While responsible for their own opinions and such, contributors to the Virginia Beach Progressives blog are committed to pushing for progressive politics, policy, and thought.

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Joel McDonald is a third generation citizen of Virginia Beach, though he’s only actually lived in Virginia for about five years. He’s an Air Force brat who has lived in Oklahoma, Mississippi, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Okinawa (Japan), Colorado, Kansas, and Virginia. Virginia Beach has always had a special place in Joel’s heart.

Joel was elected Treasurer of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee in January 2010, co-chairs the VBDC’s technology committee, and was elected Vice-Chair for Technology & Communication of the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Virginia in June 2010.

A Data Support Specialist with Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Joel is responsible for the management of academic data and supports school administration and teachers in using data to target their instruction to raise student achievement. In addition, he has coached and sponsored running, computer, and drama clubs for elementary school students. Joel is the Treasurer of the Luxford Elementary Parent Teacher Association.

Outside of politics and education, Joel can be found at various community theatres in Hampton Roads, both on stage and off. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of Little Theatre of Virginia Beach (2009-2010), serving as the theatre’s membership and then programs director.

Joel’s first foray into political activism was in February 2008, just prior to the Democratic presidential primary in Virginia. Joel volunteered with the Obama campaign, and participated in grassroots events. During this time, he began blogging about his experiences, which eventually led him to launch Virginia Beach Progressives in September, 2008. Since then, Joel has covered various events and candidates throughout Virginia, and Washington D.C., and has been the primary new media contact for a number of campaigns.

Joel is currently a Political Science student at Old Dominion University.

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Melanie Jones is an honor graduate of Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University where she studied English: Literature, Philosophy & Religion, and Communications. During her studies at ODU, she spent a semester at University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. Upon completing her degree at ODU in 2007 , Melanie left for the University of Glasgow for graduate school, completing her Master’s degree in English: Literature in 2008.

Melanie has traveled extensively overseas, most recently returning from a lengthy tour of India. She brings a wealth of insight to Virginia Beach Progressives, and focuses mainly on posts that should be a bit of perspective to our lives.

Melanie currently lives in San Francisco.