Fairfax Connection

In November, Stacey Hardy-Chandler became the first Black woman ever elected to the Fairfax City Council. And prior to her official swearing in on Dec. 20, that fact was honored during a special ceremony in Council chambers.

“This is a historic moment in the City of Fairfax,” said Mayor Catherine Read. “Virginia as a commonwealth has existed for over 400 years, women have had the vote for 104. And African Americans have had even less opportunity – not just at the ballot box, but to represent an elected office in their community.”

She then acknowledged the presence of audience members Linneall Naylor, Connie Smith, Jenee Lindner, and Rondia Prescott. More than 100 enslaved and freed African Americans are buried in Fairfax City’s Jermantown Cemetery, and these women are part of the Jermantown Cemetery Preservation Society. 

In addition, all of them except Smith wrote the book, “Black Communities of Fairfax: A History,” along with Etta Willson and Rita Colbert. “These women invested a lot in telling the story of the Black community [here] and the significance of everything it did from the beginning for this community,” said Read. 

“In 1968, the first African American was elected to City Council; his name was Henry A Minor,” she continued. “But until three days ago, no one probably could have told you that, until Anthony Amos – who is also a [newly] elected African American on our City Council – asked, ‘Who was that man? I cannot even find his name.’”

After learning Minor’s name from former City Councilmember Janice Miller, Read had Fairfax’s Historic Resources department research him. He only served part of his term before moving just outside the City limits, and a newspaper headline from his 1968 victory stated, “First Negro Elected in Fairfax City.”

“It took 56 years – from 1968 to 2024 – to see two African Americans (Hardy-Chandler and Amos) in our City elected to our dais to represent this community,” said Read. “That’s why I wanted to create an opportunity where we can have a conversation about what this means to us as a community. I went to the wreath laying at the Jermantown Cemetery [on Dec. 14] where there’s a lot of talk about the ancestors. Historical markers have now been put up there, talking about the people who lived and worked, contributed and passed away, and are at rest here in our City.

“And to me, Anthony and Stacey are a manifestation of what the ancestors envisioned could happen in our City. We are seeing and living it; it’s so significant, and I wanted us to have a space to talk about that.” 

So before Hardy-Chandler was sworn in, others spoke about the impact of Black residents on Fairfax City. The first was the Rev. Jeffery Johnson Sr., pastor of the City’s Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

“We are embracing this monumental movement of history in the City of Fairfax,” he said. “It was some 69 years ago that a seamstress named Rosa Parks sat on a bus in Montgomery, Ala. And when she was asked to move from the white section, her reply was merely, ‘No.’ We are happy now that Fairfax City voters went to the polls – and when it came to two African American citizens being added to the Council – their reply was, ‘Yes.’

“The miracle of America is to be merely included. The goal of African Americans has always been not to dominate, but to participate. They believe we’re in a country that believes all men and all women are created equal. So we’re very happy to be here on this December morning to not only remember Rosa Parks, but to remember the hope that we have in Democracy in the United States.”

Johnson said Mount Calvary Baptist Church was established in May 1870. “Individuals who’d been recently emancipated started raising funds to build a sanctuary where they could worship God,” he said. “Next year, we’ll celebrate 155 years as a Christian organization. We thank the mayor and the City of Fairfax for including us in various celebrations, activities and programs to help the City. We look forward to continuing that tradition; and again, thank you for including us in this momentous occasion.”

Next, Naylor talked about Minor, saying he “came from free people of color.” She also noted that he’s related by DNA to her, Prescott and Smith. “His wife is buried at Jermantown Cemetery,” said Naylor. “We know he’s here with us [today] in spirit, and we’re a representation of his goodness and his striving to make Fairfax City a better place for all people to live in.” She then presented a copy of “Black Communities of Fairfax: A History” to Hardy-Chandler.

