Celebrating a milestone of breaking barriers, five years ago, trial lawyer Don L Scott Jr received a pivotal call from a reporter during a high-profile case. “Hey, is it true that you had gone to prison?” the reporter asked. Scott remembers responding, “It is, and if you want the entire story, before you print it, I hope that you will sit down and talk to me.”
As of January 10, 2024, Scott will make history as Virginia’s first Black speaker of the house in the commonwealth’s lengthiest history. This extensive journey began with that memorable phone call from reporter years ago, leading Scott to embrace his past and ultimately emerge as a political figure.
The published story from the Virginian-Pilot uncovered Scott’s past and encouraged him to candidly discuss it, paving the way for his ascent into politics. Notably, Scott recalls encountering positive feedback and a surge of support from his community after sharing his story, ultimately liberating him to pursue a career in politics.
Scott believes that the decision to reveal his story might have been politically motivated. He suggests that it could have been a move by a politician concerned about his potential run against them, or opposing attorneys seeking a way to hinder him, but he has moved beyond these concerns. “They were thinking they were going to drop it on me to hurt me, but what they really did was free me up,” he said.
Despite a challenging past – including a period of incarceration for a nonviolent drug offense – Scott emerged as a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform and poverty alleviation. His historic nomination as speaker of the house reflects a tribute to his ancestors who built the Virginia capitol.
Having endured voting disenfranchisement after his release from prison, Scott aims to address the issue by automatic restoration of rights and away from the governor’s control. He is committed to fulfilling the promises made by Democratic candidates, including codifying Roe v Wade, raising teacher pay, and implementing responsible gun laws.
Setting aside the historic moment of his leadership, Scott acknowledges the demand for delivering practical solutions from his constituents. He recognizes that “I’m the first Black speaker, but I’m also a speaker who happens to be Black.”
Scott remains hopeful and optimistic, celebrating his extraordinary journey and emphasizing the transformative power of faith and resilience.
