Newport News is Good News: $50 Million Peninsula Cooperative Fund Launch; Williamsburg Bray School; Hippen Wins; Emergency Panel on Trump Cuts at NSU
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Restored Bray School Opens to Tours in Williamsburg
Above: The Bray School on Juneteenth 2025
On Juneteenth, the ribbon was cut at the historic and restored Bray School in Colonial Williamsburg. The Bray School is one of the oldest known schools in North America focused on educating enslaved and freed Black children.
The school launched with 24 students in 1760 after being established by the Bray Associates of London. The group sought to establish the Church of England in America.
But the history is challenging. “Black youth, aged three to 10, were taught a pro-slavery curriculum, encouraged to accept their ‘place’ in society. The institution, which is the oldest surviving building that formally educated free and enslaved African-American children, was first identified by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and William & Mary in 2020,” the historic Afro newspaper noted in November 2024.
“My heart is full, not because of the building, but because the building is a doorway — literally a doorway — to a much larger history that connects the past and the present, and that connects the history of the students who attended the school to descendent community members who are here,” Maureen Elgersman Lee, director of the William and Mary Bray School lab told WAVY TV on June 19 at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the historic school.
Newport News is Good News: Launch of $50 Million Peninsula Cooperative Fund
THIS MORNING AT 10AM. $50 MILLION PENINSULA COOPERATIVE FUND. The launch of a major new financial vehicle aimed at “closing the capital access gap for Peninsula-based businesses,” will take place today in Newport News. The initiative will have the support of “public and private sector leaders.”
WHO: Sen. Mark Warner, Joni Ivey, Chair, Peninsula Cooperative Fund ,Bishop Dwight Riddick, Chair, Greater Peninsula C.A.R.E.S., Hampton Mayor Jimmy Gray, Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones and a group of founding investors and local business owners will speak and attend.
WHERE: The announcement of the Peninsula Cooperative Fund will take place at Gethsemane Baptist Church at 5405 Roanoke Avenue in Newport News.
Susan Hippen is Elected as Chair of Veterans & Military Families Caucus for Virginia Dems
Retired Navy Master Chief and Air Force veteran Susan Hippen has been elected the first woman Chair of the Veterans & Military Families (VaMF) Caucus for the Virginia Democratic Party. Hippen has worked on a countless number of campaigns in Virginia Beach and the greater Hampton Roads area.
“A tireless advocate for veterans, Susan has long exemplified what it means to lead with integrity and purpose,” wrote the #VA02BlackDemocrats in a statement on June 3rd after Hippen testified about cuts to veterans services by the Trump Administration at a congressional hearing.
Susan Hippen won with 69 Votes (60.53%) vs. Anthony Gitalado, who had 45 votes. Jacob Harrer was elected Vice Chair with 64 votes against Carole Lieber.
June 20: Norfolk: Virginia House of Delegates Emergency Committee Meeting
The Norfolk meeting of the Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions takes place today at Norfolk State University. The committee was formed by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott on Feb. 4, 2025 to address the unprecedented decisions by the Trump Administration that include firing thousands of federal employees.
From the office of Del. Michael Feggans
WHAT: The Virginia House Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions will hold its fourth public hearing tomorrow, Thursday, June 20, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Norfolk State University’s Student Center, 700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504.
WHO: Delegate Michael Feggans (HD-97) and fellow committee members will hear testimony from local residents, veterans, public servants, and stakeholders about how federal cuts are disrupting jobs, benefits, and essential services in Hampton Roads.
MEDIA DETAILS: Media arrival encouraged by 9:30 AM for setup. Opportunities to speak with Delegate Feggans and other committee members will be available during the lunch break and following the hearing. Seating is limited. Members of the public and press are encouraged to stream the hearing live at: https://studies.virginiageneralassembly.gov/meetings/2134
CONTACT: Maurice Hawkins, Chief of Staff, DelMFeggans@house.virginia.gov, 757-739-6289
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