Voting Lawsuit Moves Forward; Support Grows for JD Spain; VaB Mayor: Sabrina Wooten Event; Marvin Lake Tribute by Roger Chesley
🚩 There are 74 days until the U.S. House and U.S. Senate primaries on June 18, 2024. Early voting begins in 28 days on May 3rd.
🚩 There are 214 days until Election Day November 5, 2024.
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ACLU, Protect Democracy Lawsuit on Felony Disenfranchisement Survives Motion to Dismiss
A federal lawsuit targeting Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement law will move forward.
The lawsuit seeks to end Virginia’s permanent disenfranchisement because of felony violations. U.S. Eastern District Court Judge John A. Gibney Jr. is the presiding judge.
Individual plaintiffs Melvin Wingate, Tati Abu King, and Toni Heath Johnson, and the group Bridging the Gap In Virginia sued Virginia (download decision: King vs. Youngkin 3:23-vc-00408-JAG), filed a the lawsuit in federal court challenging Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement provision last year.
Support Grows for JD Spain with Favola, Milliken Endorsements
On March 28 State Senator Barbara Favola endorsed JD Spain for Arlington County Board and on April 2nd, former Arlington County Board Chair and Commonwealth’s Secretary of Transportation John Milliken endorsed Spain.
Early voting begins on May 3rd and Election Day is Tuesday, June 18.
“I enthusiastically endorse JD Spain, Sr. for the open seat on the Arlington County Board. As a former County Board member myself, I know that JD has the experience and judgment to understand the issues that must be addressed in a diverse and ever-changing community. He has an unabiding commitment to look at issues through an equity lens and to create an ever-present welcoming culture in Arlington. I am confident that JD will represent Arlington's progressive values on the Arlington County Board,” Senator Favola wrote in a statement.
"I am pleased to endorse Julius "JD" Spain, Sr. for the open seat on the Arlington County Board. As a former board member, I believe that JD is an experienced community leader who can serve as an effective voice for all Arlingtonians. He well-known in Arlington for his advocacy on progressive issues, strong support for Democratic values and for his ability to listen and unite people. I hope you will join me in making JD your #1 choice in the June 18 Democratic primary,” said Milliken in a statement.
Remembering James Washington
by Tracie Powell
In a pivotal moment of uncertainty during my career, I questioned my place in journalism. Then, I walked through The Dallas Weekly's doors and encountered James Washington. His towering presence and commanding voice greeted me when I walked in, asking if he needed a freelancer.
“Why aren’t you asking me for a job,” he barked.
“I’m not sure I want to stay in journalism. I’m thinking of doing something else,” I stammered. What I hesitated to articulate but felt deeply was the sense of brokenness that had crept into my spirit, leaving me unsure about whether I was cut out for this profession. It was as if he had seen right through me.
Like countless other Black journalists, I found solace and support within the walls of The Dallas Weekly, where Washington provided a platform and a sanctuary to hone my craft. Little did he know, his guidance was pivotal in rebuilding my confidence, enabling me to progress to roles at prestigious publications such as People and Newsweek magazines, where I worked as a contract correspondent. It empowered me to spearhead Eclipse Magazine and its companion website, both celebrated for its innovation and coverage of Texas power, politics, and culture.
Though the years passed without regular contact, fate reunited us in 2019; this time, I walked through the doors at The Atlanta Voice.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, only half-joking. I told him I was there to ask him for a job. He smiled—a rarity from the seasoned publisher-turned-president of the Voice.
Washington had entrusted the reins of The Dallas Weekly to his son, Patrick, as he ventured to assist in leading The Atlanta Voice alongside his wife, Janis Ware. Washington, as Ware lovingly calls him, often humorously reminded others that she was the publisher and he worked for her.
At the Voice, a rising star named Marshall Lattimore had caught my attention. Having fled the confines of corporate newsrooms, Marshall found refuge at the Voice, where his talents could flourish under Washington’s leadership. Trusting in Marshall’s vision, Washington and Ware empowered him to implement significant changes, including modernizing the publication’s digital presence and adapting to new media landscapes. Witnessing the innovation unfold – rare in many legacy Black Press institutions – earned the Voice one of the first grants from the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund at Borealis Philanthropy, where I had the privilege of serving as the founding fund manager.
Washington referred to himself as a public relations guy by trade and training, not a journalist. His commitment to truth-telling and community empowerment spoke volumes. He created safe havens for young journalists, encouraging them to amplify their communities' voices and hold power to account—a testament to his love for his people, the Black Press, and the pursuit of journalistic integrity.
