VLI website intro from Krysta Jones on Vimeo.

VLI News 

VLI Destined to Lead Workshop on December 1, 6:30PM, Alexandria City Hall, contact info@virginialead.org for more information.

VLI 2011 Partners 

Virginia Chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
The Links, Inc. Roanoke, Virginia Chapter
Washington Insurance Consulting Group
Lavern Chatman

VLI Membership 

Join the Virginia Leadership Institute today!
VLI Membership Brochure

The VLI is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Make a secure, tax deductible donation to VLI TODAY, and help us increase the number of black elected officials in Virginia.

About Us

Virginia Leadership Institute was created in 2006 in an effort to address the lack of elected black officials in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since that time we have trained close to 175 future candidates and campaign professionals in fundraising, communications, field operations and several critical issue areas. Founding Patrons Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille and former chair of the Alexandria Commission on Women Laura Mandala provided the initial resources for VLI and continue to be strong supporters.

In 2008, VLI held our first annual Virginia Leadership Trailblazers Reception during the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, recognizing Founding Patron Mayor Bill Euille, former Delegate Winsome Earle Sears, and former chair of the Richmond City Republican Party, Courtney Malveaux. This event brings supporters of African-Americans in politics in Virginia together to network and share information on increasing diversity in politics.

In 2009, the 46th district of Virginia elected Delegate Charniele Herring, VLI�s Vice Chair, as the first black female from Northern Virginia to the General Assembly. VLI founder Krysta Jones started the organization after writing her Master's thesis on the lack of black congresspeople from Virginia. Since Reconstruction, Virginia has only sent one black to Congress, Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), who represents the 3rd congressional district. Ms. Jones' concluded that in order to increase the number of black elected officials a number of steps had to be taken including providing training to black Virginians interested in politics and providing information through a network of organizations in the African-American community that focus on political empowerment.

Why the Virginia Leadership Institute ?

The Virginia Leadership Institute was created in 2006 in an effort to address the lack of elected black officials in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As African Americans achieve greater professional, economic and political heights in our increasingly multicultural society, some may question why we need more black politicians.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Often considered one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the US Congress, the VRA primarily applied a nationwide prohibition against the denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the literacy tests on a nationwide basis. According to the National Park Service,

Within months of its passage on August 6, 1965, one quarter of a million new black voters had been registered, one third by federal examiners. Within four years, voter registration in the South had more than doubled. In 1965, Mississippi had the highest black voter turnout--74%--and led the nation in the number of black leaders elected. In 1969, Tennessee had a 92.1% turnout; Arkansas , 77.9%; and Texas , 73.1%.

Winning the right to vote changed the political landscape of the South. When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, barely 100 African Americans held elective office in the U.S. ; by 1989 there were more than 7,200, including more than 4,800 in the South. According to the Joint Center for Politics and Economic Studies Virginia had 246 black elected officials in 2001, 7.9% of all elected officials in Virginia, up from 30 officials in 1969.

Despite the large increase in black elected officials since 1969, Virginia and the rest of the South has a long way to go. In 2001 African American elected officials in Alabama represented 17.2% (24% black voting age population), Georgia- 9.3% (26.6% black voting age population), and North Carolina-8.4% (20% black voting age population). With a close to 20% voting age black population, the Virginia Leadership Institute will help Virginia join the states across the nation in working towards increasing African American representation.

One of the most compelling reasons to increase the number of black political representatives is the sign of progress that it means for our country. In a nation that prides itself on being a democracy, for hundreds of years African Americans were enslaved, institutionally lynched, and politically disenfranchised—and treated anything but democratically. Since our founding, African Americans were denied the opportunity to participate in the political process despite the promise that our forefathers made to create a democratic nation.

As America moves closer to that goal, unfortunately Virginia is behind the curve. Thus it is the vision of the Virginia Leadership Institute to help Virginia , “Keep America's Promise.”

Why the Virginia Leadership Institute ?

The Virginia Leadership Institute was created in 2006 in an effort to address the lack of elected black officials in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As African Americans achieve greater professional, economic and political heights in our increasingly multicultural society, some may question why we need more black politicians.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Often considered one of the most important pieces of legislation passed by the US Congress, the VRA primarily applied a nationwide prohibition against the denial or abridgment of the right to vote on the literacy tests on a nationwide basis. According to the National Park Service,

Within months of its passage on August 6, 1965, one quarter of a million new black voters had been registered, one third by federal examiners. Within four years, voter registration in the South had more than doubled. In 1965, Mississippi had the highest black voter turnout--74%--and led the nation in the number of black leaders elected. In 1969, Tennessee had a 92.1% turnout; Arkansas , 77.9%; and Texas , 73.1%.

Winning the right to vote changed the political landscape of the South. When Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, barely 100 African Americans held elective office in the U.S. ; by 1989 there were more than 7,200, including more than 4,800 in the South. According to the Joint Center for Politics and Economic Studies Virginia had 246 black elected officials in 2001, 7.9% of all elected officials in Virginia, up from 30 officials in 1969.

Despite the large increase in black elected officials since 1969, Virginia and the rest of the South has a long way to go. In 2001 African American elected officials in Alabama represented 17.2% (24% black voting age population), Georgia- 9.3% (26.6% black voting age population), and North Carolina-8.4% (20% black voting age population). With a close to 20% voting age black population, the Virginia Leadership Institute will help Virginia join the states across the nation in working towards increasing African American representation.

One of the most compelling reasons to increase the number of black political representatives is the sign of progress that it means for our country. In a nation that prides itself on being a democracy, for hundreds of years African Americans were enslaved, institutionally lynched, and politically disenfranchised—and treated anything but democratically. Since our founding, African Americans were denied the opportunity to participate in the political process despite the promise that our forefathers made to create a democratic nation.

As America moves closer to that goal, unfortunately Virginia is behind the curve. Thus it is the vision of the Virginia Leadership Institute to help Virginia , “Keep America's Promise.”

Links, Sessions & Documents

Links

• Minority Political Leadership Institute (external link)
• Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership (external link)
• Joint Center for Political And Economic Studies-Publications (external link)
• International Graduate University (external link)

Past Sessions

• 2006 Forum-Virginia Fundraising Tips (word doc)
• 2006 Forum-Approaching the Business Community for Campaign Dollars (word doc)
• 2007 Candidate Training-Fundraising
• 2008 Candidate Training-Grassroots Operations
• 2008 Candidate Training-Election Law
• 2008 Candidate Training-Candidate Branding
• 2009 Voices of Black Women in Politics Webinar
• November 2009 Training-Virginia Campaign Finance Law

Sample Candidate Documents

• Candidate Information Bulletin
• Campaign Finance Report for Candidates
• Candidate Campaign Committees
• Statement of Organization
• Certificate of Candidate Qualification
• 2008 Reporting Schedule
• Declaration of Candidacy
• Statement of Economic Interests
• Petition

Primary Contacts

Members Area 

Members Login   Board Members Login

Membership Application

The Virginia Leadership Institute trains African Americans to run for office in Virginia, with the goal of increasing the number of black elected officials in Virginia from 250 to 500 by 2026.

VLI membership is $50 per year and includes access to a members only listserv and a leadership development scholarship . To join, please complete the information below and submit payment for $50.

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