Disclosed herein are sulfonamide compounds of Formula VII as described herein. Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating disease states including, but not limited to cancers, autoimmune diseases, tissue damage, central nervous system disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, fibrosis, bone disorders, polyglutamine-repeat disorders, anemias, thalassemias, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, and disorders in which angiogenesis play a role in pathogenesis, using the compounds of the invention. In addition, methods of modulating the activity of histone deacetylase (HDAC) are also disclosed.