Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.—Booker T. Washington

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2026 FROM OUR COMMUNITY, WE RECOGNIZE

LORENZO DICKERSON

Lorenzo Dickerson is an Albemarle County, Virginia native whose family has lived there for generations. He descends from ancestors at Castle Hill, Birdwood, Pen Park, The University of Virginia and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.  

He is a 2-time Emmy-Award winning documentary filmmaker who focuses his storytelling on African American history and culture in Virginia.  He states, “I’ve lost both my parents, and all of my grandparents.”  Each time I share and connect with the folks in my films and their stories, some portion of that work helps reconnect me with the people I’ve lost.”  “Sharing our history and experience is a powerful tool for connecting generations of people across both time and space.” 

His films have played in numerous film festivals, are used as a teaching tool in K-12 and university classrooms across the country, and are broadcast nationally on PBS.  He was recently recognized as one of the Daily Progress’ 2026 Distinguished Dozen inductees.  Lorenzo also works as the Digital & Oral Historian with the Getting Word African American History Department at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. There, he focuses his research on making connections across descendant lines and between Monticello and the local descendant community, while also using mixed media to share important stories for the community and Monticello visitors to learn from. 

Lorenzo’s latest film “Cash Crop” is now streaming on PBS, and new documentary films are currently in production.  He currently serves on the board of directors at the Paramount Theater, Preservation Piedmont, the historic St. John Rosenwald School, and VPM’s Community Advisory Board. For more info, visit Lorenzo’s production company at: http://www.maupintown.com