‘Giant, legend, icon:’ Former Virginia NAACP leader remembered after passing

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Colleagues of former NAACP Virginia Conference executive director King Salim Khalfani are remembering him as a giant, legend and icon after he passed away on Monday, Feb. 9.

"He's truly going to be missed," said Richmond NAACP branch president James "J.J." Minor. "I would say that he's amongst all of the giants that I've known in my entire life here in Richmond and also in the Commonwealth."

Many, including Minor, are remembering Khalfani as a catalyst in the fight for fairness and equal representation. Minor and another friend from Richmond, Charles Willis, said Khalfani dedicated his life to the service of others and that he leaves behind an unwavering spirit.

The news of his passing left them stunned.

"It was just a breath taken," Willis, who also serves as executive director of United Communities Against Crime said. "He became a mentor for me. If he saw there were things that I needed to be aware of and things I needed to know — I needed to be educated on — he would be right there."

Colleagues said that Khalfani's spirit will live on forever, and that we could all learn something from it.

"He was the type that, if it wasn't right, he was going to let council, the governor, the mayor or the president know that these are not the right things that would suit our community," Willis said.

"The legacy, I think, that he will leave, is to be better than what he was -- but also to make sure that he's enhancing the life and quality of all people," Minor added. "I think that's what we all should be doing."

Minor says Khalfani walked the walk, fought for justice and pressured then-governor Jim Gilmore to settle a federal Department of Justice lawsuit claiming discrimination and disparate treatment toward Virginia's historically Black colleges and universities.

He attributes his efforts to funding millions in settlement money into Norfolk State University and Virginia State University.

A Virginia Union University graduate, Khalfani leaves behind a son and daughter, according to friends. His cause of death is not yet known.

His funeral arrangements have not yet been made public.

"His legacy will live on through folks like me and the hundreds of other young people that he helped inspire throughout the commonwealth," Minor said. "Rest in power, King Salim Khalfani. We love you and we will miss you."