Founded in 1956 by Dr. William Ferguson Reid, the Richmond Crusade for Voters aims to "increase effective black participation in Richmond's political process." The group was an offshoot of The Council to Save Public Schools, which was created to encourage the government to overturn a 1956 law that allowed cities in Virginia to close public schools rather than integrate them.

The organization sponsors and coordinates events to raise awareness for issues related to education and city governance. Two current City Council members are active in the Richmond Crusade for Voters, William Pantele and Chris Hilbert.