Being the Change: Levar Stoney ('04)

Levar Stoney ('04), the first African-American man to lead student government at JMU, brings an expertise and a passion for public service, along with a personal civility that is desperately needed in politics. The youngest mayor ever elected to serve Richmond, Virginia, Stoney has initiated a number of long-term improvement projects on behalf of the city, including the Monument Avenue Commission, which will help determine the best way to tell the full story of Richmond's Civil War history. He has also dedicated much of his time in office to the city's youth and to the rights of immigrants. Prior to being elected mayor, Stoney served as Secretary of the Commonwealth, during which he was the driving force behind transforming Virginia's processes for restoring civil and voting rights. Stoney is known for his ability to bring people together. In doing so, he is changing the temperament of government from animus to accord, and bringing President James Madison's belief in civil discourse to the highest levels of government in the commonwealth.