Askew Launch, #VSU Innovation Summit, VLBC Agenda, HU Bomb Threat $$, #MLK Breakfast, Feggans Endorsed, Jones Kickoff
With the start of the General Assembly session on Jan. 11, the last seven days have been full of news.
🚩 Alex Askew Kickoff for HD95. Yesterday, Jan. 14, in Virginia Beach, fmr. Delegate Alex Askew kicked off his campaign to be the next Delegate to represent HD95 in Richmond. The event was attended by a very large group of supporters including House Democratic Leader Don Scott, Del. Angelia Williams Graves, fmr. Del. Jay Jones and Sen-Elect Aaron Rouse.
🚩 Black Caucus Agenda. On Jan. 11, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, led by Chairman Del. Lamont Bagby, announced its agenda and priorities for the legislative session. Del. Jeff Bourne spoke on housing policy, Del. Cia Price addressed legislative plans on voting rights and Del. Nadarius Clark spoke on mental health police. Below is 3 minutes of Del. Bourne speaking on the VLBC’s legislative goals this session on housing policy:
🚩 The Big Dipper Innovation Summit at VSU Petersburg. Virginia State University and hosted a three-day (Jan. 12-14) Innovation Summit last week. This is year one of the event. The event list of speakers included businessman Kendrick Ashton, CEO of The St. James, CEO Devon Henry, TV ONE CEO Alfred Liggins, Charlamagne Tha God, Dr. Wes Bellamy, Bakari Sellers, Rev. Howard-John Wesley, Rodney Scott, Dr. Dietra Trent, Executive Director, White House Initiative on HBCUs, Virginia State President Dr. Makola Abdullah, Virginia Union President Dr. Hakim Lucas and Dr. Tomikia LeGrande. JMI President Ken Johnson co-founded the Summit.
🚩 Mike Jones kickoff in Richmond for HD77. Richmond Pastor Mike Jones is running the newly created House District 77 in a crucial cycle as Dems push to win back the House majority they lost to the GOP in 2021. A few photos from the Mike Jones kickoff are below.
🚩 Petersburg Councilman De’Andre Barnes. In the never ending saga that is Portsmouth, Virginia… Councilman De’Andre Barnes told WAVY-TV that (yet another…) recently fired Portsmouth City Manager, Tonya Chapman should be paid a $400,000 severance because her contract indicates that if she was filed under a year, that amount must be paid. Developing…
🚩 Virginia Beach 531 Families United. Eight family members of the victims of the Virginia Beach mass shooting that took the lives of 12 government employees on May 31, 2019 were in Richmond on Jan. 11 — the first day of the General Assembly session. The group met with Attorney General Jason Miyares, who has been very supportive, Secretary of the Commonwealth Kay Coles James and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security (and former Sheriff of Fauquier County) Bob Mosier.
The family members of the twelve victims of the 5/31/19 mass shooting, led by Jason Nixon (whose wife Kate Nixon was murdered at Bldg. 2 on 5/31/19) and Matthew Gayle (whose mother Mary Louise Gayle was murdered at Bldg. 2 on 5/31/19) spoke with leaders in Virginia about the lack of support they’ve received over three years. They were escorted by their attorney, fmr. LG Justin Fairfax. The group also attended an early morning meeting of the Commission on the 5/31/19 Virginia Beach Mass Shooting. Several family members testified, as did fmr. LG Fairfax and Del. Kelly Fowler.
🚩 Hampton University Receiving Funding After Bomb Threats. Hampton will receive $214,000 in federal funds in response to bomb threats made on several Historically Black Colleges and Universities last year. A Jan. 13 press sent by Rep. Bobby Scott relays a few more details.
Rep. Scott will be having a meeting this week with several stakeholders in the wake of the shooting of a teacher at Richneck Elementary School by a 6 year old student.
🚩 MLK Community Leaders Breakfast in Richmond. Finally… back in person. The 45th Annual MLK Community Leaders Breakfast on Jan. 13 at the Richmond Marriott, hosted by Virginia Union, is back and in person.
The most memorable moment of the 45th Annual MLK Breakfast this year was a speech by Alfred Street Baptist Church (Alexandria) Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley. His speech focused on deeds over words — and it was a barn burner.
"There comes a moment when there's got to be more than your religion, there's got to be your politic. There comes a moment when there's got to be more than your Sunday shout. There's got to be your Monday movement. At some moment, God shows up and says, 'I heard your prayer. Now go fight,” Rev. Wesley said in his keynote. Rev. Wesley also addressed Virginia State’s Innovation Summit in Petersburg on Jan. 12.
🚩 State Senator McClellan speaks to members of Demand Action on Jan 13 in Richmond.
🚩 The annual Virginia Legislative Black Caucus opening reception was held at the VMFA.
🚩 Michael Feggans Endorsed by fmr. Virginia House Speaker Filler-Corn for HD97.
Last week, Feggans was endorsed by Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, 56th Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. “I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to run for the district that I am proud of and to have Del. Filler-Corn’s backing,” he said in a statement.
🚩 JAN. 18, 2023 @2PM. Marks, Douglas, McCray, Goldman etal v. Youngkin Firehouse Voting Rights Case. A hearing to review arguments challenging the legality of the Dec. 21, 2022 democratic firehouse primary for the 4th congressional district will take place on Wed., Jan. 18, 2023 at U.S District Court in Richmond at 701 Broad Street. Six Black voters are suing the Governor, the State Board of Elections and others arguing that the 7-day congressional democratic firehouse primary disenfranchised voters and was unconstitutional. DETAILS HERE. Judge Roderick Young will preside.
🚩 Stephen Jenkins Sworn-In as Portsmouth Police Chief — Stephen Jenkins was sworn-in as the new Portsmouth Police Chief on Jan. 10. The oath of office was administered by city clerk Debra White, with Chief Jenkins’ mother, Carrie Jenkins present, holding the family bible.
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