John Lithgow at The Richmond Forum

TONIGHT’S LEAD PATRON

Genworth Financial, Inc. is a Fortune 500 public holding insurance company that provides guidance, products, and services to meet families where they are on the aging journey. Our roots in Virginia run deep – back to 1871, when The Life Insurance Company of Virginia wrote its very first policy.

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Genworth employs 1,400 people here and in the City of Lynchburg. We are proud to be a part of this vibrant community and pleased to call it home.

Since 1992, Genworth has partnered with The Richmond Forum in its quest to “change the world, simply by changing the way we see the world.”

Visit us at https://www.genworth.com/ for more information.

Envisioning a better tomorrow enabled by our work today

THIS SEASON IS ALSO MADE POSSIBLE BY THESE LEAD PATRONS

TONIGHT’S HOST PATRON

We are SingleStone. We’re an always-curious team of problem solvers providing business with people-first solutions for their toughest techanical challenges.

www.singlestoneconsulting.com

TONIGHT’S PRODUCER PATRONS

Our graduates are prepared to lead industries. Or disrupt them. We are unlike any business school you’ve ever seen. business.vcu.edu

Universal is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. www.universalcorp.com

LIVE MUSIC SPONSOR

OPENING VIDEO BY

Offering investment management, financial planning and concierge financial services to simplify your financial life and bring you peace of mind.

www.agilipersonalcfo.com

Cream Studio creates unforgettable visual experiences that engage, enlighten and inspire. Animated content for social, web, broadcast & events.

www.wearecream.com

John Lithgow

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO LITHGOW

MARCH 18, 2023

OPENING MUSIC & NATIONAL ANTHEM

Desirée Roots

OPENING REMARKS

Heather Mullins Crislip

Executive Director

The Richmond Forum

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Tom McInerney President and Chief Executive Officer

Genworth Financial, Inc.

PRESENTATION

John Lithgow

Fifteen-minute intermission for collection of audience questions via Slido

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

John Lithgow with Scott Wichmann

Local actor, crooner, writer, and director

Tonight’s presentation may not be recorded or photographed by any means for any purpose. The Richmond Forum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization.

Setting the Stage.

Genworth is pleased to welcome Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor, John Lithgow, to Richmond. Get ready for an experience that is out of this world!

Genworth is proud to support The Richmond Forum in presenting a diverse spectrum of powerful voices that challenge Richmond to learn while empowering local voices of all ages that position Richmond to lead.

As we strive to help families navigate the aging journey with confidence, we are pleased to promote dialogue and understanding that fosters an inclusive community for every generation…right here on earth!

JOHN LITHGOW

ABOUT TONIGHT’S SPEAKER

JOHN LITHGOW IS A RACONTEUR with a wide-ranging and towering talent. Lithgow has made an indelible impression on audiences through his work in film, television, and theater, and has advocated tirelessly for the creative arts. He is the winner of two Tony Awards, six Emmys, and three SAG Awards, and has twice been nominated for an Oscar.

Audiences from Richmond and beyond know Lithgow from his delightful performances across stage and screen. He has appeared in countless critically acclaimed films, such as “All That Jazz,” “The World According to Garp,” “Terms of Endearment,” and “Bombshell.” This past February, he co-starred with Julianne Moore in the AppleTV+ psychological thriller, “Sharper.” Lithgow is also among the star-studded cast of Martin Scorsese’s upcoming “Killers of the Flower Moon,” set for release later this year.

Lithgow has starred in the hit television shows “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Dexter,” “The Crown,” and “Perry Mason.” He currently stars alongside Jeff Bridges in “The Old Man” on FX and Hulu. He has appeared on Broadway 25 times, including “The Changing Room,” “M. Butterfly,” “Requiem for a Heavyweight,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” and “The Sweet Smell of Success.”

Lithgow’s creative work extends beyond his acting chops. He has written several best-selling children’s picture books, as well as a 2011 memoir “Drama: An Actor’s Education.” Since 2019, he has written and illustrated the political satire “Dumpty Trilogy,” which landed Lithgow on The New York Times Nonfiction Best Seller list for three consecutive years.

Having recently completed his term as co-chair of the Commission on the Arts of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Lithgow continues to advocate on behalf of arts in education and the livelihood of America’s creative workforce.

Tonight, Lithgow will reflect on the iconic roles that comprise his decades-long career, and will undoubtedly treat us to an original limerick or two.

“PEOPLE HAVE EXPECTATIONS FROM YOU—AND THE WHOLE FUN OF ACTING IS TAKING EXPECTATIONS AND COMPLETELY UPENDING THEM.”

This isn’t business as usual. It’s creativity at work. Our unique mix of strong business foundations and creative problem solving prepares our students to lead industries. Or disrupt them. And that’s what makes us unlike any business school you’ve ever seen.

