Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond is working hard to get the Virginia African American Cultural Center built in Virginia Beach. The founder and chair of the cultural center was introduced by Rotarian Dr. Steve Jones. She is a former Virginia Beach councilwoman and music and humanities professor at Norfolk State University. She is a tireless advocate for getting VAACC a permanent building to celebrate and preserve Virginia's African American history and culture.
On February 15, Dr. Ross-Hammond shared with Rotary Club of Norfolk plans for building a permanent center on Newtown Road in Virginia Beach. VAACC started in 2015 with $30 in the bank. Its assets have grown as it spearheads cultural, historical, and enrichment programs in Hampton Roads. The City of Virginia Beach has deeded nearly 5 acres for the center. The site already featured a basketball court, which VAACC plans to keep. A new smart pole beam signals so students without internet at home can come to do homework. Tents and portable seating allow space for workshops and cultural programs at the site. Brochures highlight self-guided tours of significant sites in Virginia Beach, which has 14 historically Black neighborhoods. VAACC plans to create historic site driving tours for other area cities.
VAACC has received various grants to support its work, which includes a six-part Black masterpiece series. A priority now is raising capital funds to build a multi-story building designed by the Hanbury architectural firm. It will include event and exhibit space, classrooms, a library, and a green roof for growing food. Phase 1 is estimated to cost $10 million. The distinctive round building will resemble a drum or a type of round building in Africa where people gather to solve problems.
"We want this to be a destination that people of any race and ethnicity can come and share stories," Dr. Ross-Hammond said. She envisions an interactive center with areas for exhibits, performances, classes, events, and space to gather."
The Rotary Club will present a copy of Summer Song to P.B. Young Sr. Elementary School, school of the week, in honor of Dr. Ross-Hammond.
The Meeting
President Michael Desplaines noted that with Dr. Ross-Hammond, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Denver, on the program the meeting room likely had the most doctors in the room of any Rotary meeting. At least eight people with doctoral degrees raised their hands when asked to identify themselves.
Michael expressed his happiness that the Rotary Club of Norfolk was No. 3 in the world for online giving to the Rotary Foundation on Giving Tuesday in November. The RI Foundation raised more than $1 million on the day of giving after Thanksgiving.
Sigur Whitaker presented two Paul Harris Fellow +2 awards to Barbara Lipskis and John Cameron for their generosity to the Rotary Foundation.
Members were encouraged to keep Kris McKinnon in their prayers. She is the daughter of member Colin McKinnon and his wife, Patt. Kris was hit by a drunk driver last spring and her family continues to explore treatment options for Kris.
Guests at the meeting were Edmund Russell, a retired Coast Guard officer and IBM executive, who attended with Sigur Whitaker and was the lucky winner of the weekly raffle; Rev. Johnathan Stanley and David Hutcherson from the Compassion Network were repeat visitors.
Fines & Happy Bucks
- Dr. Marilyn Gowan is happy to have had a successful cardiac catheterization procedure.
- Sigur Whitaker paid a fine for her cell phone going off last week and noted that it was another annoying spam call.
- John Cameron was happy for many reasons, including his birthday celebration, getting a book contract, his children coming to visit, and a good prognosis from his cancer treatments.
- President Michael was happy about a recent trip to Naples, Florida for a conference.
In other business, President Michael presented Vice President Laurie Harrison with a special Rotary coin for leading meetings while he was on trips the past few weeks.
Board member Chris Bugg encouraged members to invite potential Suds & Buds sponsors to come for lunch on March 1 when the spring fundraiser will be the featured luncheon program.
