Hon. Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, current councilwoman for the city of Virginia Beach, is the founder and chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc. (VAACC). She holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and instructions and a minor degree in ethnomusicology from the University of Denver. Originally from West Africa, she has been a resident of Virginia Beach for over 20 years and is a graduate of the Sorenson Institute for Political Leadership program, from the University of Virginia, and retired from Norfolk State University as distinguished professor emerita.

A Community Leader

She has received several Gubernatorial appointments, serves on City Council, and on the Hampton Roads Transit Commission. She also chairs the Mayor's IDEA Commission for Inclusion Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility.

A servant leader in the community, Ross-Hammond has served on multiple boards including chair of the United Way of South Hampton Roads Minority Advisory Council, board member of the Elizabeth River Project, and president Emerita of Arts for Learning, Virginia. She is the immediate past president of the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission; secretary, of the Vibe Creative District, board member of the Hospice House of Hampton Roads, and is a founding member of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation Visionaries for Change.

Accomplished Record

Under her leadership, the VAACC recently received a $1 million grant from the Virginia General Assembly through the Virginia Tourism Corporation to expand its current educational activities by providing African American historical and cultural programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Ross-Hammond is the recipient of numerous awards including Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf Achievement in Government plaque from the Human Rights Commission, the "Impacting Lives Award" from the New Journal and Guide, and in 2019, Rep. Elaine Luria read a letter of commendation for her community service during a congressional session at the U.S. Capitol which is placed in the Congressional records.

She is the proud mother of one adult son, Anwar.