Willard H. Douglas, Jr.
Photo Credit: scvahistory.org
About Richmond's Honorary Street Name Designations
Honorary street names can be found throughout Richmond, and are intended to memorialize individuals for their civic, cultural, humanitarian, or historically significant contributions to the Richmond Community. These designations typically apply to a portion of a street, such as a city block, and are designated by Richmond City Council via the passing of an Ordinance. Honorary street names do not replace the existing name of a street and do not require an alteration to maps or addresses.
Willard H. Douglas, Jr.
A native of Amherst County, Virginia, Willard H. Douglas, Jr. is credited with being the first full-time Black judge to serve in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Willard H. Douglas, Jr. served as a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. After his military service, he earned an undergraduate degree from Virginia Union University in 1957 and his law degree from Howard University in 1960.
Mr. Douglas worked as an attorney for the United States Civil Rights Commission. Following this, he became the first Black assistant prosecutor for the City of Richmond Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney.
On January 30, 1974, the Virginia General Assembly elected Willard H. Douglas, Jr. as judge presiding in the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, making him the first officially elected, full-time Black judge to serve in Virginia. Judge Douglas was also the first African American to be appointed to the Ethics Committee of the Virginia Supreme Court.
Throughout his life, Willard H. Douglas, Jr., served as a member of a number of charitable, community, and professional organizations including the Big Brothers, Richmond Epilepsy Association, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the American Bar Association, and the Old Dominion Bar Association, among others.
Designation Area:
The 600 block of Edgehill Road shall be designated in honor of Willard H. Douglas, Jr.
Download the Council Ordinance:
Learn more about this Honorary Street Designation by downloading a copy of the legislation. The Council Ordinance below is in PDF format:
Return to Honorary Street Designations Main Page