Welcome to VCU. A world UNLIKE any other.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY

SCOTT WICHMANN

TONIGHT’S MODERATOR

SINCE STEPPING INTO THE TUXEDO AS FRANK SINATRA in the 1999 World Premiere Musical Revue “Ella and Her Fella, Frank” at the former Barksdale Theatre, Scott Wichmann has become a fixture in the cultural landscape of Central Virginia. Stage credits include “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” “1776,” “Shakespeare in Love,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” “The Producers,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Say Goodnight Gracie,” “Fully Committed,” “Scapino!,” and the world premieres of “The End of War” and “River Ditty” at Virginia Repertory Theatre; “The Laramie Project” and “I Am My Own Wife” for Richmond Triangle Players; “Bat Boy: The Musical!,” “The Late Henry Moss,” and “Kingdom of Earth” at Firehouse Theatre; as well as “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” and “Richard III” at Richmond Shakes.

Scott is the author of several original Theatre IV family musicals: “The Jungle Book,” “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” “Hiawatha,” “The Little Engine That Could,” “Newton’s Apple,” and “Have You Filled A Bucket Today.” Film and TV credits include “Loving,” “Lincoln,” “Lake Effects,” “Shooting the Prodigal,” “Legends & Lies: The Patriots,” and “The Good Lord Bird” with Ethan Hawke. A graduate of Wagner College in Staten Island, New York, Scott proudly serves as a chief petty officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

PASSIONATELY SHAPING TOMORROW, TODAY.

We’re proud to support The Richmond Forum as they bring new thoughts and perspectives that enhance our community and advance our world.

Influencing the Future

Universal Corporation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a global business-to-business agri-products supplier to consumer product manufacturers, operating in over 30 countries on five continents that sources and processes leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients. Tobacco has been our principal focus since our founding in 1918, and we are the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Through our plant-based ingredients platform, we provide a variety of valueadded manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients for the food and beverage end markets.

www.universalcorp.com

TONIGHT’S MUSICIAN

DESIRÉE ROOTS’ ABILITY TO SING NEARLY EVERY GENRE including jazz, gospel, opera, and popular music has made her one of the region’s most sought-after vocalists. She is a Grammy-nominated vocalist as well as a regional artist who spreads her talents across theater, music, and dance. She has shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning guitarists Buddy Guy and B.B. King, as well as Grammy Award-nominated saxophonists Gerald Albright and Boney James. She was the opening act for Brian McKnight and was a featured vocalist with the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, as well as RVA’s own Richmond Symphony.

Her awards include the Theresa Pollak Prize for Excellence in the Arts for “Vocal Excellence in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” and a Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Award for “Best Actress in a Musical.” In 2017, Desirée wrote a tribute to Virginia’s Ella Fitzgerald in honor of the 100th anniversary of the legend’s birth. “Forever Ella” is still performed throughout Virginia. She is currently celebrating her one-year anniversary of being appointed the Artistic Director of Community at Virginia Repertory Theatre.

This evening, Desirée is accompanied by Dr. Weldon Hill (keyboard), Mike Hawkins (bass), Billy Williams Jr. (drums), and James “Saxsmo” Gates Jr. (saxophone).

LITHGOW’S ICONIC ROLES

Roger Ailes Bombshell (2019)

George Henderson Harry and the Hendersons (1984)

Lord Farquaad Shrek (2001)

Dick Solomon

3rd Rock From the Sun (1996-2001)

Elias Birchard “E.B.” Jonathan Perry Mason (2020)

Rene Gallimard M. Butterfly (1988-1990)

Arthur Mitchell / The Trinity Killer Dexter (2009)

Reverend Shaw Moore Footloose (1984)

Roberta Muldoon The World According to Garp (1982)

Winston Churchill The Crown (2016-2019)

Harold Harper The Old Man (2022-present)

Harlan “Mountain” McClintock Requiem for a Heavyweight (1985)

Thank

Davenport & Company is an independent, employee-owned firm, founded in Richmond, Virginia in 1863. During our history, we have experienced nearly every kind of financial market and we have learned the importance of balancing stability and innovation in a dynamic environment. We know there is more to our business than delivering high-quality financial services; it is about building meaningful relationships.

LITHGOW’S AWARDS SHELF

Kaufman & Canoles is committed to strengthening our community. As part of that commitment, we are proud to support The Richmond Forum and the diverse guests they invite to inspire and inform our community. We CAN. And we will.

The Richmond Forum brings people from every corner of the globe to visit the Richmond community and share their stories.

Covington Travel helps people from the Richmond community visit every corner of the globe for business or pleasure. Together, we hope this program inspires you to visit new places, explore unique cultures and bring home stories of your own to share.

Let

Trusted Richmond-Based Business Advisory Firm Strategy | Finance | HR | Sales | Executive Search

THE ART OF inspiration

Cultural institutions make our world more fascinating, inviting and should allow its residents to access cultural experiences and expressions that are relevant to them. From the stage to the screen to exhibition halls and education programs citywide, Altria takes pride in our longstanding support of local arts and all they do to bring people together. Altria is proud to support The Richmond Forum.

Take a closer look at www.altria.com

© Altria Group, Inc. 2022

BEYOND THE STAGE & SCREEN

ALTHOUGH HE IS BEST KNOWN for his prolific acting career, John Lithgow is also a marked wordsmith and illustrator. His poetry and drawings reflect his broad creative range and imagination.

