Richmond History Makers

Since 2005, the Richmond History Makers (RHM) program has honored everyday individuals and organizations that are having a significant impact on the Greater Richmond Region at that particular moment in time.

Richmond has changed a lot over the last 125 years, and a lot of history has been made. As we celebrate the Valentine’s opening in 1898, we need to identify 125 years of history makers. Our next Richmond History Makers on April 11, 2024, will be part of a week of events celebrating the Valentine’s 125th Anniversary!  For this momentous occasion, we will be taking a slightly different approach to RHM.

Traditionally this event has recognized honorees that have enhanced or inspired our community based on these six categories: creating quality educational opportunities; demonstrating economic innovation; improving transportation; championing social justice; promoting community health and advancing our quality of life. All of those measures are fundamental to our region’s success and future, so they should certainly still be considered again this year.

However, for our next Richmond History Makers, nominees can be an organization or business from the past or present; a person either living or deceased; a particular moment, movement or event; an object, piece of art or architecture; a musician or performer. And those are just examples. What to you has impacted the course of Richmond’s history over the last 125 years?

You can be a part of this history-making moment by sending us a nomination (or nominations) no later than January 31, 2024!

The only requirement is that your nominee must have a direct tie to the Richmond Region, which includes Ashland, Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, Powhatan and the City of Richmond.

Simply take a few minutes to fill out the questions below and submit. Please include what you consider to be evidence of impact to the community in your responses.

If you have questions about the process or the form itself, please email us at 125thAnniversary@thevalentine.org.

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 Players

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