FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2021
King Salim Khalfani Named Criminal Justice Reform Organizer at Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
RICHMOND, Va – King Salim Khalfani has joined the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) as Criminal Justice Reform Organizer. Previously, Mr. Khalfani served as Executive Director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, working there for 23 years. He brings to this role his extensive experience as a lobbyist, advocate, and spokesperson, and his established relationships throughout the Commonwealth with underserved communities, legislators, and religious and community leaders. He is already at work on VICPP’s Religious Leaders Press Conference on Solitary Confinement slated to take place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 13 at the House of Representatives briefing room.
“VICPP is thrilled to have someone with the wisdom, experience, and stature that King Salim Khalfani brings to the team,” said VICPP Executive Director, Kim Bobo. “He will help guide VICPP’s criminal justice reform work by deepening our community connections and strengthening our understanding of building the beloved community.”
Mr. Khalfani has worked with the Richmond Peace Education Center, Virginia Association to Abolish the Death Penalty, Americans Resisting Minority and Ethnic Discrimination, and the Virginia Education Association. He has volunteered for the African Awareness Association, African Males Seminar, Richmond Crusade for Voters, and Black Leadership Roundtable. Mr. Khalfani was the host and producer of African Perspectives, the first live call-in television show on the Community Access Channel of then Continental Cable Network, which aired for seven years in Richmond and Henrico County. He was also the host and producer of the “Let’s Get Busy” radio show on WCLM 1450 AM for more than a decade. A Virginia Union University graduate with a History and Political Science degree, Mr. Khalfani became involved in racial equity and social justice in his youth. He attends Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and is the father of two children.
“I am excited about working with internationally renowned organizer Kim Bobo and the energetic staff at VICPP,” said Mr. Khalfani. “I have worked with VICPP much of the last two decades at the Virginia General Assembly on legislative issues, so I’m aware of the organization’s legislative victories and was attracted to that. I look forward to achieving more victories together during upcoming Virginia General Assembly Sessions.”
Rev. Jamar A. Boyd, II, who previously served as VICPP Justice Reform Organizer, laid a solid foundation of relationships within the faith community and engaged dozens of colleges and seminaries in advocating justice reform. VICPP wishes Rev. Boyd well in his move to the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, where he will be equipping pastors nationwide on justice issues.
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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a non-partisan coalition of 750 faith communities working for a more just society.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ayesha Gilani Taylor
Director of Communications
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
AyeshaGT@virginiainterfaithcenter.org
804-719-1218