ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Vincent Leggett, the founder and executive director of Blacks of the Chesapeake, has passed away. That's according to Annapolis mayor Gavin Buckley. He announced the historian's death in a social media post on Sunday.
Throughout his life, Leggett promoted awareness of the Black community's vital role in the region's seafood industry and ensured Black watermen's stories and achievement's were honored.
"I was deeply shocked and saddened today to learn of the sudden passing of a dear friend and partner, Vince Leggett," Buckley wrote Sunday. "Vince was a tireless advocate for preserving and telling the stories of Black watermen in the Chesapeake — significant but often overlooked history that otherwise might have been lost to time. Above all, Vince was a driving force in the acquisition and preservation of the last parcel of the famed Elktonia, Sparrow’s and Carr’s beaches. We couldn’t have done it without him and the fact that this land is now preserved for our community, is a testament to Vince’s legacy. My heartfelt condolences go to his wife Aldena, and all their family and friends. Vale Admiral - I will forever be grateful."
Leggett also published the book, "The Chesapeake Bay Through Ebony Eyes." WUSA9 spoke with Leggett in 2021.
"African-Americans are an amphibious body of people," he said at the time. "The black watermen of the Chesapeake Bay have the same kind of impact as the Tuskegee Airmen, the same impact as the Buffalo Soldier. But their story is just beginning to be told."
An honorary Admiral of the Chesapeake Bay, Leggett's book is a fascinating journey through the turbulent triumphs and tribulations of African-American history on the Bay.
"Preserve the history and heritage of the Bay," Leggett said. "To show that we weren’t just crab pickers and oyster shuckers, but owners of seafood processing plants. Owners of boats. Sailmakers. Owners of five-star restaurants."