LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Community leaders are forever grateful for the legacy of Louisville Urban League's former president and CEO Ben Richmond. He paved the way for so many professionals, teaching them how to lead through the league's Young Professional program.
But it's the memories that mean the most to David Tandy. Richmond was a mentor and fraternity brother.
"[He] always encouraging he would say 'David you can do this, you could do that.' We got to work together on a number of things," said Tandy.
Richmond was the first person to show state Representative Pamela Stevenson how business operated in Louisville.
"He put his money where his mouth was, he created a vision for people to step into no matter how hard it looked," she said.
He built a foundation for so many young Black professionals like Goodwill's DeVone Holt.
"He gave us space at the table with him, and helped us understand how this world work quite frankly," said Holt.
Congressman Morgan McGarvey remembered how he challenged those who didn't always agree with him.
"He did it in a way where he commanded respect, I think, even from people who disagreed with him, and we were so lucky to have him," he said.
State Senator Gerald Neal described Richmond as a quiet giant who did everything with class.
"He was very focused, very intentional and he was very creative he was always thinking about the next move so he knew how to make things happen," he said.
Leaders like former Louisville Urban League board member Roderick Purdy said the civil rights organization that stands today is because of the foundation and legacy Richmond leaves behind.
"Just very articulate in the message he was trying to convey," Purdy said.
Richmond's footprint in Louisville's Black community will forever be remembered.
"He said 'this life, I'm going to use for this community so that all people can have a life that works' and he did that," Stevenson said.
The visitation for Richmond is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Baptist Church.
The funeral service will start at 11 a.m.
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