FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Da’Quan Love, Executive Director
804-972-3310
press@naacpva.org
Virginia NAACP Endorses One Casino + Resort in Capitol City of Richmond
Cites Job Creation, Economic Opportunity, and Longstanding Partnership with Urban One
RICHMOND – The Virginia State Conference NAACP (Virginia NAACP) is joining the Richmond Branch NAACP in endorsing the ONE Casino + Resort project in the city of Richmond and is encouraging Richmond residents to flip the ballot over and vote “yes” for the casino referendum. ONE would become the only Black-owned casino in the United States.
“We applaud efforts that are under a big tent and provide increased opportunity for Black ownership and advancement. We are especially excited that this project is being led by Urban One, a trusted NAACP community partner for over 40 years. ONE will put Virginia on the map as being home to the only Black-owned casino in the nation, and that is something that should make us all proud,” says President Robert N. Barnette Jr.
“This acknowledgment from the Virginia NAACP is greatly appreciated. This support will help lead the way to a historic opportunity creating significant economic progress in the hospitality industry with Virginia in the forefront,” says Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins.
The Virginia NAACP supports programs and projects that provide diverse investment opportunities and wealth building. The project being proposed by the Urban One entertainment company will create 1,500 new permanent jobs and 3,000 construction jobs in the City of Richmond. Many of these jobs will go to the local Black community in an area that needs jobs and opportunities. Urban One has promised much of the work will go to MBE (Minority Business Enterprises) ESB (Emerging Small Businesses) and Small, Women-owned, and Minority-owned Businesses (SWaM). And Urban One has promised a 50 percent workforce diversity goal. Additionally, ONE will offer a profit-sharing program for its employees.
ABOUT THE VIRGINIA NAACP
Founded in 1935, the Virginia State Conference of NAACP Branches (Virginia NAACP) is the oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization in the Commonwealth, overseeing over 100 NAACP branches, youth councils, and college chapters. The Virginia NAACP is focused on being the preeminent voice of Black Virginians and advocating for policies and programs to benefit Blacks and people of color. You can read more about the Virginia NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas by visiting NAACPVA.org.
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