Now Accepting Nominations for BHMVA’s 1895 Living Legacy Awards

We Need Your Help Honoring Today’s Leaders as Part of Our
First 1895 Living Legacy Awards!

The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is pleased to announce its inaugural 1895 Living Legacy Awards. Named in honor of the year the home of the First Battalion Virginia Volunteers Armory was built, as well as celebrating the National Historic Landmark’s 100+ year old legacy as the country’s first African American armory, its role in the Jackson Ward community, and its recent recognition by UNESCO in 2024, these awards reflect the spirit of visionaries who helped shape and honor Black History while inspiring today’s leaders and future champions.

The three awards recognize outstanding leaders across generations who help share, interpret, preserve, and commemorate the rich history and culture of African Americans throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond.

Nominations for these awards are being sought through 5pm, Friday,  November 7th, 2025. Help us honor the legacy of these champions of Black History and culture, lift up their stories, and recognize today’s changemakers. Your nominations and support will ensure that our mission to preserve, celebrate, and carry forward Black History will endure for generations to come.

 

Award Descriptions:

1. Black History Visionary Award. Presented to an individual who embodies the vision and enduring legacy of Carroll Anderson Sr., founder of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center. The ideal candidate will demonstrate creativity and innovation while advancing the preservation and promotion of Black history in the Commonwealth and beyond.

2.  Enduring Legacy Award. In tribute to Richmond native Arthur Ashe -renowned not only as one of our country’s greatest athletes but also as a humanitarian dedicated to justice and cultural progress – this award recognizes an individual who has made a lasting impact on the future of Black history. Through educational, cultural, or artistic efforts, nominees should embody Ashe’s spirit of humanitarianism by ensuring their work is accessible, inclusive, and sustainable for diverse audiences.

3. Youth Leadership Award. This award recognizes the courage and commitment of Barbara Johns, who at the age of 16 initiated the only student-led case under Brown v. Board of Education declaring the unconstitutionality of “separate but equal” education. Candidates must be enrolled in a public or private high school or homeschooled in Virginia and must demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and resilience. This individual should demonstrate both strong potential and a steadfast commitment to creating a lasting, positive impact in their community and beyond.

 

Nominations for all three awards are open NOW through 5pm, Friday, November 7th, 2025.

Winners will be recognized in-person at the Arthur Ashe Exhibit Opening at the Museum on the evening of February 4th, 2026.

👉 Nominate today: [1895 Living Legacy Nomination Form]