Rodney Nickens

Rodney K. Nickens Jr. is a lifelong civil rights advocate, political strategist, and the Democratic nominee for Virginia House District 90—a pivotal seat in Chesapeake that could flip blue this November. If elected, Rodney would make history as one of the first openly LGBTQ+ Black legislators in Hampton Roads. Rodney is the Founder and CEO of R&N Strategies, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to advancing equity-driven policies and uplifting progressive, grassroots campaigns nationwide. He also hosts The Rodney Kendell Podcast, where he amplifies bold voices on justice, democracy, and culture. Born and raised in Hampton Roads, Rodney is the proud son of a nurse and an electrician, and a graduate of Chesapeake Public Schools. His journey in public service began in 2008 as a campus organizer for Barack Obama’s historic campaign, later continuing at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, where he fought for voting rights. As a leader in the Black LGBTQ+ movement, Rodney helped mobilize communities after California’s Proposition 8, advocating fiercely for marriage equality, housing justice, and economic opportunity. In the California State Legislature, he helped pass landmark civil rights legislation and authored The Road Ahead, a groundbreaking housing equity report that reshaped regional policy across the Bay Area. He later served on the Housing Methodology Committee at ABAG, influencing long-term housing plans for millions of Californians. Rodney holds a J.D. from UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings), an M.A. in African-American Studies from UCLA, and a B.A. with honors from UC Merced, where he was part of the founding class. He has served on numerous boards and delegations, including the California Democratic Party and the UC Merced Foundation Board. Today, Rodney is running a justice-centered, people-powered campaign to protect democracy, expand LGBTQ+ rights, and build a more equitable Commonwealth where everyone can thrive—no matter who they are or who they love.