Virginia African American Cultural Center

08/24/2026

Welcome back, Teddy Riley, to the 757!

Teddy Riley is returning to Virginia Beach to open a performing arts academy for the next generation of creators.

08/17/2026

🏀🍂 ONE DAY. TWO BIG COMMUNITY EVENTS. ONE PLACE TO BE!

The VAACC 8th Annual Community Fall Festival is getting even bigger this year! Join us Saturday, Oct. 3, as the Lake Edwards Invitational takes place alongside our annual celebration of culture, community and family.

🏀 The Invitational tips off at 10 a.m. and features special guest and NBA legend Joe Smith, the Norfolk native who was the No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick in 1995 and went on to a 16-year NBA career.

And that’s just part of the day! The VAACC Fall Festival will also feature:

🎶 Music & entertainment
❤️ Health & Wellness Forum
💃🏾 Line dancing
🎨 Arts & crafts
🏰 Bounce house
⛺ History tents
🚚 Food trucks & more!

Team and vendor registration for the Lake Edwards Invitational is NOW OPEN — scan the QR code on the flyer to get involved.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 744 Hampshire Lane, Virginia Beach
🎟️ FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Come for the basketball. Stay for the festival. Bring the whole family and be part of a day celebrating competition, community, culture and legacy.

CURATE • CULTIVATE • COMMUNICATE

🏀

08/13/2026

🎶 GET READY FOR SOME PHENOMENAL SOUNDS! 🎶

The Phenomenal Sounds Band is bringing the music to the VAACC 8th Annual Community Fall Festival! 🍂🎤🎵

Come out and enjoy live music, great energy and an entire day celebrating culture and community with the Virginia African American Cultural Center.

📅 Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
⏰ 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 704 Hampshire Lane, Virginia Beach, at Lake Edward Park
🎟️ FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Along with live entertainment, enjoy food trucks, line dancing, arts & crafts, history tents, our Health & Wellness Forum, family activities and more.

Bring your family, bring your friends and bring your dancing shoes — Phenomenal Sounds Band is ready to get the Fall Festival moving! 💃🏾🕺🏾🎶

CURATE • CULTIVATE • COMMUNICATE

07/23/2026

A big congratulations to the outstanding students who recently completed the 3rd Annual Summer Africana Studies Course at Batten University!

Under the guidance of Dr. Ophera Davis, participants engaged in an interactive and thought-provoking exploration of Africana history, culture, and its lasting impact. Dr. Davis continues to inspire meaningful learning and discussion through this exceptional program.

We also extend our sincere thanks to Batten University for its continued partnership and support in making this educational opportunity possible. Together, we're preserving history, expanding knowledge, and strengthening our community.

07/20/2026

🍂 Save the Date! 🍂

Mark your calendars for the 8th Annual VAACC Community Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026!

Join us at the future home of the Virginia African American Cultural Center at Lake Edward Park for a day celebrating community, culture, history, music and family fun.

From live entertainment and local vendors to delicious food, interactive activities and opportunities to connect with friends and neighbors, this is one of our favorite events of the year—and we can't wait to celebrate with you!

More details, entertainment announcements and vendor information will be coming soon. For now...

🗓️ Save the Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
📍 Future VAACC Site at Lake Edward Park

Bring your family, invite your friends, and help us celebrate our community together. We look forward to seeing you there!

07/15/2026

🎶 Blackstreet is back… and now they’re part of Virginia Beach history.

The Virginia African American Cultural Center celebrates Virginia Beach City Council officially designating Honorary Blackstreet Boulevard, recognizing the legendary R&B group that helped put Virginia Beach on the global music map.

VAACC Founder and Chair Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond, who also serves on the Virginia Beach City Council, joined the celebration as the honorary street signs were unveiled alongside members of Blackstreet. The moment highlighted the importance of recognizing the people and stories that have shaped our city’s rich cultural legacy.

Founded in Virginia Beach by producer Teddy Riley, Blackstreet’s influence on R&B has spanned generations with timeless hits like No Diggity. Their impact reaches far beyond music, inspiring artists and audiences around the world while proudly representing their hometown.

Congratulations to Blackstreet on this well-deserved honor, and thank you to everyone who helped make this recognition possible. Moments like these remind us why preserving, celebrating and sharing our cultural history is so important.

📍 Virginia Beach
🎵 Congratulations, Blackstreet!

06/29/2026

Thank you again to everyone who made the 5th Annual Virginia African American Cultural Center Golf Tournament a tremendous success! Enjoy our compilation video of the day.

From a beautiful day on the course at Cypress Point Country Club to an inspiring awards luncheon featuring Kelsie B., this event brought together golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and community leaders in support of the future Virginia African American Cultural Center.

Every swing, sponsorship, and smile helped move our mission forward. Thank you for helping us build a lasting legacy for generations to come.

Thank you to everyone who made the 5th Annual Virginia African Amer...

06/26/2026

2nd Annual Hampton Roads Black Food Festival is back at Mount Trashmore tomorrow, Saturday, June 27 at noon. Indulge your senses at the Black Food Fest, a celebration where tradition meets innovation, and culinary excellence takes center stage.

Click link for more information!

Find tickets & information for 2nd Annual Hampton Roads Black Food Festival. happening at Mt. Trashmore, Virginia Beach, VA on Sat, 27 Jun, 2026 at 12:00 pm. Register or Buy Tickets, Price information.

06/22/2026

What an incredible week for JazzTeenth 2026! 🎷✨

The Virginia African American Cultural Center was honored to be part of this special Juneteenth celebration that brought together music, culture, history, and community at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront throughout last week, culminating over the weekend at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Despite a rainy start to the day on Juneteenth, the skies cleared and the community showed up to celebrate the enduring spirit of Juneteenth through powerful performances, meaningful conversations, and shared experiences. Events like JazzTeenth remind us of the importance of preserving and sharing African American history and culture while creating opportunities for connection, reflection, and unity.

A heartfelt thank you to our performers, partners, volunteers, supporters, and everyone who joined us. Your presence helped make this celebration a success.

We are proud to stand alongside community partners who help bring these important cultural experiences to Virginia Beach as we continue our mission to build a world-class cultural center for future generations.

📸 Check out WTKR's coverage of the event below!

Virginia Beach's Jazzteenth festival celebrated Juneteenth with music, community leaders and young performers at the Oceanfront.

06/21/2026

💙 Happy Father’s Day! 💙

Today, the Virginia African American Cultural Center celebrates the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, mentors, pastors, coaches, uncles, and father figures who help shape our families and strengthen our communities.

Across generations, fathers have shared wisdom, traditions, values, and stories that help preserve our history and inspire future leaders. Their guidance, sacrifice, and unwavering support leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond their own families.

On this Father’s Day, we honor the men who lead with love, serve with purpose, and help build stronger communities every day.

Happy Father’s Day from the Virginia African American Cultural Center.