Growing up in Richmond felt magical for Lexi Cleveland, surrounded by a tight-knit extended family and the city’s deep historical roots. She remembers a childhood shaped by the presence of her great-grandmother and all of her grandparents, who shared stories from their lives and the past.

“Everyone in my family lived in Richmond,” Cleveland said. “It made the city feel like home. Growing up in Richmond sparked my love of history. Historic markers are everywhere — you can’t escape our history.”

Although Cleveland was born in Richmond, her family relocated to Cheyenne, Wyoming, for her father’s military service. A strong sense of family ties brought them back to Richmond a few years later.

She attended Hermitage High School, riding the bus every day from Varina to take advantage of the school’s special programs. She later studied at the College of William & Mary.

After graduation, she worked in Colonial Williamsburg, a natural fit for someone with a bachelor’s degree in history and a deep passion for the subject. Although she loved the work, the pay wasn’t enough to make ends meet. Cleveland began exploring graduate programs and found that studying abroad was more affordable than taking online classes in the U.S. She enrolled in Leiden University in the Netherlands, studying American history from a European perspective.

Her experience there brought both culture shock and valuable insight.

“People abroad think all American history starts and ends in Boston,” she said. “They don’t know much about Virginia at all. Also, in the Netherlands, I was just Lexi the American and not Lexi, the Black girl.”

After completing her graduate studies, Cleveland began working with ARtGlass, a company that specializes in augmented reality storytelling for cultural sites, museums and historic attractions. She stumbled into the role after working as an executive assistant at a law firm. ARtGlass offered her a new path, and she’s now part of the leadership team there.

“I use smart glasses to make holograms to engage people with history,” Cleveland said.

“It combines technology and my love of history.”

When she’s not promoting Richmond’s history, Cleveland enjoys bird-watching and experimenting with seed blends to attract different species. She also visits museums and historic landmarks whenever she travels.

What is Historic Richmond? We are an organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the things that make Richmond, Richmond. Beyond just buildings, it helps to preserve and promote the unique communities, landscapes and stories that make Richmond truly unique. We’re located at 4 E. Main St., Suite 1-C.

What is Historic Richmond’s mission? Our mission is to shape the future of Richmond by preserving our diverse historic buildings, neighborhoods and places, sparking revitalization and championing our distinctive architectural legacy.

Who are the founders of Historic Richmond? Mary Wingfield Scott, Isobel Witt, Elisabeth Scott Bocock, Catharine (Kitty) Dennis and Louise Catterall.

Why did they create the organization? To preserve historic buildings threatened by immediate demolition, including many in Church Hill and the Adam Craig House in Shockoe Bottom.

How did you get involved? I saw a post on the Richmond Reddit board in the fall of 2016, looking for Junior Board members. When I discovered that it was the organization that saved some of my favorite buildings, including the National and Old City Hall, I was excited to contribute.

When were you elected Junior Board president? In the fall of 2024.

What is your top goal as Junior Board chair? I want to help everyone on the Junior Board utilize our time and talents to engage the community and get excited about Richmond’s fantastic history, and to have fun while doing it!

What is your strategy for building community engagement and excitement? We host numerous events throughout the year that combine education, advocacy and fun. Every month, we host an event called Quoit Club, where we provide a tour, food, drinks and conversation. We cover a variety of topics, high-lighting the many unique buildings and communities that make up the city. We also host trivia nights, tabling events and more.

What’s your biggest challenge? I think people often have preconceived notions about history and preservation, and they may struggle to see themselves reflected in it. However, Black communities, LGBTQ+ communities, women, immigrant communities and others have all made significant contributions to this city throughout time and their histories are all across the landscape.

What’s the distinction between the board and the Junior Board? The Junior Board is for folks under 40. We host events and fundraise, but the board is responsible for steering the organization, including the Junior Board and other auxiliary groups. I am also on the board, so I act as a liaison.

How has Historic Richmond made a difference in Black communities? Historic Richmond has done a great job in promoting stories of Black neighborhoods and historic sites. Historic Richmond has also helped fund initiatives that make a difference, such as the façade grant program, which helps homeowners restore their houses and maintain the neighborhood’s integrity. It has also helped host and sponsor a monthly happy hour for Black historic preservationists, historic site staff members and people from various industries who are interested in promoting and protecting Richmond’s Black history.

How can the City of Richmond do a better job of historic preservation in all communities? It is crucial for the city to pass the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan. This would be the first-ever city-wide plan to comprehensively identify, recognize and safeguard valuable historical and cultural community assets. The Black community and other marginalized communities have frequently had their histories ignored and erased; this plan would go a long way toward correcting this disparity.

What are the Golden Hammer Awards? Since 2000, the Golden Hammer Awards have honored excellence in neighborhood revitalization projects throughout Greater Richmond.

Recognizing professionals and community members improving our neighborhoods through restoration, adaptive reuse, new construction, placemaking and historic preservation.

How can readers submit projects for Golden Hammer Award consideration? You can submit your projects on our website at historicrichmond.com/goldenhammerawards by Aug. 10 at 11:59 p.m. 

What upcoming events does Historic Richmond have? This is our 90th anniversary, and we’ve planned a week of celebrations from Oct. 13-17.

Events include everything from a city-wide restaurant day to a gala at the Hippodrome. For more details, please visit historicrichmond.com.

How do you start the day? I try to start my day with a few minutes of quiet meditation. I find this very grounding, and it helps me walk into the rest of the day feeling confident and centered.

What are three words that best describe you? Curious, industrious and creative.

Who is your dream dinner party guest? My paternal great-great-grandmother. There is so much family lore about her. I would love the chance to meet and speak to her.

What are the top three on your musical playlist? Given the current state of the world, I’ve been pretty moody, so it’s been a lot of Chopin. Billie Holiday is also an evergreen favorite. I enjoyed the soundtrack from the movie “Sinners.”

What is something you love to do that most people would never imagine? Bird-watching. Big, small, common, rare, I adore birds.

What’s a quote that inspires you? “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7.

What book influenced you the most? “Parable of the Talents,” by Octavia Butler. It’s a story about survival in difficult times and, unfortunately, feels quite prescient.

What are you reading now? “The Sum of Us,” by Heather McGhee. We still have a lot of work to do if we want to build an equitable society that meets the needs of all its people, but perhaps, if we are determined, we can overcome them.

What’s your next goal? I want to try to be better about balancing my many hobbies and interests as well as getting enough sleep.