THERE HE GOES, HERE HE COMES…

A group and Darius Johnson pose with the Admiral. Darius Johnson

By Darius Johnson, Chesapeake Heartland Project Director & Trustee for Maryland Historical Trust

Vince Leggett was the heartbeat of the Chesapeake Bay's Black heritage, moving through life as fluidly as the tides he cherished—adapting to every current but steadfast in his purpose. I knew of Vince’s work long before we actually met. Our first conversation was about securing funding for Elktonia Beach. I first learned about the beach when I read the biography of William L. “Little Willie” Adams in 2018. Little did I know that a few years later, I would become friends with the man who was leading the charge to save the place that “Little Willie” turned into a sensational destination for Black beachgoers and fans of the legendary Black entertainers who made it a stop on the Chitlin' Circuit.

Most recently, I saw him again during an event where African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Executive Director, Brent Leggs, came to Washington College for a public program on November 4th. Vince seemed to be receiving his flowers in a series of events over the past year—getting inducted into the Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in late October and then receiving high praise from Brent Leggs at that event for championing a national model for Black land conservation and cultural preservation.

Vince was a connector and creator. I always admired how many people he knew and how many projects he had on his plate at all times. In the short time I knew him, he showed me how much potential we have to take up the work that we’re often overlooked for. Vince made it clear: we have something to say when it comes to the Chesapeake Bay. We belong in spaces where science intertwines with historic preservation and land conservation. We have the capability to generate and sustain the work that defines our region. He helped me see that Black heritage along the Chesapeake Bay isn’t just a story of survival—it’s a story of thriving. Vince showed me that someone like me could make a living preserving the rich heritage shared by Black folks across the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He became my model for how to approach a professional life rooted in heritage and impact.

Vince’s light doesn’t dim; it reflects endlessly on the waters of the Chesapeake, reminding us to keep doing the work, to keep connecting, to keep preserving. His legacy urges us to be as unyielding as the tides he loved, ensuring that the stories and spaces he championed remain for generations to come.

“Old watermen don't fly away. They simply sail from shore to shore. There he goes, here he comes.” Sail on my friend.

Part of a series of articles titled
The Vince Leggett Legacy.

Previous:
CURRENTS OF CULTURE FROM THE HELM

Next:
BRINGING HISTORY TO LIFE

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