2025 Good Government & Leadership Award
- Charles Ajemian
- Mar 3
- 1 min read

FEBRUARY 11, 2026
Richmond First 2025 Good Government & Leadership Award to The John Marshall Center of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture
The John Marshall Center of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture is honored as this year’s recipient of Richmond First’s Good Government and Leadership Award for its outstanding contributions to civics education. Studies show an alarming deficit in the public’s understanding of the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the separation of powers in government.
Addressing these concerns, the John Marshall Center has launched a comprehensive program, “Civics Connects,” for Virginia’s middle school students. This is the first curriculum of its kind and is certain to become a model for other states. As Thomas Jefferson observed, “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their government.”
The award has been given 47 times in Richmond First’s history, most recently to James E. Ukrop and to retired Henrico Board of Supervisors Patricia O’Bannon and Frank Thornton.

