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Celebrating the life of Horace Christopher Belcher.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Horace Christopher Belcher, a cultural leader, community voice, and a beloved radio personality known to listeners as “Big B,” died on January 26, 2026, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly shaped the cultural identity of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Horace Christopher “Chris” Belcher was born on September 19, 1968, into a military family and was raised between Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Newport News, experiences that instilled in him resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to community and connection; and
WHEREAS, Chris Belcher earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Fayetteville State University and built a professional career in marketing, promotions, sales, and telecommunications, where he became known for leadership, integrity, and a natural ability to bring people together; and
WHEREAS, those who knew him best remember Chris Belcher as warm-hearted, quick-witted, compassionate, and deeply loyal; he was admired as a relationship builder whose presence made others feel welcomed, valued, and connected; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1990s, Chris Belcher joined WOWI 102.9 FM/103 JAMZ in Norfolk, where he adopted the name “Big B” and worked with Lawrence “DJ Law” Brown, to form the legendary Boodah Brothers morning show, becoming one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in Hampton Roads radio; and
WHEREAS, through their authenticity, humor, and shared love of music and community, the Boodah Brothers created more than a radio program; they formed a bond of brotherhood that listeners experienced as family, building a lasting cultural connection that united generations across the region; and
WHEREAS, after the passing of his fellow original Boodah Brothers, Chris Belcher carried forward their shared legacy with pride and devotion, becoming the last surviving member of the original brotherhood and a living bridge to the history they built together; and
WHEREAS, during the golden era of hip-hop and rhythm and blues in the early 1990s, Chris Belcher helped define the soundtrack of daily life across the seven cities and is widely credited with helping popularize the term “757,” giving Hampton Roads a shared cultural identity that endures today; and
WHEREAS, through storytelling, mentorship, and genuine engagement with listeners, Chris Belcher strengthened community bonds, uplifted local talent, and made radio feel personal, familiar, and deeply rooted in the everyday lives of the people he served; and
WHEREAS, Chris Belcher's influence extended beyond broadcasting to leadership in business and tireless service to the region he loved; he was widely respected as a mentor, connector, and cultural voice whose impact reached far beyond the microphone; and
WHEREAS, through every season of his life, Chris Belcher created community wherever he went, building relationships that endured, inspiring those around him, and leaving an imprint on the cultural memory of Hampton Roads that will continue for generations; and
WHEREAS, above all, Chris Belcher was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, remembered for his compassion, humor, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to family and community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of Horace Christopher Belcher, a beloved Hampton Roads radio personality and cultural icon whose life and work helped shape the identity of a region and the lives of generations of listeners; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Horace Christopher Belcher as an expression of the General Assembly's respect for his memory.