Levar Stoney

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Kristina Perry
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(m. 2012;div. 2016)​

Brandy Washington
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(m. 2023)​
Levar Stoney
Levar Stoney (52508706410) (1).jpg
Stoney in 2022
80th Mayor of Richmond
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
Children1
Education James Madison University (BA)
Signature Levar Stoney signature.png
Website Government website

Levar Marcus Stoney (born March 20, 1981) is an American politician who has served as the 80th mayor of Richmond, Virginia, since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 2014 through 2016, being the youngest member of Governor Terry McAuliffe's administration. [1]

Contents

Stoney is a candidate for lieutenant governor of Virginia in the 2025 elections.

Early and personal life

Stoney was born on Roosevelt, Long Island, New York. When he was seven years old, he moved with his younger brother to Virginia's Hampton Roads area. [2] [3] His parents never married; Stoney and his siblings were raised by their father (who supported the family via various low-wage jobs, and eventually became a high school janitor) and grandmother (a retired domestic worker). [4]

At Tabb High School in Tabb, Virginia, Stoney became quarterback on the school's football team, and also president of the student body (as he had in elementary and middle school). [5] Stoney graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 2004. He was the first African-American male elected president of the student government, [6] and involved with the school's chapter of the College Democrats. [7]

In 2016, Stoney divorced his wife of four years. [4] He became engaged to Brandy Washington, a manager for Altria on February 22, 2022. [8] They married almost exactly a year later, on February 23, 2023. [9] Their daughter Sunday Washington Stoney was born in March 2024.

Career

Stoney (left) with Terry McAulliffe in 2010 Levar Stoney & Terry McAuliffe former DNC chair.jpg
Stoney (left) with Terry McAulliffe in 2010

In the summer of 2004, Stoney served as a Governor's Fellow in Mark Warner's administration. [4] Stoney then worked as an organizer in John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign as well as for the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in a get out the vote effort. Five colleagues were charged with vandalizing a van intended for transporting Republican voters. He initially denied knowledge of the incident but later acknowledged to the FBI that he was in the office when his colleagues bragged about the act. He went on to fully cooperate with law enforcement and testified against those involved. Following questioning by Virginia Republican lawmakers during a 2014 confirmation hearing, it was accepted as "an isolated, youthful mistake." [10] [11] [12]

During the 2005 Virginia Attorney General election Stoney worked for Creigh Deeds, who narrowly lost. [13] Stoney then worked for the Democratic Party of Virginia from 2006 to 2009, first as political director and then executive director. [14] In this role, he worked extensively with President Barack Obama's successful 2008 presidential campaign. [6]

In 2011, after losing his father, who (with his grandmother) had supported his political involvement (and after Creigh Deeds lost the 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race to Republican Bob McDonnell), Stoney began working as a consultant at Green Tech, an automotive company run by Terry McAuliffe (who had lost to Deeds in the 2009 Democratic gubernatorial primary). [4] The following year Stoney began working with McAuliffe's 2013 gubernatorial campaign, as deputy campaign manager, under campaign manager Robby Mook. [15] When McAuliffe won, Stoney became deputy director of the gubernatorial transition team, during which McAuliffe described Stoney as his "closest adviser." [16]

Secretary of the Commonwealth

Stoney in 2015 20151005 GCC Asphalt (21912375480).jpg
Stoney in 2015

McAuliffe appointed Stoney as Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia on November 18, 2013. [16] Following confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly, he took office on January 17, 2014. [17]

As Secretary of the Commonwealth, Stoney championed efforts for the restoration of voting rights for felons who have completed their sentences, an effort begun under Governor Bob McDonnell and accelerated under Governor McAuliffe. [18] [19] Stoney said that "once you have served your time and paid your due, we still should not be punishing you years afterwards. Instead, we should find ways to give that individual an opportunity to better themselves and to contribute to society." [18]

Mayor of Richmond

L-R: TN State Senator Becky Duncan Massey, U.S. Sec. of Labor Marty Walsh, CO Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, and Stoney at a 2022 meeting for the Mental Health Matters Taskforce L-22-11-18-A-011 (52507749917).jpg
L-R: TN State Senator Becky Duncan Massey, U.S. Sec. of Labor Marty Walsh, CO Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, and Stoney at a 2022 meeting for the Mental Health Matters Taskforce

