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Executive Director - Tamar Smithers
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Tamar Smithers is a professional actress, vocalist, arts administrator, and educator. She is an avid arts advocate with over fifteen years of experience in the not-for-profit sector with a special focus on museums, higher education, and cultural institutions. As Executive Director for The Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), she is responsible for overseeing the administration, fundraising, programming development and implementation, and overall strategic plan of the organization. In this role, she is dedicated to community relationship building and audience development/engagement. Prior to joining the VAACC, Tamar served as the founding Senior Director of Education for the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, TN where she was instrumental in creating culturally specific programs and curricula for students of all ages. Tamar has served as Secretary for the Eastern Great Lakes chapter of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, and currently serves on the Association of African American Museums (AAAM) Membership Committee. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a member of Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc., a business and professional organization. Tamar holds a BFA in Acting from Syracuse University, a M.S. in Arts Administration and a C.A.S. in Higher Education Leadership from Le Moyne College. She is also a current EMBA Candidate in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. A community minded person with a true passion for mentoring and being a positive role model for our youth, Tamar encourages young people to believe that no matter what their circumstances may be, if they continue to pursue their dreams, anything is possible! |
Director of Programming - 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.
Programming & Community Outreach Assistant - Diamond Greene
Diamond Greene has lived and worked in Virginia and is excited to now begin this journey with the VAACC as the Programming and Outreach Assistant. She graduated from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management. She has served as the Vice President of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality and as a Chairperson on the ‘Taste of NSU Committee.
Diamond brings more than 5 years of experience in administration, project management, and program supervision. Diamond has worked for the City of Virginia Beach, she planned and supervised quality youth development programs and provided exceptional customer service for Parks and Recreation, Learning and Development, and Public Libraries. She is a dynamic leader with excellent coaching and mentoring skills and always brings high energy with a customer-focused approach to every endeavor.
Additionally, she actively volunteers her time to collaborate with community groups, sharing her passion for exploring cultures and the fine arts. Diamond's adventurous spirit extends beyond work as she is always excited to travel and try new foods and restaurants. She believes it to be the perfect way to learn more about the diverse cultures in an area. In her free time, she indulges in painting and poetry slams, anything that fuels her passion for creative expression.
Diamond brings more than 5 years of experience in administration, project management, and program supervision. Diamond has worked for the City of Virginia Beach, she planned and supervised quality youth development programs and provided exceptional customer service for Parks and Recreation, Learning and Development, and Public Libraries. She is a dynamic leader with excellent coaching and mentoring skills and always brings high energy with a customer-focused approach to every endeavor.
Additionally, she actively volunteers her time to collaborate with community groups, sharing her passion for exploring cultures and the fine arts. Diamond's adventurous spirit extends beyond work as she is always excited to travel and try new foods and restaurants. She believes it to be the perfect way to learn more about the diverse cultures in an area. In her free time, she indulges in painting and poetry slams, anything that fuels her passion for creative expression.
Office/Administrative Assistant - Becky Livas
Becky Livas was the first African American female TV news reporter in Tidewater (Hampton Roads) working for WTAR Radio and TV (Channel 3) News. After two and a half years of successful news coverage as a general assignment, consumer and medical reporter, Becky became the first black to produce and host a daily
Monday through Friday “magazine” show, PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS. Later she produced and co-hosted 3 IN THE MORNING. After leaving WTAR, Livas lived in Las Vegas for five years where she developed great musical friendships as a “band wife”. Unbeknownst to Becky this was preparation for a jazz DJ position and singing career upon her return to this area.
While producing and hosting overnight JAZZ EXCURSIONS at WHRO-FM (later WHRV), Becky met Lynn Summerall who formed a 1920s big band, the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra. She became the main singer, fulfilling a childhood dream to be the “girl who sings with the band” like Ella Fitzgerald. Having majored in History and English at Hampton Institute (HU), Becky taught eighth grade World Geography and History for fifteen years as well as summers teaching English. But music performance has been a 30-year mainstay for Becky.
From big bands to duos, trios, and small groups, Livas has worked not only with top Hampton Roads musicians doing extended regular gigs at Sterling’s in Norfolk, Suffolk’s Main Street Jazz, the Hilton Main, etc. but also with top-notch musicians at venues in Northern Virginia, New England, New York City and Las Vegas. Major CDs are For All We Know and IF I HAD YOU.
Monday through Friday “magazine” show, PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS. Later she produced and co-hosted 3 IN THE MORNING. After leaving WTAR, Livas lived in Las Vegas for five years where she developed great musical friendships as a “band wife”. Unbeknownst to Becky this was preparation for a jazz DJ position and singing career upon her return to this area.
While producing and hosting overnight JAZZ EXCURSIONS at WHRO-FM (later WHRV), Becky met Lynn Summerall who formed a 1920s big band, the Hotel Paradise Roof Garden Orchestra. She became the main singer, fulfilling a childhood dream to be the “girl who sings with the band” like Ella Fitzgerald. Having majored in History and English at Hampton Institute (HU), Becky taught eighth grade World Geography and History for fifteen years as well as summers teaching English. But music performance has been a 30-year mainstay for Becky.
From big bands to duos, trios, and small groups, Livas has worked not only with top Hampton Roads musicians doing extended regular gigs at Sterling’s in Norfolk, Suffolk’s Main Street Jazz, the Hilton Main, etc. but also with top-notch musicians at venues in Northern Virginia, New England, New York City and Las Vegas. Major CDs are For All We Know and IF I HAD YOU.
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.
