Virginians at the Met Gala; Virginia Black Chamber Event; AG Race: Jay Jones TV Ad; JBMS Survey: Racial Slurs Redacted
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NEW PODCAST - Podcast 50 🎙️ John Reid, History… and Blackmail? With attorney and former Gov. L. Doug Wilder’s campaign manager Paul Goldman
June 6: Virginia Black Chamber GovCon Conference
From the Virginia Black Chamber: The Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the 2025 GovCon Conference, Resilient Futures: Navigating Government Contracting in Changing Times. Designed for both experienced contractors and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, this premier event will provide the tools, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in the fast-paced world of contracting across both public and private sectors.
This isn’t just a conference—it’s an opportunity to elevate your business. Gain insights from industry experts, build partnerships, and leave equipped with actionable strategies to achieve success.
Why You Can’t Afford to Miss GovCon 2025
Dynamic Speakers: Hear from Abigail Spanberger, Candidate for Governor; Reggie Babin, Senior Counsel at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP; and Kindra Dionne, Chief Program Officer of HUBZone Contractors National Council. These distinguished leaders will provide bold perspectives, insider tips, and strategies to help you stay ahead.
Featured Leaders & Innovators: Learn from accomplished changemakers like Diedre Windsor (Windsor Group LLC), Rochell Atkins (Capital Region Airport Commission), and Wesley Stith (Clark Construction), offering real-world expertise to help you succeed.
Exclusive Economic Development Insights: Interact with local procurement offices driving growth and innovation, providing insider knowledge to empower businesses within the contracting space.
University Partnerships: Benefit from groundbreaking research and programs presented by Virginia State University and the University of Virginia, aimed at fostering innovation in government contracting.
Breakout Sessions & Workshops: Delve into industry-focused workshops and sessions designed to provide hands-on tools, key market insights, and opportunities for global business expansion.
Power-Packed Networking: Forge meaningful connections with peers, experts, and industry leaders to create collaborations that can drive results for your business.
And more! For a full list of our speakers www.vablackchamberofcommerce.org/govcon-2025
Sponsored by Leading Supporters: This event wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of Dominion Energy, Aalis Management Consulting, Global Gifts Travel, Stack Infrastructure, Henrico County Economic Development Authority and Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council (CRMSDC).
Be Part of the Movement: The 2025 GovCon Conference is your chance to ignite new possibilities, gain strategic insights, and secure your place to learn about comprehensive contracting across the Public and Private Sectors. Be in the room where it all happens.
Register Now: Seats are filling fast for GovCon 2025. Visit Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce to secure your ticket, explore sponsorship opportunities, and ensure your role in this game-changing event.
Event Date: June 6th, 2025
Event Location: Downtown Richmond Marriott Hotel, Richmond, VA
Event Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Podcast 48 🎙️ Fergie Reid, Jr. on the 2025 Virginia House Races
Four Virginians Attend Met Gala and Celebrate Black Male Style
VIRGINIANS AT THE MET GALA 🎩 The Met Gala 2025, held on the first Monday in May, raised a record-breaking $31 million for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
A famous Virginian served this year as co-chair. The theme this year was Black male fashion style. Virginia Beach’s Pharrell Williams and actor Colman Domingo joined Vogue’s Anna Wintour as co-chairs of one of the biggest fashion events on the year.
Pharrell Williams wasn’t the only Virginian at the Met Gala. There were at least three others: Rapper Terrence Thorton, better known Pusha T, who was born in the Bronx but grew up in Virginia Beach. Newly signed New York Giants QB Russell Wilson, who grew up in Richmond and attended Collegiate School, and Olympic gold medalist Noah Lyles, who group up in Alexandria and set several track and field records at TC Williams High School, now called Alexandria City High School.
Above: Pusha T (Virginia Beach), Russell Williams (Richmond), Noah Lyles (Alexandria) and Pharrell Williams (Virginia Beach) on the red carpet at the Met Gala.
The Met Gala’s theme this year in celebration of the opening of the Superfine: Tailoring Black Style exhibit was a tribute to Black male style and “dandyism.”
“I've been very, very inspired by seeing how much it means to the Black community. I think it's full of creativity. It's putting a spotlight on amazing Black talent. I think it's about self respect, joy and confidence and liberation. At this moment in our political history, I think it's incredibly important, very — to stand next to the Black community and I'm sure that it will be very well attended. I am so looking forward to hearing what our visitors have to say. Yes, we're so excited to be here,” said Anna Wintour, the legendary editor-in-chief of Vogue who has served as the lead chair of the Met Gala for over thirty years, in an interview with LaLa Anthony off the red carpet.
Stevie Wonder was also in attendance. Anthony asked him what his feelings were on the issue of the theme of the evening which was focused on Black male fashion.
“This a wonderful thing that is being celebrated tonight. I believe that God has celebrated what we have done since the beginning of time. We created style, whether it be music, whether it be a dance, whether it be it the most important thing, love… and that's why I'm here,” said Wonder near the red carpet.
After Pushing Out First Black Superintendent, VMI Appoints Interim Leader
By Nathaniel Cline. The Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors named Brigadier General Dallas Clark acting superintendent Saturday afternoon, but didn’t set a firm date for when a new superintendent will be selected. It’s the first significant decision the school has made concerning its leadership since the board drew scrutiny for opting not to extend the contract of the institution’s first Black superintendent in February.
Clark, a graduate of VMI, has been working with the institution intermittently as the institute planning officer and deputy superintendent for finance and support at VMI, overseeing several offices, including finance and budget, auxiliary services, and facilities management.
Clark’s appointment comes after the board launched a search for a new superintendent following its vote against offering an extension past June to Ret. Major General Cedric Wins, the first Black superintendent. The institution desegregated in 1968. Read entire at Virginia Mercury
Racial Slurs Redacted from James Blair Middle School Renaming Survey
From the substack Round the Triangle by JW Catherine: A FOIA request dispute revealed previously redacted comments with racial slurs from a community survey.
Before we go further: this post includes quotes containing the n-word. I’ve obscured the vulgar language, but the subject matter may still be upsetting.
Two responses to the James Blair Middle School (JBMS) renaming survey used the n‑word in expressions of hate speech targeting Black people. These comments weren’t included in public reports of the survey results and only came to light when I pressed for unredacted records.
In March, the Williamsburg‑James City County (WJCC) division surveyed students, staff, parents, attendance zone residents, and community members about renaming JBMS due to Blair’s role in institutionalizing slavery in colonial Virginia. The school division compiled these survey results into a presentation which was shared with the volunteer renaming committee and the WJCC school board. Read entire at Round the Triangle
Virginia Attorney General Race: New Jay Jones TV Ad
Former Delegate Jay Jones' first television ad for his campaign for Virginia Attorney General has a special surprise at the end.
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