Author of 11 children’s books and three installments of a political humor series, Lithgow has brought to life countless whimsical characters—both real and make-believe—who brim with personality and charm. His illustrations have been praised for their warmth, humor, and attention to detail. Lithgow’s artistic talents have been exhibited in galleries around the world and featured in various publications, including The New Yorker. He has also been known to commemorate the conclusion of an acting project by sketching an illustration of the project’s cast.

To commemorate his time with us this evening, Lithgow produced this original work, which will be auctioned at a later time to support the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative.

SPEECH & DEBATE STUDENTS

MORE THAN 600 RICHMOND-AREA STUDENTS have participated so far in the 2022 - 2023 competitive speech & debate season. Because of their involvement in these programs, they have gained self-confidence, built meaningful relationships, and developed critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity skills.

Below, meet two local high school competitors, and a notable forensics alumnus who have seen the impact that speech & debate can make in their lives.

Miangel Brown Petersburg High School

Miangel Brown is a sophomore at Petersburg High School, where she is a member of the Crimson Wave Forensics team. She says she joined the team because she likes to talk and can be very opinionated and outspoken. In her experience, forensics goes hand-in-hand with becoming a better speaker.

“I really enjoy the competition. I like that I have the one chance to get it right. The fear and excitement move me … I also love to act, so dramatic interpretation seemed right for me and lets me explore different characters. I hope to keep improving. I want my voice to be known and to win awards for Petersburg High School.”

Elise Massey Manchester High School

Elise Massey is a senior at Manchester High School and the captain of the debate team. Elise, who plans to go into business, says that she knew she needed to be a confident and persuasive speaker in order to do so. She joined the debate team as a sophomore.

“I have personally benefited from debate by gaining the skills of public speaking and critical thinking. It has also leveraged professional connections and good friendships. Academically, I’m able to process information and concepts more quickly with a wider perspective than before debate.”

For Elise, debate is an outlet where she gets to find her voice, share her voice, and become more confident as a whole.

John Lithgow Buchtel High School

From John Lithgow’s 2011 memoir “Drama: An Actor’s Education”:

“In tenth grade, the following year, I dusted off Twelfth Night once again. I reprised the entire  gulling scene, this time playing all five parts. I performed it as a monologue in the category of ‘Humorous Declamation,’ for Buchtel High’s National Forensic League team. On Saturdays, I would travel with a bus-load of brainy debaters to tournaments held in empty high schools all over north-central Ohio. The others would debate and I would perform, competing with teams from all over the region.”

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

Clover Hill HS

Hunter Clark, Forensics & Debate

Cosby HS

Jaclyn Clark, Forensics & Debate

Scott McKeag, Forensics & Debate

William Waddell, Forensics & Debate

James River HS

Stephanie O'Neil, Debate

Jessica Sanchez, Forensics

Manchester HS

Linda Moccio-Webb, Debate

Kelie Negron, Forensics

Christopher Okamuro, Forensics

Meadowbrook HS

Clarissa Adkins, Debate

Kristin Thrower, Debate

Hajnalka Woosley, Forensics

Midlothian HS

Heather Murfee, Forensics & Debate

LC Bird HS

Melissa Ligh, Forensics

GOVERNOR’S SCHOOLS

Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School

Dan Brown, Debate

Celie Boswell, Forensics

HANOVER COUNTY

Mechanicsville HS

Beth Andersen, Forensics

Stephanie Austin, Forensics

Stephen Salvato, Debate

HENRICO COUNTY

Deep Run HS

Sheryl Gibson, Forensics

Rob Rumans, Debate

Glen Allen HS

Jonathon Tolbert, Forensics & Debate

Godwin HS

Jonathan Saufley, Debate

Hermitage HS

Jimmy Day, Debate

Jen Jones, Forensics

Highland Springs HS

Nicholas Barker, Forensics

Amanda Kroh, Forensics

Holman MS

Joan Hodges, Forensics

Moody MS

Marivic Mitchell, Debate

J.R. Tucker HS

Lacy Hodges, Forensics & Debate

PETERSBURG

Petersburg HS

Terri Smith

RICHMOND

Armstrong HS

Andrew Maples, Forensics

George Wythe HS

Angela Moore, Forensics

Lisette Kimbrough, Debate

Huguenot HS

Gwendolyn Nixon, Forensics

John Marshall HS

Sherry Young-Jones, Forensics

Open HS

Caroline Arlin, Debate

Richmond Community HS

Vincent Simone, Debate

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL PARTNERS*

Collegiate School

Shannon Castelo, Debate

*Independent schools are not subject to grant funding.

HIGHER EDUCATION PARTNERS

Randolph-Macon College

Ruth Beerman, Director of the Franklin Debate Society

University of Mary Washington

Adrienne Brovero, Director of the UMW Debate Team

University of Richmond

Roger Mancastroppa, Director of the UR Debate Club

Zach Perry, Assistant Director of the UR Debate Club

Virginia State University

Arnold Westbrook, Director of the Deb8Society

Lisa Hopson, Assistant Director of the Deb8Society

Virginia Union University

Tim Wenzell, Director of the Speech & Debate Club

Forum staff honored the efforts and accomplishments of Richmond-area speech & debate coaches, as well as RFSDI volunteers, at a celebration in January.