Elections and transition

On April 21, 2016, Stoney announced that would run for Mayor of Richmond in the 2016 election. [20] [21] He announced his candidacy after resigning as Secretary of the Commonwealth. [22] [23] The incumbent, Dwight Clinton Jones, was ineligible to run for reelection due to Richmond's two-term limit. [4]

Stoney won the election over Jack Berry, 36% to 34%, with Joe Morrissey in third place. [24] [25] [26] Shortly after the election, Mayor-elect Stoney named Tiffany Jana and Bill Leighty as co-chairs of his transition team, with University of Richmond professor Thad Williamson named as director. [27]

Stoney was sworn into office on December 31, 2016. At 35 years of age, he became Richmond's youngest elected mayor. [4]

Stoney was reelected in 2020 winning the most votes in six of Richmond's nine districts allowing him to avoid a runoff. [28]

Tenure

Performance review

Upon taking office as mayor, Stoney commissioned a top-to-bottom performance audit of all city departments, conducted by the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at VCU, to be completed within 100 days of taking office with the aim of improving efficiency and address dissatisfaction with Richmond's government to create a more efficient administration. [29] [30] [31] [32]

Cigarette tax

In March 2019, Mayor Stoney proposed adding a 50-cent tax per pack of cigarettes, representing Richmond's first cigarette tax. [33] The City Council approved the 2020 budget, which included a $17 million increase for Richmond Public Schools and over $15 million for street paving, and was not able to find a majority consensus on eliminating or decreasing Stoney's proposed cigarette tax, allowing it to pass with the budget with projections it would generate over $3 million annually. [34]

Education

Education funding

On September 3, 2020, Stoney presented the keys to three new schools—Cardinal Elementary, Henry Marsh Elementary, and River City Middle—to their principals after construction that was financed thanks to funding from a 1.5% increase in the meals tax he had proposed. [35] [36] The new schools were described as much needed addition to Richmond Public Schools and featured specialized facilities such as science labs, art and music classrooms, and "calm down" rooms, contributing to enhanced learning environments for Richmond students. [35] [37] [38]

In another effort to support the Richmond Public School System, Stoney passed the "Pathways Program" which will pays for any Richmond Public School student's tuition at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College beginning fall 2023. [39] Additionally, the Stoney administration was able to increase local contributions to the public school system by 46.1% since the 2017 fiscal year while also investing in the Positive Youth Development & Youth Violence Prevention Fund for 12–19 year olds in the area. [40] [41]

The fiscal year 2025 budget brought total local contributions to Richmond Public Schools to $239.3 million, an increase of 58%. [42]

After-school programming

Stoney made expanding out-of-school programming to reach every elementary and middle school student a priority during his campaign and maintained the commitment in office. In 2018, Stoney announced the expansion of Richmond Public Schools to allow all 33 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) elementary and middle schools to provide every students with transportation to and from the programs. [43] The expansion was funded by local nonprofits and the private sector. [43] By 2020, after-school programming was available at all Richmond elementary and middle schools at least twice a week focused on arts, science, athletics and more provided by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond as part of a partnership with a local nonprofit, NextUp RVA, with transportation provided by RPS. [44]

Public safety

Positive Youth Development Fund

In 2022, Stoney launched the Positive Youth Development Fund initiative as part of Richmond's broader gun violence prevention strategy. [45] [46] The fund, which incorporated American Rescue Plan Act funding, provides financial support to community-based organizations that offer programs aimed at keeping youth engaged and providing safe, constructive environments driven by the need to address the root causes of youth violence through educational and recreational opportunities, particularly during out-of-school time. [46] In its first year, the fund awarded $1 million through NextUp RVA to combat youth violence and improve safety in addition to funding to the Carol Adams Foundation to fund a summer camp, supporting summer camps and other youth-oriented programs across the city. [46] [47]

