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.