Key Facts
Background
Melvin Cotton received a bachelor’s in Religion from Liberty University. In 2014, Cotton graduated with a master’s in Christian Education from Virginia Union University School of Theology. He went on to graduate with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union in 2018 [1, 2].
Cotton previously served as part of the ministerial team at Grove Baptist Church, and he currently serves as a pastor at New Genesis Baptist Church Virginia Beach and as a member of the Portsmouth City School Board [1, 2, 4].
Cotton has served as a youth mentor to I. C. Norcom High School students. He is a volunteer chaplain at Sentara Obici Hospital and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc [1].
Cotton also served time as an inmate [5].
Cotton has been labeled as a Democrat under VPAP [3].
Key Issues
Incarceration
Cotton wants to end the norm of black citizens being targeted in incarceration. He also wants to support unjustly incarcerated people after they leave prison or jail [5].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 New Genesis Baptist Church
2 Facebook
3 VPAP
4 Portsmouth Public Schools
5 Whro Public Media