The Higher Education of the Next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

On Tuesday, November 2, voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia elected Winsome Sears to the position of lieutenant governor. She will be the first African American woman to hold the office in the 400-year history of the Commonwealth.

Sears is a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 6.  She served as a U.S. Marine and earned an associate’s degree at Tidewater Community College in Virginia. She went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she majored in English and minored in economics. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Regents Univerity in Virginia Beach.

In 2001, Sears became the first Black Republican woman and the first woman veteran to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly. Sears ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2004. She is the former vice president of the Virginia Board of Education.

Related Articles

3 COMMENTS

  1. Let’s set the record straight. Winsome Sears is nothing but 21st century neocolonial puppet for the so-called White establishment in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In fact, Winsome Is Not “the first Native born Black American woman” to hold that position when in fact she’s the “first Jamaican -American woman” to hold the Lt. Gov. position. The facts remain, Winsome is the embodiment of Eurocentrism, White thoughts, and even a White American worldview. “Native born African Americans” are fully aware that the White ruling elites have managed to convinced and educated (or miseducated) the majority of African and Caribbean immigrants who are fortunate to come to the USA that they’re “different from the Native born Black Americans” all the while being used as a buffer. I just bet ole winsome enjoy assuming that’s she’s exceptional which is far from the truth on numerous levels.

    In my view, Winsome is akin to a 21st century version of ‘Stephen in the acclaimed movie called Django’ (can you say ‘Colonial Administrator?’). I would highly suggest that ole Winsome return back to the 3rd world island country called Jamaica.

  2. Your hate for people who look like you and struggle just like you is palpable. Why? Imagine someone like you in a classroom spewing hate, or deciding on applicants’ or co-workers’ fate? I am wondering why you are allowed by the journal’s administrators to do this completely unchecked. This is not ok. You are a bully and you need to stop. Seriously.

    • Hey Teresa,

      No need for your emotive and juvenile rant. I am most confident that you’re not a native born Black American. Therefore, what Third World neocolonial country or island you come from? Further, your need to really read the US Constitution again because you certainly are clueless when it centers around the First Amendment. What I do find interesting is your acute inability to debunk any of the factual statements made regarding Winsome.

      Last point, you need to fully recognize that simply because a person has a perspective different than your own does not mean they should be censored. Besides, you think you’re back is your Third World country or island where censorship happens regularly. Remember, this is AMERICA!

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

In Memoriam: Roscoe Hightower Jr., 1966-2024

Dr. Hightower was a professor of marketing at his alma mater, historically Black Florida A&M University, where he taught for over two decades. He also served the university as the Centennial Eminent Scholar Chair and Professor of Marketing and Facility Management.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Featured Jobs