1. Laurence Douglas Wilder By: Donald Graham L/S/N Government PD: #3 02/24/06

2. Childhood Born on January 17, 1931 in Richmond, VA. Named after a two famous poets, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and antislavery leader Frederick Douglass. Wanted to become a dental surgeon.

3. Education Attended Virginia Union University Then realized he was interested in law. He graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1951.

4. Personal Information Drafted into the military. Served during the Korean war. Released in 1953.

5. Role played in Politics Went back to school for law degree— Worked in criminal and real estate law. Became governor of the state of Virginia. Handled V.A financial problems.

6. Contributions First African American elected to position of Governor Received the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal. He worked to improve basic rights and opportunities for Blacks.

7. Reflections My feeling on how this man has helped the black community today is how he worked to improve basic rights and opportunities for Blacks. Such as segregation, also he has influence the young black culture.