Controversy/History

Common Good(s): The Future of Richmond’s Aging Infrastructure

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:29:23 +0000

Returning for its 13^th 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

Common Good(s): Richmond’s Fraying Social Safety Net

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:08:43 +0000

“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

Too Damn High! The Price of Foregoing the Traditional 9-5

Wed, 5 Feb 2025 05:00:46 +0000

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.

Too Damn High! Medical Costs & Access to Quality Care

Wed, 4 Dec 2024 02:03:24 +0000

Too Damn High! Rising Rents & Richmond’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:16:49 +0000

Faith & Beyond: Finding Our Moral Compass

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:45:35 +0000

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.

Beyond Politics: Voicing our Ideas

Mon, 8 Jan 2024 15:23:42 +0000

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.

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Beyond Law & Order: Building Community

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:05:00 +0000

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

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.

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Beyond the Book: Educating the Future

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Kicking off the 11th season of Controversy/History.

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.

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Controversy/History: Past, Present and Progress

Mon, 6 Nov 2023 17:47:36 +0000

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