Phone: 804-828-8520
Email: ldwilder@vcu.edu
Office Location: 700 W. Grace St., Rm. 2210 Recent Articles

L. Douglas Wilder

Distinguished professor

EXPERTISE

Virginia law
Government and public affairs
Social justice

EDUCATION

B.S., Chemistry, Virginia Union University
J.D., Law, Howard University

TEACHING

Public Policy Challenges in Virginia and the Nation, various guest lectures

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Douglas Wilder, a towering figure in electoral politics, boasts a career that has spanned seven decades and is punctuated by unprecedented milestones. Wilder shattered racial barriers, becoming the first elected African-American governor in the U.S., and skillfully led Virginia from 1990 to 1994.

Under his judicious stewardship, Virginia earned the accolade of the best-managed state by Financial World magazine not once, but twice. Before ascending to gubernatorial office, he served with distinction as lieutenant governor and state senator.

Within the senate, he chaired committees pivotal to the state's development, such as Transportation, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and the Senate Steering Committee, which appoints committee members. These committees bore witness to Wilder's transformative vision for Virginia, driving essential policy decisions and legislative advancements.

His broader legislative legacy encompasses landmark policies, from state healthcare provisions for sickle-cell anemia patients to the pioneering establishment of a state holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wilder also made significant strides to diversify Virginia's judiciary during his tenure.

In 2004, heeding the clarion call of public service once more, Wilder was elected as Richmond's first popularly elected mayor in over 50 years. In a testament to his profound impact and the trust vested in him, he secured a commanding eighty percent of the vote, decisively carrying each of the city’s nine council districts and every precinct.

Under his visionary leadership until 2009, Richmond underwent a transformative metamorphosis: crime rates plummeted, economic prosperity soared, and financial governance reached unparalleled heights.

Beyond politics, Wilder's educational foundation began at Virginia Union University where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry. He then graduated from Howard University Law School and, in 1961, co-founded Wilder, Gregory & Associates. At a time when minority-led law firms were a rarity in Virginia, his firm emerged as a pioneering beacon of minority representation.

Currently, he imparts wisdom as a Distinguished Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, shaping minds on critical societal issues.

Wilder has consistently championed Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His recent advocacy led Virginia's Attorney General, Jason Miyares, to address racial disparities in HBCU funding, emphasizing his enduring commitment to educational equity.

As an unwavering sentinel for justice and equity, Wilder's efforts also extend to the establishment of a National Slavery Museum in Virginia, ensuring that history is both remembered and learned from.

Among his many legacies, Wilder's autobiography, "Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena," stands as a testament to his remarkable journey.