Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter discusses ongoing attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, shares upcoming community town halls, highlights select community engagements from this past week, as well as the upcoming celebrations of Purim and Holi. Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and for staying informed.

Attacks on Social, Education, and Economic Progress

The Trump administration, followed closely by the Youngkin administration, has moved quickly to attack and scapegoat progress made under equal opportunity protections, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and fundamental civil rights advancements. These efforts raise numerous concerns, especially when viewed from the perspective of marginalized communities, our workplaces, and educational institutions.

Among these concerns is the erosion of representation. DEI initiatives are designed to ensure that historically underrepresented groups such as racial minorities, women, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others have a voice and representation in spaces from which they were previously excluded. Removing these programs can lead to a reduction in opportunities for these groups, perpetuating systemic inequalities. In one of Trump’s first actions, government websites have been scrubbed clean of words such as “women in leadership” and “advocate.”

One of the core purposes of the work of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and of DEI programs is to address and reduce social and economic disparities. Without DEI efforts, structural inequalities can persist or even worsen, as organizations and some institutions are now being effectively told that they must ban practices to recruit, retain, or advance people from diverse backgrounds. Removing protections for women, individuals with disabilities, and members of minority communities makes “more than 150 million American workers more susceptible to discrimination in their workplaces.”

DEI initiatives often focus on fostering an environment that helps groups within an organization understand and appreciate cultural differences. Dismantling DEI programs limits opportunities to develop cultural competence, which is increasingly important in a globalized and interconnected world.

The goal of such programs has been to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all employees, especially those from marginalized groups. As DEI programs are dismantled without a careful understanding of the needs of diverse communities, increasing divisions, misunderstanding, and potentially abusive situations can be the harmful results.

In next week’s newsletter, I will highlight the recent actions of the Youngkin administration that target the efforts of expanding representation within Virginia’s colleges and universities and that have triggered harmful impacts within these institutions.

Upcoming Town Halls

Tonight, members of the Chesterfield General Assembly Delegation will hold a 2025 Post-Session Town Hall. Registration remains open for the event, and we welcome Chesterfield constituents for this important discussion.

Next Monday, March 17, members of the City of Richmond General Assembly Delegation will also hold a 2025 Post-Session Town Hall. Registration is open for the event, and we welcome Richmond constituents for this important discussion.

Select Community Engagements

On Tuesday I visited UA Local 10, located in my district, for its Mid-Atlantic Pipe Trades Association Locals Apprentice Competition, showcasing talented apprentices in plumbing, pipefitting, HVAC, and welding. Our unions provide invaluable mentorships, training, and opportunities for members while fighting for family-sustaining wages, increased worker safety, and dignity in the workplace.

I was happy to join the audience at Brightpoint Community College’s Midlothian Campus on Wednesday evening to see the production of The Penny Executive, a one-woman show highlighting the life and legacy of Richmond’s trailblazer Maggie Walker. This remarkable retelling of the life of Maggie Walker was written and directed by Brightpoint Professor Foster Solomon.

Thursday evening was busy with travel as I first joined the Arlington Democrats for a critical Federal Workers Forum in solidarity with the thousands of public servants unlawfully fired through actions by Elon Musk. The Northern Virginia region, where the majority of Virginia’s federal workers reside, generates 42% of Virginia’s GDP, larger than twenty-four states and the District of Columbia. The impacts of these irresponsible policy choices at the federal-level, and our Governor’s unwillingness to speak out on behalf of the Virginians he represents, will have dire consequences on our state.

On my way to the next stop, I joined the Franconia Dems by Zoom to share the work I have been doing and why I am running for Lieutenant Governor. During this discussion, I highlighted the critical need for effective and strong state-level leadership as, more and more, federal government responsibilities default to the states under the Trump administration.

I next joined a celebration for the launch of the South Asian Herald, a news website focused on journalism for the South Asian American community. As Virginia’s AANHPI population continues to grow, independent media sources become all the more vital for providing information relevant to AANHPI-specific needs, culture, and concerns.

My final stop that evening was with the Fairfax City Dems. This stalwart group of Democrats were patiently listening to a large number of state-wide candidates; I arrived close to 9 pm, and they were still going strong.

This past weekend was also filled with travel and events across Virginia. On Saturday, I met with members of the Orange County Democratic Committee. The Orange County Dems meeting was my very first visit last May shortly after I announced for Lieutenant Governor; it was wonderful to reconnect with Committee members again.

Sunday began with the Springfield District Democrats Women’s History Month event, honoring Kate Hanley for her leadership as the former Chair of Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and as former Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I next joined the Fairfax County Democratic Committee to share my priorities and highlight what I will accomplish as Virginia’s next Lieutenant Governor. With the chaos at the federal level, Virginians are looking for strong leadership to guide the state through this time of great uncertainty.

I ended my event-filled Sunday by attending a meeting of the Hanover County Democrats. As we begin to see a clearer picture of how the Trump Administration’s policies will impact federal programs that provide critical support for public schools, health care, and more, our rural communities are most vulnerable to experiencing major hardships. Residents are ready for leadership that understands and prioritizes the needs of their communities, rather than special interests.

Celebrating Holi & Purim

For all Virginians celebrating Purim and Holi this week, we wish you a family-filled and memory-making holiday.