Meet our founder - Mrs. Elizabeth J. Rice
As an educator for over thirty years, Elizabeth Johnson Rice became a civil rights activist in college and was arrested in the 1960 Sit-ins with the famous Richmond 34 from Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. This was the first mass-arrest in the civil rights movement. Mrs. Rice went on to represent the university on NBC's Today Show, which was then hosted by Dave Garroway and Florence Henderson.. Her brother Ford T. Johnson, Jr. was arrested with her during the 1960 sit-ins. His 1962 Supreme Court case (Johnson v. Commonwealth of Virginia) resulted in the desegregation of all public federal facilities in the United States. Mrs. Rice was also one of the first black teachers to integrate "Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia, where she met racism head-on. Her life was often threatened in spite of her courage. She was teaching there the day of "Martin Luther Kings" assassination.
She has committed to using these life-changing experiences to motivate others, young and old, to become more involved in their communities, cities, schools, and workplaces, to create a spirit of harmony and empowerment. Mrs. Rice has been credited, because of her contributions to the movement, with the opportunity to share her experiences on two PBS documentaries: Civil Rights Heroes of Virginia and Trailblazers of Virginia. Recently, "Trail of Hope" by David McNamara.
She is currently completing her autobiography, which includes her civil rights experiences, as well as the many health challenges she's conquered since surviving an aortic aneurysm in 2000, and by beating death after flat lining. She will also describe her passion to empower young people and adults to have a better life by instilling positive messages for parents and children with her "BPOS Program" her belief is that parents as well as students need exposure to positive principles if there is to be any real change in society. Sadly some parents have never been exposed to self esteem building themselves. How can the next generation make a positive difference unless taught how valuable they are by their parents? Some parents also need to be taught how valuable they are so that they can pay it forward. She envisions a "BPOS ACADEMY FOR FAMILIES" LEARNING TOGETHER HOW TO CAPTURE THE POSITIVE LIGHT AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.
Mrs. Rice is an exciting motivational and inspirational speaker and has talked about her diverse experiences and uplifted audiences in schools, colleges, churches, and organizations. She is still available to assist your school or organization at your request. Fill out the contact us page at the end of this website to secure this outstanding speaker. for your next function..
Mrs. Rice was married to the late Rev. Richard M. Rice, from Sandusky, Ohio for fifty-one wonderful years. He was Pastor Emeritus of Liberty Baptist Church in Washington, DC, until his passing in 2013. They have two sons and three granddaughters and one grandson. Mrs. Rice resides in Midlothian, Virginia since 2011.
To contact Mrs. Rice, click here.
She has committed to using these life-changing experiences to motivate others, young and old, to become more involved in their communities, cities, schools, and workplaces, to create a spirit of harmony and empowerment. Mrs. Rice has been credited, because of her contributions to the movement, with the opportunity to share her experiences on two PBS documentaries: Civil Rights Heroes of Virginia and Trailblazers of Virginia. Recently, "Trail of Hope" by David McNamara.
She is currently completing her autobiography, which includes her civil rights experiences, as well as the many health challenges she's conquered since surviving an aortic aneurysm in 2000, and by beating death after flat lining. She will also describe her passion to empower young people and adults to have a better life by instilling positive messages for parents and children with her "BPOS Program" her belief is that parents as well as students need exposure to positive principles if there is to be any real change in society. Sadly some parents have never been exposed to self esteem building themselves. How can the next generation make a positive difference unless taught how valuable they are by their parents? Some parents also need to be taught how valuable they are so that they can pay it forward. She envisions a "BPOS ACADEMY FOR FAMILIES" LEARNING TOGETHER HOW TO CAPTURE THE POSITIVE LIGHT AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS CHANGING THE WORLD, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.
Mrs. Rice is an exciting motivational and inspirational speaker and has talked about her diverse experiences and uplifted audiences in schools, colleges, churches, and organizations. She is still available to assist your school or organization at your request. Fill out the contact us page at the end of this website to secure this outstanding speaker. for your next function..
Mrs. Rice was married to the late Rev. Richard M. Rice, from Sandusky, Ohio for fifty-one wonderful years. He was Pastor Emeritus of Liberty Baptist Church in Washington, DC, until his passing in 2013. They have two sons and three granddaughters and one grandson. Mrs. Rice resides in Midlothian, Virginia since 2011.
To contact Mrs. Rice, click here.
To learn more about Mrs. Rice, click the following:
* Virginia Union University alumni page
* Richmond Times-Dispatch feature article, "Elizabeth Johnson-Rice" by Michael Paul Williams
* Richmond Women in the Civil Rights Movement - VCU Black History Month panel discussion
* Richmond Times-Dispatch feature article, "Elizabeth Johnson-Rice" by Michael Paul Williams
* Richmond Women in the Civil Rights Movement - VCU Black History Month panel discussion