For tirelessly championing the vital role of arts in education, thank you, John Lithgow. Your creative storytelling and compassion illustrate how our collective shared experiences can foster a sense of hope and community.

www.vacancer.com

Supporting visionaries.

We proudly support The Richmond Forum and this evening’s speaker, John Lithgow, who strongly believes in the importance of the creative arts in our culture.

troutman.com

Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP

We are UNRELENTING.

We focus on improving health for all people. Our care for those with sickle cell disease — a painful blood condition mainly affecting Black people — goes beyond pain management and treatments.

It’s about impact. Offering a medical home — a place of comfort and hope that helps them tackle the everyday challenges of the disease. Here, we treat the big things, the little things and everything in between.

Welcome to VCU Health. A world UNLIKE any other.

Kendrice “Kenny” Lane, resident of VCU Health’s Adult Sickle Cell Medical Home

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE

Ellen E. Spong, Chair

BlueEdgeCapitalLLC

Teresa Downs, Vice Chair Altria*

Jonathan Brabrand, Treasurer TransactCapital*

Steve Otero, Secretary CapitalOne*

Laura E. Kottkamp, Member-at-large VCUSchoolofBusiness*

Robert K. Beckler, Immediate Past Chair TemperPack

COMMITTEECHAIRS

Steve Humble, Program VPM*

Celia Rafalko, Investment CaryStreetPartners

Kelly O’Keefe, Nominations & Governance BrandFederation*

Betty N. Crutcher, PhD, Education Subscriber/Supporter

PRODUCTION TEAM & STAFF

THERICHMONDFORUMSTAFF

Heather Mullins Crislip ExecutiveDirector,heather@richmondforum.org

Dee A. Raubenstine

DirectorofDevelopment&SponsorEvents,dee@richmondforum.org

Michael Brown

DirectorofSubscriberServices&Operations,michael@richmondforum.org

Sandra Wheeler

DirectorofStudentPrograms,sandra@richmondforum.org

Lucretia M. Anderson

Speech&DebateInitiativeManager,lucretia@richmondforum.org

Maggie McVicar

CommunicationsManager,maggie@richmondforum.org

Debbie Mangolas

OfficeManager,debbie@richmondforum.org

2022–2023RICHMONDFORUMSCHOLARS

Nina Argel, MonacanHighSchool

Jada Oakcrum, HanoverHighSchool

Lily Waehner, JamesRiverHighSchool

Cameron Walker, TrinityEpiscopalSchool

Tahlia Wright, HighlandSpringsHighSchool

DIRECTORS

Makola M. Abdullah, PhD VirginiaStateUniversity*

Jimmy Chou SingleStone*

Regina J. Elbert DominionEnergy*

Eva Hartmann LunaInnovations

William R.B. Hershey Davenport&CompanyLLC*

Susan B. Horne LeadVirginia

Michael Joyce Agili—YourPersonalCFO*

A. Brent King PerformanceFoodGroup*

Geoff T. Marlatt ProfitOptics*

Rick Palmieri WilliamsMullen*

P. Anand Rao, PhD UniversityofMaryWashington

Timothy L. Reid

LegacyMediaInstitute

Rhodes B. Ritenour

BonSecoursVirginia HealthSystem*

Linda V. Schreiner

Subscriber/Supporter

Lisa Sims

VentureRichmond

Ashley L. Taylor, Jr. TroutmanPepper*

Janet Tope WellsFargo*

Todd Waldo

HughHelenLLC

Kevin A. White ButlerSnowLLP

Andrea Lynn White Genworth*

*PatronofTheRichmondForum

PRODUCTION

Jacquelyn Craig

ProductionStageManager

Ray Bullock

AssistantStageManager

Boitnott Visual Communications HDVideo

Ryan Marasco

ProductionManager

BoitnottVisualCommunications

Cream Studio OpeningVideo

Carlos Chafin Composer InYourEar

Heidi Winton-Stahle Makeup

Todd Waldo OnlineHost

ALTRIATHEATER

Audrey M. Booth TheaterManager

Steve Sweet TechnicalDirector

Thomas Vecchione ProductionManager

Glenn Major GeneralManager

SUPPORT

Hope Scott

VIPGroundTransportation

JamesLimousine

Josée Covington

AirTravel

CovingtonTravel

P. Kevin Morley Photographer

Mending Walls: The Documentary

Thirty artists create a groundbreaking public art project about empathy and racial justice in the documentary “Mending Walls,” presented on public television by VPM. Courtesy of Katrina Ta art-Hecksher CONNECTED

2022-2023 PATRONS

LEADPATRON

Altria Group

Davenport & Company LLC

Dominion Energy

Genworth Financial

Wells Fargo

HOSTPATRON

Capital One Bank

Hourigan Group

SingleStone

Troutman Pepper LLP

YouDecide

PRODUCERPATRON

Atlantic Union Bank

Boitnott Visual Communications

Bon Secours Virginia Health System

Covington Travel

Cream Studio

Deloitte Services LP

Laurie Petronis

ProfitOptics, Inc.

