# Virginia African American Advisory Board > state government board of Virginia **Wikidata**: [Q136471576](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136471576) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/virginia-african-american-advisory-board ## Summary The Virginia African American Advisory Board (VAAAB) is a state government board established in Virginia in 2019 to provide guidance and recommendations on issues affecting African American communities within the state. Operating under the secretary of state and headquartered in Richmond, the board serves as an advisory body within the government of Virginia, functioning as part of the state's executive branch structure. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Virginia African American Advisory Board - **Common Aliases**: VAAAB, VA African American Advisory Board - **Type**: Government agency (state government board) - **Inception**: 2019 - **Jurisdiction**: Virginia (United States) - **Headquarters**: Richmond, Virginia - **Parent Organization**: Secretary of State (Virginia) - **Part Of**: Government of Virginia - **Website**: https://www.vaaab.virginia.gov/ - **Short Name**: VAAAB ## FAQs **What is the Virginia African American Advisory Board?** The Virginia African American Advisory Board is a state government board established in 2019 that serves as an advisory body within Virginia's state government, focusing on issues relevant to African American communities throughout the Commonwealth. **Where is the Virginia African American Advisory Board located?** The board is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, which serves as the capital of the Commonwealth and the location of Virginia's state government. **When was the Virginia African American Advisory Board established?** The board was established in 2019, making it a relatively recent addition to Virginia's state government structure. **What organization is the Virginia African American Advisory Board part of?** The board operates as part of the government of Virginia, specifically under the secretary of state, functioning as an advisory body within the executive branch of Virginia's state government. **How can someone access information about the Virginia African American Advisory Board?** The board maintains an official website at https://www.vaaab.virginia.gov/ where public information about its activities, meetings, and recommendations is available. ## Why It Matters The Virginia African American Advisory Board represents Virginia's institutional commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of African American residents through structured governmental engagement. As a state-level advisory body, the board provides a formal mechanism for community input into state policy decisions, ensuring that the perspectives of African American citizens are considered in governmental decision-making processes. The establishment of the board in 2019 reflects a broader trend of state governments creating dedicated advisory bodies to address equity issues and community concerns. By operating under the secretary of state's office, the board maintains a direct connection to the core administrative functions of Virginia's state government, positioning it to influence policy at multiple levels. The board's existence matters because it creates an institutionalized channel for African American communities to engage with state government, moving beyond ad hoc consultation to a permanent advisory relationship. This structure allows for ongoing dialogue about issues affecting the African American population in Virginia, including education, economic development, healthcare, criminal justice, and other policy areas. ## Notable For - **State-Level Advisory Status**: One of Virginia's formal advisory bodies dedicated to African American community concerns - **Recent Establishment**: Created in 2019, representing modern approaches to state-level community advisory structures - **Direct Government Connection**: Operates directly under the Virginia secretary of state, providing direct access to executive branch decision-makers - **Statewide Jurisdiction**: Serves all of Virginia, the 10th most populous U.S. state with significant African American population ## Body ### Establishment and Governance The Virginia African American Advisory Board was established in 2019 as part of Virginia's executive branch structure. The board operates under the authority of the secretary of state, placing it within the administrative framework of Virginia's state government. This organizational placement ensures that the board's recommendations can reach high-level decision-makers within the commonwealth's government. ### Organizational Structure As a government agency classified as a state government board, the VAAAB functions as an advisory body rather than a regulatory or enforcement agency. Its primary role is to provide recommendations and guidance on matters affecting African American communities in Virginia. The board reports through the secretary of state's office, which serves as its parent organization within the broader structure of Virginia's state government. ### Geographic Context Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is located in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. With a population of approximately 8.6 million residents, Virginia is the 10th most populous state and has a significant African American population representing roughly 20% of residents. The board's headquarters in Richmond places it at the center of state government operations, as Richmond has been Virginia's capital since 1780. ### Functions and Purpose The board serves as a formal liaison between African American communities and Virginia's state government. While specific policy areas are not detailed in the source material, advisory boards of this nature typically address matters including: - Education equity and access - Economic opportunity and workforce development - Healthcare access and health disparities - Criminal justice reform - Voting rights and civic engagement - Community development and housing ### Transparency and Public Access The board maintains a public-facing website at https://www.vaaab.virginia.gov/, providing transparency and access for Virginia residents interested in the board's activities, meeting schedules, and recommendations. This digital presence reflects modern government practices for public engagement and information dissemination. ### Relationship to State Government The Virginia African American Advisory Board exists within the executive branch of Virginia's state government, specifically connected to the secretary of state's office. This placement distinguishes it from legislative advisory bodies or independent agencies, positioning it as part of the governor's administrative structure. The board's advisory function means it provides recommendations to state leadership rather than implementing policy directly.