Delegate Lamont Bagby takes his work seriously.

The 41-year-old director of operations for the Peter Paul Development Center from the 74th House District has represented the people of Charles City County and parts of Richmond and Henrico County since 2015.

In his added role as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, Delegate Bagby will be representing the interests of an even larger constituency when the General Assembly starts on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

As leader of the 20-member caucus, Delegate Bagby will work to uphold the VLBC’s mission “to improve the economic, educational, political and social conditions of African-American and other underrepresented groups” and to use the “political and legislative process to influence change.”

“Our mission is to be the voice for the voiceless and those individuals on the margins across the commonwealth,” Delegate Bagby says. “This has been the group’s founding fathers’ passion and legacy.”

With all 20 members of the caucus being Democrats, and in a political position in 2018 to make changes during the legislative session, Delegate Bagby says the VLBC will focus on expanding health care for Virginians through Medicaid, boosting funding and other support for public schools and working for the restoration of voting rights and other rights for felons.

“It is time once and for all to make the restoration of rights an automatic process,” Delegate Bagby says. “This is an issue we will not lose sight of until it is done.”

He says Gov.-elect Ralph S. Northam is behind the effort to expand health care for the working poor and uninsured. “What we call it is not as important as the substance and how many individuals we can potentially add on to the health care rolls,” he says.

He talks about the link between education and housing and the need for a strategic approach for more affordable housing in areas across the state.

“Placing affordable housing in mixed-income areas is a good strategy,” Delegate Bagby says. “Continuing down that road by providing revitalization dollars for these housing communities is going to be critical. This will also improve the quality of education for prospective community schools and school systems.”

Another priority for the VLBC is to increase minority entrepreneurship and access to state contracts and procurement across the commonwealth.

“The caucus must be at the table and have an impact on negotiations and help minority companies get an economic boost through state contracts,” Delegate Bagby says. Unfortunately, many African-Americans don’t know about many of the resources that exist to help business owners, he says, and some black-owned companies “have been denied access to those dollars” and contracts. The caucus wants to change that.

“We are here to make sure all Virginians, especially African-Americans, have economic equity, housing and a quality education,” Delegate Bagby says.

Meet this week’s Personality, VLBC Chair Delegate Lamont Bagby:

Occupation: Educator and member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 74th District. 

Community involvement: Chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. 

Date of birth: Dec. 21.

Current residence: Henrico County.

Alma maters: Bachelor’s degree in business education, Norfolk State University, and master’s in education leadership, Virginia Commonwealth University.

House committees: Commerce and Labor, Education and Transportation.

Why I accepted VLBC chairmanship:  There are many caucuses of the Virginia General Assembly, but none with a legacy as rich as the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead the caucus during a dynamic session in 2018. We have a real opportunity to ensure equity for all Virginians.

When elected chairman:  Dec. 20, 2017.

Length of term: The officers serve for two years.

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is necessary because: As state representatives, we work daily to advance the everyday concerns of our people at the state level. As long as black people and minorities disproportionately feel the negative impact of outdated or just plain bad legislation, there will continue to be a need for the VLBC. We provide a perspective that is often missing, a voice that historically goes unheard and continues to need amplification. We are passionately working to create change for our districts and minorities across the state.

VLBC’s No. 1 objective: Our No. 1 priority in 2018 is to increase our community’s confidence in us by taking advantage of recent gains in the legislature. We will push for new laws that make the commonwealth better for all Virginians. Black voters showed up at the voting booth this year, and we will make sure the General Assembly shows up for them.

Strategy for achieving it:  It’s important for us as a caucus to move forward with a unified voice to ensure our communities are represented.

Top issue facing the legislature in 2018:  This year, we will pass a budget, which is an opportunity to impact several issues, and we will fight to make sure that the things that are most important to our community are a part of the budget.

View and influence of caucus on this issue: The VLBC wants to see a budget that supports all Virginians by expanding affordable health care coverage, ensuring adequate housing and providing equitable education for all children.

Top three issues the VLBC will focus on this session: Like our Democratic colleagues throughout Virginia, Medicaid expansion is a priority for the members of the caucus. Additionally, many of the schools in our communities need additional support in a variety of ways. We’ll be tackling that issue on several fronts. Lastly, it is time once and for all to make the restoration of rights an automatic process This is an issue we will not lose sight of until it is done.

In the push for Medicaid expansion, the VLBC will:  Work in a bipartisan fashion to expand Medicaid and increase the number of individuals covered in Virginia while lowering costs.

What the VLBC can do to advance economic justice: At the foundation of economic justice is ensuring that our community has the opportunity to provide for their families and they need equitable wages to do so. We will continue to push for an increase in the minimum wage. Additionally, many entrepreneurs and small business owners come from the black community. Ensuring they have equal access to capital, affordable health insurance and bidding opportunities is key to addressing systemic inequality. 

Perception of VLBC by the other members of legislature: Members of the VLBC are respected and are often solicited for their diversity of thought and perspectives on a variety of policy matters. We’ve grown this year and hope to continue seeing more black delegates and senators in the years to come.

Politics is: Ruthless, which is not always a bad thing. That passion can result in good government when the people are woke and vocal.

What influenced me to become involved in politics: I initially became involved in politics when I ran for the Henrico School Board in 2007. I decided to run because, as a lifelong resident and teacher, I wanted to be a voice for those who often are underrepresented and ignored. There was a real opportunity not only to help guide the process to renovate Fairfield Middle School, Brookland Middle School and Henrico High School, but also to usher in action related to mentorship programs, family engagement and school discipline.

A good political leader: Is accessible. That is key for being able to listen to your constituents and then work aggressively to deliver improvements to them. 

How I unwind:  I hang out at the barbershop or cigar shop, talking about sports, politics and other current events.

Favorite food: Spaghetti. I’ve started preparing it with zucchini noodles. It’s definitely not the same, but not bad either.

How I start the day:  My mornings start with a protein shake from A New You Wellness Center. I like to start there because of the diversity. The other customers don’t hesitate to share how legislation impacts them or their feelings about the current political climate. I love the direct feedback.

Three quotes that I am inspired by: “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice and not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.”  — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

“There’s always something to suggest that you’ll never be who you wanted to be.  Your choice is to take it or keep on moving.” — Phylicia Rashad

Person who influenced me the most: I can’t limit it to one person. Bill Parker has been a faithful mentor to me since my freshman year of high school. There aren’t many moves I make without calling Tyrone Nelson (Henrico County Board of Supervisors) and/or Congressman Donald McEachin. My late grandfather, Emmett Thomas, taught me all the basics, including how to tie a tie, cut grass, wash a car, treat folk fairly, fish, play cards and tell corny jokes.

The political figure I admire most: Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, a founding member of the VLBC.

The book that influenced me the most: “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy” by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

What I’m reading now: “Good to Great to Gone: The 60 Year Rise and Fall of Circuit City” by Alan L. Wurtzel.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Be quiet and listen, then act. 

My next goal: Support members of the VLBC as we make every effort to champion legislation to improve the lives of our constituents in a divided nation, commonwealth and legislature.