February 28, 2025
Abundant Life Black History Month Highlights: ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ Lane High School Black History Week
This week we are highlighting educator, Esther Vassar of Lane High School who stood in the gap for her students at a time of racial discrepancy. Lane High School, preceding Charlottesville High School, was a segregated High School in Charlottesville up until 1959, following a three-year battle in federal court to avoid integration of schools in Virginia. Though schools had been integrated for...
February 21, 2025
Black History Month 2025 Highlights: Pastor Desmond Glenn
For the second week of Black History Month, we will be highlighting Community Care Pastor and leader, Pastor Desmond Glenn of Portico Church. Raised by his grandparents after losing both parents at an early age, Pastor Desmond Glenn grew up in Southeast Arkansas in a small town called Marvell, Arkansas. He grew up on a pig farm and spent most of his youth playing outside and helping his...
February 14, 2025
Black History Month 2025 Highlights: Kim Sheffield, Community Leader
Abundant Life Ministries is celebrating Black History Month 2025 by taking time to reflect on notable people and community leaders who have contributed to our unique Charlottesville community. Creating history isn’t easy, and we are thankful for all who led and continue to lead the way to a better tomorrow. To kick off this month of noteworthy stories is Community Leader, Kim Sheffield. Coming...
February 8, 2024
Black History Month2024 Highlights: Benjamin Tonsler
For the second week of Black History Month, we will be highlighting one of the most prominent figures in Charlottesville history, Mr. Benjamin Tonsler. Benjamin Tonsler was born to parents, Edward and Martha Tonsler, in April of 1854 in Albemarle County, eleven years before slavery was abolished in Virginia. Though not much is known about his early life, we know that he learned how to read and...
February 6, 2024
Black History Month 2024 Highlights: Gregory H. Swanson, First Student to Integrate the University of Virginia
Abundant Life Ministries is celebrating Black History Month 2024 by taking time to reflect on historical events and notable people who have contributed to our unique Charlottesville community. Creating history isn’t easy, and we are thankful for all who led and continue to lead the way to a better tomorrow. To kick off this month of noteworthy stories is Gregory H. Swanson- the first student to...
February 28, 2023
Abundant Life Ministries Black History Month 2023 Highlights: Alex-Zan, Local Charlottesville Activist
As Black History Month comes to a close, we want to remember that history is always being written and we are grateful for those who pioneered and continue to pioneer against the odds. We would like to dedicate this Highlight to Community Activist, Educator, Entertainer, and Motivator, Mr. Alex-Zan. Mr. Alex-Zan began his activism when he was one of the 12 youths who integrated Charlottesville...