Michele Irene Chapman Passes; Women’s Day at Laurel Hill; Dems 100 Day Energy Jolt for Harris in Hampton and Henrico
➡️ 4 days until the Virginia Black Business Expo on Aug. 2
➡️ 27 days until the DNC convention in Chicago on Aug. 25
➡️ 35 days until the Bobby Scott Labor Day Cookout on Sept. 2
🚩 53 days until early voting in Virginia: Sept. 20
🚩 99 days until Election Day Nov. 5
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Disinfo Begins as Fake Harris Ad is Amplified by X Owner
The disinformation war begins in the 2024 campaign after X owner Elon Musk reposted the first digital video ad released by the Harris for President campaign — but with a fake AI voice of the Vice President. The ad features the Beyonce song Freedom, just like the real ad released by the Harris campaign, with a fake AI version of Harris’ voice talking nonsense about DEI. Musk reposted the fake AI vide on X. Though there has been criticism of Musk, there are no rules or legal pathways for accountability against lying, defamation, misinformation and deliberate disinformation on social media platforms primarily because of the FCC’s Section 230 protections that shield social media platforms from legal liability for what users post.
“If we don’t own tech infrastructures we will always be customers to our own creations and always be disrespected,” Isaac Hayes III said on social media on July 28 commenting on what Elon Musk posted.
Hayes is the founder of Fanbase, a social media platform that allows content creators to earn money with their content. On July 27, Musk’s platform blocked the account of Pete Souza shortly after he posed a close up photo of Donald Trump’s ear - an image that didn’t appear to show much of an injury as previously indicated. Souza served as President Obama’s official photographer. His account on X remains disabled though the hashtag #FreePeteSouza has appeared on the platform.
Alexandria Legend “Mama Chapman” Passes
Michele Irene (Taylor) 🌹 Chapman, a longtime legend in the Alexandria community, passed on July 19, 2024. We offer our condolences to Alexandria City Councilman John Chapman and his family.
🌹 Viewing: July 30, 2024. 10:00 AM - 11:00 am at Alfred Street Baptist Church located at 301 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. July 30, 2024 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Funeral: Alfred Street Baptist Church, 301 S. Alfred Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
“To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1
Obituary Michele Irene (Taylor) Chapman passed on July 19, 2024, at Alexandria Hospital after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Michele was born on November 16, 1955, in Alexandria, Virginia to Ollie Juanita Taylor and John Willie Taylor, Sr.
Michele was a shining light in our lives, a prayer warrior, a devoted mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, and cherished friend. She is now reunited with a host of loved ones, her mother Ollie Juanita Taylor, father John Willie Taylor, Sr.; brother Timothy Calhoun; husband Richard Alton Chapman; and her beloved daughter Jennifer Monique Chapman.
Michele began her journey with Christ at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Queen Street in Alexandria, Virginia, the Taylor Family’s home Church. She was also an active member of Old Town Community Church (formerly Downtown Baptist Church) on Washington Street in Alexandria, Virginia. A devoted member of Alfred Street Baptist Church (DG4) for nearly 30 years, Minister Michele Chapman always found joy in serving others and sharing the love of Christ. Michele was a member, and most importantly a mentor throughout her discipleship and several ministries.
She was an active member of the Senior’s Ministry, GriefShare Ministry, Divorce Care Ministry, Bible Study Fellowship, the Awana Club, Girls Scouts (Troop #1330), and Pastor’s Aide. One of Michele’s most cherished moments was witnessing her grandson’s baby dedication in June 2020. Michele’s warmth, kindness, and steadfast faith were a beacon to all who knew her. She taught us the true meaning of grace and compassion, always putting others before herself.
Michele graduated from Alexandria City High School (formerly T.C. Williams) in 1974. She will be remembered during this year’s 50th reunion and remains in the hearts of her dear high school friends Patricia Griffin and Sandra Marshall. With a thirst for knowledge, Michele continued her studies at Northern Virginia Community College.
Michele was also a dedicated public servant working as an office manager with the Department of Labor and with Alexandria City Public Schools where she retired. She was a fierce advocate of affordable housing in Alexandria and served as Board Chair of the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, and most recently on the resident’s association of The Landing. Her commitment to service extended to the Economic Opportunities Commission, Alexandria Early Childhood Commission, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Cub Scouts (Pack 1515), and the Northern Virginia Urban League’s Resource Mothers Program, where she led activities to improve outcomes for mothers and children.
Michele was an amazing mother and known as “Mama Chapman” by the many youths she met. Determined to provide her children with the best opportunities she could, she joined Jack and Jill of America, Inc, a membership organization that builds future African American leaders who are committed to culture and service. Michele was her children’s number one cheerleader! She enjoyed a variety of culinary dishes prepared by her daughter Jennifer, including their special, and sometimes secret, mother-daughter culinary travels. Michele was an avid supporter of her son’s community leadership and could be found at the forefront of each of John’s city council campaigns.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” - Revelation 21:4.
Michele Chapman’s life was a testament to her unwavering faith and love for her family. She is survived by her cherished son John Taylor Chapman, her daughter-in-law, Monika Jones Chapman, and her grandchild, John Taylor Chapman, II; her siblings Toni N. Taylor, John W. Taylor, Jr., G. Stanley Taylor; and nephews LeJune Farmer, Erika Chappelle, Jason Taylor and James Taylor; great nephew, Eric Chapelle, and a host of Cousins, Friends, and Community Members. Michele’s legacy of love, strength, and faith lives on through them.
We find solace in knowing that Michele is now at peace, embraced by God’s everlasting love, and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited with her in Heaven.
🌹 To send a memorial gift to the family of Michele Irene Chapman please visit our Sympathy Store.
Women’s Day at Laurel Hill United Church of Christ in Suffolk
At Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, located at 8001 South Quay Road in Suffolk, had its annual Women’s Day at church on July 28.
Big Energy and a Vibe Shift as Virginia Dems Meet
HAMPTON, VIRGINIA — After President Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race on July 21 and Vice President Kamala Harris stepped up to become the presumptive nominee, the vibe changed. Huge video conference calls by Win with Black Women and Win with Black Men took place and attracted thousands of people and over $3 million.
In Virginia, the new energy was witnessed by a spike in in-person attendance at various campaign related events in Hampton, Richmond and Henrico. Gaylene Kanoyton MC’d the Greater Hampton Roads Black Democrats Grassroots Summit in Hampton which featured packed breakout rooms and over 400 people.
➡️ CLICK: Win With Black Men 💵 grant application link for grassroots orgs
Harris has now raised over $200 million in one week and enjoyed 175,000 volunteers signing up. There are also indications that younger voters, a segment that was a problem for Biden, are getting more engaged. If TikTok is any indicator, that’s likely true. But many are waiting for solid polling numbers to be released at least two weeks after President Biden’s July 21 announcement.
➡️ Win With Black Women put out information during their July 28 call created by Sirius XM's Reecie Colbert on VP Harris' record. CLICK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17nEiLfwiy1SmhoKFt3GPW_wMoLj0B9j8/view
How Democrats will leverage the increased enthusiasm on their side and how Republicans will respond will be the story of the next 99 days. Early voting begins in Virginia on September 20, 2024.
Events
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