TCV Trust & Wealth Management

Universal Corporation

VCU Health

VCU School of Business

Virginia Cancer Institute

Virginia Commonwealth University

EDUCATIONPATRON

Dr. & Mrs. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr.

Trinity Episcopal School

MEDIAPATRON

VPM

MUSICPATRON

Agili—Your Personal CFO

PRESENTER

2nd Order Solutions

BDO

Brand Federation

BrownGreer PLC

Buckingham Greenery, Inc.

Cedarfield

Fahrenheit Advisors

Froehling & Robertson

Fulton Bank

Gill & Horner, of Raymond James

HHHunt

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Infinity Global

James River Carriers

Kaufman & Canoles, P.C.

Marks & Harrison

McGuireWoods LLP

MCV Foundation

NBC12

Neurosurgical Associates

PartnerMD

Performance Food Group Company

PNC Bank

PwC

Riverstone Wealth Advisory Group

SHOCKOE|Mobile by Design

South State Bank

Transact Capital

Truist Bank

Two Capitols Consulting

University of Richmond

Virginia State University

Westminster Canterbury

Williams Mullen

Woodfin Oil

Workshop Digital

CONTRIBUTOR

Actuarial Benefits & Design Company

Cornerstone Realty Advisors

EY

Hoover & Strong, Inc.

In Your Ear Studios

J.P. Morgan

Mary & Ted Linhart

Markel Corporation

Westham Partners

FRIEND

Dr. & Mrs. Ralph L. Anderson

Avenue 8 Advisors

B&B Printing

Bob & Kate Beckler

Blue Edge Capital LLC

Mr. & Mrs. Roger L. Boevé

The Brink’s Company

CEBCO

The Change Decision

Kevin & Dr. Sheila Clasbey

Commonwealth Retirement Advisors

Marge Connelly & Julie Christopher

Drs. Betty Neal & Ronald A. Crutcher

Coach DeJarnette

Paige & Philip Goodpasture

Thomas A. Grant

Drs. Trisha Krause & Sanjay Bhagchandani

Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Mann

Mac & Amy Marshall

Blair & Bill Martin

The Martin Agency

Montgomery Compliance Law

Mike Mulvihill & Marcy Walsh

Mutual Assurance Society of Virginia

Judy & Dave Pahren

Lisa & Leon Roday

Mary Beth & James Shannon

Will & Lisa Sims

Tredway S. Spratley & Janine M. Collins

Thought Work, MD

VAMAC, INC.

Adrienne Whitaker

Vanessa & James Wigand

SUPPORTER

Nupa Agarwal, Esq.

Agili–Michael Joyce

Ginger Bacon & Sallie Gilliam

Betty & Tommy Baer

Melody Barnes & Marland Buckner

Dr. K.C. Blaisdell & Sherry Stauffer

Richard & Sidney Bland

Scott & Winn Bleicher

Karen & Joe Brower

Candace & Robert Cody

The Community Foundation

Angela & Ted Cox

Harold & Susan Cruse

Tanya & Brad Cummings

Gale & Bill Cushing

Kimberly W. Daniel

Marietta Daniel

Stuart & Beth Daniel

Carol & Frank DePew

Sharon & James Dillard

Ken Dye & Sam Seeley

Nita & Jack Enoch

Laura Erskin

Patricia M. Fields

Whitney & Chris Forstner

Steve & Susan Gaidos

Kim & Mike Giancaspro

Mr. & Mrs. Robert B. Giles

Maya & Stuart Glaser

Nancy & Ches Goodall

Greg & Gloria Gravlin

Dr. Ed Griggs

Michael C. Guanzon

Lisa Halberstadt & Jeffrey Lacker

Happy Smiles Dental

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Harrison

Eva Morgan Hartmann

Michael Hayes

Phillip & Ellen Marie Hess

Jon & Trish Hill

Deborah & Gregory Hillman

Jay Holloway

Kathleen Holman

Robert & Susan Horne

Wendy & Steve Humble

Bobbie Hunt

Liz & Bill Kastelberg

Linda & Kerry Keenan

Bruce & Terri Kelley

Art Kellermann & Leila Taaffe

Jay & Janet Kraft

Susan Kroner

Ray & Pamela Lepper

John & Rhoda Mahoney

Main Street Law Office

Mary Malone

Paul Manno

Candace & Patrick Martin

Elizabeth & Michael Martin

Elizabeth Mason

Kevin & Nina McDonough

Benita & Michael Miller

Dr. Guru & Sheetal Mohanty

Lauren & Elliott Moore

Ina Moses

Peter Nash

Barbara Bosha Nelson

Amy & David Nisenson

Nyfeler Associates, LLC

Paula & Jeff O’Flaherty

W. Paul Pitts

Leslie Pridgen

Andi & Brian Redmond

Tim Reid & Daphne Maxwell Reid

Karen & Paul Reilly

Linda Rigsby

River Hills Wealth Management

Laurie & Penn Rogers

Danny Robinson & Paula SaylorRobinson

Dr. & Mrs. Vipal K. Sabharwal

Rick & Carly Schofield

Linda & Serge Schreiner

Janie & Maurice Schwarz

ServiceNow

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Shockley

Vivian & Ben Sillmon

Laine Sims, LCSW

Susan Snyder

Steve & Sarabeth Spasojevich

Leila & Kirk Spitzer

Leslie Stack & Frank Rizzo

Bobby & Marilyn Thalhimer

Melodie Thigpen & Paulette Moncol

Sharon & Terry Troxell

Virginia Semiconductor, Inc.

