RCV Newsletter

The Richmond Crusade for Voters

January 2016, Issue 4

Editor-In-Chief
Dr. Kimberly Matthews
kmatthews95@yahoo.com

2015-2017 Officers
President
Regie Ford
Vice President
Corey Nicholson
2nd Vice President
Amelia Lightner
Secretary
Keith Hicks
Treasurer
Ralph Cramer
Sergeant-At-Arms
Rufus Fleming
Chaplain
Cassandra Shaw
Parliamentarian
Lisa Nicholson
Historian
Willie Williams
Founders
Dr. William S. Thornton
Dr. William Ferguson Reid
Mr. John M. Brooks

Message From the President

A person who campaigns vigorously for political, social,
or religious change is the definition of a crusader. That
is who you are. As Richmond Crusader for the Voters
team members, we have been involved in a lot around
the city and we are going to be more visible, more vocal,
and more educating in 2016. Take a look at the activities we were involved in 2014 - 2015 on page 7.

The direction for 2016 is simple but not easy; start a

movement, be vocal on issues, and move our meetings
from general meetings to controlled informational discussion sessions about our city. Yes, we are still adhering to voter registration, voter education, and get out
the vote. Lets talk about the felony threshold, ban the box, redistricting, and a
host of other issues; talk meaning be actionable.
How Being involved with what is going on in our neighborhoods and not relying
on the news to be our only source of information.
When Now, start with what tools we have and better tools will come along. Organize teams in the nine districts.
Where In our conscious mind first. We will bring in speakers that add substantive information to our plight. I use the word plight loosely because we believe we
are in a hole deeper than it really is. We have a wealth of knowledge in our community with people who look like us and people who do not look like us willing to
help level the playing field too.
Why How, When, and Where are important however the most important of
them all is why. Why do Blacks turnout more for the general election but not the
local election? Why are there are no grocery stores in our neighborhoods, but we
have high cost corner stores? Why are there no banks in our neighborhoods but
there is a cash advance? Why are our neighborhoods riddled with crime? Why is
our childrens education behind neighboring counties?
When you know your why, the picture becomes clearer.
Team, we are the most relevant political organization in the state of Virginia. We
are that because of you and the leaders that preceded us. Lets continue the good
work with an unbashful tongue, making relevant change through leadership,
while developing new leaders to continue the movement.
In the words of the great Marcus Mosiah Garvey Liberate the minds of men and
ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men.
Inside this Edition
Message from the PresidentPage 1
Stay ConnectedPage 2
Mark Your CalendarPage 2
Membership CornerPage 3
RCV HappeningsPage 4-6
2014-2015 ActivitiesPage 7

RCV Mission
Increase the membership and participation in activities of the organization and make our elected officials accountable to the citizens of
the City of Richmond.

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Contact Information
Address
P.O. Box 25302
Richmond, VA 23260-5320
Email
crusadeforvoters@gmail.com
Twitter
@CrusadersofVA
Website
Crusadeforvoters.weebly.com
Facebook
www.facebook.com/CrusadeForVoters

February 16, 2016

Regular Body Meeting 7pm
February 23, 2016
A viewing of the documentary Eyes on the Prize
6:00-8:30pm
Richmond Public Library - Main Branch
101 E Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23219
March 15, 2016
Regular Body Meeting 7pm

Visible, Vocal & Educating

2

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Membership Corner
Its Time To Renew Your Membership!!
If you are a current RCV member:
Simply pay your $15.00 annual dues to a member of the membership committee.
If you would like to become a member:
A. Subscribe to the principles and objectives of the organization. We strongly encourage all prospective members to review the Charter and Bylaws to understand
the mission and purpose of the organization.
B. Complete the membership application and pay the $15.00 annual dues at the
next meeting or on our website.
C. Attend general body meetings regularly. Members are ineligible to vote if they
do not attend at least three meetings within a calendar year.

The Richmond Crusade

for Voters
Is Celebrating Its
60th Anniversary
this year.
Come Join & Celebrate
with Us!!
3

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RCV Happenings

On Sunday, November 1, 2015, The Richmond Crusade for Voters

held a historic event at the Crowne Plaza, Downtown Richmond.

An Evening of Fellowship to honor

Dr. Ferguson Reids 90 for 90 Request

The Special Guest Speaker was Virginias Secretary of Education Ann Holton.

Photos provided by Steven Armstrong

Fall 2015 RCV Intern

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Thank you
to everyone who made
this event a success!!

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RCV Happenings

Straight Talk Forum

RCV General Body Meeting

On Tuesday, October 20, 2015 Iman
Shabazz joined us to discuss mass incarnation at Second Street Baptist
Church, 1400 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23220.

The Richmond Crusade for Voters hosted

a Senate and House of Delegates Candidates Forum Sunday, October 18, 2015,
3:00-4:30 p.m. at Virginia Union University, 1500 N. Lombardy Street in Ellison
Halls Wall Auditorium.

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Event

Date

Candidates Forum

October 2014

Melvin Fox Home - Visit and Dinner

December 2015

Candidates Forum

January 2015

Chief Terisovic - Speaker

January 2015

Chief Woody - Speaker

January 2015

Franklin Military Academy Program

January 2015

Chicago Avenue Baptist Church -Visit

February 2015

Bylaws Passed

February 2015

Audit Report Completed

May 2015

Bonnie Winston - Speaker

April 2015

Jack Gravely - Speaker

April 2015

Antionette Irvings Community Forum

May 2015

Candidates Forum

May 2015

First Union Baptist Church - Visit

May 2015

Candidates Meet and Greet

June 2015

Rick Tatnall East End Community Collaboration

June 2015

Levar Stoney - Speaker

July 2015

Shonda Muhammads Back-to-School Blast

August 2015

National Night Out

August 2015

Fish Fry

August 2015

Black MBAs Youth Leadership Program

August 2015

VCU SOVO Fair

August 2015

Brian Cannon - Speaker

September 2015

National Voter Registration Day

September 2015

Candidates Forum

October 2015

Three Fold Cord/90 for 90

November 2015

NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner

November 2015