Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 23, 2024-present

Member, Junior League, Hampton Roads Advisory Committee, 2004-present

Former Minority Caucus Chair, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 2, 2004-2024

Majority Caucus Chair, Virginia State Senate, 2020-2024

Candidate, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate, District 23, 2023

Mayor, City of Hampton, 2000-2004

Vice Mayor, City of Hampton, 1998-2000

Council Member, City of Hampton, 1996-1998

Former Member, Commission on Technology and Science, Commonwealth of Virginia State Senate

Former Member, Commission on Unemployment Compensation, Commonwealth of Virginia House of Delegates

Former Member, Subcommittee Work Group on Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument #1, Virginians on the Monument, Virginia State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument, Virginia State Senate

Former Chair, Subcommittee on General Laws and Technology #1, Commonwealth of Virginia Senate

Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Education, Hampton University, 1996-present

Professor, Political Science, Hampton University, 1981-present

Assistant Dean, Hampton University, 1991-1996

Archivist, Atlanta Historical Society, 1979-1981

Board Member, Towne Bank, 2003-present

Board Member, Downtown Hampton Child Development Center, 2001-present

Vice President, Hampton Chapter, The Links, Incorporated, 1997-present

Member, Hampton Democratic Committee, 1994-present

Life Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, 1973-present

Life Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), present

Member, Saint Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, present

Member, Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences

Former Editorial Board Member, National Political Science Review

Former Member, Southern Political Science Association, Committee on the Status of Women

Former Board Member, Virginia Law Foundation

Member, Start Strong Council, 2006-2007

Board Member, Transitions Family Violence Center, 2006

Commissioner, Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority, 1996-2004

Chair/Member, Hampton Roads Mayor Caucus, 2000-2004

Commissioner, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, 2000-2004

Chair/Member, Peninsula Mayor Caucus, 2000-2004

Participant, Civic Leadership Institute, 2003

Member/Board of Directors, National League of Cities, 2003

Member, State Board of Social Services, 2002-2003

Second Vice-President, Women in Municipal Government (National League of Cities), 2003

Chair, Municipalities in Transition Panel, National League of Cities, 2002

Regional Director, National Caucus of Local Elected Officials (National League of Cities), 1999-2002

Member, United Way of Virginia Peninsula, 2000-2002

Member, Program Committee, National League of Cities, 2001

Member, American Political Science Association, 1981-1997

Former President, Council Member, National Conference of Black Political Scientists, 1993

Delegate, State Convention, Democratic Party of Virginia, 1984

Awards:

Fulbright-Hays Summer Seminars Abroad (Egypt), 1986; Outstanding Young Women of America, 1987, 1988; Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, 1990; Who's Who Among Black Americans, 1992; Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1994;
Pathfinder Award for Continued Support through Civic Excellence and Social Activism, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Gamma Iota Chapter, 1996; Plaque for Meritorius Community Service and Excellence in Academic Leadership, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Gamma Iota Chapter, 1998; Outstanding President Award, Mid-Atlantic Region, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 1998; Peninsula Women's Forum, Outstanding Woman in Government, 1999; Outstanding Public Service Award, Conference of Minority Public Administrators, 2000; Martin Luther King Memorial Award, Old Dominion University, 2001; Lawrence Bethel Woman of Courage Award, 100 Black Men of America, 2001; Marguerite Adams Award for Political Action, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., 2001;
Distinguished Citizen of the Year, CHUMS, Inc., 2002; "Mayor of the Year," Old Northampton Community Organization, 2002;
Humanitarian Award, National Conference for Community and Justice, 2002; Citizen of the Year, Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2003; Trailblazer Award, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, 2003; Distinguished Woman Award, Newport News/Hampton Chapter, Continental Societies, Incorporated, 2006; Citizen of the Year, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, 2006;
Spirit and Leadership Award, Alternatives, Inc., 2007; Senator of the Year, American Council of Engineering Companies in Virginia, 2008; Legislator of the Year, Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals, 2010; Diane Blair Award for Outstanding Achievement in Politics and Government, Southern Political Science Association, 2010; Legislator of the Year, Virginia Education Association, 2010; Legislator of the Year, Virginia Court Clerks' Association, 2011; Trailblazer Award, Virginia Leadership Institute, 2011