About The Richmond Virginia Awards Show
The Richmond Virginia Awards Organization, is a community driven initiative to engage and educate the community in local performing arts, digital media, and community service.
Our RVA Awards Show Ceremony, is an annual fundraiser to celebrate and honor not the 'best', but the most deserving professionals who have helped to create the educational, economic, and social structures in the minority areas of Richmond Virginia.
PARTICIPATION
During the awards ceremony, we celebrate participants (Top3 Nominees, Winners, and Honorees) who serve within Music, Media, and Community Leadership industries.
OUR "WHY"
Our mission is to increase self-determination, productivity, and profitability, within minority and low-income communities here in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding areas; "The RVA Awards Show" is just one of the ways we accomplish this mission.
NEVER Forget Where You Came From...
Originated in 2018
The RVA Awards Show hosted the first production at The legendary Robinson Theater in Richmond, Virginia, located in the heart of Church Hill. We had a full house, the community dressed in their finest, and no drama at all. We are proud of that. Built in 1937, the Robinson Theater was a sophisticated version of Art Deco Moderne architecture. Commissioned by Hill Entertainment Group and designed by Richmond architect, Edward F. Sinnott, the Robinson quickly became the center of activity for this thriving community. The United States Department of the Interior lists the historic Robinson Theater as “the final icon of the transformation of this section of Church Hill into a middle-class African-American neighborhood”.
Iconic History
The theater was named for Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, a native son of Richmond who grew up to be “the toast of Broadway, dazzling audiences with his remarkable footwork”. To this day, he is considered by many to be the “World’s Greatest Tap Dancer”. Former Virginia State Delegate, James Christian, Jr. doorman and assistant manager of the Robinson Theater recalled Bill Robinson as “a kind-hearted individual who had a great deal of interest in the people”.
“FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD”
The Honorable Douglas Wilder remembered his childhood neighborhood in Church Hill as one “self-sufficient city”. He was impressed by the Robinson Theater and the way “people would go to the theater like they were going to a premiere on Broadway”. In addition to showing films, singers, dancers, jazz bands, comedians, and amateur talent shows appeared live regularly at the Robinson. The theater was a hub of social interaction for the community.
