It is with great sadness that we remember our dear colleague and partner, Vincent O. Leggett, upon hearing the news of his untimely passing. Vince was an amazing leader and friend, and he will be terribly missed. Many tributes have been shared in the recent days, and we admire this one from Joel Dunn, the president and CEO of Chesapeake Conservancy, who said, “Vince’s work transcended the archives and pages of history books — he built bridges connecting people and communities, fostered understanding, and inspired a collective commitment to justice and equity. As a mentor and friend to so many, he shared his wisdom generously, guiding others to take up the mantle of preserving and celebrating Black history.”
Vince was a powerful Storyteller, and a visionary. He was the founder of the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, and was involved with many more projects than we were ever aware of, as can be seen in a recent version of his resume. He was appointed and commissioned as an “Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay” by Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening for advocacy of the history of African American contributions to Maryland’s maritime and seafood industries. He was an early 
recipient of the heritage area’s Heritage Leadership Award, in 2010 (pictured left).
Perhaps his most significant project here in our heritage area has been the Elktonia Beach Heritage Park in Annapolis. This has been developed as a true partnership, receiving our 2022 Heritage Partnership of the Year Award, for the “Elktonia, Carr’s Beach Land Conservation & Heritage Preservation Project,” with partners the Blacks of The Chesapeake Foundation, Chesapeake Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, the State of Maryland, the National Park Service – Chesapeake, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, and Maryland Senator Sarah Elfreth. He is pictured below receiving the award, with left to right, Jessica Leys (Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks), William Rowel (City of Annapolis), CCHA Executive Director Carol Benson, and Allison Anderson (Chesapeake Conservancy). 
Chesapeake Crossroads has been gratified to assist the project with funding through the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Vince’s passing has left many elements of his vision for the future of our area and the Bay unfinished. Let us honor his legacy by continuing his good work.
As we pause to remember the many accomplishments of Vincent O. Leggett, we invite you to listen to him tell his own story in his own words, through this recent Story Project video: https://chesapeakecrossroads.org/story-project/elktonia-beach-heritage-park-vince-leggett/