Current and former Virginia leaders are recalling the first Black mayor of Richmond for his trailblazing career and lifetime commitment to civil rights.

After beginning his career as a civil rights lawyer, he helped usher in an era of African American leadership in the former capital of the Confederacy.

Hundreds of people came together at St. Paul’s Baptist Church to honor the life of Richmond’s first Black Mayor, Henry L. Marsh.

Henry Marsh, a longtime Virginia lawmaker and first Black mayor of Richmond, has died. He served as Richmond mayor from 1977 to 1982.

Henry Marsh III, the first Black mayor of Richmond, Virginia, died on Jan. 23 at 91 years of age, after a lifetime of serving his city.