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| Felecia Hatcher, Mayor Phillip Jones, and Aloe Blacc sit on a panel at Noodle. |
The first night of the 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 Pharrell Williams and Vernon L. Johnson better known as Fam-Lay, Brand Strategist for Williams Robby Wells, and Stephanie Sutton, TV
host and director of engagement and communication at Williams' non-profit Yellow.
Attendees were privy to hear from Keynote Speaker Chance the Rapper who invested more than $12 million into Chicago community initiatives that champion art and mental health. Music artist James Fauntleroy who launched community initiatives like Creators Laboratory and 1500 Sound Academy to give underrepresented youth in Southern California access to music production and skill building also spoke at the convention. Aerospace Engineer Aisha Bowie, who was part of the historic NS-31 Blue Origin space mission, inspired guests to think about the possibilities in a region like Hampton Roads.
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 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 and 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 the crime or calls the bereaved mothers affected by gun violence. His office also hosts midnight basketball and provides free haircuts for men in the community. Jones administration also reopened Collins Huntington Middle 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 couple of years ago the possibility of an event to attract people to Newport News was put on the table. It started with the idea of a summer concert series but evolved into a Thinkers Convention.
“For one we don’t do summer concert series,” Wells says. “We looked at it and asked what does Newport News need?”
It 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
The goal was to “shock” the community about what is possible in Newport News. Noodle brought together thought leaders like Neuroscientist from Stanford, economist from London, and the CEO of Google Xi to talk about innovation that’s relevant to the city. 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 panel with Jones and singer Aloe Blacc. They discussed how purpose, community and impact should accompany success. What bubbled up from the panel 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.”
Hatcher says the event felt creative and inspiring. 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 enjoying 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.”