James Goins (Godfather of Zion Drive)

Title

James Goins (Godfather of Zion Drive)

Description

  • James M. Goins was the Sideburn’s Civic Association’s first president. The Black non-profit civic association was formed with the purpose to upgrade the community of Sideburn, provide recreational facilities, and promote and protect the civic and community interests of its residents
  • James. M. Goins was nicknamed “Godfather of Zion Drive.” He was instrumental in getting county water and sewer connections for the community.
  • “With bulldozers at their backs and developers at their front door, the 30 Black families who live off Zion Drive, south of Fairfax City, have waged a long-standing battle to keep their community together. Through the years, their champion has been Jim Goins, an eloquent , savvy leader who has been fending off attempts to plow under or buy out his community since the late 1960s.”

Source

Jim Goins: Zion Drive’s Advocate: Jim Goins : Fending off Bulldozers and Developers on Zion Drive. The Washington Post June 14, 1979 page VA 1

Citation

“James Goins (Godfather of Zion Drive),” Fairfax County African American History Inventory, accessed October 24, 2026, https://fairfaxaahi.centerformasonslegacies.com/items/show/399.