Have you ever spent time with someone and walked away convinced you 

 just experienced history in real time? That is the way I feel when I speak with Cecelia “CeeCee” Tucker and today’s conversation is no different. As you listen in, you’ll hear how she was actually THERE--LIVE and IN PERSON during so many historic moments. She is a walking legend, and she has so many stories that will inspire us to use or gifts and talents, get out and vote, make a difference in the world and so much more! 

ABOUT CEECEE TUCKER

As assistant to the president for community relations at Old Dominion University, Cecelia ‘CeeCee’ Taliaferro Tucker has devoted herself to improving relationships among the races. She is recently retired form Old Dominion University where she worked for 31 years. She undertook a wide variety of community relations activities for the University, especially for and with the minority and African American communities of Hampton Roads. 

The daughter of two educators, Tucker was the valedictorian of her high school class in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. She graduated cum laude from Virginia Union University in Richmond with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology education and a Master of Science degree in biology from Michigan State University. Following college, Tucker became a biology teacher at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA.

While working toward her Master of Science degree in biology, she met and married the late Billy J. Tucker, a physician from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Together they had three daughters.

During her years as a full-time wife and mother, Tucker became involved in her community, working with such organizations as the Norfolk Committee for the Improvement of Education, Day Care and Child Development Center, Phyllis Wheatly YWCA, Freemason Street YWCA, and the Urban League of Hampton Roads. In 1983, she was asked to serve as the acting director of the Urban League which initiated her return to the working world outside of home. 

She is also the former president of the Auxiliary to the Norfolk Medical Society where she personally raised more than $60,000.00 for the Norfolk Community Hospital. She also helped raise $10,000 for the Hunton YMCA and $25,000.00 for the United Negro College Fund.

In addition to her extensive community involvement, Tucker has held three state appointments by Governors John Dalton and Charles S. Robb. She was a member of the Bi-racial Monitoring Committee for both governors and served on the Virginia Enterprise Zone Task Force for Governor Robb.

Widely recognized as a community leader, Tucker has been recognized for her works by several area organizations. She has been honored with such awards as the Martin Luther King Award and the Outstanding Service Award from the Norfolk Links, the McDonald’s Hampton Roads Black Achievement Award, Tidewater Community College’s Martin Luther King Award, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Trailblazer’s Award, National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award, Zonta International 2002 Women’s Achievement Award, Norfolk NAACP Lifetime Investment in Freedom Award, Urban League of Hampton Roads Legacy Award, YWCA Women of Distinction Award, Old Dominion University chapter of the NAACP President’s Award, the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi , an Honorary Member Award from the Golden Key Honor Society of Old Dominion University; Booker T, Washington H.S. Friends and Alumni Association Distinguished Teacher and Instructor and the Pioneer and Valuable Member Award from the Minority Advisory Council of United Way. In February 2013 Tucker received the Hampton Roads Legend Award from the Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals. Further, in 2013, she received the Diversity and Inclusion Award from SunTrust Bank and in 2014, the Children’s Harbor Anchor Award and the Impacting Lives Award from the Norfolk Journal and Guide. Finally, The Community Groundbreaker Award from the Norfolk Botanical Garden President’s Council for Inclusion and Diversity was received in 2016 and in 2017 the Rotarian of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Hampton Roads and the Famous Formers award from the Colonial Coast Girl Scouts.

More recently, Tucker received the Education Excellence Award from the Urban League of Hampton Roads in 2020 and in 2021, the Community Impact Award from the STOP Organization.

Upon her retirement in May 2022, Tucker became ODU’s first recipient of the Presidential Medallion for Distinguished Service. In addition, the university endowed a scholarship in her honor.

Currently, Tucker serves as a chairman of the board of the William A. Hunton YMCA, Rotary Club of Hampton Roads, Urban League, and the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Board. Further, she is a member of the Board of Trustees Ministry at the historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk.