19 Facts About Basil Gooden

Basil Ivanhoe Gooden is an American governmental executive whose career has advanced equitable food systems, agriculture policy, public health, and community economic development in rural America.

Basil Gooden became the first Black American to serve in this position and during his tenure from September 2016 until January 2018, he was the only Black American Secretary of Agriculture in any state in the United States.

Basil Gooden served for twelve years as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development in the administrations of four Virginia governors.

Basil Gooden was initially appointed to this position by Governor Mark R Warner and subsequently re-appointed and served in the administrations of Governors Timothy M Kaine, Robert F McDonnell, and Terry McAuliffe.

In 2017, Basil Gooden was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Basil Gooden's nomination was confirmed by voice vote on February 26,2024.

Basil Gooden served in this position until January 20,2025.

Basil Gooden was born in Charlottesville, Virginia to Allen Cortez Basil Gooden, Jr.

Basil Gooden's parents were long-time educators in Buckingham County where his father was a school principal and his mother was a home economics teacher.

Basil Gooden is the sixth of seven children born to Allen and Christine Gooden.

Basil Gooden grew up in Buckingham County, Virginia where he and his family currently own and operate a cattle farm, raising Black Angus beef.

Basil Gooden earned a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University in 1995.

Basil Gooden became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in 1984 at Virginia Tech.

Basil Gooden married the former Susan Michelle Tinsley on June 12,1993, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

Susan T Gooden is currently the Dean and Professor of the L Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Basil Gooden worked to expand international trade as a key component of increasing economic opportunities in the agriculture and forestry industries in Virginia.

Basil Gooden has met and worked with each member of VDACS' global network of trade representatives from Canada, Mexico and Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, India, China, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

In that position, Basil Gooden served as the chief executive officer of this federal agency that allocated approximately $1.25 billion annually to improve the economy and quality of life in rural Virginians.

Previously, Basil Gooden served as the Chief Deputy Director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for twelve years.