By 2024, the Positive Youth Development Fund had distributed nearly $500,000 in additional grants to over 40 nonprofit organizations. [48] [49] These grants are used to enhance youth programs focusing on arts, education, athletics, and mental health resources, with the goal of breaking cycles of violence and fostering positive development for children in vulnerable communities. [48] [50] [51] The fund is part of a larger city initiative to reduce violent crime, which decreased 22% under Stoney as funding for Richmond Public Schools and expanded after-school programming increased. [49] [50]

Public safety task force

In July 2020, Stoney announced the formation of a task force to "reimagine" public safety with 20 members tasked with reviewing the city's law enforcement policies to recommending changes. [52] The initiative aimed to promote transparency and improve public safety by addressing key issues including the Richmond Police Department's use of force policies and the broader need for reform in Virginia's law enforcement practices. [52]

After three months of review, the Task Force presented 15 recommendations focused on police accountability, use of force training, enhanced mental health resources, and greater community engagement. [53] [54] The recommendations aimed to improve the relationship between law enforcement and the Richmond community, emphasizing the need for a more accountable, transparent, and community-oriented approach to public safety. [53]

Civilian Review Board (CRB)

In 2022, Stoney proposed the creation of an independent Civilian Review Board (CRB) in Richmond to oversee the police department, an initiative that was later approved by the City Council. [55] [56] The CRB, established in response to recommendations from the Public Safety Task Force, aims to increase oversight and accountability within the Richmond Police Department. [57]

The board, consisting of eight members, will review officer misconduct, internal investigations, and provide policy and disciplinary recommendations. [57] With a focus on enhancing police transparency and public safety, the CRB will require a five-member majority to advance any proposed actions. [57]

Housing policy

Addressing the city's affordable housing crisis was a key priority for Stoney upon taking office and he set out a goal of building 1,000 new housing a year. In 2024, Stoney announced that the city was exceeding the goal and adding new units more rapidly than expected to manage the crisis. [58] [59]

Virginia's first eviction diversion program

Stoney announced Virginia's first eviction diversion program during his 2019 state of the city address unveiling a 20-year action plan to combat an "eviction pandemic" in the city of Richmond. [60] This came following an article in the New York Times published data which named Richmond as number two in the nation for evictions at the start of his term. [61] [62] The program provides cash assistance, legal aid assistance, and financial literacy education for those in the process of being evicted and aimed to develop more affordable housing over the next five years. [60] In its first five months, the program had helped 122 residents avoid eviction. [61] In 2024, Stoney stated that the program had helped more than 1,600 families avoid eviction. [63]

Development of affordable housing

Since Stoney took office, Richmond had built 5,000 new affordable housing units. [64] Stoney has set a goal of creating 1,000 new affordable rental units per year. [65] [66] In a public-private collaboration, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) worked with a nonprofit developer to redevelop one of its properties for redevelopment to expand homeownership opportunities. The project was initiated with groundbreaking ceremony in August 2022. [67] The project, divided into three phases, was expected to cost around $22 million per phase with initial funding coming from funded by Virginia Housing through its Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program, and other state and department grants. [67] The redevelopment followed a 'build first' approach, ensuring new housing is constructed before relocating current residents. [68] In April 2023, the Richmond City Council finance committee approved over $20 million to advance the next phase of the project. [69]

Further efforts to redevelop other areas, including Gilpin Court and Jackson Ward, were initiated with a focus on increasing affordable housing and engaging residents in the planning process. [70] [66] In 2021, Stoney proclaimed April 17 as "Giles B. Jackson Day" recognizing all of Giles B. Jackson's accomplishments, and it was awarded on the 150th anniversary of the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. [71]

In 2023, Stoney proposed two affordable housing projects in South Richmond. [72] His administration also utilized its grant program to offer tax breaks to a developer to add affordable housing as part of a planned development in Manchester. [73] This followed the city's $65 million housing project in Manchester announced in June 2023 which would have "locked" "base rates" for 30 years. [74]

Partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Stoney's 2023–2024 city budget included $50 million towards developing affordable housing in Richmond City. On November 1, Stoney and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) announced that the LISC would match the city's $50 million to create a "historic" $100 million budget to hslp build more affordable housing. [75] [76] The investment was expected to help supercharge the city's efforts to build 40,000 new needed units of affordable housing. [77] [78]

