Julius "Poochie" Smith

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Julius "Poochie" Smith is the founder and president of the Black American Register of Bailey's Crossroads Virginia, Inc. (BARofBXR). His passion for community activism and positive change led him to address the lack of historical information on Black communities in Bailey's Crossroads.

Background :

• Grew up in Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia with his four brothers and one sister.
• Attended Luther Jackson High School in Merrifield, VA, in 1960.

Involvement in Fairfax Community Action Program and Activism:

• Poochie served as a community organizer for the Fairfax Community Action Program (FCAP), an anti-poverty initiative established by President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration.
• Facilitated a meeting between African American high school youth and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, resulting in the advocacy for community centers in historic African American communities.

Founding the Bailey's Crossroads Athletic Association:

• Established to combat youth truancy, teen pregnancy, drug use, and gang involvement.
• The first licensed youth athletic advocacy group in Fairfax County, a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Successful outcomes included a reduction in youth involvement in the juvenile court system and increased participation in AA youth basketball and BYOA basketball at state and national levels.

Professional Journey:

• Retired as a heavy equipment operator from the Fairfax County Government.
• Retired from Paycheck, Inc., the second-largest payroll service company in the USA, after 23 years of service.
• Currently employed by Capital Messenger, an auto parts distribution company, for over 20 years.

In summary, Julius "Poochie" Smith's life and career demonstrate a remarkable commitment to community service, activism, and positive change for the Black community in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia.