Speaker Don Scott: The Power of Redemption: My Journey and a Message of Hope

By Del. Don Scott
Speaker, House of Delegates
Virginia General Assembly

“Every time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.” These words resonate deeply with me, carrying a message of strength, hope, and redemption—values that have shaped my life in ways I never imagined possible.

Recently, I received the profound honor of a Presidential Pardon from President Joe Biden, an acknowledgment of the transformative journey I’ve been on since my incarceration in 1994. His commitment to second chances is truly remarkable, and he will undoubtedly be remembered as the President who championed redemption and transformation. This moment is more than just validation for the work I’ve done to rebuild my life—it’s a testament to what can happen when we believe that a person is more than their worst mistake.

Thirty years ago, I made a choice that would change my life. While in my final year at LSU Law School, I got involved in something I knew was wrong. I drove to Mobile, Alabama, to pick up money that I knew was tied to drugs. I was arrested and ultimately sentenced to ten years in federal prison. When the judge announced my sentence, I’ll never forget the sound of my mother’s cry in the courtroom—a sound that has stayed with me throughout my life.

I served nearly eight years in prison. It was during those years that I made a decision: my story would not end there. I leaned on my faith, my family, and my own determination to rewrite the narrative.

When I was released, I started over in Wilmington, Delaware, welding on high-rises to make ends meet. Later, I worked in workforce development, helping others navigate the barriers to good jobs. Fourteen years later, with my wife’s encouragement, I dusted off my law degree and appealed to the Virginia Bar for my license. I passed and began practicing law, determined to advocate for others who, like me, had been written off by society.

In 2024, I was sworn in as the first Black Speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 405-year history. As I looked out at my family and heard my mother’s tears of joy in the back of the room, I realized that her cry—once filled with sorrow—had now been transformed into a cry of pride and redemption. The echoes of her grief from that day in the courtroom were now replaced with the sound of triumph – a reminder of the journey and the people who believed in me when it seemed no one else would.

This Presidential Pardon is not just about my journey; it’s a message to everyone who feels trapped by their mistakes. It’s a reminder that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise again. You can change your story.

We live in a society that often defines people by their lowest moments, but I’m here to tell you that your mistakes do not have to define your future. Redemption is real. It takes hard work, faith, and a community willing to believe in you. But it’s possible.

I share my story not to celebrate past mistakes but to show what can happen when we refuse to give up on ourselves or on each other. I’m here today because someone believed in me, and because I believed in the impossible.

To those who may have stumbled, wondering if their lives are over: I see you. I was you. And I’m here to tell you that this doesn’t have to be the end of your story. You, too, can rebuild, thrive, and make a difference in the world.

This pardon is not the end of my journey—it’s another step forward in the fight for justice, equality, and opportunity for all. To anyone reading this who feels like they’re losing: don’t quit. Your story isn’t over yet.

Del. Don Scott of Portsmouth, Va., represents the 88th district. He was minority leader of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2022 to 2024. On January 10, 2024, he became Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. He is the first Black speaker in Virginia’s history.