Remembering Lois McClellan; New Ads by Jones, Mehta in CD1; 50 Cent at U.S. Capitol; Black Chamber Grant
➳ There are 12 days until the June 18, 2024 primary. Early voting 🏃🏼♂️ has begun!
➳ There are 22 days until Network NOVA Women’s Summit on June 28.
➳ There are 56 days until the Virginia Black Business Expo on Aug. 2.
➳ There are 88 days until the annual Bobby Scott Labor Day Cookout on Sept. 2.
➳ There are 152 days until Election Day November 5.
Remembering June 6, 1944: the 80th Anniversary 🌹 of D-DAY
Photos: Remembering Lois McClellan
All photos 📸 by Paulette Shipman Singleton
Yesterday, the extended family and friends of Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan came together in Petersburg to celebrate the life of her mother Lois McClellan who passed away on May 28.
Obit as displayed by JM Wilkerson: Lois D. McClellan 🌹 of South Chesterfield, Virginia, departed this life on May 28, 2024. A native of Delisle, Mississippi, Mrs. McClellan was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 55 years, James F. McClellan; parents, Joseph and Leona (Roberteaux) Dedeaux; brothers, Louis Jr., Leroy, Mitchell, Octava, Ernest and Herbert; and her sisters, Lorena, Hazel, Henrietta, Gloria and Willomena.
Born on October 22, 1932, Mrs. McClellan was the first member of her family to attend and graduate from high school. She graduated from Jackson State University in 1957 with a degree in Home Economics, earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Kentucky (the only woman and the only African-American in her class) and was just a dissertation-short of her Ph.D. from Virginia Tech.
Mrs. McClellan worked in higher education for most of her career, retiring as the Director of Educational Services at Virginia State University.
Very active in the community, Mrs. McClellan was a Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., holding several leadership positions with the Petersburg Alumni Chapter and the Chapter’s Foundation Committee. She was a member of the Petersburg Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Chesterfield County Democratic Committee and a Girl Scout troop leader and “cookie mother.” Mrs. McClellan was a Lay Reader with St. Joseph Catholic Church and volunteered with Downtown Churches United, Inc. She loved to cook, bake, work in her flower garden, read and spend time with her family – especially her grandchildren.
Mrs. McClellan is survived by three daughters, Dr. Jean E. McClellan-Holt (William) of Chesapeake, Virginia, Julie D. McClellan (Gregory Beckwith, deceased) of Midlothian, Virginia and Jennifer L. McClellan (David Mills) of Richmond, Virginia; five grandchildren, Kirsten H. Young (Kyle’Ashton), Brittany D. Beckwith, Gregory "BJ" Beckwith, Jackson Mills and Samantha Mills; one great granddaughter, Kamryn R. Young; one brother, Jules Dedeaux (Jeraldine) of Houston, Texas; and numerous relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations 🌹 be made in the name of Lois D. McClellan to the "Delta Community Service Foundation," Post Office Box 853, Petersburg, Virginia 23805.
Videos: Ads from Herb Jones and Leslie Mehta in CD1
Retired Army Colonel Herb Jones and attorney Leslie Mehta are in a competitive race for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s first congressional district. The primary is June 18 and early voting us underway.
Jones, a Bronze Star honoree for his military service in Iraq, has run for the nomination before in the first, a red district. In 2022, he received 147,229 votes against Republican Congressman Rob Wittman who won the race 56-43. Jones’ vote total (147,229) was higher than Abigail Spanberger’s (143,357 votes) in her successful race against Yesli Vega (130,586 votes) and Elaine Luria (143,219 votes) who was defeated by Rep. Jen Kiggans (153,328 votes) in CD2. Since 2024 is a presidential election year the totals will be higher and the challenges for Democrats in a notably red district remain.
Mehta is an attorney and earned her degree from the Howard University School of Law. Mehta is the daughter of a corrections officer and social worker and was the Legal Director of the ACLU of Virginia.
Virginia’s CD1: Candidate for Congress in CD1 Herb Jones recently released the ad below
Virginia’s CD1: This week the campaign of Leslie Mehta released the ad below:
50 Cent on Capitol Hill on Black Business Issues
WASHINGTON DC — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump and the legal team of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson visited Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on June 5 focused on policy challenges facing Black owned businesses.
The veteran rapper from Queens, New York is trying to increase minority representation in the multibillion dollar luxury spirits industry. Black ownership is under 2 percent in the liquor industry. Though several reporters tossed questions at the veteran rapper about a rumored documentary on Sean Combs, 50 Cent kept his focus on Black businesses and Black entrepreneurship.
“I financed all my companies myself and I utilize and make money myself. I get into situations where I’m up against companies that earn twenty billion dollars a year. They push you out of the market and tie you up in legal situations where you spend 10 to 15 million dollars on legal fees. They have the resources and they just slow you down,” Jackson informed a small group of reporters in the U.S. Capitol outside the office of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Jackson and Crump met with several members of Congress and tool pictures with staff in the hallways of the Capitol Building.
50 Cent has made lucrative investments in several industries. He founded the clothing line G-Unit Clothing Company and had a successful partnership with Glacéau's Vitaminwater, which reportedly earned him $100 million when the company was sold to Coca-Cola in 2007.
“The Congressional Black Caucus has the Black Wealth Agenda that deals with those specific issues that re impediments to minority owned businesses being able to have parity with other companies as they try to have a market share in the industry,” Crump told reporters yesterday.
Virginia Black Chamber Announces Grant for $10K
Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce: The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce receiving a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Marketing Leverage Program for their "Melanin Marketplace: Your Guide to Black-Owned Virginia" which will also assist with funding for the The 2024 5th Annual Virginia Black Business Expo & Conference. The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce pledged $10,000 in matching funds.
The Expo & Conference serves as a hub for networking and professional development, offering opportunities to connect with industry leaders and support local businesses. This cornerstone event fosters community engagement and business growth, attracting hundreds of visitors each year.
Governor Glenn Youngkin announced VTC's statewide grants totaling over $3.27 million to boost visitation and revenue for Virginia localities through tourism. The VTC’s Marketing Program aims to increase visitor spending, stimulate new tourism marketing through partnerships, and extend the “Virginia is for Lovers” brand.
Events
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