Dominion Energy Virginia and the Library of Virginia present Strong Men & Women in Virginia History. This program honors distinguished African-American leaders in Virginia, and features a student creative expressions contest.

The 2023 awards ceremony will be held on June 15. The 2023 honorees are recognized for their important contributions to Virginia, the nation, and/or their professions. They serve as a testament to the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times. 

2023 Honorees:

• Kendall Holbrook, CEO & Mentor, Fairfax County
• Ora Scruggs McCoy, Farmer & Community Activist, Appomattox County
• Wendell Oliver Scott, Stock Car Driver, Danville (honored posthumously)
• Colonel Quentin Joseph Smith, Jr., USAF- Retired, Air Force Pilot & Mentor, Hampton
• Sheila Bowen Taylor, Nuclear Engineer & Mentor, Norfolk
• Reverend Raymond Rogers "R.R." Wilkinson, Baptist Minister & Civil Rights Leader, Roanoke (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 winners of the 2023 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History student contest are:

• Jonah Burton: Henrico High School, Henrico County (12th grade)
• Alexa Koeckritz: Grafton High School, York County (12th grade)
• Maria Turner: Patrick County High School, Patrick County (11th grade)
• Lily Vietmeyer: Washington-Liberty High School, Arlington County (12th grade)

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.

Learn more and enter the essay contest by visiting: www.scafricanamerican.com/2024-student-writing-contest. Deadline for submitting essays is March 29.

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)