Siri & Kyle Wiggins

Beth & Van Williams

Gary Wilson

Just add hope

Giving back to our community is more than just helping our neighborhoods grow and prosper. It is adding hope to community, and showing what’s possible when we all work together.

Thank you, The Richmond Forum, for your service to our community.

RICHMOND FORUM SPEAKERS

1987

January Ted Koppel

February Hodding Carter and Larry Speakes with Paul Duke

March General Brent Scowcroft with Diane Sawyer

April Charles Kuralt

1988

January Oprah Winfrey

February Jeane Kirkpatrick and Vladimir Pozner with Marvin Kalb

March George Will

April Art Buchwald

1989

January Sam Donaldson

February Henry Kissinger with John Chancellor

March William Buckley and Charles Rangel

April Dr. Carl Sagan

1990

January Paul Duke, Howard Fineman and Charles McDowell

February Frank Carlucci, George McGovern, William Proxmire and William Rusher with Bettina Gregory

March Mike Wallace

April Alistair Cooke

1990–1991

October Chancellor Helmut Schmidt

January Admiral William Crowe, General Alexander Haig and Robert McFarlane with Edwin Newman

February H. Ross Perot

March Art Buchwald and Andy Rooney

April Captain James Lovell and Dr. Frank Drake with James Burke

1991–1992

October Barbara Walters

January PM Margaret Thatcher

February General H. Norman Schwarzkopf with Larry King

March Dr. Marc Micozzi and Dr. Victor McKusick with Patricia Cornwell

April Mark Russell

1992–1993

October Terry Anderson

January Hiroki Kato and T. Boone Pickens

February Dr. Joyce Brothers

March Dr. Bill Cosby

April President Mikhail Gorbachev with Cokie Roberts

1993–1994

November Senator Warren Rudman, Lamar Alexander and Dr. Marvin Cetron with Chris Wallace

January Frank Capiello and Michael Holland with Louis Rukeyser

February President George H. W. Bush

March Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

April Bob Newhart

1994–1995

November General Colin Powell

January Walter Cronkite

February Dave Barry

March Tom Clancy

April Jack Kemp and George Mitchell

1995–1996

November PM Brian Mulroney and Ambassador Carla Hills

January Neil Armstrong, Eugene Cernan and Dick Rutan with David Hartman

February Calvin Trillin

March Charles Kuralt

April David Gergen, Pierre Salinger, Sheila Tate and Bob Woodward with Ed Bradley

1996–1997

November Carl Reiner with Dick Cavett

January Paul Volcker with Ray Brady

February Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough

March Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber with Sir David Frost

April Marcia Clark, Philip K. Howard, Dr. Rodney Smolla and Kym Worthy with Prof. Arthur Miller

1997–1998

November Bill Moyers

January Wynton Marsalis

February PM Shimon Peres

March Mary Tyler Moore

April Peter Lynch

1998–1999

November PM John Major

January Robert Bennett and Dr. William Bennett with Tim Russert

February Harry S. Dent, Jr. and Lou Dobbs

March Lily Tomlin

April Dr. Robert Ballard and Jean-Michel Cousteau

1999–2000

November Julie Andrews

January Todd Brewster and Peter Jennings

February John Krubski and Michael Connors with Ray Brady

March Archbishop Desmond Tutu

April James Carville and Newt Gingrich with Tim Russert

2000–2001

November Senator John Glenn

January Tom Brokaw

February PM Benjamin Netanyahu

March Frank McCourt

April Dr. William Kelso

2001–2002

November Hal Holbrook

January Rabbi Marc Gellman and Msgr. Thomas Hartman

February Dick Clark

March Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough

April Madeleine Albright and James Baker with Gwen Ifill

2002–2003

November Ken Burns

January Rudolph Giuliani

February PM Benazir Bhutto and Queen Noor with Gwen Ifill

March Louis Freeh

April Senator Fred Thompson

2003–2004

November Cal Ripken, Jr.

January Robert Shiller and Jeremy Siegel

February Candice Bergen

March President Mary Robinson

April Thomas L. Friedman

2004–2005

November General Tommy Franks

January Michael Beschloss and Walter Isaacson

February Tim Russert

March Dr. Fareed Zakaria

April Frank Gehry

2005–2006

November Robert Redford with Pat Mitchell

January Sherry Lansing

February General Colin Powell (Ret.)

