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African American Advisory Board, Virginia

Commonwealth

Purpose

The Virginia African American Advisory Board (the Board) is established as an advisory board in the executive branch of state government.The purpose of the Virginia African American Advisory Board is to advise the Governor on the development of economic, professional, cultural, educational, and governmental links between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the African American community in Virginia.

Term

After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years

Composition

The Board shall have a total membership of 26 members that shall consist of 21 nonlegislative citizen members and five ex officio members. Nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed as follows: 21 members, at least 15 of whom shall be African American, to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Secretaries of the Commonwealth, Commerce and Trade, Education, Health and Human Resources, and Public Safety and Homeland Security or their designees shall serve ex officio with nonvoting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the Board shall be citizens of the Commonwealth.

Ex officio members of the Board shall serve terms coincident with their terms of office. Appointments to fill vacancies, other than by expiration of a term, shall be for the unexpired terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. All members may be reappointed.

After the initial staggering of terms, nonlegislative citizen members shall be appointed for a term of four years. No nonlegislative citizen member shall serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The remainder of any term to which a member is appointed to fill a vacancy shall not constitute a term in determining the member's eligibility for reappointment.

The Board shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. The meetings of the Board shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the members so request.

Vacant Seats

The seat descriptions indicate if there is a specific requirement for that seat (a profession, consumer, someone who lives in a certain congressional district, etc.). If there is only a number listed (Seat 7), there is no specific criteria for that seat. A “citizen” seat requires someone who is not affiliated with that profession. If you're interested in any of these seats, please submit an application here.

Member of the General Public	1 seat
Total seats available: 1

Current Board Members

Mr. William C. Cleveland

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Michael Darnell Hickman

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2029

Hope F. Cupit

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2030

Alicia Eugenia Smith

Member of the General Public Membership expires on 6/30/2030