Napoleon "Nap" Byrd

I grew up in the Churchland area of Norfolk County, Virginia. My mother and father had left Surry County, Virginia for better employment opportunities.  I am the youngest of five siblings – Bernice, Frances, Rosalind, and Myrten.  Bernice graduated from Virginia Union University; Frances attended beauty culture school; Rosalind graduated from Elizabeth City University, and Myrten attended North Carolina AT&T University.  My father held all of us to high standards, as his theme was “Strong Beginning, Strong Ending.”

 

Like my sisters and brother, I attended Churchland Elementary and High School for Colored Children.  Our school had four rooms with a mixture of students in one room with one teacher, outdoor toilets and a wood stove.  We had one teacher on the high school level who taught all the basic subjects – math, English, social studies, and science.

 

For years, Black community advocates had asked the Norfolk County School Board for a separate high school for their children.  Finally, in September 1946, Douglass Park High School was opened as the first high school for “colored” children.  I was elated to have separate teachers for the basic subjects, trade classes, sports, and clubs. I was encouraged by my English teacher to participate in the play, “Here Comes Charles.”  Acting was my greatest challenge.  I had teachers who were personal influences who emphasized the importance of gaining knowledge to enter college and acquire a successful career.  The counselor informed us of the State of Virginia scholarships that were available to students with high grade point averages and job opportunities.  In 1947, I was among the twenty-seven students who graduated as the first graduating class of Douglass Park High School.  My class also was the class that selected the mascot, “Bomber” and school colors, blue and gold which carried over to Norfolk County and Crestwood High Schools.

 

The educational background I obtained from Churchland and Douglass park High Schools prepared me to perform very well at Elizabeth City University where I graduated with honors.  I served two years in the army, taught social studies for six years at Crestwood High School, and taught and became a principal in the Portsmouth school system for twenty-seven years.  I continue to emphasize to students and teachers to do their best.

 

My community involvement includes:  serving as a Deacon Emeritus and treasurer at Grove Baptist Church; serving in many capacities in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the Portsmouth Elizabeth City University Alumni Association, Chesapeake Men for Progress, and, Chesapeake Forward organizations.  I have also served on the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Board, Chesapeake Drug Abuse Advisory Board, Chesapeake Community Action Service Organization, and the Fernwood Farms Civic League.

 

On November 12, 2020, I was blessed to celebrated my 90th birthday.  I have completed various abstract painting and collected rocks and coins as hobbies, and authored two books, “Hidden Strands” and “Medications on Life.”  I have been asked, “What’s next.”  I tell them, “The Sky is the Limit.”