MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director,

804-972-3310
press@naacpva.orgV

RICHMOND – Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. issued the following statement:

“The Virginia NAACP applauds today’s announcement of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam granting posthumous pardons for the Martinsville Seven, a group of young Black men executed by the Commonwealth for the alleged rape of a white woman in 1951.

Decades after the Commonwealth tried and executed these young men without due process, today’s long-overdue announcement is a step in the right direction towards justice.”

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director
804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Statement on U.S. Census Bureau Data Release

RICHMOND – Virginia State Conference NAACP Political Action Chair Gaylene Kanoyton released the following statement in response to the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census data release earlier today:

“Today the U.S. Census Bureau released 2020 census data, starting a 45-day window for the Virginia Redistricting Commission to draw district maps for the next decade.

While we will analyze the public data in the coming weeks, the Virginia NAACP urges all Virginians to make their voices heard through public comment and testimony to the Virginia Redistricting Commission. 

The Virginia NAACP remains committed to ensuring that Virginia maps are drawn in a manner that does not dilute the voting power of Black and Brown Virginians.”

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director
804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Affirms the Importance of Teaching African American History and Antiracist Education in Virginia’s Public Schools

RICHMOND – Today, the Virginia State Conference NAACP affirmed its full support for the adoption of Virginia’s African American History and Social Science Curriculum implementing recommendations from Governor Ralph Northam’s Commission on African American History Education in the Commonwealth. 

Virginia NAACP leaders also applauded public school educators who are teaching history in its entirety, including the experiences of Black people in Virginia, and our nation. 

Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr., said: “Virginia students must learn about the complex and often untold history of Black Americans in Virginia, and our nation. The Virginia NAACP expects that all public school districts across the state will follow the History and Social Studies Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework Revision, as approved by the Board of Education.”

Virginia NAACP Education Chair Dr. Amy Tillerson-Brown said: “We expect that in complying with the state’s SOL curriculum, that superintendents and school administrators will stand behind and support their teachers who are teaching from this curriculum, about Black experiences, or from an anti-racist framework, and do everything in their power to protect teachers from all forms of harassment, retaliation, or retribution from administrators, peers, parents, school board members, or members of the public.”

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director
804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Applauds Efforts to Achieve Universal Broadband by 2024; Reaffirms Repeated Request to Fully-Fund Virginia’s HBCUs

RICHMOND – Virginia State Conference NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. issued the following statement following last week’s announcement by Governor Ralph Northam outlining his plan to invest $700 million in American Rescue Plan funding to expedite the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure to unserved areas and close the digital divide within the next three years:

“The Virginia NAACP looks forward to universal broadband becoming a reality for the Commonwealth by 2024. 

While we applaud the governor’s announcement, we reaffirm our repeated request of Governor Northam and the legislature to ensure that Virginia responsibly uses funds from the American Rescue Plan to drastically invest in infrastructure, programs, and scholarships at Virginia’s five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Virginia NAACP and our more than 100 branches, youth councils and college chapters pledge to advocate with unprecedented vigor alongside Virginia’s HBCU leaders to demand that this one-time federal funding is used to make historic, once-in-a-lifetime investments in Virginia’s HBCUs.”

There are five Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Virginia Union University (1865), Hampton University (1868), Virginia State University (1882), Virginia University of Lynchburg (1886) and Norfolk State University (1935).

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2021

MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director
804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org

Virginia NAACP Pledges Renewed Fight For SJ272 Following SCOTUS Decision

RICHMOND – Today, Virginia State Conference NAACP leaders issued the following statements following today’s U.S. Supreme Court 6-3 ruling in Brnovich v. Democratic National Convention:

“Today’s court ruling cements the need for Virginia to guarantee the right to vote in our state Constitution. The Virginia NAACP will advocate with renewed vigor for state legislators to pass SJ272, sponsored by Senator Mamie Locke, so that this constitutional amendment is on the ballot for Virginia voters in 2022. ” –Robert N. Barnette, Jr., President

“Working with our more than 100 units and partner organizations, we will allocate every resource available to ensure that Virginia continues to expand and protect access to the ballot.” –Gaylene Kanoyton, Political Action Chair

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP

Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.

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