Declaration of housing crisis

During a press conference on March 28, 2023, Stoney and City Council members declared a housing crisis in Richmond and called on state legislators to provide assistance and relief as well as nonprofit organizations to help develop solutions for the lack of affordable housing available. [79] A resolution officially declaring the city in a housing crisis passed on April 10. [80] This followed an announcement by the mayor that he had allocated $50 million over the next five years towards developing new affordable housing in the city to tackle the city's longterm housing crisis. [81]

In January 2023, at a United States Conference of Mayors discussion with other major city mayors on the affordable housing crisis, Stoney discussed Richmond's efforts to address the crisis and expressed frustration with dealing with out-of-town investors low-value offers and their inadequate care of property acquired in the city. [82]

2023–2024 city budget

For the 2023–2024 fiscal year, Stoney proposed a $3 billion city budget. [42] This came after listening to the public in order to make the government more effective and efficient. Under this new proposal, many city employees would receive pay raises, including a 5% pay raise for almost all police officers and firefighters in the city. [83] Non-sworn employees would receive an 8% salary increase. [42] The wage increase was funded by a $9 increase in utility costs for city residents. [83] Stoney aimed to ensure that no hourly-paid employee working for the city government would be paid less than $18 per hour.

As part of the budget, $21.1 million would also be allocated to public schools and $50 million would be allocated towards developing affordable housing over a five-year time period. [42] The budget also allocated $50 million towards a capital improvement program for the city and an additional $15 million towards restoring the William Fox Elementary School and $21 million towards new transportation infrastructure. [83]

Removal of Richmond's Confederate statues

In 2017, Stoney established the Monument Avenue Commission to assess the future of Richmond's Confederate statues. [84] The commission was initially focusing on adding historical context rather than removal with Stoney describing the monuments as an endorsement of injustices perpetrated by the Confederacy. [84] [85] [86] Initially, Stoney preferred adding historical context and authentic background information to Confederate statues arguing removal of the historical artifacts does not do anything to recognize the history and actions behind them. [87] However, following the violent 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Stoney urged the commission to consider the removal or relocation of the statues. [88]

In June 2020, nationwide protests including in Richmond at the Robert E. Lee Statue on Monument Avenue were sparked by the murder of George Floyd. Police responded by tear gassing the crowd unprovoked without warning. [89] The next day, over a thousand protestors gathered outside of City Hall. In response, Stoney met the crowd outside City Hall, apologized for the attack, and recognized that the police's actions were inexcusable. [89] [90] Following public pressure, Richmond Police released an apology from the chief of police announcing that the officers involved were pulled from the field. [90] [91] Stoney responded by showing up to another protest, apologizing to the crowd for violating their rights. [90]

On July 1, 2020, the day a new state law granting Richmond control over its Confederate monuments took effect, Stoney used his emergency powers to order the immediate removal of the statues. [92] [93] He took the step arguing that there was an "urgent need to protect the public" describing the removal of 11 Confederate monuments as necessary to public safety after frequent protests around the monuments and dangerous attempts by protestors to take the monuments down themselves. [94] [95] [96] He also asserted that "immediate removal will expedite the healing process for the city. [95] Stoney highlighted the need to move beyond the symbolic weight of Confederate monuments and actively address racial injustices ingrained in the city's history. [97] His decision faced opposition from the city council and interim city attorney. [93]

In December 2022, Richmond removed its last remaining Confederate monument following a lengthy court battle. [98] [99] [100] The monument, to General A. P. Hill, were planned to be transferred to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia while Hill's remains (which were beneath his monument) would be moved to a cemetery. [101] Stoney's actions to remove the monuments were described as showing an "unprecedented commitment to racial justice" and were the subject of an essay he published in the New York Times in summer 2021 describing the events leading to his decision to take down the Confederate statues. [102] [103]

In 2023, Stoney reestablished the city's History and Culture Commission to develop a plan for renaming Richmond's streets and public spaces that still honor Confederate figures and slave owners, following the removal of the city's Confederate statues. [98]

Participation in national organizations

U.S. Conference of Mayors

In 2019, Stoney was appointed chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' Children, Health, and Human Services Standing Committee. The appointment was based on his leadership and collaboration in providing resources and programs for children and families in Richmond. [104] [105]

Democratic Mayors Association

In January 2022, Stoney was elected as President of the Democratic Mayors Alliance, a national Democratic Party coalition dedicated to electing Democratic Mayors. [106] Stoney thus serves as a member of the Democratic National Committee. Stoney was previously on the board of the organization, and filled the vacancy left by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, whom President Joe Biden has nominated to serve as Ambassador to India.

