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| Felecia Hatcher, Mayor Phillip Jones, and Aloe Blacc at a panel discussion during Noodle photo courtesy of Noodle |
The first night of Noodle: The Thinkers Convention Mayor Phillip Jones stood in a crowd at the bar inside Ironclad Distillery in Newport News introducing the bartenders to his sister and cousins. The 36-year-old is the youngest mayor to be elected to the seat. Jones' stature and ability to kick back at a local brewery is reminiscent of former President Barack Obama's ease with the public. Armed with a vision and drive, Jones is already making history. Since his election violence has dropped to a 62 - year low. Even more impressive is the willingness of his community to work with him.
Noodle brought together thought leaders from music, entertainment and science. The event was produced by community leaders in Hampton Roads such as longtime protégé and close friend of Virginia Beach native and Louis Vuitton Men's Creative Director Pharrell Williams Vernon L. Johnson better known as Fam-Lay, Brand Strategist for Williams Robby Wells, Stephanie Sutton, TV
host and director of engagement and communication at Williams' non-profit Yellow and Jacob Marshall, CEO of Applied Wonder and founder of the Global Citizen Festival.
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| Daymond John, Mayor Phillip Jones and Terrence J Photo courtesy of Noodle |
Mayor Jones says the convention was a great opportunity to connect with like-minded people and change the narrative surrounding Newport News.
“We’re a city of thinkers, we’re a city of Jefferson Lab, Canon,
Ferguson, Liebherr and of Newport News Ship Building,” Jones says. “Let’s
put all that together and lead innovation. If we don’t set our destiny someone
will set it for us.”
Implementing the Plan
Jones took office with exigency to turn the beleaguered city into a source of pride for its residence. The phased approach includes decreasing violent crimes, attracting business and leading innovation. In just two short years violent crime has decreased by 62% and gun violence has decreased by 48%. Newport News practices community policing and Jones says he couldn’t do it without Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew.
“It’s interesting to have a white Police Chief in an all-Black city,” Jones says. “He is the most popular person in the city. He is my thought partner, and I trust him completely, so I gave him the resources to get this done.”
It didn’t happen without effort on Jones’ part. Mayor Jones either shows up at the scene of a shooting or calls the bereaved mothers affected by gun violence. His office also hosts midnight basketball and provides free haircuts for men in the community. The Jones administration reopened Collins Huntington High School, the city’s first high school for Black students with a $47.3 million investment. Now Huntington Middle School, the educational institution is anchored in the East End as a community hub to maintain the legacy of the neighborhood.
When Wells learned about Jones’ vision he says getting involved was an easy yes. Wells moved to Hampton Roads about 10 years ago to help cultivate a creative infrastructure in Hampton Roads. It wasn’t until he met with Jones two years ago that the possibility of an event to attract people to Newport News was put on the table. What started with the idea of a summer concert series evolved into The Thinkers Convention.
“For one we don’t do summer concert series,” Wells says. “We looked at it and asked what does Newport News need?”
Developing the event became a branding exercise to change the perception of Newport News to match the vision of its leadership. It’s a city that suffered from highlighting the worst, says Wells and he wanted to disrupt the negative perception that has hampered Newport News for generations.
“When we pitched them, we told them our responsibility and your responsibility was to dismantle this collective illusion.”
Gathering Thinkers
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| Chance The Rapper performs at Noodle photo courtesy of Noodle |
The goal was to “shock” the community about what is possible
in Newport News. Noodle brought together thought leaders like a neuroscientist
from Stanford, an economist from London, and Megan Henshall, the creator of Google Xi, to talk about
innovation that’s relevant to Newport News. Bringing innovative thinkers to the
region is important says Felecia Hatcher, author and CEO of Pharrell Williams' Black
Ambition Opportunity Fund. Hatcher opened the convention sitting on a panel with Jones and singer Aloe
Blacc. They discussed how purpose, community and impact should accompany success. What bubbled up is a sense of urgency Hatcher says.
“We have to do something, and we have to do something now,” Hatcher says. “In whatever position you sit in, it requires a different version for us to show up and stand in the conviction of what we know is right.”
Conventions
like Noodle challenge participants to think and be in community of thinkers which
Hatcher says is important so that everyone is moving on one accord.
Wells agrees. Producing events like Noodle is about more than just writing checks.
It’s about dispensing wisdom and providing optimism.
Wells
wants the kids of Newport News and Hampton Roads to feel seen. Williams integrates
Virginia into everything he does from fashion to music, Wells says pointing to his
adidas shoes that have Virginia across the tongue. Williams loves to see people
take inspiration from his work, and Wells says Noodle is a reflection of that. When
pitching brands for big events like Something in The Water he says the community
is always at the forefront
“We tell them show up for the people who show up for you,” Wells says. “I want the kids to feel seen and to feel like people are trying to actively help them.”
While soaking up the synergy of the festivities Jones says he is looking to the future. His vision for Newport News is more than just one Noodle convention or building the first Black middle school in 20 years. He’s hoping for a more cohesive Hampton Roads. Jones is up for re-election in November of 2026. His first term can be counted as successful, but the young mayor is fully aware that he needs the support of a united Hampton Roads to focus on regionalism for the airport and tourism in the next four years.
“This is one of 10 things I have in mind,” Jones says. “It’s about dedicating and putting your resources towards your priorities.”