Honoring Black History: AG Jay Jones honored to serve as Virginia’s first Black Attorney General 

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Attorney General Jay Jones (D) is making history as the first Black Attorney General in Virginia’s history. 

“As the first Black Attorney General in the history of this Commonwealth, I think 407 years now, I'm well aware of the history of this Commonwealth, the history of my family, and the many people who came before me in public service,” Jones told 8News in a recent interview. 

However, Jones’s journey to the Attorney General’s office doesn’t start with him, but rather his father. Jones’s dad, Jerrauld Jones, paved the way for his son, becoming one of the first black students to integrate two schools in Virginia. Jarrauld Jones would go on to serve in the House of Delegates and then as a judge. 

“His commitment to service, even when things were tough and difficult for him, not just as a child, but as a young man and even into adulthood, his fortitude and his ability to stick with it and keep pushing is something that I carry with me, and I hope it'll serve me well in office,” Jay Jones explained. 

Jones saying he hopes his rise to Attorney General inspires young Black Virginians across the Commonwealth. 

“I actually had the chance to speak to the Black Law Students Association at the University of Richmond just the other day, and I told them that they will be in a seat like this eventually,” Jones told 8News. 

With Jones’ election, Virginia has now had a Black governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and speaker of the House.