Dear ,
Every morning, our team walks into our office in Richmond’s historic Shockoe Bottom, treading on ground that holds profound stories of both suffering and resilience. Between 1830 and 1865, this neighborhood served as the nation’s second-largest slave-trading hub, trailing only New Orleans in its devastating scope and impact. Just steps from where we work daily stands the Lumpkin Jail Site, infamously known as "Devil’s Half Acre,” which housed Richmond’s largest enslaved population. The weight of this history isn’t lost on us as we pursue justice for all Virginians.
During our recent staff retreat, we embarked on a transformative journey with the Elegba Folklore Society, visiting the Lumpkin Jail, the General Assembly building, Manchester Dock, and the Reconciliation Statue. This wasn’t just a history lesson; it was a reckoning with the foundation upon which we build our work today. Virginia’s story, like that of our entire nation, contains both triumph and tragedy. The Commonwealth has witnessed moments of extraordinary courage alongside periods of profound injustice. Understanding this complex legacy isn’t about dwelling in the past; it’s about honoring the full truth of where we stand and why our work matters.
Place shapes us all. Take a moment to consider the locations that have molded your own path—the neighborhoods where you grew up, the schools where you learned, and the faith communities where you’ve built relationships. Each location has contributed to who you are today and influences how you see the world.
Just as our staff paused to acknowledge the significance of our office location, we invite you to reflect on the meaningful places in your own journey. What stories do they tell? How have they shaped your values? What responsibility do they place on your shoulders?
Against the backdrop of sweeping federal policy changes, Virginia once again finds itself at the center of national attention. Our Commonwealth’s voice carries weight that extends far beyond our borders. The decisions made here, the movements that gain momentum here, the coalitions that form here—they ripple outward, influencing the entire nation. This is no ordinary moment in history. The choices we make today will determine whether Virginia continues to be a beacon of progress or retreats into the shadows of its more troubling past.
Standing on this historic ground, we’re reminded that every generation faces a defining moment—a time when ordinary people must decide whether to be bystanders or actors in the unfolding drama of justice. That moment is now.
The soil beneath our feet has witnessed both the depths of human cruelty and the heights of human courage. Former enslaved people who passed through Devil’s Half Acre went on to build families, communities, and movements that changed the world. Civil rights leaders walked these same streets, organizing for the dignity and rights that we continue to defend today.
The question isn’t whether you’ll be part of Virginia’s story. You already are. The question is: What role will you play?
Yours In Solidarity,
Keisha
Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook
Executive Director | 
