Dominion Virginia Power, Library of Virginia to honor eight African-American "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History"

• Richmond notables James Heyward Blackwell, John Mitchell, Jr. and The Honorable James R. Spencer to be recognized.
• Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Deputy Secretary of Education Deitra Trent to participate.
• High school students to recite award-winning essays.

WHAT:	Dominion Virginia Power and the Library of Virginia's second annual recognition of African-American men and women whose accomplishments and leadership have made significant contributions to the Commonwealth.
WHO:	2014 honorees are:
	- James Heyward Blackwell* - educator, Richmond
	- The Honorable William D. "Bill" Euille - first African-American mayor of Alexandria
	- Mary Alice Hatwood Futrell, Ed.D. - educator and organization leader, Lynchburg
	- Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly* - seamstress and author, Dinwiddie
	- Olivia Ferguson McQueen - civil rights pioneer, Charlottesville
	- John Mitchell, Jr.* - newspaper editor, Richmond
	- The Honorable James R. Spencer - first African-American federal judge of Virginia, Richmond
	- Marcellus "Boo" Williams, Jr. - youth sports mentor, Hampton
	*Posthumous honor
	Winners of the student essay writing contest are:
	- Garrett Jones - Greenbrier Christian Academy, Chesapeake
	- Jocelyn Lee - Franklin Military Academy, Richmond
	- Tyler Phillips - Turner Ashby High School, Rockingham County
	- Lexi Maycock - West Springfield High School, Fairfax County
WHEN:	Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.
	News media - please plan to arrive by 6 p.m. for interview opportunities.
WHERE:	Richmond Marriott
	Grand Ballroom
	500 East Broad St.

CONTACT: Daisy Pridgen, [phone], [e-mail]

/PRNewswire -- Feb. 3, 2014/

SOURCE Dominion Virginia Power