Though I never held a full-time position under Washington’s leadership, his influence was instrumental in anchoring me to the field of journalism. I will remain eternally grateful for this.
James Washington passed away on Tuesday after bravely battling cancer for several years.
He was 73.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Janis; his devoted children, Elena Bonifay (and husband David Bonifay) and Patrick Washington (and wife Jessica Washington); his cherished grandchildren– James Spencer Emanuel Washington, Penelope Elena Jimenez Washington, and William Emmanuel Edward Austin Bonifay – and his nieces and nephews as well as a host of dedicated journalists who will miss him dearly.
Tracie Powell is a leader in philanthropic efforts to increase racial equity and diversity in news media. She is the founder of The Pivot Fund, which seeks to support independent BIPOC community news. Powell was a Fall 2021 Shorenstein Center Research Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.
Lake was editor of The Clarion, Booker T. Washington’s student new
June 15: Juneteenth Commemoration
The Democratic Black Caucus of Virginia will host its 19th Annual Juneteenth Commemoration on Saturday, 15 June at 2:00pm. We invite you to join us for an historic and inspiring virtual program. "Because YOU Voted - Democrats DID THAT!"
Featuring history making Blacks Elected as Virginia's Leadership! Hear their successes and struggles. Plus meet other Virginia Officials and Candidates!More information to come!
Marvin Lake: Journalist was Trailblazer, Mentor, Paper’s Racial Conscience
Marvin Lake, the Virginian-Pilot’s first Black reporter, died last week at his Norfolk home
By Roger Chesley of Virginia Mercury - Marvin L. Lake – journalist, Renaissance man, holder of many professional “firsts” – was made of decidedly sterner stuff.
Otherwise, he couldn’t have withstood the racial slights and outright prejudice he fought after becoming The Virginian-Pilot’s first Black summer intern in 1966 and later, in 1969, its first Black reporter.
He understood the long game, though: Rise through the newspaper ranks. Become a mentor to legions of young journalists – especially African Americans and others of color. Be a conduit between the paper and Hampton Roads’ Black community, which distrusted The Pilot for its biased depictions of Black people.
They were tasks the Norfolk native relished in a career that eventually spanned 41 years at the newspaper.
He and I worked together on The Pilot editorial page from my arrival in 2000 until his retirement in 2007. I edited his public editor columns during that period – with him often saying “I’m writing it in my head” as he busted deadlines.
Lake, 80, died last week at his Norfolk home after a long illness.
His professional “offspring,” some from as far away as California and Florida, returned to Norfolk on Tuesday. His funeral took place at a church across from Norfolk State University, where Lake had earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology in 1967.
The roughly 200 mourners this week included a top magazine editor, a college educator and other media professionals. U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, a Norfolk Democrat, was among the politicians who attended.
Marvin L. Lake – journalist, Renaissance man, holder of many professional “firsts” – was made of decidedly sterner stuff.
– Roger Chesley
Derek Dingle first met Lake in November 1979 when he became a copy aide, or assistant, at The Pilot, he said at Shiloh Baptist Church. “Marvin became my mentor at that moment,” Dingle said, and Lake encouraged him to report and write – though he sometimes endured Lake’s exacting, tough editing via a red pen.
“I was close to tears!” Dingle said.
It’s a lesson Dingle learned well. He’s been the top editor for years at Black Enterprise and has held other senior positions there.
Herbert Lowe, onetime Pilot reporter and now a senior journalism lecturer at the University of Florida, told me Lake helped edit a piece he’d written long after Lowe had left Norfolk. It was an exceptional display of help to a former colleague.
Kia Morgan Smith, who I interviewed by phone in Atlanta, called Lake a father figure. “It was his style, his presence. He really cared about young Black kids,” said Smith, who later worked at Black Enterprise.
Lake’s mentees relayed stories of tough love, consistent support and even financial help. They noted his patience and the fact he rarely raised his voice in anger.
Not surprisingly, Lake earned his share of professional accolades. Among them: In 1997, he developed and edited a newspaper series, “Church Street: What Was Lost,” and narrated and hosted an award-winning television documentary, “Church Street: Harlem of the South,” about the onetime Black hub in Norfolk. He was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame in 2007.
He also ended several prejudicial habits in the paper. As he wrote in his farewell column, a white reporter often peppered stories with comments from a “source close to the black community.” The source, Lake learned, “was a white man frequently critical of Blacks.” Treachery at its worst.
It’s no exaggeration to say Marvin overhauled the coverage of The Pilot and altered the trajectory of the careers of many journalists. That’s a fitting epitaph.
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