ON FEBRUARY 21, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY WE RECOGNIZE

DR. L, BERNARD HAIRSTON

Dr. L. Bernard Hairston’s journey reminds us of how everyday actions can grow beyond expectations as agents of change. Every step is capable of leaving a footprint. His footprints began in this community as the associate principal of Western Albemarle High School to appointed principal of Burley Middle School in 1997. He refused to participate in what was perceived as a race bias process after several interviews. Burley was transformed from the bottom quartile of student achievement to the top quartile among the five middle schools. It maintained the second highest percentage of minority educators in the division. He championed the division’s first formal anti-bullying program and Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines in partnership with Dr. Dewey Cornell, parent and Professor of Education, UVA. A focus on lower rates of suspension and racial disparities.

He was later appointed the second African American assistant superintendent in the 163-year history of Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS). A bold and passionate leader who confronted and made a difference with issues that others talked about. He is the founding president to two non-profit organizations that focused on equity, achievement gaps, minority hiring and retention.  The African American Teaching Fellows (AATF) has become a primary recruitment source for Charlottesville City and ACPS.  The 100 Black Men of Central Virginia in partnership with ACPS has received the prestigious National School Boards Association Magna Award twice for its innovative M-Cubed: Math, Men, Mission program. An evidence-based model to close achievement gaps for Black males. The chapter was recognized twice by the 100 Black Men of America as Chapter of the year for mentoring and education under his leadership. Often regarded as the most impactful mentoring program in the area.

He spearheaded a homegrown, bottom-up evidence based culturally responsive teaching initiative to offset achievement gaps. These efforts were recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as the first Mary Peake Award for Excellence in Education Equity. His insistent focus on equity, discrimination and anti-racism efforts resulted in the adoption of the first anti-racism policy by a school division in the Commonwealth and nation.

 Right click on this anti-racism policy hyperlink for inspiration to continue the journey to offset discrimination and racism.  https://youtu.be/K_em8blAwgk

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
—Frederick Douglass

ON FEBRUARY 20, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE

MARTIZE TOLBERT

Martize Tolbert is the National Director of Client and Community Engagement at The Fountain Fund. In this role, he serves as the agency’s lead spokesperson, expanding and establishing its presence in communities nationwide. By building bridges between Client Partners, team members and a wide array of reentry organizations, he helps ensure that justice-impacted individuals get the resources they need. Martize has been a community leader for over a decade. In April 2025, he shared the stage at Monticello with criminal justice icon Bryan Stevenson where he received the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, and in February 2025, Albemarle Magazine recognized him as one of Charlottesville’s 10 celebrated “changemakers.” In October 2024, he shared his life story as a visionary speaker at Disrupt HR, an annual event that showcases new voices that challenge traditional practices and promote innovation in the HR field. Martize holds leadership roles with the Network2Work Advisory Committee, Charlottesville Area Justice Coalition, and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ) Reentry Steering Committee. His work with ACRJ led to the creation of a One Stop Shop, a monthly event which offers individuals in and around Charlottesville the opportunity to connect with 60+ agencies in a single location. Martize also mentors at-risk kids and works closely with the Readykids RealDads program. He is a member of the NAACP, serves on the Tom Tom Festival Board of Directors and is a member of the Catalyst Community with the Stand Together Foundation. Through Home to Hope and Piedmont Virginia Community College, Martize received certifications as a Peer Support Specialist, a WRAP Facilitator and in Motivational Interviewing. In 2021, Martize graduated from UVA Edge, a one-year education program for working adults at the University of Virginia.

