The Board of Directors of Diversity Richmond has named Lacette Cross, D.Min, the organization’s Executive Director, effective October 17, 2022.
“We’re thrilled to name Lacette Cross our executive director, to lead our talented staff and to continue the important work Diversity Richmond accomplishes in building a more inclusive and equitable region,” said Chris Moore, Board Chair. “Lacette possesses a truly unique combination of understanding the challenges we face as a community and the impactful ways that Diversity Richmond can serve the LGBTQ+ community, our families, friends and our allies.”
"Diversity Richmond has a rich legacy of being a catalyst, a voice, a place and a resource for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community," said Dr. Cross. “It is an honor to be chosen as the next Executive Director, and I am elated to join Diversity’s phenomenal board and staff at this pivotal moment for the organization. Together we will link arms to continue building the kind of dynamic, responsive, and equitable organization our community deserves.”
Dr. Cross has more than 15 years’ experience working with regional non-profits in various positions, most recently as VA SIP Strategic Advisor with NEO Philanthropy. She served as interim Executive Director for Side-by-Side during 2021, after serving as their Director of Volunteers and Outreach. Dr. Cross was graduated from Virginia Union University with a Doctor of Ministry, a Master of Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Virginia Union and a BS in Social Work from the Catholic University of America. She was named an Equity + Health Fellow with the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation and earned a Community Trustbuilding Fellowship with Initiatives of Change. She has beenrecognized as an OUTStanding Virginian by Equality Virginia in 2019 and in 2020 by the YWCA of Richmond as an Outstanding Woman.
For more than 20 years, Diversity Richmond has worked to make Richmond a better place to live, work, and visit for the LGBTQ+ community. Key Diversity programs include Diversity Thrift, Virginia Pride, the Black and Bold Awards, Viva RVA, Transgender Remembrance and support, and its community grants program, Diversity Celebrates.