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2017 SESSION
17100397DWHEREAS, Jack W. Gravely, a Richmond radio talk show host, state and national civil rights advocate, and community leader, died on August 15, 2016; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely was a native of Pocahontas and the seventh of 12 children born to Clarence and Causby Gravely; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely earned a degree in history and government from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and received a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law; he served in a combat support unit in Vietnam in between earning the two degrees; and
WHEREAS, in September 1995, Jack Gravely was appointed the first director of diversity at the Federal Communications Commission; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely worked at the state and national levels of the NAACP for 16 years, serving two stints as the head of the Virginia State Conference NAACP and as a special assistant to then-national NAACP Executive Director Benjamin L. Hooks; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely gained notoriety across the Commonwealth as a frequent guest on local public affairs shows and as the host of a talk show on WRVA-AM in Richmond from 1996 to 2002; at the time of his death he was the host of “The Jack Gravely Show” on Richmond’s Rejoice 990 WREJ-AM (formerly WLEE-AM); and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely graced national television airwaves, his commentary appeared regularly in local and national newspapers, and he was a sought-after speaker, delivering over 600 speeches across the country and in Canada; and
WHEREAS, guided by faith and grounded in family devotion, Jack Gravely was baptized at an early age and was a member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Petersburg, where he served faithfully on the Deacon Board, Male Usher Ministry, and Nehemiah Group Ministry; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely’s example of faithfulness, demonstration of dignity, and grace will forever inspire the lives of all of those whom he touched, especially his children and grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Jack Gravely will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his devoted wife, Barbara; children, Chekesha, Kimya, Kia, Tony, Tonya, and Randy, and their families; and numerous relatives and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Jack W. Gravely, radio talk show host, civil rights advocate, and community leader; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jack W. Gravely as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s respect for his memory.