June 2026

For more information, contact:     
                                                                                                     
Shane Brogden                                                                                                                    

Director of Promotions and Communications

Email: Shane@riverdistrictassociation.com

River District Association Prepares for Annual True North Speaker Series Juneteenth Celebration on June 19

For Immediate Release

DANVILLE, Va. (June 18, 2026)  – The River District Association will host its annual True North Speaker Series Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, honoring Black women's contributions to the community and unveiling the next season of its popular speaker series.

The event, running from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Thee Arc Family Life Center, recognizes the impact Black women have made in entrepreneurship, economics, health and community development throughout the region's history.

This year’s celebration will feature a vendor marketplace showcasing Black women-owned businesses and artwork, panel discussions with season three speakers from the True North Speaker Series and networking opportunities for guests. Attendees can also look forward to music by DJ Pink-E and a performance of “Freedom Ain’t Free,” a skit written by Mitzi Coles with MGC Productions.

"What started as a way to make sure Black women’s stories had a permanent place in our community’s history has grown into something so much bigger than I imagined," said Lashawn Farmer, director of design and expansion for the River District Association. “Every season, we meet women who are reshaping what leadership looks like in Danville, and Juneteenth is the perfect time to celebrate all of them together.”

The True North Speaker Series airs monthly on the North Main Business District Facebook page, the River District Association YouTube page and airs twice a day on River City TV Comcast Channel 10. The series has spotlighted over 30+ women who lead with excellence across business, civic leadership and community work.

At this year's celebration, the River District Association will announce season four of the True North Speaker Series, themed "Living the Promise," and introduce the 11 women who will be featured throughout the upcoming season.

While this event specifically honors Black women's contributions to our community, it is designed for everyone. Friends and neighbors of all backgrounds are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend.

"It's an honor to celebrate not only the achievements of these ladies, but their example for all of us and I can't wait for the community to meet the women of season four,” said Farmer.

The River District Association's mission focuses on transforming Danville's River District and North Main Business Corridor as a welcoming place for all while inspiring social and economic development in the Dan River Region.

For more information, contact Lashawn Farmer at lashawn@riverdistrictassociation.com or 434-791-0210.

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Event Details:

Event: True North Speaker Series Juneteenth Celebration
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Thee Arc Family Life Center - 427 E. Thomas St. Danville, VA 24540

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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