Statewide politics

2025 election

In December 2023, Stoney announced that he would run for governor of Virginia in the 2025 election. [107] His campaign was endorsed by former Governor and 2021 gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. [108] Polling in January 2024 found that fellow Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger led the primary with 52%, with 8% in support of Stoney. [109]

He suspended his campaign for governor in April 2024 and announced that he would run for lieutenant governor of Virginia instead. [110]

Electoral history

2016 Richmond, Virginia, mayoral election [111]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Levar Stoney 35,525 35.64
Democratic Jack Berry33,44733.56
Independent Joe Morrissey 20,99521.06
Democratic Michelle Mosby5,7925.81
Democratic Jon Baliles2,2302.24
Independent Lawrence Williams5430.54
Republican Bruce Tyler5000.50
Independent Bobby Junes3810.38
Write-in 2550.26
Total votes99,668 100
Democratic hold
2020 Richmond, Virginia, mayoral election [112]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Levar Stoney 41,145 37.72
Democratic Alexsis Rodgers28,88526.48
Democratic Kimberly Gray28,47826.11
Republican M. Justin Griffin7,7867.14
Independent Michael Gilbert (withdrawn)1,4731.35
Democratic Tracey McLean1,0991.01
Write-in 2200.20
Total votes109,086 100
Democratic hold

