RICHMOND, VA.- Monroe E. Harris, Jr., D.M.D., was elected president of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on July 1, 2018. He is the first African American to hold this position in the 82 year history of the institution.

Dr. Harris has served on the Board of Trustees at VMFA for five years. Previously, he held the offices of executive vice president and vice president of the Board of Trustees, and as president of the Foundation Board of Directors. He succeeds Michael J. Schewel.

He is past president of the Board of the Virginia Repertory Theatre, board chair of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia and serves on the board of the American Civil War Museum. Dr. Harris has previously served as president of the Virginia Board of Dentistry and the Virginia Board of Medical Assistance.

For 30 years, Dr. Harris has been an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Richmond and a partner in the practice of Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery. In the community, Dr. Harris frequently provides volunteer care and free oral surgery to patients in Richmond at the Crossover Clinic, the Fan Free Clinic, Donated Dental Services of Virginia and Missions of Mercy. Dr. Harris also volunteers his time as a mentor for those seeking careers in dentistry and oral surgery.

Born and raised in Louisville, KY., Dr. Harris graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, number one in his class. He has been married to Dr. Jill Bussey Harris for more than 34 years. They have a son, Monroe III, and a daughter, Madison. Among his many interests, Dr. Harris is passionate about the arts and has a vast collection of African and African American art.