June 2026

For more information, contact:     
                                                                                                     
Shane Brogden                                                                                                                    

Director of Promotions and Communications

Email: Shane@riverdistrictassociation.com

For Immediate Release

River District Association Earns Triple Recognition with Chamber Honors, Statewide Milestone and National Main Street America Accreditation
 

DANVILLE, Va. (June 17, 2026) - The River District Association (RDA) has collected a string of honors this month, earning recognition at the local, state and national level for its work revitalizing downtown Danville’s River District.

At the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards ceremony on June 11, two RDA leaders took home individual honors. Lashawn Farmer, RDA director of design and expansion, received the WE Lead Award. WE Lead stands for Women’s Empowerment, and the award recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community impact. Farmer’s work with the RDA spans placemaking, façade improvement and equitable economic development that centers resident voices. She is also the creator of the True North Speaker Series, which is preparing to enter its fourth season, as well as the annual Juneteenth Celebration, set for this Friday, June 19. The event highlights the speakers from season three of the speaker series and showcases Black female artists and more than 40 Black women-owned vendors.

"I am deeply humbled that someone saw a light in me worth recognizing," said Lashawn Farmer, director of design and expansion for RDA. "My prayer is that the light continues to shine, not on me alone, but on the vision, the work, and the people who make this community so special."

Kunal Patel, vice president of the RDA board of directors, was named as one of the recipients of the 2026 Young Professionals PACE (Professional and Community Engagement) Award. The annual award honors and recognizes emerging leaders under 40 who have made significant contributions to the region through professional achievement and community involvement.

“We are so incredibly proud of both Lashawn and Kunal,” said Tina Leone, executive director of the River District Association. “Lashawn’s vision and dedication to design and expansion and her work through the True North Speaker Series have been transformative for our community. This recognition reflects the meaningful work she does every single day. Kunal brings so much knowledge and thoughtful leadership to our board, and his PACE Award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of everything he gives to the community.

The RDA also received a Milestone Award last week at the 2026 Virginia Main Street Awards, recognizing RDA and its volunteers who collectively surpassed 10,000 hours of service as of Jan. 1, 2026. Those hours represent more than $361,400 in contributed support for downtown revitalization efforts.

Rounding out a banner month for the organization, the RDA has once again earned full Accredited status with Main Street America for 2026 – the program’s highest designation tier.

“Earning full accreditation again is a true honor, and it reflects the energy and heart of everyone who calls the River District home,” said Leone. “Danville’s River District is a place where neighbors gather, businesses thrive and everyone is welcome and this recognition affirms that we’re building something special together for our entire community.

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