File #: RS2022-1327    Name:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 12/22/2021 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: 1/4/2022 Final action: 1/4/2022
Title: A resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of R. H. Boyd Publishing Corporation.
Sponsors: Mary Carolyn Roberts, Freddie OConnell, Brandon Taylor, Kyonzte Toombs, Bob Mendes, Sharon Hurt, Burkley Allen, Zulfat Suara, Jonathan Hall, Sean Parker, Brett Withers, Nancy VanReece, Tonya Hancock, Zach Young, Larry Hagar, Erin Evans, Russ Bradford, Kevin Rhoten, Jeff Syracuse, Ginny Welsch, Tom Cash, Gloria Hausser, Thom Druffel, Bob Nash, Sandra Sepulveda, John Rutherford, Antoinette Lee, Angie Henderson, Dave Rosenberg
Attachments: 1. Late Amendment - RS2022-1327 - O'Connell

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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.