Greetings to our Virginia African American Cultural Center family! For everything there is a season and as the summer blends into fall, I can’t help but recall that on Sept. 24, 2016, we launched our first community engagement event called the “Blessing of the Land.” Even though it was on the same day as the grand opening of the National Museum for African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., we had a large audience of community leaders, local and regional politicians, faith-based and nonprofit organizations, storytellers, artists, African drummers, and youth. Since then, we have continued to maintain a presence in the community. Each new season brings another opportunity to share, grow and learn from each other and spread our vision to be the statewide leader in generating historical and cultural content through programs, artistic performances, and curated exhibits. This summer, we continued our programmatic activities for the Juneteenth celebration and newly minted holiday by partnering with several organizations such as the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VBGIGS, ViBe Creative District, and the Virginia Beach Office of Cultural Affairs. We also partnered with the Zeiders American Dream Theater and set up information tables with souvenirs for several Community Day events such as the Global Center for Diplomacy, the Green Run Homes Association, and the Western Bayside Community in Unity organization where we distributed over 120 “Grab and Go” school supplies bags to the youth. Simultaneously, we welcomed several nonprofit organizations as new cultural partners between VAACC and the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach, the Samaritan House, the Agape East Ministry, and Our Neighbor’s Hood Podcast. The VAACC was also the recipient of three new grants from the VB Nonprofit Relief Grant, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the VB Arts and Humanities Commission! These blessings are helping us bring several unique programs to the community including an African American Reading Book Club for a high school honors class in Virginia Beach Public Schools. Our annual membership drive begins this month and your generous support will continue to maintain our operating budget. For all these blessings, we are extremely grateful! We also are featuring in this e-newsletter our new members, introducing you to our staff, informing you about a new feature that spotlights unique, African American businesses located in Virginia, as well as upcoming events, especially an inspiring six-part Masterpiece Artist Series and the 2nd Annual Community Fall Festival on October 2nd. We look forward to sharing these happy events with all of you! Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond Founder and Chairman ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DRIVEJoin or renew your membership today to the Virginia African American Cultural Center! In addition to supporting our mission and all that entails, members receive discounted tickets to special events and VAACC merchandise and souvenirs on our website in the future. You can use the QR code at the bottom of the form below to go directly to our website. Let's make the VAACC a reality! Thank you! MEET OUR STAFF
UPCOMING EVENTSMark Your Calendars! MASTERPIECE ARTIST SERIESBeginning in October and running through June 2022, the VAACC's six-part Masterpiece Artist Series will showcase and educate the public about professions and career paths from artists who have successfully become renowned in their fields. SPOTLIGHT ON |