Valentine Opens Nominations for 20th Annual Richmond History Makers Awards
Valentine celebrating event’s 20th anniversary with reimagined categories, community partnerships, and a new award for student history makers
RICHMOND, VA – Today, the Valentine announced the 20th Annual Richmond History Makers Awards Program, officially opening nominations and welcoming residents of the Richmond region to nominate the history makers in their lives, now through October 31st.
For the last 125 years, the Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond Stories. Through exhibitions, tours, programs and events, the Valentine is the only museum that educates and engages visitors about the history and culture of the Richmond region.
This year, the Valentine is partnering with Helping Young Professionals Engage (HYPE) and aligning the nominating categories with the Urban Institute’s pillars to improve upward mobility.
“This alignment with the Urban Institute’s pillars and our partnership with HYPE is part of our larger effort to bring a renewed sense of engagement around proven ways we can all work together to improve our region and use the past to inform the present and shape the future,” Valentine Director Bill Martin said.
The five reimagined categories that residents can choose from when nominating an individual or organization include:
Building Inclusive Community Neighborhoods
Creating High-Quality Educational Opportunities
Establishing Rewarding Work Environments
Promoting Access to Healthy Communities
Inspiring Residents to Thrive
Nominators can learn more about each of the categories and nominate their history maker at richmondhistorymakers.com.
This year, an independent Selection Committee made up of members of HYPE, ChamberRVA’s organization that serves young professionals, will review the nominations and select one winner per category.
Additionally, this is the first year that the Valentine will include an award specifically for students, aimed at celebrating a young Richmonder serving their community and making history in their own unique way. Nominations for a student history maker can be completed here.
“We have been honored to develop and host the Richmond History Program for 20 years and recognize some truly amazing individuals and organizations over the past two decades,” Bill Martin said. “And it just wouldn’t be the Valentine if we didn’t look for ways to adapt the program based on our ever-evolving community. That means always looking for opportunities to foster partnerships, celebrate the innovative spirit of the region, and shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes changing lives and making history every single day.”
Nominees must be residents of the Richmond region and agree to participating in event-related publicity. Nominees may not be an employee or board member of the Valentine or HYPE. Nominations will be accepted through October 31, 2024.
The Valentine’s Richmond History Makers event will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2024 at the Valentine.
Additional questions can be directed to Brent Morris, the Valentine’s Deputy Director of Communications, at (804) 649-0711 or bmorris@thevalentine.org.
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The Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s 400-year history for 125 years. Located in the heart of historic downtown, the Valentine is a place for residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that tell the broader history of this important region. thevalentine.org