The Newport News task force is under scrutiny as it reviews decisions that led to the displacement of a Black middle-class community, specifically in relation to Christopher Newport University CNU.
Despite their efforts, the task force has been criticized for a lack of transparency and insufficient community representation, as only one citizen member is included.
Founded in response to an investigative series revealing historical injustices, the task force aims to address the consequences of decisions made by an all-white city council in the 1960s that seized land originally intended for the Black community.
Local residents and advocacy groups have voiced concerns about their representation, emphasizing that no members from historically impacted neighborhoods, like Johnson Terrace or Shoe Lane, are included.
Community leaders are calling for more engagement and transparency, asking the task force to establish a timeline for its activities and ensure direct representation from affected neighborhoods.
They also want assurances from CNU regarding its 2030 expansion plans, expressing skepticism about the task force’s commitment to genuinely involving local families in its recommendations.
Amidst this criticism, task force members insist that they value local input and plan to collaborate with the community, although specifics on how they will achieve this remain unclear.
Mistrust persists among residents, who feel that the task force must demonstrate genuine efforts to rebuild trust before they can feel confident in its intentions and recommendations.