Danville and Roanoke are among the finalists for the National Civic League’s All-America City Award, which has recognized civic innovation annually since 1949.
This year, the award’s theme is “Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation.” Finalists are localities that have found innovative ways to engage community members in activities that strengthen local democracy, like making it easier to vote or serve in leadership roles.
The organization selected 20 finalists, three of which are in Virginia: Danville, Roanoke and Newport News. The finalists are invited to an event in Denver in June to present their efforts around this year’s theme.
“Finalists were selected after a competitive review process based on the criteria of shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact,” said a release from the National Civil League.
Each finalist was required to submit an application discussing the “strengths of their civic capital and providing examples of three community-driven efforts that have adapted and transformed the community.”
Efforts that fit the theme can include, but are not limited to: removing barriers to participation in civic life, undertaking reforms that give people a meaningful say in public decision-making, increasing voter engagement, participation and turnout; engaging marginalized or historically disadvantaged populations, and promoting youth civic engagement.
Ten of the finalist cities will receive the award after the June event.
The finalist communities come from 11 states and range in size from 3,000 to more than 700,000 residents, according to the release.
“The finalists share a common bond of building the capacity of residents to actively participate in civic life and have a meaningful say in decisions,” the release said.
Danville has received this award twice in the past — in 1977 and again in 2020. Roanoke has received it seven times — in 1952, 1979, 1982, 1988, 1996, 2012 and 2017 — and Newport News has never received the award.
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