Executive Director - Dr. Nicole Charles
Dr. Nicole Charles is a visionary nonprofit strategist and cultural leader with more than two decades of experience leading cross-sector initiatives in nonprofit development, public health, and community capacity building. Dr. Charles’s career has traversed some of the nation’s most esteemed institutions, where she has consistently advanced systems, scaled initiatives, and contributed to organizational growth across diverse and complex landscapes.
She has contributed to globally recognized organizations and institutions including Virginia Wesleyan University, Columbia University, The Rockefeller Foundation, the United Nations, Maryland University of Integrative Health, the National Urban League, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Social Science Research Council, and both the City and State Universities of New York (CUNY/SUNY). Across these diverse platforms, Dr. Charles has strengthened operations, forged enduring partnerships, and led initiatives that connect people to the spaces and stories that shape them—leveraging civic engagement as a bridge for lasting connection and continuity.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a consistent ability to align vision with execution—developing strategic frameworks, expanding institutional reach, and cultivating strong teams and donor networks. She has held governance and advisory roles with organizations such as Health People Community Preventive Health Institute, Thrive NYC, the Commission on the Public’s Health System, and the CUNY Institute for Health Equity—offering thought partnership across strategy, leadership, program design and advancement.
Dr. Charles earned a Doctor of Ministry and a Master of Theology from the New Seminary for Interfaith Studies, a Master of Arts in Integrative Health from Georgian Court University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Cultural Studies from the College of New Rochelle.
In collaboration with the Board of Directors of the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), Dr. Charles supports the organization’s mission to Create, Curate, and Cultivate through strategic development, philanthropic/ fundraising engagement, and programming oversight. Her leadership is guided by the belief that healing through the cultural arts fosters meaningful connection, cultural preservation, and a stronger sense of belonging for all who walk through VAACC’s doors.
She has contributed to globally recognized organizations and institutions including Virginia Wesleyan University, Columbia University, The Rockefeller Foundation, the United Nations, Maryland University of Integrative Health, the National Urban League, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Social Science Research Council, and both the City and State Universities of New York (CUNY/SUNY). Across these diverse platforms, Dr. Charles has strengthened operations, forged enduring partnerships, and led initiatives that connect people to the spaces and stories that shape them—leveraging civic engagement as a bridge for lasting connection and continuity.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a consistent ability to align vision with execution—developing strategic frameworks, expanding institutional reach, and cultivating strong teams and donor networks. She has held governance and advisory roles with organizations such as Health People Community Preventive Health Institute, Thrive NYC, the Commission on the Public’s Health System, and the CUNY Institute for Health Equity—offering thought partnership across strategy, leadership, program design and advancement.
Dr. Charles earned a Doctor of Ministry and a Master of Theology from the New Seminary for Interfaith Studies, a Master of Arts in Integrative Health from Georgian Court University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and Cultural Studies from the College of New Rochelle.
In collaboration with the Board of Directors of the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), Dr. Charles supports the organization’s mission to Create, Curate, and Cultivate through strategic development, philanthropic/ fundraising engagement, and programming oversight. Her leadership is guided by the belief that healing through the cultural arts fosters meaningful connection, cultural preservation, and a stronger sense of belonging for all who walk through VAACC’s doors.
Artist at Large - Crystal Sessoms
|
CREATIVE…DRAMATIC…and INSPIRATIONAL are just a few words to describe Crystal Sessoms. She has served as a creative professional in the “757” for more than twenty years. Crystal has worked as a journalist, actor, director, vocalist, dancer, African drummer and producer. She has spent the last ten years providing programming and direction for cultural art centers and museums. In her spare time, she loves travelling. Crystal believes art is the perfect vessel to spread messages of love and respect to elevate the human experience.
|
Media Specialist - Toni Guagenti
|
Toni Guagenti worked in newspapers in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Hampton Roads before leaving journalism to work in marketing, public relations and social media. She’s served as a freelance political consultant for several Hampton Roads’ political candidates, and as a freelance writer for various publications. She also penned the book, “100 Things to Do in Virginia Beach Before You Die.” She is a huge proponent of the mission and goals of the Virginia African American Cultural Center. When she’s not exploring new parts of Hampton Roads or freelance writing, Toni spends time with her Italian greyhounds, enjoys good vino and gleams with pride at being the mother of her 23-year-old daughter.
|
