Pre-Convention round-up
VP Choice, Convention Schedule, and meeting our Convention Pages
Kamala Harris will soon be Madam Vice President
Senator Harris was announced on Tuesday as Joe Biden’s running mate. Here’s some of the reaction from Virginia Democrats
VADEMS DNC Event Schedule
Friday, August 14th
6:00PM — 8:00PM DMV Virtual Happy Hour
Virtual Happy Hour with the Maryland and DC Delegations
Monday, August 17th
10:00AM — 11:00AM DPVA Convention Breakfast
12:00PM — 7:00PM DNC Caucus & Council Meetings — Link to Schedule
8:00PM — 9:00PM Southern Caucus Virtual Happy Hour
9:00PM — 11:00PM Democratic National Convention Programming
Tuesday, August 18th
10:00AM — 11:00AM DPVA Convention Breakfast
12:00PM — 7:00PM DNC Caucus & Council Meetings — Link to Schedule
8:00PM — 9:00PM Southern Caucus Virtual Happy Hour
9:00PM — 11:00PM Democratic National Convention Programming
Wednesday, August 19th
10:00AM — 11:00AM DPVA Convention Breakfast
12:00PM — 7:00PM DNC Caucus & Council Meetings — Link to Schedule
8:00PM — 9:00PM Southern Caucus Virtual Happy Hour
9:00PM — 11:00PM Democratic National Convention Programming
Thursday, August 20th
10:00AM — 11:00AM DPVA Convention Breakfast
12:00PM — 7:00PM DNC Caucus & Council Meetings — Link to Schedule
8:00PM — 9:00PM Southern Caucus Virtual Happy Hour
9:00PM — 11:00PM Democratic National Convention Programming
Meet our Convention Pages
Ashley Payne
Hello! My name is Ashley Payne and I am a Junior Psychology student currently attending the illustrious Norfolk State University and I’m from Charlotte, NC. I spent most of my life overseas and love history, painting, and cartoons!
I first became seriously interested in Democratic politics during the events of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. This was the first election I closely watched and I was fascinated with the technicalities of the process and the enormous ripple effect it has had in the last few years. I was too young to vote during that election, however, it was the first election that made me want to vote. Having to watch from afar and not being able to get involved sparked something in me that made me want to do whatever I could in the meantime. In addition, current events such as issues with police brutality, immagration, and healthcare in the United State have also contributed to my interest in Democratic politics.
Since then, I have learned about a lot of politicians and it’s very hard to pick a “favorite” because I tend to like a lot of different politicians for different reasons. However, if I had to pick one it would have to be New York Congresswoman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I choose her because she has a very straightforward approach when in Congress. In addition, Ocasio-Cortez’s policies align with my ideals including her views of Criminal Justice Reform, Healthcare, and more. Moreover, her being the youngest elected congresswoman gives me a sense of relatability when she talks about issues such as student loan forgiveness or economic inequality. I feel she is truly passionate about such issues because they personally affect her as opposed to older politicians who are most likely not personally affected by such things and therefore may not take them into account with their policies. Honorable mentions for other politicians also include Bernie Sanders and Maxine Waters.
Someone who has a meaningful impact on my life is my great-grandmother, Dorothy Crawford. Since I was little, she has always been my favorite person in the world and I could sit and talk with her for hours about any and everything. When I was younger she would tell me stories of what it was like growing up as a young, black woman in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s America and how although a lot had changed since then but a lot still needed to be done with my generation. As I have grown older, many of my personal decisions and things I do in life are done while thinking of her in the back of my mind. I want to become the greatest and most successful version of myself for her and be the progress she says still has yet to come.
That progress is also what helps shape my vision for myself in 20 years. Two decades from now, I see myself with my own established Psychiatry practice. I am currently at school for Psychology and intend on having an all-black psychiatry practice that would focus on the mental health of African Americans. In addition, the 2016 election, as well as current world events, have shown me that African-Americans endure a lot, and more often than not they do not receive proper mental help for it both because of the price and certain stigmas that surround mental health. My practice would aim to address those issues by being affordable and offering a safe, familiar space for my future clients.
Lastly, if I could have any superpower, I would have the power to multiply myself. As someone who has their fingers in a lot of pots, it would be great to be able to make copies of myself and send them to wherever they need to be. At the end of the day, I would morph those copies back to myself and be able to retain the information gained from each of them throughout the day.
Knox Dendy
I’m Knox Dendy I was born on September 18, 2004. When I was 13 I was a page in the Virginia Senate. I am a strong Democrat. I volunteered on Democratic Legislative Campaigns last year. I have participated in Senator Warner and Senator Kaine’s retreats.
How did you get interested in Democratic politics?
I got interested in Democratic politics because of how Donald Trump embarrassed the United States in the way he handled himself.
Who is your favorite politician and why?
My favorite politician is Barack Obama because he tried to give more people affordable health care with the affordable care act and got the economy back after the Financial crisis.
Who has had the most meaningful impact in your life?
My dad has had the most impact on my life because he has always made time for me and given me good advice in life.
What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
In 20 years I would hope to be a state senator.
If you could have a superpower, what would you want it to be?
My superpower would be flying.
