Vincent Leggett, Influential Historian, Blacks of the Chesapeake Visionary, Passes Away

Vincent Omar Leggett, 71, cultural historian, lecturer, author, and founder and president of the Annapolis-based Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation (BOCF) passed away on November 23, 2024.

Leggett, born in Baltimore, was widely known for documenting the contributions and work of African Americans in the maritime and seafood processing industries within the Chesapeake Bay region. During his extensive journey, he authored “Chesapeake Bay Through Ebony Eyes” and “Blacks of the Chesapeake, An Integral Part of Maritime History.”

Leggett earned a B.S. in Urban Planning and Community Development from Morgan State University and a master’s in public administration from Central Michigan University. He engaged with schools, museums, and community groups while striving to educate and advocate for the preservation of the history of Black watermen and their families. Leggett also served as president and CEO of the Leggett Group (USA) consulting firm to advance environmental and social justice for African Americans.

“Vince’s work went beyond retelling the stories of the Black watermen who worked the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. He had a passion for preserving stories that otherwise might have been lost to time. His deep connection to the water and the people whose lives were intertwined with it made him a respected figure in the Annapolis community. He will be greatly missed,” said Annapolis’ Mayor Gavin Buckley.

Leggett was a visible resident of Arundel-on-the Bay in Annapolis who often shared his personal appreciation for the Chesapeake Bay. He and his wife made the enclave with beautiful bay views their home. Leggett could often be spotted sharing bits of history and spending time with family on the water. 

The BOCF and its founder have been widely recognized. The Library of Congress designated BOCF as a Local Legacy Project in 2000. Former Maryland Governor Glendening commissioned Leggett as an honorary Admiral of the Chesapeake in 2003.

Leggett constantly pushed to achieve progressive measures. The conservationist was key in leading recent preservation efforts of Maryland’s traditionally African-American waterfront communities, including Carr’s and Sparrow’s beaches.

According to a press release provided by Mayor Buckley’s office, “Leggett played a crucial role in the City of Annapolis’ 2022 acquisition of Elktonia Beach off Bembe Beach Road, once a part of the Carr’s and Sparrow’s Beach properties that catered to African American families during the time of Jim Crow. The property is now a public park managed by the City of Annapolis Department of Recreation and Parks and includes the former home of Dr. Parlett Moore.”

The site that was spared from development was formerly a part of the Carr family’s 180 acres of Black-owned beachfront located in Annapolis. Carr purchased it in 1902. Afterward, Florence Sparrow and Elizabeth Carr, who were his forward-thinking daughters, seized an opportunity to create a Black business. The waterfront parcel evolved into a popular recreational and entertainment destination resort for Black beachgoers during the days of segregation.

A signing ceremony memorializing the transfer of the title of the five-acre Elktonia beach site was held in 2022.

The project’s two major objectives included providing access to the Chesapeake Bay for all citizens and celebrating the accomplishments of the owners of the historical Black beaches and other significant African American sites along the Bay.

“We live in a seaport town and it’s becoming more and more difficult for people to gain access to the waterways, particularly people of limited means,” Leggett once told The Baltimore Times. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult because of private or gated communities, conservation areas, military, and government institutional uses.”

He further explained that the governor’s office and the state of Maryland granted the Blacks of the Chesapeake, a non-government community-based foundation, a grant of $1.2 million from the Playground and Infrastructure program toward the exclusive purchase of the property.

 “And the reason that is so significant is because the Blacks of the Chesapeake was one of the organizations that purchased the land, so it will always be in perpetuity. In addition, the Blacks of the Chesapeake has become a steward of the property, leading the interpretation of African American life for the Chesapeake Bay, along with the City of Annapolis and the National Park Service, and all our other partners. I have found that this aspect is the most noteworthy of this entire enterprise,” Leggett also stated.

Chesapeake Conservancy President and CEO Joel Dunn issued a statement regarding Leggett’s passing, legacy and inspiring influence.

“Vince’s impact will forever resonate at Elktonia-Carr’s Beach Heritage Park in Annapolis, Maryland, one of his proudest and most enduring achievements,” Dunn added.