The Board of Directors of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is pleased to announce that Reverend Dr. LaKeisha Cook has been appointed as VICPP’s new Executive Director, effective yesterday. She succeeds Kim Bobo, who served in that role for nearly a decade. Cook becomes the tenth executive director and first African American to head the 33-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. VICPP is the largest faith-based advocacy network in Virginia and one of the strongest in the nation, with 25,000 members, 750 houses of worship, and 1,000 faith leaders of all denominations across the Commonwealth.
Rev. Cook has served as Co-Executive Director for the past year alongside Bobo, who retired last week. Together, they worked to ensure a smooth transition and to advance the organization’s mission of fighting for economic, racial, and social justice. Cook has spearheaded several successful legislative campaigns including helping to lead the coalition that passed a historic bill abolishing the death penalty in Virginia in 2021 – making Virginia the first state in the South to end capital punishment. This year, she focused on criminal justice reform, winning passage of a bill that outlaws the indiscriminate shackling of youth in court. Prior to joining VICPP, Cook held a variety of leadership roles at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond. She brings two decades of experience working in nonprofits, education, and government.
Addressing a crowd of 400 people at VICPP’s Day for All People 2025 lobby day (LINK to VIDEO of Rev. Cook’s speech), Cook spoke about the importance of communities coming together to create change: “It’s one thing to raise your voice for justice. It’s one thing for a congregation to raise its voice for justice. But if we can get multiple congregations and more people to say the same thing at the same time, we’re able to impact history.”
“We are thrilled that Rev. Cook is taking on this role and grateful that she is bringing her expertise as a pastor, a community leader, and a public policy expert to Virginia Interfaith,” said Rev. Dr. Anthony Fludd, chairman of VICPP’s Board of Directors. He added, “We deeply appreciate Kim Bobo’s decade-long service fighting for justice. Our organization will continue to thrive and grow, as Rev. Cook carries this critical work forward.”
Read article about Rev. Cook, “My intention is to use my power and position, wherever it is, to make the world better”