Justin Fairfax Birthday Bash at @SalamanderVA, @MSNBC Prez Rashida Jones Honored @_HamptonU
MIDDLEBURG, VA — At the Salamander Resort & Spa owned by America’s first Black female billionaire Sheila Johnson, Justin Fairfax, Virginia’s 41st Lt. Governor, celebrated his 44th birthday with about 250 guests. Several of Virginia’s many universes united from politics, academia, the legal and activist community and, of course, the political community. Several clients of Fairfax’s fast building law firm were also seen having fun at the sit-down dinner three-birthday-cake event.
Fairfax delivered a very memorable shoutout to the charity Morgan’s Message, based in Gainesville, Virginia, during his remarks. Morgan’s Message was founded by Kurt Rodgers after his daughter Morgan tragically died by suicide on July 11, 2019 at 22. She was a member of the Duke University Women’s Lacrosse Team. Fairfax, a Duke alum, wrote about Morgan’s Message on social media and how he connected with Rodgers in Oct. 2022. Mental health and suicide have received more attention in the wake of the COVID pandemic, but many feel far more attention is required.
Among a very diverse group of well-wishers were Pastor Michelle Thomas who is running for the House of Delegates in HD29, Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood, Sophia Nelson, attorney Phil Thompson and his wife Dr. Tanja Thompson, Tavorise Marks, Loudoun Supervisor Sylvia Glass and Dr. Colita Fairfax.
MSNBC PRESIDENT RASHIDA JONES HONORED. The Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications at Hampton University (SHSJU) hosted its 20th anniversary celebration last night. At a dinner commemorating the event, the school honored several people including MSNBC President Rashida Jones. Jones was recently in the news after the dismissal of popular MSNBC host Tiffany Cross who hosted Cross Connection.
But at Hampton University, Jones has also gained considerable attention and honors for being one of Hampton University’s most distinguished graduates. Jones is the first Black person in history to run a major broadcast network.
“The celebration commemorates the 2002 donation of $10 million from the Scripps Howard Foundation, a gift made during the tenure of the Foundation’s former president and chief executive officer, Judith Clabes, an advocate for journalism and journalism education excellence. The Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The E.W. Scripps Company for many years, is now affiliated with the newly established Scripps Howard Fund.
Jones declared to the Black Press of America that, “This is a full circle moment,” reported Stacey Brown on last night’s event for Black Press USA.
“It always feels really good to go back to campus because it truly feels like home,” she added. Jones is from Richmond.
Last night’s celebration commemorated Scripps’ 20th anniversary. The issue of diverse voices in journalism has become more critical as technology has completely altered who and how information is delivered. Efforts related to misinformation and disinformation combined with speed overtaking accuracy because of the endless news cycle brought on by social media has disrupted the media game in ways no one could have predicted a decade ago.
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