Val is the first African American woman to represent Cumberland County as the NC State Senator for District 19, elected in 2022. She retired honorably from the Air Force after 20 years of service and continued her dedication to the country as a DoD Civilian at the Air Force Pentagon Communications Agency. With over 15 years of political, social, and health equity advocacy, she has been instrumental in fair voting policy, including a landmark Supreme Court case, Covington v. State of North Carolina. 

She stands committed to the redistricting process having introduced SB 642-Independent Redistricting Commission Legislation during the NCGA 2023 Session. Val holds a Master’s in Political Science from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Strayer University, cum laude. She is also involved in various civic and leadership organizations, including the Courts Commission and LEAD NC, appointed by Governor Cooper.”