VLI Honors Mr. John Harper

Manassas, VA-On June 22, the Virginia  Leadership Institute (VLI) gathered community leaders, friends and family of Mr. John Harper, the first African American to serve on the Prince William County, VA school board and to recognize him as a trailblazer in the community.  

In addition to his election to the school board in 1995, Mr. Harper was also the first African American to serve on the board of directors for the Prince William County Park Authority, the first African American to serve as the Grand Marshall for the Dale City 4th of July parade, and a dedicated member of the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Several members in the audience applauded Harper for his impact throughout the years, not only as a leader, but as a mentor to the next generation of change makers.
In his remarks, Mr .Harper stressed that future candidates should continue to remain involved in the community and make a difference in the lives of others before they pursue elected office. VLI was founded in 2006 to increase the number of Black elected and appointed officials in Virginia.  

For more information contact
Krysta Nicole Jones

Founder and CEO, Virginia Leadership Institute
Featured in the May 2014 Issue of Ebony Magazine 

Website, Facebook @VAleadinstitute

"Increasing the number of Black elected and appointed officials in Virginia."

Thanks to Brenda Kelly-Nelum for contributing