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.