2021 Redistricting Organizing Summit
Sunday, June 13, 2021
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm ET

Redistricting in Virginia happens every ten years – but this year, it looks different than ever before. The newly created Virginia Redistricting Commission is the first of its kind, made up of eight legislators and eight citizens. It is evenly divided between the two major political parties, led by citizens – not politicians – and subject to a broad array of transparency requirements.
As the first state in the South to adopt such a commission – and the first state in the nation to pass redistricting reform without the option of bypassing their legislature – Virginia now has a unique opportunity to lead the region in fair redistricting. And it starts with citizen involvement.
On June 13, the Virginia NAACP is partnering with OneVirginia2021, a nonpartisan redistricting reform organization, to hold a Redistricting Organizing Summit. This free webinar will help provide the tools you need to organize in your own community and advocate for your neighborhood in the new map-drawing process. We’ll talk about effective messaging, available resources, and feature a panel discussion on how to mobilize anywhere.
Summit Presenters











Training Agenda
4:00 PM
Session Description
Why do we need to care about redistricting? Why is it so important to get involved?
Session Presenter
Gaylene Kanoyton
Political Action Chair, Virginia NAACP
4:05 PM
Session Description
Where does Virginia currently stand in the redistricting process? What’s coming up?
Session Presenter
Del. Schuyler Van Valkenburg
Virginia House of Delegates – 72nd District
4:20 PM
Session Description
What are your options for making your voice heard to the Redistricting Commission?
Session Presenter
Chris DeRosa
Co-Coordinator of State Redistricting Issues, Virginia League of Women Voters
4:30 PM
Session Description
Communities of Interest (COI) are now protected by Virginia law, but they can be hard to define. Help advocate for your community by drawing a COI map with Representable, an easy online tool.
Session Presenter
Mikala Parnell
Outreach Coordinator, Representable
Princeton Gerrymandering Project
4:55 PM
Session Description
How can I talk to my community about why they should care about new district maps?
Session Presenter
Suzanne Almeida
Redistricting and Representation Counsel, Common Cause
5:15 PM
Panel Description
Organizing doesn’t look the same in every part of the Commonwealth. Our panel of experts talk about best practices on how to mobilize in different kinds of communities.
Expert Panelists
Jamal Watkins
Senior Vice President of Strategy and Advancement, NAACP
Kim Bobo
Executive Director, Virginia Interfaith Center
Mohamed Gula
National Organizing Director, EmgageUSA
Eduardo Zelaya
Regional Lead Organizer, CASA Virginia
5:45 PM
Panel Description
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask their redistricting organizing questions to our panel of experts.
Moderators
Liz White
Executive Director, OneVirginia2021
Da’Quan Marcell Love
Executive Director, Virginia NAACP