Lawrence Douglas Wilder has devoted more than 70 years to public service, achieving numerous historic milestones throughout his distinguished career. He became the first African American elected governor in the United States, leading the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1990 to 1994. As Virginia’s 66th governor, Wilder was widely praised for his sound fiscal management, including balancing the state budget during challenging economic times.
Under his administration, Financial World magazine ranked Virginia as the best-managed state in the nation for two consecutive years.
Prior to serving as governor, Wilder held several key leadership roles. He was lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1990 and a member of the Virginia State Senate from 1969 to 1985. During his tenure in the Senate, he chaired numerous committees, including Transportation; Rehabilitation and Social Services; Privileges and Elections; the Virginia Advisory Legislative Council (VALC)—the forerunner of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), which conducts program evaluation, policy analysis, and oversight of state agencies for the Virginia General Assembly—and the Senate Steering Committee, which appoints committee members.
Among his many legislative achievements, Wilder championed state health care coverage for individuals with sickle-cell anemia, strengthened penalties for capital murderers and prison escapees, and expanded housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. For eight consecutive years, he sponsored legislation that ultimately established a state holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., making Virginia the first state in the nation to enact a legislative holiday in Dr. King’s honor. Governor Wilder also played a pivotal role in appointing Black judges to serve on the bench.
An attorney by profession, Governor Wilder earned national recognition as a leading criminal trial lawyer. He graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1959 and later founded the law firm that became known as Wilder, Gregory & Associates—one of the few minority-owned businesses in Virginia at the time. Prior to earning his Juris Doctor degree, he graduated from Virginia Union University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and worked as a toxicology technician in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Today, Governor Wilder serves as a Distinguished Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. There, he lectures and hosts symposia such as Race in Academia, The Triple Pandemic, Racism, Health, and Accountability, and most recently, HBCUs and the Absence of Support. He is also the author of Son of Virginia: A Life in America’s Political Arena.
As one of the Commonwealth’s most outspoken and respected ambassadors, Governor Wilder continues to advocate for the people of Virginia and remains deeply engaged in public issues. He has received numerous honors, including the prestigious NAACP Spingarn Medal. Most recently, he was awarded the University of Virginia Center for Politics Defender of Democracy Award, recognizing his lifelong commitment to strengthening and advancing democracy. His enduring legacy continues to inspire citizens to engage in public service by “demanding what is right and criticizing what is wrong.”
Former United States Senator and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun will publish her first book, TRAILBLAZER: Perseverance in Life and Politics, on June 24, 2025.
In TRAILBLAZER, Moseley Braun traces her journey from a stormy childhood in post–World War II Chicago to her groundbreaking political career beginning in the 1970s. Along the way, she shattered barriers and made history as:
The first Black woman ever elected to the United States Senate
The first Black woman to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee
The first woman to represent the state of Illinois in Congress
The first Black woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand
Her path to Capitol Hill and international prominence was far from easy, marked by obstacles, controversies, and hard-earned lessons. In this candid memoir, Moseley Braun shares the story of her extraordinary life through a compelling narrative filled with poignant, powerful, and often humorous moments.
Born into a family of New Orleans jazz musicians and Alabama farmers—whose legacy of activism and military service dates back to the Civil War—Moseley Braun reflects on experiences that shaped her life and career, including:
Marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and her engagement in the civil rights, women’s, and Black Power movements
An unusual encounter with a bird that unexpectedly catapulted her into politics
Support from Gloria Steinem, Maya Angelou, and Hollywood celebrities during her groundbreaking Senate campaign
Passionately filibustering against the Confederate flag on the Senate floor
Friendships and alliances formed throughout her storied career, from Joe Biden to Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy
Running for president as the lone woman in a field of men
Encounters with icons such as Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, and Dr. Dorothy Height that inspired her work
TRAILBLAZER is a powerful story of perseverance—a moving narrative from a once-in-a-generation icon, deeply rooted in the history of the nation. In these pages, Carol Moseley Braun offers readers her uniquely American story and an optimistic message to future generations about the work accomplished and the work that remains to ensure the United States lives up to its promise of liberty and justice for all.
