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Global Touring Artist Masego & Newport News Vice Mayor Host Student Outreach Initiative
Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) alumni return to give back to young musicians
Newport News, VA— Today, Grammy-nominated artist Masego joined City of Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III to host a back-to-school student engagement event to encourage and prepare students for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Both Woodside High School (WHS) and Old Dominion University alumni, the pair partnered with music discovery platform PlusNTrust and instrument retailer Sweetwater to donate thousands of dollars’ worth of school supplies and instruments. The in-kind donations will benefit the WHS Music Department students and Soundscape, a Newport News nonprofit music education program, ahead of the new school year.
“Newport News helped shaped who I am, and I want today’s students to see what has been possible for people who have walked the same streets, attended the same schools, and come from the same community,” said Vice Mayor Bethany. “Through this experience, they connected with an accomplished musician, elected officials, and business leaders who are living examples of what they can achieve. We want our young people to know that their future is not limited by where they come from—but it can be shaped by where they are determined to go.”
During the event, Masego participated in a collaborative music session, performing alongside students and answering their questions about his experiences as a musician and his journey from Newport News to the global stage.
“Arts education is an essential part of preparing our students for success, helping them develop creativity, confidence, discipline and the ability to express themselves in meaningful ways,” said NNPS Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell. “We are incredibly grateful to Vice Mayor Bethany and our community partners who recognize the importance of providing students with the tools they need to discover and develop their individual talents. We are proud to work with a community that invests time, money, and resources into our students to elevate their potential.”
The initiative provided Newport News Public Schools students with music supplies, valued at approximately $3,500. As alumni and community leaders continue to give back, initiatives like this demonstrate that the City of Newport News is invested in building a stronger community and empowering the young people who will one day lead it.
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Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany Elected Vice President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Board of Directors
Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III has been elected to serve a one-year term as Vice President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Board of Directors during the organization’s recent annual conference in Roanoke, Virginia
2025 - Newport News, VA — Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany III has been elected to serve a one-year term as Vice President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) Board of Directors during the organization’s recent annual conference in Roanoke, Virginia.
The Virginia Municipal League represents the Commonwealth’s cities, towns, and counties, advocating for strong local governance and providing training, resources, and legislative support to municipal leaders across Virginia.
“I am honored to be elected as Vice President of the Virginia Municipal League’s Board of Directors,” said Vice Mayor Bethany. “This opportunity allows me to represent the City of Newport News while collaborating with dedicated leaders from across the Commonwealth to strengthen local government. I look forward to advancing initiatives that empower our communities, promote innovation, and ensure that every resident benefits from effective, forward-thinking leadership.”
Bethany represents Newport News’ North District and is in his third year of his first term on the City Council. As the youngest Vice Mayor in Newport News history, he chairs the Financial and Governmental Performance Committee and serves as liaison to both the Charter Review Committee and the Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) Board.
In addition to his work with VML, Bethany also serves on the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Finance, Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations, and Council committees, where he collaborates with municipal leaders nationwide to address shared challenges and develop innovative policy solutions.
Bethany holds a Master of Arts in Public Policy, with a concentration in Public Administration, from Liberty University. He is a graduate of VPCC and Old Dominion University. He has earned a Business Analytics Certification from Cornell University, enhancing his expertise in governance and data-driven decision-making.
For more information, visit vml.org.
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Vice Mayor Appointed to serve on two NLC Committees
Newport News Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III has been appointed to serve on two National League of Cities (NLC) committees.
2025 - Vice Mayor Curtis D. Bethany III has been appointed to serve a one-year term on the National League of Cities (NLC) Finance Administration, and Intergovernmental Relations, and Large Cities Council Committees, effective Monday, Jan. 20.
Bethany represents the city’s North District and is in the third year of his first term on the City Council. As the youngest Vice Mayor in Newport News history, he chairs the Financial and Governmental Performance Committee and serves as liaison to the Charter Review Committee and the Virginia Peninsula Community College Board. Additionally, Bethany serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Municipal League (VML).
The NLC is an organization comprised of city, town, and village leaders focused on improving the quality of life for their current and future constituents. With more than 100 years of dedication to the strength and advancement of local governments, NLC has gained the trust and support of more than 2,700 cities across the nation. Their mission is to relentlessly advocate for and protect the interests of cities, towns, and villages by influencing federal policy, strengthening local leadership, and driving innovative solutions.
For more information about the NLC and its initiatives, visit https://www.nlc.org/about/.
Vice Mayor Curtis Bethany Co-leads Taskforce
The city of Newport News, Virginia, and Christopher Newport University are creating a joint task force to reexamine the destruction of a Black neighborhood to make way for the school’s campus starting in the 1960s, and recommend possible redress for uprooted families.
Newport News has been named an All-America City award winner, for the first time.
Newport News was recognized for addressing gun violence, diverting youth from the criminal justice system and offering mental health support.
Curtis Bethany’s forum on violence in Newport News draws a crowd
Curtis Bethany’s forum on violence in Newport News draws a crowd