Category: Creating Quality Educational Opportunities

The Elijah House Academy's students continually out-perform the national average thanks to Dr. and Mrs. William Kell.

Honorees: Dr. and Mrs. William Kell Elijah House Academy
After working with children in Gilpin Court that could not read or write at their grade level, Dr. and Mrs. William Kell founded the Elijah House Academy in the basement of their Northside home in 1989 as a private school for inner-city children.

Since that founding, the Elijah House Academy has produced students that continually out-perform the national average in standardized testing.

The Kells' work is so successful, the Elijah House Academy is expanding to a much larger facility that can house 300 students.

Category: Fostering Regional Cooperation

Sixty-five members worked together to promote awareness of the James River. Above are members Kimberly Conley and Ralph Hambrick.

Honoree: James River Advisory Council
The James River Advisory Council envisions a united community supporting and promoting the James River and its watershed as a shared resource and enhancing its health, beauty, heritage, economic vitality and recreational value.

Connie Chamberlin is a true advocate for social change.

The Council is comprised of over 65 members from local government, business and industry, state and federal agencies and civic organizations from the Metro Richmond region.

Through programs like James Rivers Days and the James River Parade of Lights, the Council celebrates the diverse history of the river and provides public awareness for regional conservation efforts.

Category: Improving Social Justice

Honoree: Connie Chamberlin House Opportunities Made Equal (HOME)
As President and CEO of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME), Connie Chamberlin has provided exceptional leadership on the local, state and national level to promote equal housing opportunities and better housing conditions for millions of families across the country.

Connie is a promoter of individual rights in the Richmond community and a true advocate for social change.

Increasing the chances of leaving governmental systems was one benefit of the job readiness training that Larry Lindsey established.

Category: Promoting Stronger Communities

Honoree: Larry Lindsey F.I.R.S.T Contractors, Inc.
For the past eight years, Larry Lindsey and the community-based non-profit organization he founded, F.I.R.S.T Contractors, Inc., have been committed to addressing the critical community need of providing troubled young adults who are leaving foster care with an innovative learning experience.

Through self-contained job readiness training, Larry and F.I.R.S.T. Contractors, Inc. provide an experience that will increase each young adult’s chances after leaving foster care and other government systems.