One thing I have learned with my research of my hometown of Roanoke, Virginia is that good people come from here. Roanoke and the Southwest Virginia Region is rich in Black experiences and culture. A panel discussion was held earlier this month in place of Soul Session’s bi-weekly poetry nights to have an open conversation about issues within the Roanoke Community.
One of the guest speakers during this conversation was activist, historian, and local community member Jordan Bell. He was asked about the Pinkard’s Court area in Roanoke by one of the attendees who had recently heard about the location through word of mouth from an elder in the area. Pinkard’s Court area was torn down in 1998. A few years later, its visionary and leader, John Henry Pinkard’s home was torn down. Today, that intersection of I-81 and U.S. 220, once all black neighborhood, is now occupied by a Lowes.
Who was John Henry Pinkard? He was known to have been a spiritual healer, clairvoyant some say, and at one time was the wealthiest black man in the area. Many people, black and white, traveled to see Doctor Pinkard. Like popular African American figure Booker T. Washington, Pinkard himself was born and raised in the foothills of the Blue Ridge in Franklin County, Virginia. After working for Norfolk and Western Railway Company, he then attended West Penn University. After spending roughly, a decade in Pittsburgh, Pinkard returned to his hometown.
Back home, Pinkard began to manufacture botanical and home remedies. While he was considered an “Yarb (herb) doctor”, he experienced many attacks on his practices from traditional white doctors. Despite the attacks and accusations, he prevailed. His success alone speaks for itself, especially during a time where word of mouth was the sole source of communication anyone could depend on. This region is known to cultivate the most highly consulted “Negro” doctor in the entire United States. Pinkard not only manufactured remedies and diagnosed the sick, but he was a humanitarian. He identified the needs of the people around him and found a way to make it reality. Pinkard established a live-able community for African Americans in racially segregated Roanoke. He also established Acorn Banking Company, in order to help finance people of color.
My research of John Henry Pinkard has inspired me to learn more of the skills, talent, and potential that was created in SWVA. By knowing about our past, we will help to influence our future. Black history is the foundation for a black future.
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