Richmond History Makers

Our 20^th annual Richmond History Makers (RHM) event will take place at the Valentine on April 10, 2025 and again honor the individuals and organizations who are making a significant impact on our community.

For the first time, the Valentine will also be recognizing one student in the Richmond region who is making history in their own unique way. The student chosen as the 2025 Young Richmond History Maker will receive a monetary award of $1,000 and be recognized at our Richmond History Makers event.

This year, our independent Selection Committee will be comprised of members of HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage), ChamberRVA’s organization that serves as a hub for young professionals to connect with each other, plug into our community and grow personally and professionally. Our Young Richmond History Maker was chosen by a group of Richmond Region educators that are a part of the Valentine’s Teacher Fellowship program.

Purchase Tickets

Building Inclusive Community Neighborhoods
Greta Harris
President and CEO, Better Housing Coalition

Creating High Quality Educational Opportunities
Dr. Kim McKnight
Director, Center for Teacher Leadership at VCU

Establishing Rewarding Work Environments
Shannon Strategies

Promoting Access to Healthy Communities
Cheyenne Varner
Founder and Creative Director, The Educated Birth

Inspiring Residents to Thrive
Elvira De La Cruz
CEO, Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center

2025 Young Richmond History Maker
Olivia Tyson

Interested in becoming a sponsor for Richmond History Makers? Sponsorship at one of the levels below supports Richmond History Makers and other mission-driven initiatives that help grow public awareness of the Valentine’s important contributions to our community.

Questions may be directed to Brent Morris, Deputy Director of Communications at (804) 649-0711 or [email protected]

2024
Richmond Tobacco Row Factories

Legend Brewing Company

Wilfred Cutshaw

The James River Association

Monument Avenue Monuments & the Rumors of War Statue

Elisabeth Scott Bocock & the Historic Richmond Foundation

Bev Appleton

Hammond Organ Studios of Richmond

Noah Oddo

Edwin Claiborne Robins, Sr.

Richard S. Reynolds, Sr.

Jim and Bobby Ukrop

Sydney and Frances LewisBarbara Grey

Dr. Carmen Foster

Camp Alkulana

Albert V. Norrell

Adolph Brown IV

Breanna Diaz & Narissa Rahaman

Clarence, Earl, & Chester Hunter

Cornelius Mimms

Elizabeth Johnson Rice & The Richmond 34

Adele Clark

2023
Richmond Public Schools Teachers

2022
JXN Project
Francis Thompson
Art Program Manager, JLL and Community Volunteer

Sheba Williams
Founder and Executive Director NoLef Turns and Community Volunteer

Jocelyn Marencik
Founder and Project Manager, Got Tec Richmond

Innovate Fulton, Inc.

Senior Connections

Rudene Haynes
Co-Founder, “Facts and Faith Fridays”

2021
Chuck English
Virginia STEM Coordinator

Floyd E. Miller, II
President & CEO
Metropolitan Business League

Lloyd “Bud” Vye
Biking & Pedestrian Advocate

Chloe Edwards
Advocacy and Engagement Manager
Voices for Virginia’s Children

Health Brigade
Represented by Executive Director Karen Legato

Hamilton Glass
Muralist and Community Advocate

2020
Ask Childhood Cancer Foundation

Tanya Gonzalez
The Sacred Heart Center

Jeannette Cordor
Faces of HOPE

Charles Rasnick

BLK RVA Action Team

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia

2019
Charleita M. Richardson
President & CEO
Partnership for the Future

Candice Streett
Executive Director
Virginia Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Bike Walk RVA

Jill Hanken
Health Attorney
Virginia Poverty Law Center

Dolly Hintz
Hospital Hospitality House

Janine Bell
Founder & Artistic Director
Elegba Folklore Society

Richmond Triangle Player

2017-2018
Ashby & Terri Anderson
Richmond Youth Jazz Guild

Kim Mahan
Founder & CEO
MAXX Potential

Pam Mines
President & Founder
JP JumPers Foundation

Diversity Richmond

Duron Chavis
Community Engagement Coordinator
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

CultureWorks

2016
Patty Parks
Richmond Public Libraries

Dr. Edward H. Peeples, Jr.
Civil Rights Leader

Dr. Joann Henry
Dream Academy, Inc.

Chris & Rebecca Dovi
CodeVA

Jack Berry
Richmond Region Tourism