Honoring the life of Dr. John V. Moeser
To the Family of Dr. John V. Moeser,
Initiatives of Change USA honors the life of Dr. John V. Moeser and is grateful for his service with Hope in the Cities. We send our condolences & support to his family & all that knew & loved Dr. Moeser. We are grateful for his brilliant work of illuminating the modern areas of racial injustice in our city. Many of us are truly walking in the footsteps of his pioneering research and lifelong work towards justice and meaningful racial reconciliation.
Our organization partnered with John Moeser on his groundbreaking “Unpacking the Census” series. He was a brilliant mind & kind heart who used his brilliance for the people who most needed justice in our city. Dr. Moeser’s fellow Hope in the Cities member and friend Rev. Sylvester “Tee” Turner had this to say as he reflected on his beloved colleague:
““The passing of John Moeser this week will leave a void in Metro Richmond, but it will also cause us to reflect on the difference one person can make when our focus on change is to serve in the best interest of the whole and not the privileged. Having worked with John at Hope in the Cities / Initiatives of Change USA, John’s research and commitment as an Advisory Board member was key in aiding us in our efforts to address racial justice issues in Metro Richmond. John, who was mild mannered in appearance, was as bold and consistent in his contribution to social change, he did not have a problem speaking truth to power.”
His Unpacking the Census presentation, which showed the disparities in housing, transportation and economic opportunities based on the census track that you lived in, raised a level of awareness in Metro Richmond, sensitized our region to the role that race played in healing the divide of America's greatest sin. It led to the development of the Office of Community Wealth Building, a city agency that has a wholistic approach to moving individuals from one social economic statue to middle class, a model that has been duplicated by other cities across the country.
“John will be missed, but I was told that legacy is defined by leaving something that others can benefit from after you are gone, job well done.””
Here also, is a great tribute and summary of his life by our friend Michael Paul Williams that paints an immersive picture of the amazing man that Dr. Moeser’s was.
May we, as a city and society, truly honor Dr. Moeser’s life by dealing with the disparities he called us to see and building the beloved community he so richly embodied. May he rest well in his reward.
Grace and Peace,
Initiatives of Change, USA