AAHGS-Greater Richmond, Virginia Chapter

05/02/2026

We’re excited to announce Cara Griggs of the Library of Virginia as our AAHGS speaker for May 16! Cara will be presenting on genealogy research resources available to Virginians. She’ll highlight tools and collections from the Library of Virginia, FamilySearch, and Ancestry!

Please join us in the Reynolds Leadership Center at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture at 11am on May 16th for the presentation!

VMHC,
428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd,
Richmond, VA 23220

Or via zoom - https://gdf8q.r.a.d.sendibm1.com/mk/cl/f/sh/6rqJfgq8dIPRQU6ejliSbOJwhrN/rTJrTk2dW7Qi

04/04/2026

On April 3, 1865, the city of Richmond was liberated, marking a powerful turning point at the end of the Civil War. As Union forces entered the city, thousands of enslaved people claimed their freedom, marking a defining moment in American history.

Richmond’s Black community celebrated this moment as one of hope and new beginnings. Their legacy lives on in the generations that followed. We honor their sacrifices, resilience, and courage!

03/18/2026

Women's History Month Spotlight: Dr. Debra Lynn Newman Ham
The Architect of the Archives & AAHGS Founding Member

This week, we honor a foundational pillar of our society: Dr. Debra Lynn Newman Ham, a world-renowned archivist, historian, and former professor at Morgan State University.

Dr. Ham has spent her career disrupting the myth that Black history is untaught due to a lack of records. As a specialist at the National Archives and the Library of Congress, she produced the landmark guide, The African-American Mosaic, revealing an "unbelievable ocean" of primary sources—from films and recordings to government manuscripts—that document our ancestors' lives.

Her passion lies in shifting the narrative: treating African Americans not as victims, but as overcomers who are central to the American story.

🔍 AAHGS Founder’s Challenge:

Explore the "Mosaic": Follow Dr. Newman Ham’s roadmap. Search the Library of Congress digital collections for your family’s last name or hometown to see the records she fought to highlight.

Preserve the Narrative: In the spirit of her work at Morgan State, take a younger family member to a local archive or museum this week to show them that our history is documented and preserved.

Honor the Overcomers: Identify a woman in your tree who thrived against the odds. Record her name in the comments to keep her in the narrative!

Read the full bio of our Co-Founder here]https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nwgwobtcra09z5o98896s/Debra-Lynn-Newman-Ham-Biography.pdf?rlkey=e1imfrfcaw6c3wgxo5tfdlluk&e=1&st=l2b9cpkd&dl=0

03/10/2026

Our next Women’s History Month Trailblazer is The Honorable Cleo E. Powell. Justice Powell was born in Brunswick County, Virginia and is a distinguished judge who has broken barriers in Virginia’s legal system. In 2011, she became the first Black woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Before her historic appointment, Powell served for many years as a judge on the Virginia Court of Appeals and previously on the 12th Judicial Circuit Court. Justice Powell’s leadership continues to shape Virginia’s judiciary and inspire future generations of women pursuing careers in law and public ser

03/03/2026

03/02/2026

For Women’s History Month, we will be highlighting the stories of trailblazing women from Virginia.

Starting with Maggie Lena Walker, born in 1864 in Richmond, Virginia. Maggie Lena Walker was a pioneering businesswoman, civic leader, and the first Black woman in the United States to charter and serve as president of a bank. In 1903, she founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank to provide financial opportunities and economic empowerment to Black families during the Jim Crow era. A lifelong advocate for education, community advancement, and racial uplift, Walker used her leadership to promote financial independence and collective progress. Her legacy continues to inspire generations as a trailblazer in business, civil rights, and women’s leadership.

02/26/2026

11/29/2025

We are excited to recognize the sponsors and donors who are making our 15-Year Anniversary Celebration possible.

Ancestral Roots Circle Sponsor
Allison Thompson
Black Family Land Trust

Heritage Archivist Sponsors
The P&G Foundation
Viola Baskerville

Carter G. Woodson Legacy Sponsors
Genconcepts, LLC
Scott’s Funeral Home

If you cannot attend, donations are welcome and can be made at here. https://tinyurl.com/AAHGSGRVA15Ticket

Be sure to purchase your tickets and join us on December 14. https://tinyurl.com/AAHGSGRVA15Ticket

11/29/2025

The Greater Richmond, VA Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society invites you to join us for our 15-Year Anniversary Celebration. This special event will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, 122 West Leigh Street in Richmond. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

We are honored to collaborate with the Richmond-Petersburg, VA Branch of ASALH in recognition of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s Birthday Celebration. Our guest speaker is Liza Mickens, the great-great-granddaughter of Maggie Lena Walker, a Richmond pioneer and the first Black woman to found and lead a United States bank.

Tickets are selling quickly. We encourage you to secure yours now so you can be part of this historic celebration honoring legacy, community, and the future of African American genealogy.
Reserve your ticket at https://tinyurl.com/AAHGSGRVA15Ticket Sponsorship opportunities are available.

We look forward to celebrating with you.

11/27/2025

Today we give thanks for our community, our shared history, and the generations who came before us. AAHGS Greater Richmond, VA wishes you a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving.