Do you know an African American Virginian who changed the way others think? Would you like to encourage students to learn more about positive African American role models? This is your opportunity to tell us about one of Virginia's outstanding citizens, past or present.

Each year the Library of Virginia and Dominion Energy celebrate the contributions of African Americans to Virginia’s history and culture during Black History Month.   We hope your class will join us in recognizing people who have made a difference by nominating an outstanding African American man or woman from Virginia. We are offering an award for the school and teacher submitting a successful nomination for the 2021 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History program. If your class's nominee is chosen, the nominating teacher will be eligible to receive $250 toward school supplies or instructional materials, along with a complimentary three-volume set of the Dictionary of Virginia Biography (a $150 value) for the school library. The teacher and class will also be recognized at the 2021 Strong Men and Women reception in Richmond. This is your chance to let your students be historians and participate in the commemoration of worthy accomplishments.

To enter, complete and submit the nomination form. If your class creates posters, presentations, or any other type of project, we would love to see the results as well. You can include originals or photographs of your students' work; we enjoy seeing history in action.

Where do you start? Think about people who have made a major difference in your community, the state, or their professions. Look for people who have—or who should have—made it into the history books. Please note that past honorees are ineligible for repeated recognition, so double-check the list of previous honorees before getting started at www.lva.virginia.gov/public/trailblazers/listing.htm.

Let your class be a part of history in the making.

Although this project was conceived primarily as a way of involving students in the history of our state, we also accept nominations from the public as well.

For questions concerning the nomination process, please contact Catherine Wyatt at (804) 692.3999 or education@lva.virginia.gov.

This program is offered in partnership with Dominion Energy.