Mayor Stoney announces new Director of Department of Justice Services

Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced today the appointment of Dawn Barber as the Director of the City of Richmond Department of Justice Services.

A former assistant police chief for the City of Newport News, Barber brings more than 31 years of professional experience in justice services and law enforcement to the City of Richmond Department of Justice Services.  Most recently, Barber served as the Director of Juvenile Services for the City of Newport News. In addition to her experience in city government, she serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserves.

In her new role, Barber will oversee the city’s services for adults facing potential incarceration and youth who are either at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system or who have been formally processed by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. These services include prevention and diversion efforts, in-home services, monitoring and surveillance, secure confinement, counseling and case management. Barber will report directly to Reginald E. Gordon, DCAO for Human Services.

“The Department of Justice Services has the challenging task of supporting Richmonders at a critical inflection point in their lives,” said Mayor Stoney. “Dawn’s experience in both public safety and justice services programming gives her the right balance of discipline and compassion needed for the job.”

Barber obtained a Bachelor of Science in Governmental Administration and Criminal Justice Administration from Christopher Newport University. She is also a certified PREA Auditor through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

“I am both humbled and excited to be selected to serve as the Director of Justice Services. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to and partner with the other city agencies and the community at-large to ensure the department provides the highest level of service to the citizens of Richmond,” said Barber.

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Statement by Mayor Levar M. Stoney on passage of Resolution No. 2019-R028, to support the prohibition of conversion therapy practices

“A city that values diversity, equity and inclusivity can’t stay silent about a barbaric and abusive practice that targets LGBTQ+ youth.

“I am proud that members of Richmond’s City Council joined me in opposing the inhumane and regressive practice of conversion therapy and affirming the sexual orientation and identities of all Richmonders.”

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City Hall to host “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond” public art exhibit, September 4 to November 22

An exhibit exploring the themes and activists of the Civil Rights movement will be on display in Richmond’s City Hall from September 4 to November 22, 2019. The exhibit, titled “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond: A Community Remembers,” will include 28 photographic portraits in total, 25 displayed on the first floor of City Hall and three in the lobby of the Mayor’s Office. 

The photography exhibit seeks to amplify the diverse faces and voices that fueled the local civil rights movement. For the exhibit, photographer and visual journalist Brian Palmer photographed 30 Richmond locals whose childhoods were impacted by the civil rights movement, and University of Richmond history professor Laura Browder gathered oral histories through interviews with the subjects. Excerpts of the interviews will accompany and contextualize the photographs. Ashley Kistler, longtime Richmond-area curator and Chair of the Public Art Commission, and Dr. Browder conceived of the project originally.

“These compelling portraits and insightful narratives tell deeply personal stories of an important and pivotal time in our city’s history,” said Mayor Stoney. “I applaud the Public Art Commission for bringing this exhibit to City Hall and providing the opportunity to experience these stories at the intersection of our civic life, where they can be seen and heard and resonate with all Richmonders.” 

Displayed on the heels of the 2018 passage of the Public Art Master Plan, this exhibit signals the renewal of Richmond’s public art program and a replenished commitment to exploring Richmond’s identity through public art. Running concurrently with the show will be a separate exhibition of eight painted portraits of Richmond activists by local artist Hamilton Glass. 

The Richmond Public Arts Commission recently welcomed six new members and appointed a new Public Art Program Coordinator and Secretary to the Public Art Commission, Susan Glasser. The Commission is currently in the selection process for a new commissioner. 

“My fellow Public Art Commissioners join me in thanking Mayor Stoney for his enthusiastic support of this exhibition in City Hall, the ideal venue for extending its reach into the community,” said Kistler. “The powerful personal stories assembled here, told with courage and conviction, illuminate critical present-day challenges as they expand our understanding of a historic era.”
For more information on the exhibit, please contact Ashley Kistler at akistler@vcu.edu or (804) 363-6448.
 
 

The exhibit, which was originally displayed at the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art at the University of Richmond from January 2019 to May 2019, is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, the Public Art Commission of the City of Richmond, the Richmond Department of Human Services, and the University of Richmond Museums.

To learn more about the Public Art Commission, please visit: http://www.richmondgov.com/CommissionPublicArt/index.aspx

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