agenda should not have a place at a school named for Maggie Walker.  His racist approach to early African American heritage and the shared humanity and history of Powhatan County is unacceptable for anyone in a leadership role in 2025.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I attended Pocahontas as a public middle school in Powhatan County from grades four through seven, between 1984 and 1988.

It was during this time in 1987, while I was a seventh grader, that we celebrated the 50th anniversary of this historic school. 

Pocahontas' significance runs deep as it provided early educational opportunities to African Americans prior to integration.

Its legacy only continued as the site of our middle school after the landmark Supreme Court ruling that sought to end segregated education.

However, this legacy and history are now under threat from within our community. Rev. Dr. James Taylor, who currently serves as the chairman of the Maggie Walker Governor’s School Board representing Powhatan County, supports the demolition of significant historical sites linked to this heritage, including the original primary school and home economics cottage at historic Pocahontas.

Dr. Taylor’s actions stand in direct contradiction to the principles Maggie Walker stood for. Maggie Walker, a champion of African American education and empowerment, deserves better than to have her legacy tainted by association with someone actively trying to erase important parts of that history.

The Maggie Walker Governor’s School is a symbol of educational excellence, diversity, and historical richness.

Allowing someone like Dr. Taylor to remain in a leadership position is an insult to the memory and monumental contributions of Maggie Walker and the diverse communities she advanced..

We call on the relevant authorities to uphold the values Maggie Walker embodied by removing Dr. Taylor from the board.

His removal would send a strong message of commitment to preserving history rather than erasing it, ensuring that we honor the rich past that institutions like Pocahontas represent.

Join us in preserving the legacy of Pocahontas and upholding the values of Maggie Walker. Sign this petition to ensure Rev. Dr. James Taylor is removed from his position and that such critical historical sites are preserved for future generations.

Please sign and share this petition to safeguard our heritage and protect the integrity of our educational institutions.

The last place that someone like Dr. James Taylor, Red Lane Baptist Church, Powhatan County School Board District 4, needs to be is on a board charged with the oversight of a school named for Maggie Walker.  

It is a disgrace to the school and to the legacy of Maggie Walker that someone who perpetuates blatant racism and fiscal irresponsibility by pursuing a reckless demolition plan for Powhatan County early African American pre-integration educational heritage and all of our shared humanity and history to be associated with the Maggie Walker Governor’s School.