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University Communications

Valentine Richmond History Center and University of Richmond to Collaborate on 2007 History Makers Celebration Oct. 23

October 11, 2007

Valentine Richmond History Center and the University of Richmond will be partners in the 2007 Richmond History Makers Celebration on Oct. 23. University President Edward L. Ayers, one of the nation's leading scholars on the history of the American South, will join the downtown community as it pays tribute to everyday citizens and outstanding organizations that make significant contributions to the greater Richmond region.

In recognition of a shared appreciation for community engagement, the History Center and the university will combine two major downtown events occurring the same evening—a reception honoring Ayers that was originally scheduled at the Library of Virginia will now become part of the third annual History Makers Celebration at the Valentine. The collaboration not only fits the mission of both institutions, but also benefits from a previous partnership. Ayers served as a consulting historian at the Valentine Museum two decades ago. He became the ninth president of the University of Richmond on July 1.

"The University of Richmond is proud to partner with the Valentine Richmond History Center in honoring this year's Richmond History Makers award recipients," said Ayers. "The History Center is a tremendous asset to this community, and it shares my vision for helping to educate people about the importance of the past as we move toward the future."

"When we discovered that we had events scheduled on the same evening, we saw the opportunity to work together to create a special evening for the region," said Bill Martin, director of the Valentine Richmond History Center. "In addition to acknowledging the amazing individuals and organizations that are creating history today in an annual event, we also can celebrate the History Center's and the University of Richmond's common commitment to education and tradition of community service."

Tickets for the celebration are $40 a person. Reservations can be made by calling (804) 649-0711 or by mailing a check payable to VRHC, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond, VA 23219. Visit www.richmondhistorymakers.com for more information.

Additional corporations and organizations that support the RHM program include: presenting sponsor Capital One; supporting sponsors First Market Bank and Philip Morris USA; benefactors Bank of America, Dominion and E. Carlton Wilton Jr.; contributing sponsors Bon Secours, Hunton & Williams, SunTrust, MeadWestvaco and Wachovia Bank; collaborating partner Leadership Metro Richmond; and media partners The Richmond Times-Dispatch, InRich.com and CBS 6.

The Valentine Richmond History Center collects, preserves and interprets Richmond's 400-year history. Located in the heart of historic downtown Richmond, the History Center provides a lively, compelling venue for Richmonders and tourists to discover the diverse stories that come together to tell the intriguing history of Richmond.

Founded in 1830, the University of Richmond is a nationally ranked liberal arts university offering a unique combination of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in arts and sciences, business, leadership studies, law and continuing studies. The nation's first school of leadership studies and a top-25 business school enhance the university's strong liberal arts curriculum.

The 2007 Richmond History Maker honorees have been selected in five categories of distinction. They are:

  • Creating Quality Educational Opportunities - The Micah Initiative. The Micah Initiative is a collaborative effort involving 47 faith groups from diverse communities that provide more than 600 volunteers in 26 elementary schools in our region's urban, metropolitan district. Created in 2003 in response to a growing need for support of student achievement in Richmond Public Schools, Micah Initiative volunteers provide support to students serving as tutors, mentors and library aids and organize needed services such as book and clothing collections, cultural and camping experiences and more.

  • Demonstrating Innovative Solutions - Meghan Brianna Nunnally, M&M Ice Cream Parlor. At the young age of seven, Meghan Nunnally became one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the Richmond area when she established her very own ice cream parlor to earn money for college and achieve a vision of serving as a role model for her community. Over the past four years, Meghan has worked with schools to create incentives for perfect attendance and good grades, giving free ice cream to students who have achieved such during a grading period. Each year, she awards a $1,000 scholarship to two graduating high school seniors who are continuing to college and, every Saturday she holds a story time for children in the M&M Ice Cream Parlor.

  • Fostering Regional Cooperation - Central Virginia Foodbank and Meals on Wheels Serving Central Virginia. In October 2005, backed by their boards of directors and wide-spread citizen support, these two organizations announced plans to jointly build a state-of-the-art, 5,000 square foot community kitchen to prepare meals for thousands of children, elderly and disabled residents in Central Virginia. Because the missions of the two organizations are so similar, they agreed to combine resources, energy and effort to give the project a greater scope, reduce strain on donor resources and increase the quantity and quality of food produced. The new facility will provide daily meals for more than 800 homebound elderly and disabled residents as well as more than 10,000 children in metropolitan Richmond and Petersburg. Scheduled to open in fall 2007, it will be the only kitchen operated by two Richmond-based non-profit organizations.

  • Improving Social Justice - Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. The Rethink Bias campaign is only one of many projects supported by the Virginia Interfaith Center. Now in its 25th year, the Center works to unite people of all faiths for the causes of social justice, compassion and environmental stewardship. What began as a small campaign of ads on GRTC buses to encourage Richmonders to think about and discuss cultural misunderstanding and fear, the Rethink Bias campaign has reached audiences internationally, has been the focus of talk shows and news stories and even provided curriculum for middle and high school students. Along with working to change attitudes and open dialogue about cultural misunderstandings, the Center has worked to create income tax credits for the working poor, provide pre-school funding for working families and move homeless families from shelters to homes.

  • Promoting Stronger Communities - John J. Zeugner. Over the past ten years, John Zeugner has helped more than 50 different cultural, neighborhood and parks organizations through his efforts as the volunteer Executive Director of the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation. Founded in 1990, the Foundation assists with fundraising, education and citizen involvement and provides assistance to community partner groups in the city whose goals are to improve and enrich city parks, recreation programs or the environment. Through his volunteer labor, John has worked to organize outreach programs to city children, obtain funding for the James River Park System, advocate for the cultural arts, including Dogwood Dell and the 17th Street Farmer's Market, and create and manage the Foundation's Landmark Theatre office. The results of his personal efforts can be seen in play grounds, walking trails, summer camps for city children, community gardening and tree planting programs and increased support for arts programs.