A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Mayor Samuel Parham graduated from Petersburg High School in 1993 and earned an Associate of Science degree from Richard Bland College in 1996.
While attending Richard Bland College, Mayor Parham founded the Multi-Cultural Alliance, co-founded the Rotaract Club, and participated in the College Players drama club. He later attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1999.
In addition to serving the Petersburg community as Mayor, he is also currently the Director of Business Operations with Colonial Cleaning Service in Petersburg, Virginia. Colonial Cleaning Service is a family owned and operated business since its beginnings in 1981.
Mayor Parham has held several leadership positions in the area including Governor of the Petersburg Breakfast and Lunch Rotary Clubs and Colonial Heights Rotary Club and also President of the Petersburg Breakfast Rotary Club.
Mayor Parham was first elected to Petersburg City Council in November 2014. In January 2015, he was elected by his fellow council members to serve as Vice Mayor. In January 2017, he was elected by City Council to serve as Mayor and has continued to be re-elected by Council for this position.
Mayor Parham is currently serving as a board member for the Virginia Gateway Region, board member for the Battersea Foundation, Vice Chair for the Crater Planning Board, member of the Crater Workforce Chief Elected Officials Consortium, and a member of the VCU Alumni Association.
Mayor Parham resides in Petersburg, Virginia with his wife and two children.