“My life has been filled with serendipity, adventure, and adversity,” said Carol Moseley Braun, who was sworn in as Chair of the United States African Development Foundation in 2024. “Every experience has been anchored by my strong faith in God.”
LaBarron Boone joined Beasley Allen Law Firm in 1995 and was the first African American partner at a major law firm in Montgomery, Alabama. He focuses on various cases involving crashworthiness, seatbelt restraint failures, accidental airbag deployments, tractor rollovers, tire tread separation, and consumer and insurance fraud.
Throughout his career, LaBarron has received numerous awards and recognitions. He has been included in editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury and Product Liability and holds an AV Rating. In 2003, he was recognized by the University of Alabama Black Law Student Association as an Alumni Honoree. Boone has been named Beasley Allen Litigator of the Year (2007), Lawyer of the Year – Personal Injury (2011), and Lawyer of the Year – Products Liability (2016 & 2017). He was recognized as one of The National Trial Lawyers ‘Top 100’ in 2019 and later ascended to the role of President of this prestigious national organization, which comprises the finest attorneys in the country. In 2024, he was inducted into the Lawdragon Legends and has been a two-time Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers. Additionally, he was named in Marquis Who’s Who in America in 2020 and received the Chad Stewart Award the same year. Boone was also recognized by the Montgomery Advertiser as one of the People to Watch in 2022.
His commitment to community involvement is inspired by his mother’s advice to make the world a better place. He is deeply engaged in addressing the nation’s opioid epidemic, working tirelessly to hold those responsible accountable and collaborating with government officials to find solutions. Boone actively participates in various Montgomery-area community activities, serving on boards such as the Cleveland Avenue YMCA, Resurrection Catholic Church, Child Protect, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Foundation, and Medical Outreach Ministries. He is a member of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100 and serves on the 2025 Nominating Committee for the Board of Directors. He is also on the Central Alabama Community Foundation Board of Trustees. His dedication is further demonstrated by his purchase of an ownership stake in First Tuskegee Bank, where he significantly increased its revenue and customer base.
With his background in engineering, he understands how decisions made by engineers, marketing, and sales departments can sometimes conflict with public safety. LaBarron has been instrumental in presenting product liability, consumer fraud, and personal injury cases. He has led numerous high-profile cases, including the largest tire recall in American history and Wright vs. Volvo, which resulted in significant changes to truck safety standards. Boone’s dedication to saving lives is evident in his notable verdicts, such as the $151 million award for Travaris “Tre” Smith in a Ford Explorer rollover case and the $581 million verdict in Merriweather v. Whirlpool, the largest predatory lending verdict in American history. His efforts have not only brought justice to victims but also led to industry-wide changes, enhancing safety for truck drivers and consumers across North America.
LaBarron is a distinguished attorney with extensive experience and leadership in various legal organizations. He is a key member of Beasley Allen’s executive committee and played a pivotal role in establishing the firm’s Atlanta office. In 2023, he served as president of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiffs and is currently on the AIEG Board of Directors. LaBarron is also a Past President of the National Black Lawyers Top 100, where he created the Hall of Fame. His significant roles include serving in the Alabama State Bar and other legal associations, such as the Alabama Lawyers Association and the Capital City Bar Association. His memberships span numerous professional groups, including the American Bar Association and the Alabama State Bar.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, LaBarron now lives in Pike Road with his wife, Lori. They have two children, Micah and Logan. The family are dedicated members of Resurrection Catholic Church. Inspired by his humble beginnings and his mother’s influence, LaBarron and Lori founded the LaBarron and Lori Boone Educational Foundation. This foundation is committed to making a difference by supporting various causes and awarding multiple scholarships annually to at-risk students. LaBarron believes in the transformative power of education, encapsulated in the principle: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” This belief drives his passion for changing lives through education.
