2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 154
Commending the Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 19, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, February 26, 2026
WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc., one of 36 esteemed chapters of a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving African-ancestored family history and genealogy and fostering scholarly research and writing, celebrated its 15th anniversary on December 15, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the Greater Richmond Virginia Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS-GRVA) held early organizational meetings at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond and received its official charter from the national organization on October 8, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the charter members of the AAHGS-GRVA were Geneva D. Austin, Viola Osborne Baskerville, Marilyn Campbell, Augustine Carter, Linda D. Cheatham, Patricia and Lawrence Clark, Forrestiner D. and Shequra L. Dickerson, Gloria S. Elam, Laverne Charity Greenhill, Yvonne C. Hopkins, Lorraine P. and Jerome A. Jackson, Sr., Mary C. Lauderdale, La Tika Lee, Nadia I. and Brenda Orton, Viola C. Parson-Sturdevant and Robert Sturdevant, Delores Richards-Madikiza, Bessie Robinson, Faye Robinson-Pearson, Edith L. Shears, Julie V. Shell, William Q.O. Shelton, Sr., Dr. LaVerne Byrd Smith, Sandra Anderson Taylor and James Taylor, Inez Tuck, Edwin B. Washington, Jr., Artile B. White, Bessida Cauthorne White, Leola R. White, Patrina Andrea White, Timothy L. Wilson, Eugena T. and C.F. Younger, and Maureen Elgersman Lee, who was elected to serve as the chapter's first president; and
WHEREAS, since its founding, AAHGS-GRVA's membership has tripled, while its signature partnerships and advocacy efforts have further expanded the chapter's reach and impact within the Richmond and Central Virginia community; and
WHEREAS, over the past 15 years, AAHGS-GRVA has established its reputation for scholarly research and innovative programming, with members who are sought-after presenters and members of lineage societies and other widely recognized genealogical societies; and