Page 7 - VABC Newsletter 20190401

VABC NEWSLETTER PAGE 7

Women’s History Month – VABC Salutes Local Inspiration

Mrs. Virginia Ali and her family moved from her parents’ farm in rural Virginia to
Washington, DC in the 1950’s. After moving to the area this was the beginning of a
brand-new life. She met her future husband Ben Ali, married, had three children and
together they opened Ben’s Chili Bowl on August 22, 1958 on U Street in the Shaw
community. Over the years, Ben’s Chili Bowl has been a staple in the Washington, DC
area touching the lives of others either as patrons at the restaurant or by working in the
community. Mrs. Ali spoke of the changes in the U street area over the years including
surviving the riots following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the drug epidemic,
construction of the subway and the rebuilding of the community. She also reflected on her first interactions
with Vermont Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Chasteen T. Murray in the early 50’s.
Over the years, Mrs. Ali has met and made numerous friends including politicians, actors, athletes and just
the regular everyday people in the community that have patronize this infamous restaurant over the years.
Because of the love and compassion Mrs. Ali has shown in the community she is considered the “Matriarch
of U Street” and many residents even call her “Mom”. Mrs. Ali and her children formed the Ben’s Chili
Bowl Foundation in 2011 as a means to give back to the community.

Ms. Lyndia Grant is a self-motivated God-fearing woman. Ms. Grant is noted as a
motivational speaker, radio host, syndicated columnist, special events director and is
acknowledged with many other talents.

Ms. Grant is a successful radio show host with Radio One, Spirit 1340, WYCB. Her
guests have included Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Pastor Shirley Caesar, Rev. Bernice King,
CEO of the King Center, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, former Mayors Sharon Pratt,
Vincent Gray, the late Mayor Marion Barry and many more noted personalities. The Washington Informer
Newspaper runs Ms. Grant’s weekly Religion Corner column which was picked up by the National
Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Black Press USA and is now syndicated

Former Councilman Frank Smith appointed Lyndia as Project Director to erect the first and only African
American Civil War Memorial located in the Shaw Community. The memorial pays tribute to 209,145
Colored Troops as well as 7,000 White Officers who fought in the American Civil War. This was another
one of Lyndia’s many successful projects. Lyndia was also chosen to coordinate Presidential inauguration
events for President George H.W. Bush and President William (Bill) Clinton as well as D. C. Mayoral
inaugurations. Ms. Grant has spoken at numerous political events, local schools, colleges and universities,
corporate, federal and local governments delivering inspirational messages. Ms. Grant is a talented and
gifted woman and has made many contributions not just in the Washington, D.C. area but across the
country.

Did You Know?

Our very own Director of Music, Brother Solomon S. Sparrow, wrote and produced
the theme song for The Lyndia Grant Show.