Speaking Engagements:

▪ Second Annual Gun Violence Summit, The Co-Op: Divided Within, Speaker

   (7/2025)

▪ Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, Speaker & Awardee

    (3/2025)

▪ The Fountain Fund “Daughters” Screening Event, Panelist (3/2025) ▪ Tom Tom

   Festival

    Tomorrow Talks: Creating Inclusive Culture, Speaker (2/2025)

▪ Second Annual Gun Violence Summit, The Co-Op: Divided Within, Speaker

  (7/2025)

▪ Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, Speaker & Awardee

 (3/2025)

▪ The Fountain Fund “Daughters” Screening Event, Panelist (3/2025)

▪ Tom Tom Festival – Tomorrow Talks: Creating Inclusive Culture, Speaker (2/2025)

The Fountain Fund

 Founded in 2017, the Fountain Fund provides low-interest loans and financial coaching, helping formerly incarcerated people build credit and achieve their self-determined goals. These goals often include securing transportation, affordable housing, and employment; building their own businesses; getting their driver’s licenses reinstated; and paying court-imposed fines and fees. To date, the Fountain Fund has distributed $5.8 million across five markets—New Orleans, Philadelphia, Richmond, Boston, and Charlottesville, serving over 800 clients. We’ve already recycled $2.8 million back into the fund, proving that when you invest in people and provide support, it works. 97% of The Fountain Fund’s Client Partners have not been re-incarcerated.

“Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” —Martin Luther King, Jr.

ON FEBRUARY 19, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY WE RECOGNIZE

 EDWARD “ED” BROOKS

As a native of southern Albemarle, with over 25 years of experience in community advocacy, public relations, and business in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Ed believes that this area has historically paved a pathway and built a foundation for this present generation of African Americans to excel and thrive in this community.
He is most proud of his involvement as a youth in the 4H programs where he was influenced by Mr. James Butler, the second African-American Extension agent in Albemarle County and Board of Supervisor member; his involvement in the University of Virginia Upward Bound Program under the leadership of Mr. Stephen D. Waters, and credit to his mother, Mrs. Ruth Gardner Brooks, a lifelong resident of Porters-Esmont, a graduate of St. Paul’s College, a church musician in several community churches for over seventy-five years…and for her constant advisement, encouragement and support to pursue a college education;  and to his father, Edward Thomas Brooks, and his paternal family lineage for staying true to their western Albemarle church roots although they lived in Charlottesville.  Their lives are etched in the cemetery of Oak Union Baptist Church where the Armstead’s, Washington’s and Brooks are laid to rest including perhaps our most noted local relative, Cousin Drewary Brown.  We continually reflect humbly that the Charlottesville City Council honored him several years ago by renaming the West Main Street Bridge “The Drewary Brown Memorial Bridge dedicated to also recognizing his many achievements through adding other community members’ names on the bridge who followed in his footsteps as Community Bridge Builders.

They all provided living examples of the high value of community engagement through membership in church, civic and social organizations.

Ed is currently involved as a Board Member for the Ivy Creek Natural Area and River View Farm County/City Park, recent past Board Member for Preservation Piedmont, founding member of Discover Black C’Ville, an umbrella committee for the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau/CACVB and advisory board member for the Friends of Esmont/FOE.

He is currently employed for the Albemarle County Local Government Parks and Recreation Division as the Community Engagement Program Manager for the Benjamin Franklin Yancey School Community Center in Porters-Esmont.  Prior to Albemarle County, he served as a historical interpreter for both Monticello and Highland and participated in a six-week Guide Training program at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

He is married to Traci Sergeon Brooks, a Washington, D.C. native, where they met as students and graduates of Buffalo State College/University-SUNY (1982).  He has a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Traci, a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management and M.A. (Education) from James Madison University.  She is employed with the University of Virginia Center for Community Programs as a Success Opportunities Program Manager for Middle and High School Students in both the Albemarle County School Division and Charlottesville City Schools.

They have three adult children and reside in Albemarle County.

“If we accept and acquiesce in the face of discrimination, we accept the responsibility ourselves and allow those responsible to salve their conscience by believing that they have our acceptance and concurrence. We should, therefore, protest openly everything … that smacks of discrimination or slander.” —Mary McLeod Bethune,ON

FEBRUARY 18, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY WE RECOGNIZE

              Juandiego Riccardo Wade

This civic leader operates with a kind heart and passion to serve his community, especially those in greatest need. His pursuit of thriving for equity, political rights, and social inclusion can be traced to being instrumental in the merger request of the Albemarle and Charlottesville branches in 2021. His voice and actions have inspired an eye on the prize for ensuring, the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all people.

