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.

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