Also speaking was Ronell Chatmon, a staff member of U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th), whose district includes Fairfax City and who was unable to attend the ceremony. First, though, Read stressed that both she and Connolly supported Hardy-Chandler’s campaign. “I’m the one who asked her to run for City Council because I believed she had the qualities, commitment, temperament, desire and passion to serve her community in that way,” said Read. “But I’d like Ronell to say a few words about what he believes [her election] means to our community and to Connolly.”

Chatmon said Connolly came from local government – first as the Providence District supervisor and later as chair of Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors. And, explained Chatmon, “That foundation – using tax dollars and allocating them to help with resources throughout the county, and in partnership with Fairfax City – has made this such a great place to live for so many people.”

Directly addressing Hardy-Chandler, he said, “On behalf of Congressman Connolly, ‘Congratulations.’ I know you’re going to do great things [in this City], and we’re going to work, these next four years, to get funds from the federal government to the state and to local governments for local projects, as much as we can.”

Read agreed that working collaboratively with Fairfax’s state and federal representatives has benefited the City. She then recognized Fairfax resident Amini Bonane who – along with Amos and Hardy-Chandler – also vied for Council in 2024. “It was significant to have three African Americans running for City Council,” said Read. “That has never happened in our City before. Representation matters. People want to believe they can see themselves in the people who sit up there and make good government on behalf of our City.”

Next, City Clerk Melissa Shinaberry officially administered the oath of office to Hardy-Chandler, who then spoke to everyone there. “When I started this journey, the phrase that immediately came to mind for my slogan was ‘Forward Together,’” she said. “I’m a forward-oriented person, but my husband taught me that sometimes, when you’re on an unfamiliar path, it’s important to periodically stop, turn and look backward.

“So that’s why I think the comments about our history and about Mr. Minor are important. He didn’t know me, but I feel he was a trailblazer for the path I’m currently on.” Hardy-Chandler also acknowledged everyone in her life who’d nudged her forward, sending her on the trajectory that would “someday land me here in this place, with you, at this time, for this reason.”

She noted, as well, that Johnson’s church was one of the first places she saw when she came to Fairfax because her sorority held its meetings there. “So many people impacted my path to get here, including the mayor,” said Hardy-Chandler. “On May 12, 2024, at 8:35 in the morning, I got a text from her [asking me to run for Council].” 

She said there was a time when receiving a communication from a mayor would have been “unimaginable” to her. So, said Hardy-Chandler, “That, in itself, is a little miracle in my life. I see this as a new way of serving. I’ve talked to neighbors who’ve been in Fairfax for decades, if not generations – and they’ve chosen to stay here as their home.” She said she’d recently met a new resident, too, who came to this City so she can contribute to it. With these attitudes, asked Hardy-Chandler, “How could I not be excited about looking forward?”

“I’m excited about joining this Council with four other new members, one returning member and our mayor,” she continued. “And I’m hoping we can serve as a microcosm of the kind of City we want to be with respect, collaboration and collegiality – and a dynamic that’ll ripple out to our City.

“And finally, I’m excited about, hopefully, the legacy I’ll pass on. I’m focused on the work that Fairfax City residents elected me to do. I also want people to see themselves reflected in our Council and on our commissions. And I have a responsibility to make places at those tables for them to come and be active participants in our City. So thank you for this responsibility; I look forward to learning a lot, listening a lot and leading along with my colleagues. Let’s move Fairfax forward together.”

Later, after the ceremony, Hardy-Chandler described herself as a new Councilmember as “excited, honored and ready to serve.” But as a person, she said, “I think about my mother who passed away 20 years ago. I’m the youngest of six, and she’d be just amazed that I have this opportunity. But she’s the one who prepared me for this because of all that she invested in me.

“It’s not an individual effort. She and many others – family members, work supervisors, teachers, etc. – directed me toward this moment, even if they didn’t know what this moment would be. I had people around me who didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear. And I learned that what’s possible is way bigger than anyone can plan for.”