Spotlight: Blacks of the Chesapeake at My Annapolis Office
At My Annapolis Office, we love highlighting our members and their incredible work. This month, we spoke with Vincent Leggett and Cornelious Jones about their organization, Blacks of the Chesapeake. Read on to discover their inspiring story and impact.
Tell me about yourself.
I’m the visionary leader, founder, and president of Blacks of the Chesapeake. I’ve worked in education for 22 years, from K-16, including serving as president of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education. I’ve led multi-million-dollar public and assisted housing agencies and spent a decade with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). My work focused on Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) like the University of Maryland. At DNR, I coordinated with the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program to promote environmental justice.
Academically, I earned a BS in Urban Planning & Community Development from Morgan State University and an MPA from Central Michigan University.
Tell us about your company and what you do.
Blacks of the Chesapeake (also known as Blacksof) began in 1984 as a labor of love to document the untold stories of African American men and women whose lives were shaped by the Chesapeake Bay. Our work includes publications, projects, films, and oral histories highlighting the legacy of Black watermen. These watermen and their families shaped seafood and maritime communities for generations.
You can find a glimpse of this legacy in our Blacksof photos and historical documentation available through our platforms.
How did you get started in your industry?
I was introduced to the Chesapeake Bay by my dad, the late Charlie Leggett. I was reared in Baltimore but always considered myself a “Country Boy from East Baltimore”. Both my mom Willie Mae and father migrated from North Carolina to Baltimore in the early 1950s. However, during the summers, my siblings and I returned to the Carolina’s. That experience provided a much-needed respite from the grit and grime of urban life. Those early land-based encounters were my connection to my parent’s and grandparents’ farming backgrounds.
It was from these roots that I was set on a course that eventually lead to the establishment of the Blacks of the Chesapeake. Our early work was built around researching the roles of watermen and farmers on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Mission of Blacks of the Chesapeake
What is something about your business that most people do not know?
The Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation (BOCF) rests on four pillars: Education, History, Culture, and the Environment. In 2000, the Library of Congress recognized our efforts by designating us a “Local Legacy Project.” African American men and women were integral to the seafood and maritime industries, but many of their stories remained undocumented—until now.
Through storytelling, we shed light on Bay Pilots, captains, seafood processors, and more, preserving their historical contributions for future generations.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
The BOCF also has an advocacy component influencing public policy and legislative initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. The Chesapeake Bay is a billion-dollar industry and African Americans and other minorities are woefully under-represented in historical recognition and resource allocation. Part of our mission is to change that reality.
We work collaboratively with public officials, and community-based organizations identifying barriers and opportunities for greater justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. If we are to improve the water quality of the beloved Chesapeake Bay, we need to have all of the stakeholders at the table.
Other than work, what are you passionate about?
Family matters to me and I’m involved with my maternal and paternal family organizations. Along with my wife Aldena Pinkney, we are leaders within the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (Ark Road), Lothian, MD. In addition, I serve as the volunteer Chaplain for the Fire Department of the City of Annapolis.
Why did you choose My Annapolis Office and how has working here helped your business?
My Annapolis Office offers more than location—it provides community. The friendly staff, ample parking, and flexible layout make it perfect for any growing team. Whether you’re looking for shared office space Chesapeake, virtual office space Chesapeake, or even a coworking space Chesapeake, this is the ideal environment to network and thrive.
To learn more about Blacks of the Chesapeake, visit : https://blacksofthechesapeake.wildapricot.org/
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