Cheryl L. Wilson is the Executive Director of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), a role she has held since January 10, 2022. A nationally recognized leader in historical commemorations, Wilson is spearheading Virginia’s efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in 2026. Her leadership focuses on coordinating statewide activities, collaborating with historic sites, national parks, museums, tourism organizations, and state agencies to create educational, engaging, and inclusive events that highlight Virginia’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding.

Wilson brings extensive experience to her role, having previously served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission (2006–2015), where her work was recognized as a national model for balanced and inclusive commemoration. She also led the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission (2016–2020), developing programs to honor veterans and mark significant historical anniversaries. Her initiatives have included award-winning mobile museum exhibitions, signature conferences, large-scale commemorative events, and a document digitization effort that preserved 32,000 historical records.

With over three decades of experience working with the Virginia General Assembly, including as Deputy Clerk for Committee Operations for the House of Delegates, Wilson has a deep understanding of Virginia’s historical and political landscape. She has fostered partnerships across the Commonwealth, overseeing initiatives like the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience, which launched in January 2025 to bring the story of the American Revolution to communities statewide, starting with “A Salute to Southwest Virginia” commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Fincastle Resolutions. Her work emphasizes the theme “To Form a More Perfect Union,” encouraging civic engagement and reflection on American citizenship.

Wilson has been actively involved in key VA250 events, such as the interactive exhibit at the Virginia State Capitol, the “America Made in Virginia” campaign, and the “A Common Cause to All” convening of state planners in 2024 and 2025. She has also collaborated with notable figures like Ken Burns for the premiere of his documentary “The American Revolution” and has secured support from donors like Rob and Jean Estes for the mobile museum. Her efforts have been featured in media outlets, including Cardinal News and Richmond Times-Dispatch, highlighting her role in uniting Virginians to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.

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In this episode, Tammy discusses her own life and the inspiration behind the E Pluribus Unum show with her co-host Jennifer.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy discuss the current state of American seapower with retired U.S. Navy Captain Kevin Wensing. A former Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Wensing has also worked for the Gary Sinise Foundation and the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy discuss the tumultuous 1960's with historian Luke Nichter, author of The Year That Broke Politics: Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968. Nichter is a Professor of History at Chapman University, where he is the James H. Cavanaugh Endowed Chair in Presidential Studies. To learn more, visit Chapman.edu/Our-Faculty/Luke-Nichter.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy talk with Mark Reilly about the Washington Tattoo, a charitable organization based in Virginia offering unique, world-class music and cultural programs in the Washington, D.C., area. With programming for all ages, the organization’s goal is to offer diverse, exceptional musical events, education, and professional networking opportunities to a variety of audiences while creating awareness of and providing support for the needs of veterans and first responders. To learn more, visit TheWashingtonTattoo.com.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy discuss First Lady Pat Nixon with Heath Lee and Bob Bostock. 

Heath Lee, a historian and curator, is the author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon: The Life and Times of Washington’s Most Private First Lady. 

Bob Bostock is a curator for the Nixon Library and served as former New Jersey Governor and EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman's speechwriter.

To learn more, visit NixonLibrary.gov.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy discuss the history of American speechwriting with Bob Bostock, a curator for the Richard Nixon Presidential Library. During the George W. Bush years, he was a head speechwriter for head speechwriter for EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman. Bostock got his start in politics working phone banks for the Nixon's 1972 re-election campaign. To learn more, visit NixonLibrary.gov.

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In this episode of E Pluribus Unum, Jennifer and Tammy interview Lisa Marie Riggins, southeast regional president for the USO.

The USO southeast region includes USO operations and fund development in ten states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and the southern half of Virginia. 

In addition to her role in the southeast region, Riggins is the USO's executive director for the DC area. Before joining the USO, she practiced law as a defense attorney, a state prosecutor and personal injury attorney.  

Riggins was raised in a U.S. Army family, and many of her relatives continue to serve, fueling her passion for the USO's mission. To learn more, visit USO.org.

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Anita B. McBride is executive-in-residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. She directs programming and national conferences on the legacies of America’s first ladies (the First Ladies Initiative) and their historical influence on politics, policy, and global diplomacy.

McBride's White House service spans two decades and three presidential administrations. McBride previously served as assistant to President George W. Bush and chief of staff to First Lady Laura Bush from 2005 to 2009, directing the staff’s work on the wide variety of domestic and global initiatives in which Mrs. Bush was involved. She had primary responsibility for the First Lady’s efforts to support US foreign policy objectives in human rights, women’s empowerment, global health and human freedom. She directed Mrs. Bush’s travel to 67 countries in 4 years including historic visits to Afghanistan, the Middle East and the Thai-Burma border. She served, as director of White House Personnel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush and as director of the U.S. Speaker's Bureau at the United States Information Agency.

Also under President George W. Bush, McBride served as a special assistant for White House Management; as senior advisor in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Organizations and as the State Department's White House liaison.

McBride co-founded the RAND African First Ladies Initiative and Fellowship program, partnering with Africa’s first ladies to champion change for health and education, and to train their staff and advisors in strategies for establishing and managing an effective First Lady’s office.

McBride is an advisor to the George W. Bush Institute as well as a strategic consultant to global non-profit organizations. She is a member of several organizations, including the US Afghan Women's Council, the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and the White House Historical Association.

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