230 Community Street
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Last updated on July 3, 2025
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Directions from Boarding Home to site 10:
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George Henry Blakey Jr. owned and operated Blakey’s and Smart Craft Upholstery. He was born on June 26, 1929, in McGaheysville, Virginia. George served in the US Army during the Korean War. George was an active member of his community after returning home. He was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, VFM Post No. 632, Omar Masonic Lodge No. 226, and Dayton-Bridgewater Lions Club. George served as president of Harrisonburg NAACP, the commander of Washington-Newman Post No. 27 of the American Legion, and on the Gemeinschaft Home Board of Directors.
As secretary and treasurer of the Harrisonburg Four Season Sports Club, George helped sponsor the Men Against Drugs program, encouraging black youth to engage in activities and field trips outside the city. The program was aimed to discourage youth from partaking in drug use. Many black residents expressed that the city’s recreation program was not geared toward black children, and this alternative program allowed them to venture out of the community, especially economically disadvantaged groups. The organization encouraged Sunday School attendance and a study hall for students to complete their work with fewer distractions. In the early stages of the Men Against Drugs initiative, civil leaders and church members met at George’s barbershop to discuss plans.
George was also an active member of the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee and was the first African American to run for the Harrisonburg City Council in 1972. His campaign for council unified the black community of Harrisonburg, rallying them behind him. It was the first time that Black residents could gain representation in local government. As a candidate, George was the president of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Council on Human Relations and the founder of the People’s Aid Committee. Despite his defeat in the council race, George continued to give back to his community. George passed away on November 6, 2006, at the age of 77.
As secretary and treasurer of the Harrisonburg Four Season Sports Club, George helped sponsor the Men Against Drugs program, encouraging black youth to engage in activities and field trips outside the city. The program was aimed to discourage youth from partaking in drug use. Many black residents expressed that the city’s recreation program was not geared toward black children, and this alternative program allowed them to venture out of the community, especially economically disadvantaged groups. The organization encouraged Sunday School attendance and a study hall for students to complete their work with fewer distractions. In the early stages of the Men Against Drugs initiative, civil leaders and church members met at George’s barbershop to discuss plans.
George was also an active member of the Harrisonburg Democratic Committee and was the first African American to run for the Harrisonburg City Council in 1972. His campaign for council unified the black community of Harrisonburg, rallying them behind him. It was the first time that Black residents could gain representation in local government. As a candidate, George was the president of the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Council on Human Relations and the founder of the People’s Aid Committee. Despite his defeat in the council race, George continued to give back to his community. George passed away on November 6, 2006, at the age of 77.