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References

  1. ↑ "Biography". Commonwealth of Virginia. Archived from the original on November 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Levar Stoney Named Executive Director of Va. Dems". Fourth Estate. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Pep talk launches College Application Week". The Record Online. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Oliver, Ned (December 31, 2016). "Levar Stoney, Richmond's youngest elected mayor, took office Sunday: Here's how he got there". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Stoney, Tabb Punish Weak Greensville". Daily Press. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  6. 1 2 "James Madison University – Levar Stoney ('04)". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "JMU Madison Magazine – Summer '09 Issue – 0024". Virtual Paper. Archived from the original on June 23, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lazarus, Jeremy M. (February 24, 2022). "Mayor: She said 'yes'". Richmond Free Press . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ Stoney, Levar (February 24, 2023). "2.23.23". Facebook . Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Democratic campaigners testify against their comrades in tire-slashing case – CourtTV.com – Trials". October 23, 2008. Archived from the original on October 23, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "Five Charged in Tire Slashing Incident". WisPolitics.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Virginia Republicans on panel play nice with Levar Stoney". The Washington Post .
  13. ↑ "Virginia Republicans on panel play nice with Levar Stoney". Washington Post. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  14. ↑ "McAuliffe names Brown, Reagan, Denslow, Stoney to posts". Richmond Times-Dispatch. November 18, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  15. ↑ Alexander Burns. "McAuliffe taps Mook, Stoney to lead campaign". POLITICO. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  16. 1 2 Wiggins, Ovetta (November 18, 2013). "Virginia Gov.-elect McAuliffe chooses veteran Democrats for key Cabinet appointments". The Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Governor – Swearing In of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Levar Stoney". January 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  18. 1 2 "Commonwealth secretary talks about efforts to restore voting rights". NewsAdvance.com. October 22, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  19. ↑ "In Charlottesville talk, Secretary Stoney says rights restoration has a ways to go". The Daily Progress. August 3, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  20. ↑ Robinson, Mark (April 21, 2016). "Field Notes: Stoney's Announcement". richmondmagazine.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Richmond could see a competitive mayor's race in 2016 | OUR OPINION". richmond.com. April 25, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  22. ↑ Small, Leah (April 21, 2016). "Holdout Candidate Levar Stoney Joins Crowded Race for Richmond Mayor | Scrum". Styleweekly.com. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  23. ↑ [ dead link ]
  24. ↑ Oliver, Ned (November 9, 2016). "How Levar Stoney appears to have pieced together a surprise victory Tuesday". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Levar Stoney leading 5 districts in Richmond mayoral race". wtvr.com. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ "Richmond, Virginia, Mayor Results: Levar Stoney Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Richmond Times Dispatch [Friday, Nov 11, 2016]". www.richmond.com. November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney Declares Victory In Re-Election Bid". VPM. November 5, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Wilder School Study Links City Hall Performance to Key Departments". wilder.vcu.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  30. ↑ Robinson, Mark (May 25, 2017). "'Excessive Bureaucracy'". richmondmagazine.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  31. ↑ Dickerson, Trevor (April 11, 2017). "Mayor's office releases assessment of Stoney's first 100 days in office". RVAHub. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Performance review finds 'excessive bureaucracy' at City Hall". WRIC ABC 8News. May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  33. ↑ Robinson, mark (March 6, 2019). "Stoney proposes 9-cent hike to Richmond's real estate tax rate, 50-cent tax on cigarettes". Richmond Times Dispatch. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Richmond City Council Approves 2020 Budget, First-Ever Cigarette Tax". VPM. May 13, 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  35. 1 2 "Three New Richmond Schools Built Through Meal Tax Increase". VPM. September 3, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Mayor Stoney hands over keys to three new schools in Richmond's East End and Southside | Richmond". www.rva.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  37. ↑ North, Emma (September 3, 2020). "Keys presented to principals of Richmond's three new schools". 8News.
  38. ↑ "Mayor Stoney hands over keys to three new schools in Richmond's East End and Southside | Richmond". www.rva.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  39. ↑ Graff, Henry (March 1, 2023). "Stoney lays out priorities including community college for all, real-time crime center". www.nbc12.com. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  40. ↑ Nwoko, A. J. (April 14, 2022). "City launches grant program for positive youth development to curb gun violence". www.nbc12.com. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Initiatives | Richmond". www.rva.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
  42. 1 2 3 4 "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney's budget proposal includes new pay raises for employees, affordable housing funding". WRIC ABC 8News. March 7, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  43. 1 2 Times-Dispatch, MARK ROBINSON Richmond (August 29, 2018). "Stoney announces after-school program expansion for Richmond Public Schools students". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  44. ↑ "After-school programs now in all RPS middle and elementary schools". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  45. ↑ Graff, Henry (August 16, 2022). "Mayor Levar Stoney tours summer camp to keep youth from violence". NBC12. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  46. 1 2 3 Rocket, Ali (June 13, 2022). "These 37 organizations are getting money for positive youth development, violence prevention". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  47. ↑ Graff, Henry (August 16, 2022). "Mayor Levar Stoney tours summer camp to keep youth from violence". NBC12. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  48. 1 2 Dickerson, Trevor (May 9, 2024). "Nearly $500,000 in youth development grants awarded across Richmond". RVAHub. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  49. 