This episode of the Rural Route Podcast is a follow-up to the widely shared “Blessings from Being a First-Gen American” story we published in the Rural Route Newsletter. In that piece, we introduced Darryl Campbell, first-generation American, Virginia Tech grad, and longtime Blacksburg resident, who opened up about his journey from church incense carrier to community leader. He shared how his family’s immigrant roots, small-town values, and belief in service led him to step up and run for local office.
Now, Darryl returns as Councilman-Elect, fresh off his win to the Blacksburg Town Council.
In this episode of the Rural Route Podcast, hosts John W Peace II and Heather Riggs-Moses engage with Darryl Campbell, a newly elected town council member in Blacksburg, Virginia. The conversation explores Darryl's journey into politics, the challenges he faced during his campaign, and the importance of community engagement. They discuss the unique demographics of Blacksburg, the role of social media in modern campaigning, and the pressing issues such as housing affordability that impact the community. The episode emphasizes the need for youth involvement in politics and the significance of personal connections in electoral success.
Whether you’re a candidate, a voter, or someone who believes in hometown democracy, this episode is a powerful reminder of what it looks like when ordinary people say yes to public service.