Friend,

I wasn’t shocked to learn Bert Ellis, Youngkin’s recent appointee to the University of Virginia Board of Visitors, has a history of racism. This is yet another example of Governor Youngkin not doing his homework. We get unqualified, controversial, and in this case disgraceful people put in positions of power.

Our Commonwealth deserves much better.

Bert Ellis during his time as a UVA student hosted a debate titled “The Correlation Between Race and Intelligence,” featuring prominent White Nationalist and eugenics supporter William Shockly. Despite being urged by the Black Student Alliance and Student Council to cancel the event, Ellis decided to proceed – and hold the debate during Black Culture Week.

The Governor of Virginia elevating someone with a history of supporting eugenics is abhorrent. Youngkin should immediately remove Mr. Ellis from the Board of Visitors and apologize to the communities of color who’ve been marginalized for centuries by this junk science.

Thank you,

Levar Stoney

Mayor of Richmond