The focus of AAHGS-Greater Richmond, Virginia Chapter is genealogical and historical studies of the Richmond area and Central Virginia counties. The chapter has members who have family roots that extend beyond Virginia. Anyone with interest in African American ancestry is invited to join the Chapter and will find information that extends their genealogical and historical knowledge. AAHGS-GRVA local chapter members are networked to over thirty-five other local chapters dispersed across the country, through their membership in AAHGS National. The AAHGS local members receive numerous benefits by being members of AAHGS National.

In 2007, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia partnered with FamilySearch and the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) to index the Virginia Freedmen’s Bureau records. The Virginia records were the first state records of this Reconstruction-era federal agency to be indexed. The project was highly successful and considerable interest was expressed in Richmond area African American genealogy. In March of 2008, as a part of a plan to spotlight African American genealogy, the Board of Directors of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia sought to have African American genealogy as one of the areas of focus for the museum. Over the next two years the museum held multiple genealogy-related programs. It was noted that although there were two chapters of the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society in Virginia (Hampton Roads and Charlottesville), there was not a chapter in Richmond, despite an earlier attempt to form one.

 The first meeting of about fifty interested persons to form a Richmond chapter was held at the Black History Museum on March 27, 2010. Over the course of the year, the founding members led by Maureen Elgersman Lee, Director of the Black History Museum established the Purposes and By-Laws of the organization: (1) to encourage scholarly studies in local and family history, (2) to encourage individuals who desire to share genealogical and historical expertise to enhance the heritage of African Americans, (3) to host workshops and seminars, to present informative speakers on history, genealogy, and cultural aspects of our heritage and (4) to support and carry out the objectives and policies of the National Society.