Larry Rubama: Booker T. Washington AD celebrates Black history by continuing what others have started

Norfolk — When Oronde Andrews steps into the halls of Booker T. Washington High School, he carries more than a clipboard and a whistle. As athletic director, Andrews is entrusted with shaping the next generation of student-athletes, and during Black History Month he draws purpose from a family legacy rooted in telling Black stories.

Andrews credits his mother, Brenda, for that grounding. The elder Andrews owns the New Journal and Guide, one of the nation’s oldest Black newspapers, a publication that has chronicled African-American life in Coastal Virginia for more than a century. Growing up under that influence, the younger Andrews learned early that progress is built on the work of predecessors.

“Celebrating Black History Month, Booker T. Washington athletic director Oronde Andrews draws motivation from his mother, Brenda, who is the owner of the New Journal and Guide, one of the oldest Black newspapers in the country,” Andrews said in reflecting on his approach to February’s observance.

For Andrews, the month is not simply a calendar designation; it is a call to continue narratives that earlier generations fought to establish. Whether coordinating game-day operations, mentoring coaches, or guiding students toward collegiate opportunities, he sees his role as part of a continuum that began long before his tenure.

The intersection of athletics and history is evident on campus. Gym banners honor past championship teams, trophy cases showcase decades of achievement, and hallway displays highlight prominent Black athletes who broke barriers. Andrews ensures those visuals remain more than decoration, incorporating their lessons into everyday discussions with players and staff.

By upholding the standards set by those who came before him, Andrews believes he can amplify Booker T. Washington’s tradition of excellence while preparing today’s scholars to author their own chapters. The task, he insists, mirrors the mission of the New Journal and Guide: preserve the past, document the present, and inspire the future.

As February unfolds, the athletic department will host themed events, guest speakers, and community outreach initiatives designed to connect sports with broader cultural lessons. Each activity, Andrews notes, is another opportunity to honor the legacy his mother’s newspaper has long safeguarded.

In Norfolk’s tight-knit Black community, the Andrews family name is now linked across two arenas—journalism and education—each reinforcing the other. Oronde Andrews views that synergy as proof that history lives most powerfully when it is lived out daily, one practice, one game, and one student at a time.