THE EASTERN PROVINCE YEAR IN REVIEW GALLERY
Charles E. Exum, Jr. Eastern Province Polemarch
Eastern Province 13 th Annual Virginia Legislative Day (Virtual)
O n January 18, 2021 the Eastern Province held its 13 th Annual Virginia Legislative Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic our event was held virtually. During our program we had 64 attendees, which was the largest attendance in the history of the event. The purpose of our annual day is to discuss national, state, and local political and public policy issues to our members. This forum also gives our members an opportunity to engage and ask questions of elected officials on topics such as civil rights, economic opportunity, healthcare & essential services, housing, education & support- ing our children, environmental justice & transit, and public safety. Especially important this year was an update on COVID-19, the vaccine rollout and confidence in the African-American community to get vaccinated. Our distinguished guest speak- ers included 29 th Eastern Province Polemarch Charles E. Exum, who brought us greetings. U.S. Congress- man and Brother A. Donald McEachin who spoke on national issues includ- ing the new Biden-Harris administra- tion and potential legislation. Brother McEachin also shared a firsthand account of the January 6 th attempted Insurrection. Remarks from The By Jer’Mykeal McCoy, Co-Chair and Cleve Packer, Co-Chair
Honorable Justin E. Fairfax, 41 st Lieuten- ant Governor of Virginia. A COVID-19 update on the vaccine rollout and its impact on our communities by Marvin Figueroa, Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources and Traci J. DeShazor, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth. There were three virtual breakout rooms for delegates to discuss issues with broth- ers in Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, and Hampton Roads. Those elected officials were Delegate Lamont Bagby, (HD74) Chair of the Virginia Legisla- tive Black Caucus, Delegate Jeff Bourne (HD71), Delegate Luke Torian (HD52) and Delegate Jay Jones (HD89). Our keynote speaker The Honorable Ralph S.
Northam, 73 rd Governor of Virginia.
Brothers who are running for the General Assembly were given an op- portunity to share their thoughts about their campaigns. Those brothers running for state office are Rod Hall (for HD31), Mike Jones (for HD69) and Richard Walker (for HD71). National Political Chairman Britton L. Smith closed out the meeting, framing the responsibility of every member to inform himself of the issues and to engage others in the democratic process.
86 | SUMMER 2021 ♦ THE JOURNAL
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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