Leonard L. Edloe

2004 Honoree

Dr. Leonard L. Edloe helps to heal people – physically and spiritually. "It is the physical healing at the pharmacy, and the spiritual healing at the church. Both are connected," he says. He should know.

Edloe is the owner of three pharmacies in the Richmond, Virginia, area, is the partner in a fourth establishment and serves as the pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Susan, Virginia.

In addition, he is an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Edloe recently made history when he was elected the first African-American chairman of the Retail Merchants Association of Greater Richmond.

This new role is an extension of Edloe's steadfast commitment to encouraging youngsters to pursue careers in the retail industry.

The long-time business owner and activist received his calling to the pharmacy industry as a child. His father, also a career pharmacist, cultivated in the younger Edloe a passion for the business. This passion was cemented when Edloe received a white pharmacy jacket from his father while in the third grade.

Edloe received his calling to the spiritual ministry later in life at the age of 42. However, the promise to accept the calling was made when he was 10 years old and extremely ill with double pneumonia. Edloe recalls later that he said, "God, if you heal me, I will be a preacher one day." He kept his promise when he accepted the pastorate at Antioch Baptist Church in April 1998.

The Richmond native received a bachelor of science in pharmacy from Howard University and a master's in divinity from Virginia Union University. Remarkably, he earned a doctorate of pharmacy from the University of Florida in August 2003, while juggling numerous professional and civic responsibilities.

As the chairman of the City of Richmond Board of Health, Edloe continues his role in the healing profession. He is also a member of the Richmond Memorial Foundation Board, National Kidney Foundation of the Virginias Board and the American Heart Association of Greater Richmond Board.

Edloe's advice to young people is "never let other people limit your possibilities. I was classified as 'slow' before I entered the schoolhouse. I think my credentials speak to that."