One word to describe Sheila Bynum-Coleman is focused. Another is accessible. And, yet a third would be, determined. I met Sheila at the first Chesterfield County Democratic Committee meeting I ever attended. That was very soon after the presidential election, and Sheila was already talking about winning in her run for the 62nd. She told how her current delegate had refused to take her concerns seriously when she first approached him. She knew then that she had to run against him and that she would always be accessible and listen to her constituents after she won.
Sheila puts her all into whatever project she starts — whether it’s registering voters , brainstorming solutions, or handwriting personalized thank you notes. Here is a recent comment to a Liberal Women of Chesterfield County & Beyond member, “Thanks so much for your donation. I can’t tell you how much it means to have your support. I’m truly honored that you believe in this campaign. We are working hard to build a grassroots team to unseat a 25 year incumbent. We can and we will make a change. Sheila”
There are lot of grassroots efforts changing Chesterfield County and beyond right now. And, Sheila is adding to the movement. She is working hard — and she CAN and she WILL make a change.
Sheila knows there are a lot of opportunities in her district and she is wiling to listen, brainstorm, and get the job done. Please give to her campaign and help us turn Chesterfield County and Beyond BLUE!
DONATE
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DISTRICT & SHEILA
Podcast Interview
Wright: Who was your favorite superhero when you were a kid?
Bynum-Coleman: Growing up I watched my mother fix problems and issues while working and keeping our family together. I always thought she was amazing for what she did each day. I watched her do things in our community while she worked with my dad to start the Police Athletic League in the City of Richmond. My mother was my hero and she still is.
Wright: Who is your favorite superhero now?
Bynum-Coleman: I would say there are several people who I think are Superheroes along with my mother, now, Michelle and Barak Obama.
Wright: What occupation did you want to be when you grew up?
Bynum-Coleman: Growing up I wanted to be a Judge and own an orphanage. I wanted to change the world as a kid. As long as I can remember I wanted to help everyone around me. I was always getting into fights as a kid standing up for someone and I could never keep my mouth shut when I saw something that wasn’t right. I had an opinion and I wasn’t afraid to share it.
Wright: What occupation did you actually become?
Bynum-Coleman: Today I’m a Real Estate Professional and a community activist and advocate. I work to help people in the community and I work with kids to make their world a better place. As a Real Estate Agent I help people buy and sell their homes. I have a Class A Construction Company where we maintain default and foreclosed properties for the banks. We have a transition home for people coming out of prison providing them a place to live.
I’m not a Judge however I don’t think I could sit on the bench and give anyone a prison sentence that I didn’t think was right. I think our justice system is heavily flawed.
Wright: What is your favorite season in VA and why?
Bynum-Coleman: I enjoy the Spring but not all the pollen. I like to watch things grow and transition from the Winter. Virginia is beautiful in the Spring.
Wright: What is your favorite aspect about your community and the people that live there?
Bynum-Coleman: My community is a melting pot. I think that is the strength of this community that I live in. There are so many different religions and ethnicities and people live peacefully — we are a community of diversity.
Wright: What aspect about your community could be improved?
Bynum-Coleman: The policies that directly impact the community can change. The people in our community deserve access to a quality education, health care, and a fair and equal justice system. The community is growing and so is the diversity and citizens want the rights and freedoms described in our Constitution.
Wright: Who taught you "wrong from right"?
Bynum-Coleman: My Father, who retired from the City of Richmond Police Department.
Wright: What is your favorite book or poem?
Bynum-Coleman: I read so many books and poems I can’t say there is one favorite. I read poems by Maya Angelou, and “Still I Rise” is one that I read often. I studied Religions of the World and I like reading books and passages on different religions.
Wright: What is your favorite TV show?
Bynum-Coleman: Growing up it was the Cosby show and I use to watch CSI Miami and Scandal but I don’t really have time to watch much television, now, so I don’t really have a favorite. I watch the news mostly.
Wright: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Bynum-Coleman: Being a mother is the one thing I’m most proud of. I wanted my kids to be better than I was as a kid and I have one child out the house living on her own. I use her as a measurement of how good I am as a mother because I am basically done raising her. I’m proud of the woman she has become. She’s starting graduate school — I can’t find the words to describe how proud I am of her. I have four more to go so let’s see how the others turn out.
Being a mother is the most difficult job I have. We have five kids and each one is different. I’m proud of each one of them. Raising another human being isn’t an easy task. They will go out in the world and do something, and we want them to do the right things. I was told I would never have kids and I take being a mother seriously. Giving them life and lessons in life is something I’m very proud of and if I never accomplish anything else, I’ve given the opportunity of life to my kids and I’m very proud of that.
In my business I think there are two things I’ve done that I’m proud of and one is the transition home we opened. It feels good to help someone and being able to give people a place to live that were homeless is something I’m excited about. My husband and I talked about this for a few years and being able to actually do it was an accomplishment for us. Second, would be helping people with the purchase of their first home. I teach a first-time homebuyers course. People receive a certificate and this allows them access to grant funding. I worked with a lady and her husband who both worked in fast food. They had five kids and the husband walked to work each day. They lived in the most deplorable motel situations I’ve ever seen. They went through the program and were able to purchase a home, a nice three bedroom rancher. Watching this family transition into their first home was such an exciting experience.
Wright: What do you wish to accomplish once you win the House 62 seat?
Bynum-Coleman: I want the citizens to feel they have a voice and they have access to their Delegate. I want to change things in Virginia, but most importantly I want people to come to me and talk about their concerns. I won’t be able to fix every problem but we can work together to find solutions. I want to help people. We have a lot of work in Virginia but I think new leadership will start the process. I hope to accomplish changing our justice system, providing support for our schools and testing less, access to transportation, our citizens deserve access to affordable health care and we need districts that are drawn fairly not drawn for any political party or candidate.