During the course of 50 years as pastor of Shaw’s New Bethel Baptist Church and 20 years as DC’s first elected delegate to Congress, Walter Fauntroy was often ‘in the room when it happened.” He was by Martin Luther King, Jr.’s side organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He watched President Lyndon Johnson sign the 1964 Civil Rights Act. He walked through the ruins of Shaw with Robert F. Kennedy after the 1968 riots. He led Urban Renewal Efforts that resulted in new housing, schools and other buildings in Shaw. He campaigned for Home Rule for DC alongside Marion Barry and led protests at the South African Embassy. He celebrated countless events in the lives of church members.
On Feb. 22, at 3:00 PM, Reverend Fauntroy will reminisce about the people he has known and the history he has lived in a Black History Month event at New Bethel Baptist Church, 1739 Ninth St. NW. Fauntroy will be interviewed by Shaw Main Streets Executive Director Alexander Padro and NBBC Pastor Dexter Nuttall as historic photographs are projected. This event is free, and no tickets or reservations are required.
Presented by Shaw Main Streets and New Bethel Baptist Church. For more information, visit www.shawmainstreets.org.