March Tom Wolfe

April Rick Wagoner

2006–2007

November Burt Rutan

January Malcolm Gladwell and Alvin Toffler

February B.B. King

March Jim Lehrer

April Dr. Jared Diamond

2007–2008

November President Vicente Fox

January Carly Fiorina

February Michael Douglas

March Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

April David Brooks

2008–2009

November PM Tony Blair

January Reza Aslan and Jon Meacham

February Smokey Robinson with Daphne Maxwell Reid

March Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long

April Marion Nestle and Michael Pollan

2009–2010

November Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson

January Greg Mortenson

March Steve Forbes

April Condoleezza Rice

May David Plouffe

2010–2011

November President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

January Laura Bush

February Anderson Cooper

March Dr. George Church

April David Blaine

2011–2012

November Dr. Robert Ballard

January Robert Gates

February Quincy Jones with Tim Reid

March Charles Krauthammer and Robert Reich with John Donvan

April Sir Ken Robinson and Rafe Esquith

2012–2013

November Platon

January Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner and Doris Kearns Goodwin with Tim Reid

February President Bill Clinton

March Captain Mark Kelly and Gabrielle Giffords

April Dr. Jane Goodall

2013–2014

November Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Maajid Nawaz with John Donvan

January Dan Buettner

February President George W. Bush

March PM Gordon Brown

April Steve Martin and Martin Short

2014–2015

November Diana Nyad

January Garry Trudeau

March Ben Bernanke with Paul Solman

April Dr. Daniel Levitin and Rosanne Cash

May General Keith Alexander and Robert Mueller with John Donvan

2015–2016

November Michael Sandel

January Alan Alda

February James Balog

March PM Julia Gillard

April Russell Wilson and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

2016–2017

November Nate Parker

January Doris Kearns Goodwin and Jon Meacham with Steve Inskeep

February Krista Tippett

March PM Ehud Barak and Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei with Robin Wright

April Ron Howard with Linda Holmes

2017–2018

November President Barack Obama

January Glenn Close

February Peter Diamandis

March Ambassador Samantha Power

April Joe Scarborough and Newt Gingrich with Mara Liasson

2018–2019

November Captain Scott Kelly

January Tina Fey with Linda Holmes

February Dr. Sanjay Gupta

March Ian Bremmer

April Dr. Temple Grandin with John Donvan

2019–2020

November Bob Costas

January Dave Isay, Catherine Burns and Brandon Stanton with John Donvan

February Peggy Noonan

2020–2021

November José Andrés

January Theresa May

February Esther Perel

March Bryan Stevenson

April Vijay Gupta

2022

January Bob Iger with Kara Swisher

February Gloria Steinem with Zainab Salbi

March Erik Weihenmayer

April Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates

May Rhiannon Giddens

June Michelle Obama

2022–

2023

November Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster (USA, Ret.)

January Maria Ressa

February Ella Al-Shamahi

March John Lithgow

April Dr. Cornel West and Thomas Chatterton Williams

IT’S ALL IN THE PORTAL

Print tickets, donate your seats, watch again! subscribers.richmondforum.org

? HAVE A QUESTION FOR JOHN LITHGOW?

HEAD TO SLIDO.COM TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE PROGRAM Q&A.

You can also endorse questions submitted by fellow audience members, both in the theater and online, to increase the chance of them being asked. We love it when you include your name and location!

to the generous support of Dr. & Mrs. Baxter W. Perkinson, Jr.,

students and faculty from Trinity Episcopal School have the opportunity to attend The Richmond Forum in a special program designed to connect the classroom, the community and current events. Trinity and The Forum are grateful to the Perkinsons for their continued support.

ELLA AL-SHAMAHI

AT THE RICHMOND FORUM

ELLA AL-SHAMAHI HAS A PROPENSITY FOR COMPELLING JOURNEYS. The paleoanthropologist and stand-up comedian’s arrival at The Richmond Forum for “An Evening With Neanderthals” came mere days after having completed a bucket-list scouting expedition in the Republic of Somaliland. But, perhaps an even more compelling journey was the one which led to her accomplished career in the first place. “I went to university to study evolution as a creationist because I thought I could destroy it,” Al-Shamahi shared. “And it should come as some sort of hope that I stand in front of you today an evolutionary biologist.”

According to Al-Shamahi, there is a lot we get wrong about scientific exploration. For example, archeologists in the 21st century aren’t sporting hats and whips like Indiana Jones, but are donning hazmat suits instead. The key to unlocking new discoveries about who our Neanderthal ancestors were, and how they lived, is DNA. Today, scientists take precautionary measures—like wearing protective clothing—so that they can carefully test soil, bones, stone tools, and cave art for traces of genetic material.

“I describe caves as the original prime real estate,” said Al-Shamahi. Advantageous positioning, cool climates, and stable living conditions made caves optimal dwellings for Neanderthals, and, therefore, the perfect archaeological sites for scientists to survey.

Al-Shamahi stated that there is plenty of evidence to indicate that Neanderthals may have been far more “human” than we once imagined. In fact, the first skeleton discovered in Iraq’s Shanidar Cave was that of an elderly male with numerous physical disabilities. “He probably didn’t have sight in one eye, he had hearing issues, he had a little bit of a limp, [and] he had a withered right arm,” Al-Shamahi explained. “If Neanderthals were knuckle-dragging ape-men, then how was this guy able to survive? This tells us that for at least this population of Neanderthals, in this time, they [had] care in the community.”

So, what exactly happened to the Neanderthal species? That is the mystery that Al-Shamahi and her colleagues are trying to solve. Even though the average modern human shares two percent of their DNA with these early ancestors, there is still so much we do not know about them.

