This Spring, Fonda Fantroy Richards ’73 was featured in Kirkwood City Lifestyle for her leadership as the Event Chair of the Black Heritage Celebration 2024. “This event is for people of all races and ages to come and learn about our roots. This is where my heart is,” said Fonda, a Kirkwood native.
Black Heritage Celebration 2024 is the elevated version of the previous year’s event at Mudd’s Grove, home of the Kirkwood Historical Society. The 45-minute bus tour, narrated by Wallace Ward, former member of the Kirkwood City Council and the Kirkwood School District Board of Education, visited five locations of historical importance: Club 44, Meacham Park, Quinette Cemetery, Olive Chapel AME Church and Mudd’s Grove.
“Many of our local elders are dying off and we haven’t gathered their histories,” Fantroy Richards said. “So we will keep collecting snippets, records, and pictures beyond this year’s celebration.
Fonda played a crucial role in organizing this event for the community and sharing the history of Kirkwood and its residents.
A couple of weeks later, Fonda was a part of the Ursuline Leadership for Diversity team’s junior class panel. Women representing diversity in race, culture, and/or ethnicity, shared their experiences and challenges with students. The panel was composed of Jen Grosvenor (current parent), Sandra Tarnowski, Fonda Fantroy Richards ’73, and Sister Mary Dostal,osu. We were so grateful to Fonda and all the participants for sharing their time and experiences with us!
Ursuline Academy’s 1991 Distinguished Alumna, Fonda continues to exemplify the teachings of St. Angela and the Christian ideals of Ursuline while serving her community.
Photography by D’Anne Weber.