Newly-formed 'Virginia Crusade' draws rebuke from 'Richmond Crusade' leaders

The Richmond Crusade for Voters held a press conference to denounce a new group that it says is drafting off of its decades-long legacy.

The new group, named the Virginia Crusade for Voters, was formed in part by Jesse Frierson, a member of the Richmond Crusade.

“This is a 70-year-old entity that is well known throughout Virginia,” Richmond Crusade First Vice President Robert Lester said Wednesday. “For you to take that name, that legacy, and start another organization, that’s where the problem is.”

When reached for a response, Frierson believed there was “miscommunication” about the situation that needed to be resolved by talking with Richmond Crusade leaders, and declined to answer further questions about the Virginia Crusade.

"The organization is well-loved by many, including myself," Frierson said. "I look forward to having a conversation directly with leadership before I have anything at all to say."

The new Crusade’s name is a major point of criticism for the Richmond Crusade.

Richmond Crusade research chair Bernice Travers filed to reserve the entity name “The Virginia Crusade for Voters Inc.” with the State Corporation Commission on June 17.

Richmond Crusade President Bryce Robertson registered the entity’s name Tuesday, after the Richmond Crusade learned of the new group. SCC records show a reservation of the name “VA Crusade for Voters” was filed that same day by Frierson.

When contacted for insight on the reservations, the SCC clarified that the series of characters in the name "VA Crusade for Voters" is different enough from "The Virginia Crusade for Voters Inc." that it could be filed.

Robertson joined other RCV members and supporters at the press conference, where they said they wanted to make clear they weren’t affiliated with or a branch network of the new group.

“We believe we have a responsibility to those who built this organization, to our current members and to the public to protect the integrity of the name,” Robertson said, “and to make certain that people understand who speaks for the Richmond Crusade for Voters.”

Members were also clear that the Richmond Crusade didn’t authorize, endorse or support the VA Crusade. The VA Crusade website says the group was "conceived in 2020 by longtime Richmond Crusade for Voters leaders and members."

The group says it has the goal of increasing voter advocacy, education, registration, and mobilization for Black voters statewide.

“The primary objective of the Virginia Crusade For Voters is to organize, advocate for, and fully represent the Black Voting Bloc as a cohesive, well-organized entity in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” their website reads. “We exist to ensure that Black voters and families are not merely an afterthought in political calculations, but the central focus of effective leadership and policy.”

SCC records also show Frierson filed a certificate Tuesday for the “State of Virginia Crusade for Voters” as a fictitious name, which is used by individuals or businesses instead of their legal name.  

Richmond Crusade members, worried the group would be mistaken for a local affiliate of the VA Crusade and held responsible for any of its actions like soliciting funds, were skeptical of the group’s stated goals and the motives of its founders.

While VA Crusade for Voters is reported to have already launched multiple local chapters, including one in the Metro Richmond area, other details are not clear, including its relationship with similar groups across Virginia.

Richmond NAACP leader James “J.J.” Minor said he had no knowledge of the VA Crusade and any of its local activities, and Democratic Party of Virginia Chair and State Senator Lamont Bagby said he had not seen or heard of the group outside of an email and a Black Virginia News story on their formation.

Bagby voiced concern that VA Crusade doesn't appear to have reached out to the state NAACP or any of its local chapters, Urban League chapters and other local and state civic organizations.

“I am anxious to find out who is orchestrating this formation of this organization,” Bagby said. “I would expect them to reach out to those organizations, particularly Richmond Crusade for Voters.”

Richmond Crusade members hope the VA Crusade will cease and desist any claims of affiliation with their group, but seemed willing to do what they saw as necessary to ensure their reputation and work continued without being compromised.

“What I think is important for us is that as we go forward, we protect the legacy of the Crusade,” Robertson said. “We will take whatever measures we need to make sure that that happens.”