This leader’s devotion to the community has inspired many through multiple community-based roles. His impact spans various boards, committees and organizations.  Juan faithfully served 16 years on the Charlottesville City School board, and a previous term as Vice Mayor from 2021 to 2023. He has strived for equity, social inclusion by supporting practices that accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color.  He is a strong supporter of funding after school care for working parents, funding of academic intervention programs to enhance educational opportunities.  As a community leader he supported the funded economic programs for minority businesses. Supported the new Zoning Ordinance to address affordable housing and pass discriminatory actions.

As a servant of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and 100 Black Men of Central Virginia, he has left an impressionable mark on numerous Black males as a super mentor and role model. He is known for taking his mentees out for breakfast, sporting events, and college tours. Juandiego Riccardo Wade is a difference maker.

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,”

Frederick Douglass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2026
Contact: Chyna Fields, cfields@naacpnet.org 

WASHINGTON – The NAACP mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., a transformative leader whose life’s work is deeply woven into the history, mission, and enduring impact of our Association and the nation.

A lifelong soldier for justice, Rev. Jackson emerged from the very soil that nurtured the NAACP for over a century. As a young organizer in the 1960s, he labored alongside NAACP leaders, spoke at several national conventions, marched with our members, and helped expand the national movement for racial equality into a broad, people-powered coalition demanding systemic change.

NAACP Chairman of the Board, Leon W. Russell, NAACP Vice Chair of the Board, Karen Boykin Towns, and NAACP President & CEO, Derrick Johnson, released the following joint statement:

“Reverend Jesse Jackson was not only a civil rights icon — he was family to the NAACP. His work advanced Black America at every turn. He challenged this nation to live up to its highest ideals, and he reminded our movement that hope is both a strategy and a responsibility. His historic run for president inspired millions and brought race to the forefront of American politics. 

“We honor his legacy by continuing the work he championed: protecting the right to vote, expanding economic opportunity, and fighting for the freedom and dignity of Black people everywhere.”

Throughout the arc of his ministry and activism, Rev. Jackson remained an unwavering ally and partner to the NAACP. In 1988, NAACP awarded Rev. Jackson the President’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards in recognition of his distinguished public service. And, in 1989, Rev. Jackson received the NAACP Spingarn Medal for outstanding achievement. 

Rev. Jackson’s leadership in advancing voting rights, economic justice, and educational opportunity strengthened the very pillars of our community. Whether challenging racially discriminatory policies, uplifting marginalized voices, or building multiracial movements through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he forged a path forward to eliminate racial discrimination and ensure full political, educational, social, and economic equality for all.

Rev. Jackson’s passing marks the loss of a towering moral voice, but the movement he helped build will carry his light forward. His legacy calls each of us to stay committed, stay organized, and remain faithful to the pursuit of justice.

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Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.—Booker T. Washington

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2026 FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE

LORENZO DICKERSON

Lorenzo Dickerson is an Albemarle County, Virginia native whose family has lived there for generations. He descends from ancestors at Castle Hill, Birdwood, Pen Park, The University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.  

He is a 2-time Emmy-Award winning documentary filmmaker who focuses his storytelling on African American history and culture in Virginia.  He states, “I’ve lost both my parents, and all of my grandparents.”  Each time I share and connect with the folks in my films and their stories, some portion of that work helps reconnect me with the people I’ve lost.”  “Sharing our history and experience is a powerful tool for connecting generations of people across both time and space.” 

