Historical Perspective
BPOS (Be Part of the Solution, Inc.) grew out of the parent organization started in 1945 called “The Tomorrow's World Foundation Inc”. by grandparents Father John Herbert Jones, one of the 1st Black Episcopal Priests in the United States along with his wife, Elizabeth Belle Jones and their daughter Elizabeth Jones Johnson. Their mission was similar to that of BPOS's today in that they provided activities in the educational, spiritual, social, physical and financial areas of individual’s lives with specific training geared to stamping out "juvenile delinquency" an injustice prevalent during that time period.
Elizabeth Johnson Rice, the Director and Founder of "BPOS" has continued the legacy founded by her grandparents and mother who was the 1st black assistant dean of admissions at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville .She respects and honors the positive heritage of the past, as she increases and exhibits passion for the present anticipating positive solutions for the future. This principle is evident in the "BPOS" vision, to re-ignite a new generation of students and adults to foster greater pride and dignity in the present that will bring about life changing experiences directing their future.
"BPOS" Goals – Youth and Adults
We intend to develop educational and mentoring programs that will positively articulate and reinforce the need for character building, self respect and mutual respect. Programs will be implemented that promote literacy at basic levels such as reading, writing and oral communication. These programs will be available to adults as well as youth.
Seniors Citizens will play a major role in our quest to promote and support basic human rights. By offering productive and respectful outlets to seniors, such as mentoring programs to younger generations who can benefit from historical perspectives, these seniors will be encouraged to remain active, productive and relevant for as long as they wish. We will always strive to acknowledge the contributions of viable, energetic, and productive senior citizens who still have so much to offer. We will champion their cause when we find that they are being cast into useless situations where they are devalued and allowed to waste away their golden years of wisdom. We will also provide new challenges and opportunities for seniors by developing activities and financial opportunities that leverage their years of institutional knowledge.
Elizabeth Johnson Rice, the Director and Founder of "BPOS" has continued the legacy founded by her grandparents and mother who was the 1st black assistant dean of admissions at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville .She respects and honors the positive heritage of the past, as she increases and exhibits passion for the present anticipating positive solutions for the future. This principle is evident in the "BPOS" vision, to re-ignite a new generation of students and adults to foster greater pride and dignity in the present that will bring about life changing experiences directing their future.
"BPOS" Goals – Youth and Adults
We intend to develop educational and mentoring programs that will positively articulate and reinforce the need for character building, self respect and mutual respect. Programs will be implemented that promote literacy at basic levels such as reading, writing and oral communication. These programs will be available to adults as well as youth.
Seniors Citizens will play a major role in our quest to promote and support basic human rights. By offering productive and respectful outlets to seniors, such as mentoring programs to younger generations who can benefit from historical perspectives, these seniors will be encouraged to remain active, productive and relevant for as long as they wish. We will always strive to acknowledge the contributions of viable, energetic, and productive senior citizens who still have so much to offer. We will champion their cause when we find that they are being cast into useless situations where they are devalued and allowed to waste away their golden years of wisdom. We will also provide new challenges and opportunities for seniors by developing activities and financial opportunities that leverage their years of institutional knowledge.
BPOS Founder Profile
As an educator for over 30 years, Elizabeth Johnson Rice became a civil rights activist in college and was arrested in the 1960 "Sit Ins" with the famous "VUU 34"or the “Richmond 34” from Virginia Union University in Richmond Va. She went on to represent the school regarding her participation in the sit ins on the NBC ,"Today Show" hosted then by Dave Garroway and Florence Henderson. This was the 1st mass arrest in the civil rights movement.
Her brother Ford T. Johnson Jr. was arrested with her at VUU. His NAACP 1962 Supreme Court case, (Johnson vs. State of Virginia) resulted in the desegregation of all federal public facilities in the United States..
She was also one of the 1st Black Teachers to integrate the schools in Petersburg, Virginia, at " Petersburg Highschool", where she met racism head on. Her life was often threatened in spite of her courage. She recalls the day "Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated because she was courageously taping her white students' comments on how they felt about his death. She almost lost her job that day for not getting permission from the administration. to do the taping This tape was stolen from her possession shortly thereafter never to be found again. .. She is credited because of her contributions to the movement with being portrayed on 2 PBS Documentaries, "Rising Up" about "Civil Rights Heroes of Va." and a second documentary, "Trailblazers of Virginia” She is currently completing her book on her life which includes the civil rights experiences as well as life and death health challenges she has conquered as an aortic aneurysm survivor in 2000. She also has had the experience of beating death after flat lining. These experiences will also be included in her book which will be available soon.
Mrs. Rice is currently a retired school teacher from the "Takoma Educational Center" in the Washington DC Public Schools. She being a senior citizen herself is often promoting and championing the cause of Senior Citizens especially Veteran Teachers and Government Workers of America who have been devalued. Teachers and Gov. Workers are encouraged to become members of " BPOS". Those of you who have experienced discrimination because of age or disability etc. are asked to get in touch with, "BPOS" . If you know someone who is illiterate caught in an existence with no hope or way out let them know, hope is on the way. They will be included in the new funding as it becomes available.
"BPOS" will launch an empowerment , phase to show those interested how to level the playing field and accumulate enormous wealth with the "Family unity Plan". including the building up and promotion of 1 family at a time in their own business to change their lifestyle by working together..
