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Strong Men & Women in History
Celebrating Leaders in the Past and Present
Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia celebrated the achievements of African-American leaders during the 2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History awards program. The program honored prominent African Americans past and present who have made noteworthy and admirable contributions to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and their professions.
These men and women offer powerful examples of individuals who refused to be defined by their circumstances. Their biographies are a testament to the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times. They demonstrate how African Americans have actively campaigned through education and advocacy for better lives for themselves and all Americans.
"This year’s Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honorees are trailblazers whose tireless efforts have created lasting change in their communities," said Ed Baine, President Utility Operations & Dominion Energy Virginia.
2025 Honorees:
- Winsome Earle- Sears, Winchester, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Don Scott, Portsmouth, Legislator & Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
- Damien Geter, Chesterfield County, Composer, Conductor & Bass-Baritone
- Kelly Knight, Fairfax County, Forensic Scientist
- Virginia Young Lee, Roanoke, Librarian (honored posthumously)
Student Contest
High school students across Virginia are invited each year to honor outstanding African Americans by participating in Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia's Strong Men & Women in Virginia History student creative expressions contest. Four winning entries are chosen, one from each of the four service regions in Virginia (Central, Eastern, Northern and Western).
The 2025 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History Creative Expressions Student Contest finalists:
- Allison Arnett, 11th grade, Grafton High School, York County
- Alvaro Lobo Arispe, 12th grade, Washington-Liberty High School, Arlington
- Nikhita Saravanan, 12th grade, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Richmond
The contest winner:
- Matthew Peng, 9th grade, Meridian High School, Fall Church City
Dominion Energy and the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) present Strong Men & Women In South Carolina History. Building on SCDE’s longstanding South Carolina African American History Calendar, which honors prominent African Americans in the state who have made noteworthy contributions, the Strong Men & Women in South Carolina History program will now feature an essay contest for high school students.
All South Carolina high school juniors and seniors are invited to honor outstanding African Americans by participating in the contest. Five Winning essays will be chosen from each of South Carolina’s five regions: Midlands, Upstate, Lowcountry, Pee Dee and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA).
2024 Prompt
Mary McLeod Bethune's legacy of educational entrepreneurship and literacy has made a lasting impact on individuals across the Palmetto State and beyond, including South Carolina's very own State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver. The little girl from Mayesville once stated, “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read.” In your words, write about an African American person from South Carolina who has positively impacted your educational journey.
Congratulations to the Following 2024 Student Writing Contest Winners
- Madison Wright, Junior - Williston-Elko High School (Read Madison's Essay)
- Tristan Moeller, Senior - Beaufort High School (Lowcountry) (Read Tristan's Essay)
- Karma Robinson, Junior - Spring Valley High School (Midlands) (Read Karma's Essay)
- Chandler Brandon, Junior - J. Paul Truluck Magnet School (Pee Dee) (Read Chandler's Essay)
- Morgan Henderson, Senior - Mauldin High School (Upstate) (Read Morgan's Essay)
Winners From Previous Years
2023
- Grayson Fleury – North Augusta High School, North Augusta, SC (Read Grayson's Essay)
- Amari James – Wilson High School, Florence, SC (Read Amari's Essay)
- Jace Kraftchick – Oceanside Collegiate Academy, Mt. Pleasant, SC (Read Jace's Essay)
- Isabella Whittle – Homeschool, Fort Mill, SC (Read Isabella's Essay)
- La'Deja Williams – Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC (Read La'Deja's Essay)
2022
- Hayley Hylton, Junior – Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Lowcountry) (Read Halley's Essay)
- Shaniya Jeffcoat, Senior – Orangeburg Wilkinson High School (Midlands) (Read Shaniya's Essay)
- Jayla Jones, Junior – Lake City Early College High School (Read Jayla's Essay)
- Tyleigh Spiller, Junior – Homeschooled in Edgefield (CSRA) (Read Tyleigh's Essay)
- Sarai Winkler, Junior – Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities (Upstate) (Read Sarai's Essay)
2021
- Imunique Herriott – Horry County Schools Early College High School (Read Imunique's Essay)
- Addie Johnson – West Ashley High School (Read Addie's Essay)
- Carter Lanier – Silver Bluff High School (Read Carter's Essay)
- Braylon Ratcliff – Spring Valley High School (Read Braylon's Essay)
- Mishka Richards – Indian Land High School (Read Mishka's Essay)
Winners
Winning students and their school representatives will be invited to attend a ceremony to receive their awards.
Winning students will receive an Apple MacBook Air!
Winning students’ schools will receive an award of $1,000!