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A resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation.
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WHEREAS, in March 2021, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation celebrated its 125th year of service as well as five generations of leadership; and
WHEREAS, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, formerly known as the National Baptist Publishing Board (NBPB), was founded in 1896 by Rev. Dr. Richard Henry Boyd and is now run by its fifth President and CEO, LaDonna Boyd; and
WHEREAS, after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, R. H. Boyd moved to Texas as a freed man and helped organize the Texas Negro Baptist Convention as well as organize and serve as pastor to several churches in Texas before establishing the NBPB; and
WHEREAS, the NBPB became the principal source of religious publications for Black Baptists worldwide and by 1906, it was the largest African-American publishing company in the United States; and
WHEREAS, the business employed more than 100 workers and in its first 18 years it issued more than 128 million periodicals; and
WHEREAS, the NBPB’s publications are considered to have played a key role in establishing an African-American religious and racial identity in the United States; and
WHEREAS, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation has a longstanding tradition of producing, publishing, and distributing biblically sound and culturally relevant Christian education resources, materials, and church supplies; and
WHEREAS, the publishing company takes prides in focusing on the needs of the African-American community and works with numerous churches, pastors, bookstores, distributors, seminaries, authors, and conference attendees; and
WHEREAS, every June, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation hosts the Vision Conference (formerly the National Baptist Congress), a leading Christian education conference and fellowship gathering for all ages; and
WHEREAS, R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation has kept up with new technology over the years and began distributing eBooks worldwide in 2012, and launched an e-commerce platform in 2013; and
WHEREAS, the business also has a history of putting resources back into the community through college scholarships from the R. H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund established in 1982 by LaDonna Boyd’s father, T. B. Boyd III; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of its fifth CEO, LaDonna Boyd, the business aims to be a leading voice for storytelling through print, multimedia channels, data collection, events, and servicing, and works to lift the voices addressing social concerns and social injustices; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council celebrates the 125th anniversary of R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation and wishes them many more years of continued success.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the 125th anniversary of R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.