1 2 Dare, Josh (May 14, 2024). "Nearly a Half-Million Dollars in Youth-Development Grants Announced by NextUp and the City". ThePhilVA. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  50. 1 2 "Mayor Stoney's $2.9B budget". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  51. ↑ "Summer 2024 Positive Youth Development Recipients". NextUp RVA. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  52. 1 2 Perry, Eric (July 10, 2020). "Mayor Stoney announces members of city task force to Reimagine Public Safety". www.12onyourside.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  53. 1 2 "Task force offers 15 recommendations to 'reimagine' Richmond Police". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. November 24, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  54. ↑ "Task Force to Reimagine Public Safety publicizes final report | Richmond". www.rva.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Mayor Stoney provides latest updates on what Richmond's civilian review board could look like". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Citizen Review | Richmond". www.rva.gov. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  57. 1 2 3 "Richmond establishes police civilian review board". WRIC ABC 8News. October 10, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  58. ↑ McNamee, Madison (October 31, 2023). "Richmond partners with LISC to put $100 million towards affordable housing crisis". NBC12. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  59. ↑ McNamee, Madison (September 9, 2024). "Richmond exceeding its annual affordable housing goals". www.12onyourside.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  60. 1 2 "Mayor Stoney lays out eviction diversion program in State of the City address". WRIC ABC 8News. February 1, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  61. 1 2 "After Five Months, Richmond Program Helps 122 Residents Avoid Eviction". VPM. March 9, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  62. ↑ Badger, Emily; Bui, Quoctrung (April 7, 2018). "In 83 Million Eviction Records, a Sweeping and Intimate New Look at Housing in America". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  63. ↑ "Prepared Remarks FY 2025 City of Richmond Budget Speech" (PDF). March 24, 2024.
  64. ↑ "Stoney rebrands gun violence office, responds to mayoral candidates". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  65. ↑ Graff, Henry (March 14, 2023). "Mayor Stoney, City Council set to address affordable housing crisis in Richmond". WWBT. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  66. 1 2 Gordon, Wyatt (May 11, 2023). "Can redevelopment save Richmond's Gilpin Court? • Virginia Mercury". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  67. 1 2 "Redevelopment of Creighton Court underway after groundbreaking – Richmond BizSense". richmondbizsense.com. August 8, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  68. ↑ Adams, Andrea (July 15, 2022). "RRHA Hosts Creighton Court "New Beginning" Event". Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  69. ↑ Graff, Henry (April 20, 2023). "Millions in funding moves forward for Creighton Court redevelopment". WWBT. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  70. ↑ Yinger, Emily (February 12, 2023). "City of Richmond looking to redevelop Gilpin Court and Jackson Ward". WWBT. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  71. ↑ "Jackson Ward 150th Anniversary: Mayor Stoney declares April 17th as Giles B. Jackson Day". WRIC ABC 8News. April 18, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  72. ↑ Mirshahi, Dean (October 23, 2023). "Mayor Stoney eyes South Richmond for Affordable Housing Projects". WRIC.
  73. ↑ Avellino, Kelly (October 23, 2018). "City gives developer $4.5 million tax break to add affordable housing, public improvements to Manchester development". NBC12. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  74. ↑ "New Richmond community to have 'base rent' locked for 30 years because 'rent is too damn high'". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. June 14, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  75. ↑ McNamee, Madison (October 31, 2023). "Richmond partners with LISC to put $100 million towards affordable housing crisis". www.12onyourside.com. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  76. ↑ "LISC Commits $50 Million in Partnership with Richmond, VA to Tackle Affordable Housing Crisis: Mayor Levar Stoney and City Council Announce Partnership with LISC to Address the Affordable Housing Crisis". Local Initiatives Support Corporation. November 1, 2023.
  77. ↑ Holter, Em (October 31, 2023). "Mayor says Richmond has $100 million to fight housing crisis as nonprofit helps out". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
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  79. ↑ "In 'call to action,' city leaders declare housing crisis in Richmond – Richmond BizSense". richmondbizsense.com. March 29, 2023. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  80. ↑ Murray, Delaney (April 10, 2023). "City of Richmond officially declares housing crisis".
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  82. ↑ Martinez, Marissa (January 19, 2023). "Mayors: Affordable housing demand is crushing us". Politico.
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  84. 1 2 "Commission To Add 'Context' To Richmond's Confederate Monuments". June 25, 2017.
  85. ↑ "Mayor Stoney: Diversity, context needed on Monument Avenue". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. June 22, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  86. ↑ Monument Avenue Commission Report (PDF). 2018.
  87. ↑ Robinson, Mark (August 14, 2017). "Mayor Stoney: Richmond's Confederate monuments should stay with context added; commission's mission remains the same". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  88. ↑ Maclauchlan, Shawn (August 17, 2017). "Mayor Stoney tells Monument Avenue Commission to consider removal of statues". www.12onyourside.com. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  89. 1 2 Lawler, Andrew (August 9, 2020). "The Black, Millennial Mayor Who Tore Down His City's White Monuments". Politico.
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  93. 1 2 "Richmond mayor orders removal of Confederate statues on city land". PBS News. July 1, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
  94. ↑ "Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney says 11 total monuments will be removed: 'It's about time'". WRIC ABC 8News. July 2, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
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  96. ↑ "Richmond mayor orders removal of Confederate statues on city land". PBS NewsHour. July 1, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  97. ↑ "Soldiers and Sailors statue removed in former Confederate capital". NBC News. July 8, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  98. 1 2 Oliver, Ned (March 21, 2023). "Taking down Richmond's last Confederate memorials". Axios.
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