Ms. Arnette D. “Love” McSwain was born and reared in Portsmouth, VA. Arnette is affectionately known as Minister Love. She served as an Associate Minister at New Mount Olivet Baptist Church from 2010-2020. Arnette was the Chaplain of the Sgt. William H. Harrison, American Legion of Virginia, Post #190 from 2017-2022. She served two years as the American Legion of VA, Second District Chaplain. In 2022, Arnette became the first female Commander of the American Legion of Virginia, Post #190. Service is what motivates Arnette, daily.
Arnette started a career in the United States Army in 1990, reaching the rank of E-6. In 1999, she became a Deputy Sheriff at the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office in Savannah, GA. Arnette was a POST-Certified Peace Officer in the state of GA. Approximately, six years later she began her career at the Chesapeake City Sheriff’s Office in 2006 until her retirement in 2015. Arnette is a licensed real estate agent, a notary public, and a small business owner in The City of Portsmouth.
Arnette desires to be the mouthpiece used to encourage others to love themselves without reservations. Her consulting business contributes to assisting in eliminating low self-esteem and suicide. Arnette goes out into the communities and schools to discuss topics such as education, bullying, self-empowerment, vision for the future, and domestic violence. She also supports youth camps and back-to-school endeavors. Arnette started a blanket ministry, issuing blankets to the homeless community in her city. She has orchestrated a prayer breakfast for the American Legion, Second District of Virginia for two years.
Arnette earned a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Arts in Management/Leadership, both from Liberty University. Her undergraduate degrees are a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Mountain State University and an Associate of Science in Management from Hawaii Pacific University. She’s a 1990 graduate of Manor High School in Portsmouth, VA.
Arnette is the former host of the radio show “The Love Spot” and is the host of the social media show “Real Talk Live w/Arnette D. Love”. In 2019, she published her first book, “But, You’re A Minister”. Arnette served as the secretary for several community-based organizations. Currently, she is a certified life coach, and an appointed board member for the Portsmouth Ports and Industrial Commission, PPIC. On this Board, she effectively works to foster industrial development within the City of Portsmouth. While serving on the Portsmouth Public School Board, it is Arnette’s goal to work diligently to ensure students have the skills and knowledge to become productive citizens.
Arnette’s organizational affiliations are Order of the Eastern Stars, Portsmouth Chapter of Delicados, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Epsilon Theta Zeta Chapter.