“We’re on a journey toward excellence, to be the very best we can be, to be a model of what is expected by you, for you.” With those words, James M. “Jim” Holland assumed chairmanship of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, Jan. 3., following a unanimous vote.

Mr. Holland shared a similar speech in 2008, when he first began serving on the board as the representative for the Dale District, the third African-American to be elected to the panel. He became the first African-American to serve as its chair in 2014 and again in 2021.

About 20 minutes away from Mr. Holland’s district, another African-American continues to rise in Henrico County, which neighbors Chesterfield and the city of Richmond.

Tyrone Nelson, who represents Henrico’s Varina District, was unanimously elected to his third chairmanship of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors during its first meeting of the year on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

“I would urge us, all of us, as supervisors, staff and community to embrace the moment that we have and take the time to listen, understand and appreciate what each of us brings to the table,” said Mr. Nelson, who’s also a minister.

“We can do this, and we will do this, because we all take seriously the call to serve the residents of this great county.”

Different constituents, same objectives

The similarities between Mr. Holland and Mr. Nelson run far deeper than speeches and sentiment. Both men appear genuinely open to the idea of their respective counties one day working together.

Acquainted with one another by way of meetings attended by administrative and regional leaders, they both spoke highly of each other when the possibility of collaboration was raised.

“We’re people of faith at the highest echelon,” Mr. Holland said. “What we’re about is making sure that our communities are the very best in terms of inclusion, in terms of opportunity, in terms of a great place to live.”

Mr. Holland and Mr. Nelson arrived in their current roles led by a common interest in education. For Mr. Holland, his experience in segregated schools and his mother’s dream of becoming a nurse were major influences in his life long before he called Virginia home.

When he arrived in Chesterfield County in 1987, Mr. Holland became active in the Chesterfield County Council of PTAs and assumed leadership roles on the Chesterfield County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Task Force.

That background in education has continued to shape Mr. Holland’s work on the board.

One project, in particular, is the transformation of Beulah Elementary School into the Beulah Recreation Center last June. Located in Mr. Holland’s district, the center’s renovation cost $12.1 million.

More than 5,000 square feet, it can accommodate activities for youth, adults and senior citizens. Interior features include a classroom, a multi-purpose room with a stage, a conference room, a gym and a catering kitchen. All of these spaces are available for rent by the public.

“(It is a) commitment to the past, to my parents, to my community and to African-Americans everywhere to be a difference to be a model of service,” Mr. Holland said.

“Those are the things that drive me, day in and day out, because I know what excellence is, and I want to obtain it."

Mr. Nelson, who also has served as pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond since July 2005, ran for the Henrico County School Board in 2007 because he was concerned about racial diversity in teachers and staff in schools in the county — worries that arose as his child entered elementary school in 2005.

Although Mr. Nelson lost that election, the late A. Donald McEachin encouraged him to run for office a few years later.

He provided the political staff necessary for Mr. Nelson to win a spot to represent Varina on the Board of Supervisors in 2011. (Congressman McEachin served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1996-2002 and from 2006-2008, and as a Virginia senator 2008-2017. He died in November 2022.)

In the years since, Mr. Nelson has continued to champion improvements in education as a staple of his political career.

He is proud of having helped to approve more than $100 million in the creation, renovation or improvement of schools across the county, he said.

Mr. Nelson has balanced these duties alongside his work on the Capital Region Airport Commission, Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Virginia Commonwealth University’s Board of Visitors.

For him, the ability to see the impact his work has had in Henrico County, particularly its eastern region, is why he said he continues to seek office.

“I know there’s still a lot more to do,” Mr. Nelson said, “and I’ve got the energy and the drive and the will to continue to do it.”

Population shifts settle in Chesterfield and Henrico

Mr. Holland and Mr. Nelson’s latest turns at county leadership follow a decade-long rise in the number of residents for both counties. The population of Chesterfield County in 2022 was 378,408, a 19.3% increase from 316,236 in 2010, according to U.S. Census data.

Henrico County saw an 8.7% rise within the same period to 333,962 from 306,935.

Part of that increase has come from residents moving in from the city of Richmond and other locations in Virginia.

This also has contributed to a changing demographic, resulting in populations that are older and more racially diverse than ever before, including increases in African-American and Latino communities.

For Mr. Nelson, this change has been most noticeable in his work as a politician, and he said he believes it has further highlighted pressing community needs, particularly affordable housing and resource investment.

Still, he said, Henrico offers residents numerous rewards.

“I think Henrico is just a good place to raise a family or it’s a good place to start,” Mr. Nelson said. “I think that speaks to our region in general.”

When asked about Chesterfield’s population growth, Mr. Holland said that the living standards of the area, shaped by a commitment to safety and education, are primary motivators for new residents.

He celebrated the diversity and inclusivity the demographic shifts have brought to the county. He also noted that, while the community has changed over the years, its needs and interests have remained the same — safe schools, well-maintained public spaces and a good quality of life.

“What I’ve noticed is that we all want the great things of life,” Mr. Holland said. “We all want the best of life regardless of who we are and how we look.”

Maintaining that quality of life for both Chesterfield and Henrico will depend on the policies in place. In that regard, Mr. Holland, 73, and Mr. Nelson, 50, share several commonalities for 2024 and beyond. Job creation and education are major areas of focus for both supervisors, along with improvement and investment in county infrastructure.

Other major priorities for Mr. Holland include enhanced public safety and small business development.

Mr. Nelson, meanwhile, cites housing, public and private investment, and mental-health support for communities of color as priorities.

“I think we just want to continue to keep on moving the needle forward,” Mr. Nelson said.

Mr. Nelson and Mr. Holland said they believe that the same desire for progress is shared by the other members of their respective boards. While elections last year brought a new supervisor to Chesterfield, three new members to Henrico and a political shift to Democratic-majority boards, both said they believe that collaboration will supersede conflict.

“Our goal is to coalesce and to work together,” Mr. Holland said.

His Henrico County counterpart is excited about the future.

“I’m excited about our board,” Mr. Nelson said. “I think the best is yet to come.”

"Remarks"

John A. Vithoulkas, County Manager, Henrico County:

“Mr. Holland and Rev. Nelson are two giants in the Richmond region, collectively serving their respective communities with heart and distinction in an elected capacity for a combined 28 years. Under Rev. Nelson’s leadership, Henrico County has made significant investments in the East End, highlighted by the brand new Highland Springs High School, the new Varina Library and the new Taylor Park — which is under construction. As the senior member of the Henrico Board of Supervisors, funding for schools, environmental efforts, road and mobility projects, and mass transit is at historic levels. Rev. Nelson is a leader in the region — his voice is heard — and he now serves as the chairman of the GRTC Board of Directors and is a member of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority Board. I am absolutely humbled to be able to work for this man and I very much look forward to what challenges he brings forward next for our county staff to meet.”

Joe Casey, County Administrator, Chesterfield County:

“I have had the honor and privilege of a front-row seat to two regionally-minded leaders that I respect, Mr. Holland and Mr. Nelson. When either of them are part of a meeting, productive discussions arise in making their locality or region better. They both ask the questions that should be asked, but often not thought of by others, and position staff to do productive work in addressing their question or advancing their topic. When both of them are together in the same room, it is something even more amazing in what can be done together. I look forward to the years ahead and being in the same room with one or both of them often.”