VAACC Uplifting Black History 

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Honoring the Life of Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson
​October 8, 1941 – February 17, 2026

We join the nation in mourning the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the modern Civil Rights Movement whose decades of advocacy advanced equity, economic justice, and political empowerment for African Americans and marginalized communities across the country. As a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Reverend Jackson championed voting rights, educational access, fair employment, and global human rights. His historic presidential campaigns further expanded civic participation and inspired new generations to see themselves reflected in national leadership.
At the Virginia African American Cultural Center, we honor Reverend Jackson’s enduring legacy of courage, faith, and coalition-building. His life’s work reflects the very mission we uphold: to preserve history, amplify Black voices, and create pathways toward justice and opportunity. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and all those whose lives were transformed by his leadership and unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.

The Unity in Knowledge Lecture Series Returns! 

 VAACC has partnered with Virginia Wesleyan University and is sponsoring the "3rd Annual Unity in Knowledge Lecture Series," which started February 3 and runs through April. Virginia Wesleyan University's Provost and Vice President, Dr. Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson kicked off the series by giving an overview of this year's lecture series with VWU faculty and updates on VWU's future endeavors on the  campus and abroad 

​Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This week, VAACC celebrates the life and legacy of Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., an American civil rights activist and Baptist minister, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, who was a leader of the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968.
During the less than 13 years of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s leadership of the modern American Civil Rights Movement, from December 1955 until April 4, 1968, African Americans achieved more genuine progress toward racial equality in America than the previous 350 years had produced. Dr. King is widely regarded as America’s pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest nonviolent leaders in world history.
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Martin Luther King, III said this about his father, “Working to realize the dream that he had of freedom and justice and equality for all humankind, Dad wanted to eradicate from our society what he defined as the triple evil of poverty, racism, and violence.  We have a long way to go before we realize the dream” (Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, January 19, 2025).

Martin Luther King III & VAACC Founder  Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond 

VAACC Founder & Chairman Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond was honored to meet Martin Luther King III at the Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc.'s 42nd Annual MLK Celebration, "Becoming Beloved CommUNITY."

Members of the Virginia African American Cultural Center’s Board of Directors, along with Program Manager Dr. Mamie Johnson, were proud to attend this meaningful evening as the VAACC served as one of the event’s sponsors.
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Moments like these remind us that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is not only remembered—but actively carried forward through leadership, service and community engagement.

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VAACC NEWS!

Meet New Board Member
Virginia Beach Sheriff Rocky Holcomb

​Sheriff Rocky Holcomb brings more than three decades of dedicated public service and community-centered leadership to the VAACC Board. A lifelong servant of the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office, he made history as the city’s first sheriff to rise through the ranks. Beginning his career as a deputy sheriff recruit in 1991 and ultimately being sworn in as sheriff in 2023. Sheriff Holcomb has been instrumental in advancing mental health initiatives, reentry and veterans programs, and innovative public safety efforts.

Read more about Sheriff Rocky Holcomb 
and the​ VAACC Board Members!

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VAACC COMMUNITY
FALL FESTIVAL

Thank you to all those that attended and supported the VAACC Community Fall Festival! 
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Follow us on Facebook to check out more of the event! 

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Virginia African American Cultural Center’s 4th Annual Golf Tournament at Cypress Point Country Club

"Piece Quilt" By Artist Steve Prince

Sponsored by VAACC and in partnership with VIBE Creative District

​The Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC) is pleased to announce a new mural by renowned artist Steve Prince in the City of Williamsburg. This is part of the VAACC’s statewide effort to raise awareness for black history in Virginia, via funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation. The City of Williamsburg Public Art Council facilitated this effort over the last six months, connecting VAACC with Broad Street Realty in Midtown Row for a mural at 200 Monticello Ave, Suite A.

The VAACC worked with the ViBe Creative District of Virginia Beach and the Williamsburg Public Art Council to identify artist Prince for the mural in Midtown Row. Working collaboratively throughout 2024, the partners identified a wall in Midtown Row owned by Broad Street Realty with Prince, who then created a mural rendering, which was approved by the Williamsburg Public Art Council and Williamsburg City Council

STAY TUNED FOR MORE EVENTS AND PROGRAMS! 

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"The Virginia African American Cultural Center is a public-private partnership between the Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc. and the City of Virginia Beach."