Central Nova News

The community will gather on Saturday, November 9, at 2 p.m. to honor the legacy of Robert "Old Folks" Dawkins with a memorial unveiling ceremony at the Charles Houston Recreation Center located at 901 Wythe Street. The event will begin with a reception at 1 p.m., followed by a dedication ceremony at 2 p.m. that will recognize Mr. Dawkins and include his induction into the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame.

This ceremony is organized in collaboration with The Alexandria African American Hall of Fame, The Office of Historic Alexandria, and the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.

Dawkins is remembered for his significant role in preserving the history of Parker-Gray School. His brother, Hon. Nolan Dawkins, stated, “He did so much to honor others and never sought recognition for himself. That was one of the core principles of his life. He was commanding yet remarkably humble at the same time.”

In addition to founding the African American Hall of Fame, Dawkins also established the Hoop Academy to inspire young people through sports. This initiative emphasized not only basketball skills but also important values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

For further details about the Memorial Unveiling Ceremony, Julian Haley can be contacted at 571-217-9951 or via email at aaahalloffame13@gmail.com.

Reasonable disability accommodations are available by contacting Nicole Quinn at historicalexandria@alexandriava.gov or calling 703-746-4554. Virginia Relay users can dial 711.

Translation services are provided upon request; contact LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703-746-3960 for assistance.

Robert "Old Folks" Dawkins was born on November 9, 1940, in Alexandria and attended segregated schools including Parker-Gray High School. Known for his wisdom beyond his years—hence the nickname "Old Folks"—he later served as Director of Centers for Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities before retiring from federal government service.

Dawkins made lasting contributions to African American history in Alexandria by founding the Alexandria African American Hall of Fame in June 2013 at Charles Houston Recreation Center.

The Office of Historic Alexandria works to preserve and share Alexandria’s history through various museums and public programs aimed at enriching lives while supporting equity and inclusion initiatives across the city.