Ella Al-Shamahi lit up the audience with laughter as she gave them a glimpse inside her work of uncovering the ancient history of Neanderthals.

Right page photos, from top: 1) Guests of Troutman Pepper, the Host Patron for the evening, enjoyed dinner with Ella Al-Shamahi. 2) Janet Tope of Wells Fargo, the evening’s Lead Patron, introduced Al-Shamahi. 3) Elizabeth Wise & Her Guys provided musical entertainment.

4) Moderator Richard Conti, Chief Wonder Officer of the Science Museum of Virginia, asked questions from the audience. 5) AlShamahi visited the Student Room to talk with local high school and college students. 6) The stage featured photos from Al-Shamahi’s expeditions to Socotra and Shanidar Cave.

Al-Shamahi advised that the biggest modern challenge to the field of science is that it has a geography problem. “Scientists don’t typically work in politically hostile, unstable, or disputed territories, not necessarily because they don’t want to … but because it is very difficult to get your university or your funding body to approve any work in politically unstable places.”

The map of the human journey from Africa, through the Middle East and into Western and South Asia, largely overlaps with the map of places which the British Foreign Office has declared to contain “red” or “orange” zones. “It is a tragedy for science that we are not doing work in these places, because we are essentially biasing our data.”

-ForumSubscriber

In a tale that was both humorous and harrowing, AlShamahi described her journey to Socotra, a densely biodiverse archipelago off the coast of Yemen. With only limited and potentially hazardous options of getting to Socotra, Al-Shamahi and her team boarded a cement cargo ship and sailed through pirate waters. Despite a treacherous voyage involving cockroaches and poorly welded toilets, “it was so worth it.” She stunned the audience with video footage from the expedition, showcasing other-worldly dragon’s blood trees and island inhabitants who continue to live in cave dwellings, much like the early human ancestors who came before them.

“We cannot predict where the next big scientific discovery will come from,” said Al-Shamahi, but she believes that by bringing all parts of the world into the fold and by collaborating across community divides, we can fuel ground-breaking exploration. She left the Forum with one final thought: “Science belongs to every single one of us. Everybody has to be at the table. It’s not going to work if we’re not all there.”

THEINFORMATIONWASFASCINATING.ILEARNED SOMUCHABOUTTHESTATEOFARCHAEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY,ANDANTHROPOLOGYINTHEWORLD IN2022.HERENTHUSIASMWASCONTAGIOUS—WHAT ANINTERESTINGANDRUGGEDLIFE!

Riverstone Wealth Advisory Group is proud to sponsor The Richmond Forum.

Riverstone Wealth Advisory Group is proud to sponsor The

Brad Swartzwelder, CFP®

Brad Swartzwelder, CFP®

Private Wealth Advisor

Kevin Williamson, CFP®

Private Wealth Advisor

brad.a.swartzwelder@ampf.com

Private Wealth Advisor brad.a.swartzwelder@ampf.com

kevin.d.williamson@ampf.com

Kevin Williamson, CFP® Private Wealth Advisor kevin.d.williamson@ampf.com

Riverstone Wealth Advisory Group

Riverstone Wealth Advisory Group

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

804.419.2511

804.419.2511

14350 Sommerville Ct, Midlothian, VA 23113

14350 Sommerville Ct, Midlothian, VA 23113

www.rstonewag.com

www.rstonewag.com

Not FDIC or NCUA Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value CA Insurance #OH31880, AR license #740255

Not FDIC or NCUA Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value CA Insurance #OH31880, AR license #740255

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2022 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

Celebrating 50 years of providing neurosurgical care in Richmond, Virginia

www.neurosurgicalva.com

Celebrating the spirit of inspiration

Inspiration allows us to dream bigger and view challenges from a new perspective. It means looking beyond. Seeking bold ideas. Tackling problems that most others think are impossible. The result is innovation that can make an impact on our community.

Deloitte is proud to work with The Richmond Forum.

NEXT AT THE RICHMOND FORUM

APRIL 29, 2023

DR. CORNEL WEST & THOMAS CHATTERTON WILLIAMS

THE ABSOLUTE CONDEMNATION OF NO ONE

Two of the most original and important American philosophical minds of our time, Dr. Cornel West and Thomas Chatterton Williams do not agree on everything, but are committed to the absolute condemnation of no one. Together, they will explore whether we can cultivate a redemptive culture that transcends polarization, how institutions can be tolerant and open cultural spaces while being less captive to fleeting outbursts on transgressions, and how we can outgrow the reflexive reactions of people believing they know the “correct” political opinions. Issues of race, cancel culture, philosophy, and art are sure to be woven together in a wide-ranging intellectual reflection on this cultural moment. (Conversation with Q&A)

UN in ited hib

More Emmys, Tonys and SAG Awards than he can carry. A charming raconteur and true believer in the value of creative arts.

What we have in common is uncommon

Because just like John Lithgow, we are fueled by creativity. From our world-renowned arts and advertising programs to our top-ranked hospital and health science schools, the impact of our creativity can be felt in more than 200 programs. VCU. A world unlike any other.

VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY