Henrico County, 'Mad Skillz' earn BLK RVA Community Awards
Henrico County’s Juneteenth Celebration and University of Richmond professor Shaqwan “Mad Skillz” Lewis were among six honorees recognized Aug. 21 during the third annual BLK RVA Community Awards at the Hippodrome Theater in Richmond.
Henrico’s annual Juneteenth Celebration received the Cultural Enrichment Award, recognizing an event that has grown into one of the Richmond region’s signature cultural celebrations. The annual event draws thousands of attendees to Dorey Park in Varina for music, food, local vendors and other activities designed to celebrate freedom and highlight Black culture and history.
Lewis, better known as rapper and DJ Mad Skillz, received the Moment of the Year Award. A longtime figure in the Richmond music scene and nationally known hip-hop artist, Lewis also is an artist-in-residence and professor at the University of Richmond, where he teaches courses related to hip-hop and music.
More than 300 people attended the awards ceremony, which included performances by the Elegba Folklore Society and K Monet.
Other winners included the Shockoe Institute, which received the Cultural Preservation Award; Charlotte’s Southern Deli, Culinary Impact Award; 63Thirty5 Restaurant, Rooted Community Impact Award; and Black Girls of RVA, Rising Community Impact Award.
BLK RVA, a program of the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation, was created in 2019 to celebrate and promote the Richmond region’s Black cultural experience, including its food, arts, entertainment, history and community.
