Who We Are
Our Story
Rooted in Legacy, Built for This Moment.
The Virginia Crusade For Voters is the natural outgrowth of decades of grassroots political organizing. While we operate with the same foundational spirit as the historic Richmond Crusade for Voters—founded in 1956—we are a distinct, fully independent entity with a mandate that spans the entire Commonwealth of Virginia.
Conceived in 2020 by longtime Richmond Crusade leaders and members, our foundation was formalized in the years that followed, rising to meet a time of increasing political turmoil and pressure on dedicated Black voters. We recognized that a fragmented approach was no longer sufficient. To protect our families and secure our future, we needed a statewide apparatus focused entirely on the power of the collective Black vote.
We are not a single-issue organization. We are a holistic advocacy group standing firmly on four pillars: Voter Registration, Voter Education, Voter Advocacy, and Voter Mobilization. Our chapters stretch across Virginia, ensuring that whether you are in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley, or Southside, you have a political home.
We represent the genuine frustration of Virginians who demand better—and we’ve built the vehicle to deliver it.
Our Core Values
Guided by Principle. Driven by Purpose.
01.
Collective Power & Cohesion
We believe the Black vote is strongest not when it is scattered, but when it is strategically united. We prioritize building a cohesive, well-organized voting bloc that transcends individual interests, neighborhood boundaries, and partisan labels. We speak with one voice because we know that true power is collective power, harnessed and deployed with precision.
02.
Unwavering Accountability
We do not offer blind loyalty to any party, personality, or political machine. Our loyalty is exclusively to the interests of Black voters and families. We will celebrate political allies when they deliver, but we will unflinchingly demand answers and a course correction from any elected official—regardless of affiliation—who fails to prioritize the needs of our community. Promises are noted, but results are what we measure.
03.
The Sanctity of Self-Determination
We are not a subsidiary of any other organization. While we honor our historical connection to the 1956 Richmond Crusade for Voters, we are an independent, self-governing body charting our own path for a modern Virginia. We believe Black communities must define their own agenda, speak for themselves, and build their own institutions of lasting power.
04.
Generational Bridge-Building
We stand on the shoulders of the 1956 Crusade and the elders who risked everything for the ballot. We also know the future demands the energy and fresh vision of a new generation of activists. We are committed to being a multi-generational movement where the wisdom of experience meets the innovation of youth, ensuring a seamless transfer of knowledge, strategy, and leadership.
05.
Political Integrity & Truth
In an era of misinformation and political spin, we will be a trusted, consistent source of truth for our people. Our voter education is fact-based and unbiased. Our advocacy is transparent. We will not lie to our community to serve a political agenda, and we will combat the forces that attempt to disenfranchise us through deception.
06.
Radical Inclusivity Within Our Community
The Black community is not a monolith, and our organization will not treat it as such. We are a big-tent movement that intentionally makes room for the full diversity of Black thought, faith, socioeconomic status, and lived experience. A welder in Norfolk, a teacher in Danville, and a student at Virginia State all have an equal seat at our table. Our strength lies in our ability to find common ground for a shared liberation.
TAKE ACTION NOW
BE THE DIFFERENCE
Every voice matters, and every vote has the power to shape Virginia’s future. Whether you register to vote, volunteer at community events, or help educate others, your involvement strengthens our democracy.