Tag: minorities

Governor Northam Announces Legislative Steps to Increase Equity in State Procurement

After disparity study identifies clear need to address diversity in state contracting, Virginia to establish goals of 23.1 percent discretionary spending with woman- and minority-owned businesses and 42 percent with SWaM-certified businesses. Governor Ralph Northam today announced the results of the Commonwealth’s disparity study, which demonstrate the need for narrowly tailored race- and gender-conscious measures […]

by John Reid

Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin to host Minority Business Owners Meeting

During the COVID-19 pandemic, business owners have been hit hard by the resulting financial crisis, leading to a reduction in employees and services. This is especially so for minority business owners, who continue to face struggles in keeping their businesses afloat. Woodbridge District Supervisor Margaret Franklin is addressing the issue in a meeting on Monday […]

by John Reid

Guest Editorial: “Experience” Only Seems to Matter When Women and People of Color Run for Office

On July 24, 2020, InsideNOVA published an unsigned editorial claiming that three prominent women of color seeking Democratic nomination for statewide office do not have the “experience” necessary for the job.  It seems every time a woman or a person of color seeks high office, those in power expend a considerable amount of energy wringing […]

by Caitlin Durham Bennett

Governor Northam to Make Juneteenth a State Holiday

Governor Ralph Northam announced on Tuesday that he intends to mark Juneteenth as a permanent paid state holiday, starting by giving state employees a day off this Friday, June 19. Juneteenth is the oldest known commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States, and it is usually noted in Virginia with a Proclamation. […]

by Langston Carter

National Black Environmental Justice Network Relaunches

Last month, the PW Perspective discussed the connection between the growing threat of climate change and systemic racism. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on the Black community, the National Black Environmental Justice Network (NBEJN) has reignited its commitment to improving the lives of Black people and addressing the racism that […]

by John Reid

Editorial: The South Will Fall Again

The Civil War ended over one-hundred-fifty years ago. It’s time for those who are still fighting for their dead cause to finally surrender.  This week has seen not one or two, but three crushing blows to the racist cause of the Confederacy. First, Governor Northam brought down the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee […]

by Langston Carter

Prince William Board of County Supervisors to Establish Cultural Diversity Commission

The Prince William Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) approved a directive proposed by Supervisor Margaret Franklin (D-Woodbridge) on Tuesday night to create a Cultural Diversity Commission. The formation of this commission comes after peaceful protesters, including Delegate Lee Carter (D-Manassas), had tear gas fired at them by Virginia State Police. “We need a platform to […]

by Langston Carter