His films have played in numerous film festivals, are used as a teaching tool in K-12 and university classrooms across the country, and are broadcast nationally on PBS.  He was recently recognized as one of the Daily Progress’ 2026 Distinguished Dozen inductees.  Lorenzo also works as the Digital & Oral Historian with the Getting Word African American History Department at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. There, he focuses his research on making connections across descendant lines and between Monticello and the local descendant community, while also using mixed media to share important stories for the community and Monticello visitors to learn from. 

Lorenzo’s latest film “Cash Crop” is now streaming on PBS, and new documentary films are currently in production.  He currently serves on the board of directors at the Paramount Theater, Preservation Piedmont, the historic St. John Rosenwald School, and VPM’s Community Advisory Board. For more info, visit Lorenzo’s production company at: http://www.maupintown.com

 “Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part.” —John Lewis

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2026, FROM OUR COMMUNITY WE RECOGNIZE

KELSEY CHAVERS

Kelsey Chavers is a native of Albemarle County, Va. She is a 2020 graduate of The University of Mary Washington. In 2022 she received a master’s degree in organizational leadership from George Washington University. A former NAACP scholarship recipient, Kelsey chartered the University of Mary Washington NAACP college chapter in 2019. She was awarded the On Your Way Award by the NAACP Youth and College Division in 2019. Kelsey continues to serve as a young leader and volunteer in her community. She is currently employed as a GIS Analyst.

Kelsey is also assisting in the reactivation process of our local NAACP Youth Chapter.

 Kelsey’s life motto is: Learn from the past, live in the present, and

for the future.

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela

ON FEBRUARY 14, 2026 WE RECOGNIZE:

REVEREND ALVIN EDWARDS

Dr. Alvin Edwards is a native of Joliet Il and has been the pastor of Mt. Zion First African Baptist Church for 44 years.

His accolades include

• Chair of the Charlottesville School Board
• Mayor of the City of Charlottesville
• General Secretary of the National Baptist Convention
• Board member and Advisor to Boy Scouts of America
• President of African American Pastoral Council
• President of the Charlottesville Clergy Collective. 

His life motto is:

If I Can Help Somebody, Then My Living Will Not Be in Vain

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela

ON FEBRUARY 13, 2026, WE RECOGNIZE:

PEARL RIDLEY EARLY

Pearl Ridley Early is a longtime community activist who has been addressing the injustices faced by Black children and Black professionals in Albemarle County Public Schools since 1993. She has been a strong advocate against discrimination, fighting for equal educational opportunities for Black students and equitable hiring practices for Black professionals. To further this mission, she founded the African American Parents Alliance to raise awareness within the broader community and to continue the ongoing work of advocacy, accountability, and empowerment that remains vital today. She is a champion of activism for equity and civil rights.

Pearl is the Founder and Advisor of the Junior chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers in partnership with Albemarle County Public Schools. Her leadership has established a significant partnership with UVA Engineering Department with a focus on community engagement and research collaboration. She has facilitated annual summer academies for high school students to strengthen their awareness, skills and interest in science, technology, engineering, and math subjects. Her scholars have successfully presented projects, which ranged from microscopes to model cars. A primary focus has been on high quality engagement with Black students to establish and pursue education goals. So many of her scholars have and are considering opportunities in the STEM fields and strengthen their beliefs to open new and wider doors. Pearl is a trailblazer.

“I want their school board to pay more attention to Black students in STEM,” “I want them to realize that they have a place. And they should be at the table.”

Today, Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO shared the following statement in response to Donald Trump has posting a video on social media depicting former President and First Lady, Barack and Michelle Obama, as apes:

“Donald Trump’s racist video is blatantly racist, disgusting and utterly despicable.

Trump is obviously desperate to distract us from the Epstein Files and his rapidly failing economy. You know who isn’t in the Epstein files? Barack Obama. You know who actually improved the economy as president? Barack Obama.

Donald Trump must be investigated for his potential involvement in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. And he must answer for why he has made the economy so devastating for everyone while enriching himself with more than $1.4 billion since taking office. Voters are watching and will remember this at the ballot box.”

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