When Erica Martinez first joined the Historic Richmond Association as an event coordinator intern in 2012, she never expected in just two short years she would be voted in as the board’s president.
“It was kind of crazy,” Martinez said. “But I worked really well with everybody and now everybody is like family.”
The HRA is a volunteer-based organization that holds different events throughout the year to celebrate the city and help preserve its history. After two years as the board’s president, Martinez has helped expand the events that drive people into town.
Previously the HRA put on two events year round; now that number is up to seven, thanks to the addition of an Easter in the Park event, Motor Madness Art Walk, Music in the Park events and more.
“So from just two [events] we have now spread it across the whole calendar year,” Martinez said.
Martinez’s work to engage the Richmond community and expand the HRA’s reach were acknowledged at the 2017 Richmond State of the City when Mayor Evalyn Moore awarded her the Community Spirit award. It was the first time Martinez was formally recognized by the city.
“It really motivates me to want to do more,” Martinez said. “I was excited and honored to get it…[but] I didn’t expect it at all.”
Martiez said she sought out the HRA after gaining interest in event planning. One of the first events she helped plan was Miracle on Morton Street, the city’s biggest event that is celebrated every December.
“After that I was hooked,” Martinez said. “It was so much fun, and it doesn’t feel like a job.”
Martinez said she could not stress enough that the award she received was not all her doing. She credits her board and HRA members for creating a team that feels like family and shares the same goal to make Richmond the best it can be.“This award doesn’t just go to me, it’s for all of us,” she said. “…All of us take time away from our families, take time from just doing other things to make all of these things happen. We put a lot of work into what we do.”
Martinez said as leader of the HRA she knows the potential of the city has and how much it has to offer.
“There is a lot of stuff that people don’t know about—they don’t know about Sandy’s, they don’t know about the little boutiques, they don’t know the history of it,” Martinez said. “[But] it’s a work in progress. We’ve come so far from where it’s been before and I think the city can see that.”
Martinez said she wants to be able to gain more recognition for the city. Her main goal is to see the historic district become a cultural arts district, which she said is in the works right now.
“I want us to be not just recognized within the city but be recognized within the state for what we do,” Martinez said. “It all goes back to having that foundation; we have a good board…[everyone] is passionate about it. Every single one [member] will say the same thing, [that] we want to bring people to Richmond [and] learn about the city.”
The HRA consists of four board members and about 30 regular members. Regular meetings are held monthly at the police station downtown, and executive meetings are held monthly at various locations around the city.
