Returning for its 13th season, the Valentine’s Controversy/History series invites Richmonders to take stock of the city’s most pressing issues. Everyone in the room is encouraged to share their perspective on hot-button topics, engaging with historical case studies, data, and expert voices along the way. This year, we will examine the “Common Good(s),” highlighting the key shared resources that support a thriving city – and what investment is needed to support them for the future. From transit to infrastructure to arts and media, we will take a look at the threats facing the goods we rely upon as a community. The Valentine is excited to once again partner with PlanRVA to dig into key data around each of these complex topics.

“Common Good(s): The Future of Richmond’s Aging Infrastructure” will explore the biggest infrastructure challenges on the horizon for our city. Hear from PlanRVA as they share cutting-edge data on the state of Richmond’s critical infrastructure, as well as new research on flood risks. Our panel discussion will feature experts working on urban conservation, sustainability, and city government sharing their insights on the practical and political steps towards building climate resilient city infrastructure for future generations. We are excited to feature the following panelists:

• Nathan Burrell, Executive Director of Groundwork RVA
• Reverend Dr. Faith Harris, Executive Director at Virginia Interfaith Power & Light
• Samuel Parker, City Politics Reporter at the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Returning for its 13th season, the Valentine’s Controversy/History series invites Richmonders to take stock of the city’s most pressing issues. Everyone in the room is encouraged to share their perspective on hot-button topics, engaging with historical case studies, data, and expert voices along the way. This year, we will examine the “Common Good(s),” highlighting the key shared resources that support a thriving city – and what investment is needed to support them for the future. From transit to infrastructure to arts and media, we will take a look at the threats facing the goods we rely upon as a community. The Valentine is excited to once again partner with PlanRVA to dig into key data around each of these complex topics.

“Common Good(s): Richmond’s Fraying Social Safety Net” will explore the current landscape of public health and social services, including the transformative impact of harm reduction approaches to mental illness and addiction. We are excited to feature the following panelists:

• Jason Alley, Policy Advisor with the City of Richmond’s Opioid Response Community Outreach and Engagement
• Anita Bennett, MHA, Chief Executive Officer at Daily Planet Health Services
• Benjamin Carr, Director of Recovery Services at CARITAS Center
• Dziko Singleton and Colin King, Comprehensive Harm Reduction Co-Coordinators at Health Brigade

In partnership with PlanRVA, the 2024-2025 season on Controvery History will align with the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, using the framework’s five pillars to explore upward mobility in ways that impact every Richmond citizen with an emphasis on our everyday experiences and looking towards the future.

In partnership with PlanRVA, the 2024-2025 season on Controvery History will align with the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, using the framework’s five pillars to explore upward mobility in ways that impact every Richmond citizen with an emphasis on our everyday experiences and looking towards the future.

In partnership with PlanRVA, the 2024-2025 season on Controvery History will align with the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility Framework, using the framework’s five pillars to explore upward mobility in ways that impact every Richmond citizen with an emphasis on our everyday experiences and looking towards the future.

What can history tell us about our future? Given that our present has been profoundly influenced by the past, how can we purposefully shape the world of tomorrow? Controversy/History is a monthly community conversation series hosted at The Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia. This feed will include audio from each month’s event along with drop-in episodes of talks and conversations recorded during the event. We’ll feature a diverse panel of Richmond thought leaders in conversation on issues that matter most to our community's past, present, and future.

Our third event of the 11th season of Controversy/History.

In January of 2024, the Valentine will open a new exhibition, “Sculpting History,” which explores the myth of the Lost Cause through the lens of power. In this season of Controversy/History, we’ll explore the future of the big themes introduced in this new exhibition- education, violence, politics, religion and media – and consider the ideas and institutions of the past that still shape our community today. Join us as we imagine a fresh future grounded in a commitment to seeking truth, building community and serving the greater good.  How can we create a future for Richmond that creates greater opportunity for all?

The series is co-hosted by Valentine Director Bill Martin, Kelli Lemon (of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Video Network), and “Sculpting History” co-curator Josh Epperson. Each event will feature a diverse panel of thought leaders carefully selected to address the specific subject matter. Attendees can look forward to interactive discussions, lively debates, and the chance to have their voices heard in the conversations that matter most to our community’s past, present, and future.

Controversy/History is sponsored by Altria, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo and supported through a media partnership with the Richmond Times Dispatch and Virginia Video Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our second event of the 11th season of Controversy/History.

In January of 2024, the Valentine will open a new exhibition, “Sculpting History,” which explores the myth of the Lost Cause through the lens of power. In this season of Controversy/History, we’ll explore the future of the big themes introduced in this new exhibition- education, violence, politics, religion and media – and consider the ideas and institutions of the past that still shape our community today. Join us as we imagine a fresh future grounded in a commitment to seeking truth, building community and serving the greater good.  How can we create a future for Richmond that creates greater opportunity for all?

The series is co-hosted by Valentine Director Bill Martin, Kelli Lemon (of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Virginia Video Network), and “Sculpting History” co-curator Josh Epperson. Each event will feature a diverse panel of thought leaders carefully selected to address the specific subject matter. Attendees can look forward to interactive discussions, lively debates, and the chance to have their voices heard in the conversations that matter most to our community’s past, present, and future.

Controversy/History is sponsored by Altria, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo and supported through a media partnership with the Richmond Times Dispatch and Virginia Video Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.