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To designate the 1600 block of South Meadow Street in honor of Dr. Joan Belle Christian.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. Designation of Street Block for Honorary Name. The 1600 block of South Meadow Street shall be designated in honor of Dr. Joan Belle Christian, pursuant to this ordinance.
§ 2. Effect of Designation. The designation of the street block made pursuant to this ordinance shall be honorary only, shall not replace the existing name of the street, and shall have no effect on the address of any property with an address on the designated street block. The sole effect of designation pursuant to this ordinance shall be to authorize the placement of commemorative signs in accordance with this ordinance memorializing the designation in honor of the named person.
§ 3. Administration of Ordinance. The Department of Public Works shall implement this ordinance by installing, as soon as practicable after the adoption of this ordinance, and maintaining commemorative signs in accordance with this section. The commemorative signs shall be clearly distinct from the street signs used to identify the street block in question such that a reasonable person could not conclude that the commemorative signs reflect the actual name of the street. The commemorative signs (i) shall be affixed to a sign pole installed at each end of the block designated in section 1 of this ordinance for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of this section or to any existing sign identifying the road designated in section 1 of this ordinance located at each end of the block designated in section 1 of this ordinance and (ii) shall bear the name of the person set forth in section 1 of this ordinance.
§ 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: July 31, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: Stephanie Lynch, 5th District Councilmember
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
FROM: Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst
RE: Designating the 1600th Block of S. Meadow Street in Honor of the Dr. Joan Belle Christian.
CNL - 2025 - 0033
PURPOSE:
To designate the 1600th block of S. Meadow Street, in honor of Dr. Joan Belle Christian.
BACKGROUND:
Dr. Christian, a lifelong Richmonder, is a retired Richmond Public Schools Exceptional Education teacher. She served for 29 years. Dr. Christian earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education at Virginia Union University. She has a master’s degree in education from Virginia Commonwealth University and a doctorate in Missiology from the New Hope Bible Crusade College and Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dr. Christian has been active in the community and has been recognized with innumerable awards, honors, elections, and appointments by religious, civic, academic, and educational organizations. She is a life-long member of Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church and has served on numerous church committees. Dr. Christian served as president of several organization in the past, including: the Maymont Civic League, the Richmond Chapter, NAACP, the Richmond Chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc, the Richmond Chapter, Pan Hellenic Council (with service at the local and national levels), and the Richmond Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Dr. Christian was later appointed to the National Executive Board, National Council of Negro Women, Inc. where she worked alongside the legendary Civil Rights leader Dorothy Height. Dorothy Height is honored with a plaque on Hull St.
Dr. Christian led and participated in many civic efforts to beautify the City and improve educational opportunities for young people. She led Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority’s beautification project for Gilpin Court and coordinated the National Council of Negro Women’s project to beautify Chimborazo and other East End parks. Dr. Christian was appointed to serve as a Coordinator with the city-wide, Living the Dream, Inc., M.L. K. Jr. - Read Aloud Program. As president of Richmond’s, Pan Hellenic Council, Dr. Christian helped raised over $61,000 in scholarships enabling 58 area students to achieve their educational dreams. Dr. Christian was named Teacher of the Year at J. E. B. Stuart School, was the recipient of the Bethune Recognition Achievement Award. She has held memberships with the Phi Delta Kappa National Honor Society and Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society in Education. She has served as a volunteer voter registrar with the City of Richmond.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 8, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 22, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation
AFFECTED AGENCIES: City Council, DPW
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: N/A
STAFF: Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst, (804-646-2780)