She is available to be keynote speaker at your functions upon request. She has spoken to Church crowds, elementary ad secondary school audiences and has energized students on college campuses with standing ovations such as; Virginia Union University, Richmond Va., University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va. and recently Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She was honored recently to be the focus of the Channel 4 broadcast, (NBC) in Washington D.C., led by anchorwoman, Barbara Harrison as she taped her class live during a "Black History Month".program celebration. She was, written about and had front page coverage on many local newspapers about her participation in this event commemorating 50 years in Richmond. She also recently appeared before the citizens of Richmond Virginia on all of the major televison networks as a leader with the "Richmond 34" and as a fighter behind the scenes since 2004 to bring the 50th year recognition from an idea to becoming an outstanding event.with the collaboration of Virginia Union University, Center Stage, the Richmond Business Community, the Thalhimers' family and celebrities and friends like entrepreneur,Shiela Johnson and civil rights activist singer, John Legend. This was an unforgettable blend of talent in all areas.
Recently this October ,her good friend Elzabeth Thalhimers Smartt had an outstanding book signing on her new book, "Finding Thalhimers" at the "Virginia Historical Society". Her book is not only a historical document, but a warm and exciting story of the impact this family has had in Richmond History and Society. Elizabeth, "little e" as she is called and Elizabeth, 'big E" whom she writes about in the chapter on the "Two Elizabeth's" share a common goal and bond which is fresh and exciting with hope for the future. Check her link below for purchase of her book or for more information.
We Need Your Help
BPOS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and accepts donations . Monthly membership with BPOS will help defray the cost of operation and outreach. Please click to learn more about how can become a BPOS partner and/or volunteer. If you have questions regarding how you can get involved, please send an e-mail to info@bposfoundation.com or call 804-739=4215. or cell 804-304-2107.
Her brother Ford T. Johnson Jr. was arrested with her at VUU. His NAACP 1962 Supreme Court case, (Johnson vs. State of Virginia) resulted in the desegregation of all federal public facilities in the United States..
She was also one of the 1st Black Teachers to integrate the schools in Petersburg, Virginia, at " Petersburg Highschool", where she met racism head on. Her life was often threatened in spite of her courage. She recalls the day "Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated because she was courageously taping her white students' comments on how they felt about his death. She almost lost her job that day for not getting permission from the administration. to do the taping This tape was stolen from her possession shortly thereafter never to be found again. .. She is credited because of her contributions to the movement with being portrayed on 2 PBS Documentaries, "Rising Up" about "Civil Rights Heroes of Va." and a second documentary, "Trailblazers of Virginia” She is currently completing her book on her life which includes the civil rights experiences as well as life and death health challenges she has conquered as an aortic aneurysm survivor in 2000. She also has had the experience of beating death after flat lining. These experiences will also be included in her book which will be available soon.
Mrs. Rice is currently a retired school teacher from the "Takoma Educational Center" in the Washington DC Public Schools. She being a senior citizen herself is often promoting and championing the cause of Senior Citizens especially Veteran Teachers and Government Workers of America who have been devalued. Teachers and Gov. Workers are encouraged to become members of " BPOS". Those of you who have experienced discrimination because of age or disability etc. are asked to get in touch with, "BPOS" . If you know someone who is illiterate caught in an existence with no hope or way out let them know, hope is on the way. They will be included in the new funding as it becomes available.
"BPOS" will launch an empowerment , phase to show those interested how to level the playing field and accumulate enormous wealth with the "Family unity Plan". including the building up and promotion of 1 family at a time in their own business to change their lifestyle by working together..
She is available to be keynote speaker at your functions upon request. She has spoken to Church crowds, elementary ad secondary school audiences and has energized students on college campuses with standing ovations such as; Virginia Union University, Richmond Va., University of Virginia in Charlottesville Va. and recently Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She was honored recently to be the focus of the Channel 4 broadcast, (NBC) in Washington D.C., led by anchorwoman, Barbara Harrison as she taped her class live during a "Black History Month".program celebration. She was, written about and had front page coverage on many local newspapers about her participation in this event commemorating 50 years in Richmond. She also recently appeared before the citizens of Richmond Virginia on all of the major televison networks as a leader with the "Richmond 34" and as a fighter behind the scenes since 2004 to bring the 50th year recognition from an idea to becoming an outstanding event.with the collaboration of Virginia Union University, Center Stage, the Richmond Business Community, the Thalhimers' family and celebrities and friends like entrepreneur,Shiela Johnson and civil rights activist singer, John Legend. This was an unforgettable blend of talent in all areas.
Recently this October ,her good friend Elzabeth Thalhimers Smartt had an outstanding book signing on her new book, "Finding Thalhimers" at the "Virginia Historical Society". Her book is not only a historical document, but a warm and exciting story of the impact this family has had in Richmond History and Society. Elizabeth, "little e" as she is called and Elizabeth, 'big E" whom she writes about in the chapter on the "Two Elizabeth's" share a common goal and bond which is fresh and exciting with hope for the future. Check her link below for purchase of her book or for more information.
We Need Your Help
BPOS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and accepts donations . Monthly membership with BPOS will help defray the cost of operation and outreach. Please click to learn more about how can become a BPOS partner and/or volunteer. If you have questions regarding how you can get involved, please send an e-mail to info@bposfoundation.com or call 804-739=4215. or cell 804-304-2107.
