Longtime community leader Richard November, who has been an active and passionate volunteer with the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and many other Jewish and non-Jewish organizations for many decades, will be honored by the Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities on Oct. 29.
The VCIC Humanitarian Award is presented to those individuals who have demonstrated a personal commitment to the promotion of respect and understanding among people of diverse racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
He is one of six who will receive Humanitarian Awards at the 62nd Annual event that evening at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa, 12042 West Broad Street, 6:30 p.m.
A 1960-graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in business administration, Richard is known throughout the Richmond community for his leadership in civic and philanthropic endeavors as well as for being a successful residential real estate developer.
In 1965, the Richmond native founded the Delami Corporation and was involved in building single family homes for 20 years. In 1975, he established Continental Development Corporation, for which he served as president. He was general partner in the Virginia Industrial Interport Associates, which developed a 200- acre industrial park in eastern Henrico County. He developed the areas of Windsor Oaks, Doran Forest, and Hutton Place in Henrico County as well as Femleigh, Buford Estates, Scotmar, and Stonebridge subdivisions south of the James River. Richard served as co-chairman of the Fidelity Groups, L.L.C., a local Real Estate Investment group.
The Jewish community has benefited for many decades from Richard’s dedication. He has served as assistant treasurer, treasurer, and chairman of The Finance Committee of the Jewish Community Federation and assumed the presidency of the Federation in May of 1998.
He is a former board member of Jewish Family Services, Beth Sholom Home, Temple Beth-El, and the Jewish Community Center.
He served as president of the JCC and was chairman of the fundraising and building committees for the construction of Camp Hilbert in 1972. In 1982, Richard was the chair for the renovation of Temple Beth-El’s social hall and was honored by the Temple for his service.
In 1992, he chaired the Tree of Life Award to benefit the Jewish National fund and was involved in planning the 1994 event. He received the Tree of Life Award in 1995.
Honors in the Jewish Community
Richard was honored with the Thalhimer Award in 1969 for his work on the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond campaign and twice received the Bernstein Award for outstanding volunteer from the Jewish Community Center. In 2003, Richard was awarded the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond’s Distinguished Community Service Award, the most prestigious award given by the Federation.
In 2000, Richard was honored by the Rudlin Torah Academy with its Chesed Award.
In 2016, he received the Elinor Bloom Marshall Humanitarian Award from Richmond Hadassah. It represents Hadassah’s highest honor and is awarded only on a biannual basis. November was its third recipient.
Richard has been actively involved in the local, state, and national home builders’ associations.
He was president of the Home Builders’ Association of Richmond in 1972. Richard is a life member of the Home Builders’ Association of Virginia’s Board of Directors and served as state president in 1986-87.
He was selected as the outstanding member of the Home Builders’ Association of Richmond in 1979 and was elected to their “Hall of Fame” in 1985. The Home Builders’ Association of Virginia named him “Builder of the Year” in 1987, and in 1994 he was inducted into the Virginia Home Builders’ “Hall of Fame.”
Many Special Appointments
Governor Charles Robb appointed Richard to the Virginia Board for Contractors, and Governors
Jerry Baliles and Douglas Wilder appointed him to the Virginia Housing Study Commission. Governor George Allen selected Richard for membership on the Virginia-Israel Commission.
In 1986, Richard was a founding director of Fidelity Federal Savings Bank and served as chairman of the bank’s Board of Directors from 1993-97, when the bank was purchased by BB&T.
He then served on the State Board and Trust Committee for BB&T.
For 15 years, Richard chaired the BB&T Golf Classic for the benefit of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Richmond. This event contributed over $1,000,000 to help promote programs for young people. Richard received the Medallion Award from The Boys and Girls Clubs of America in March of 1999 for helping youth achieve a richer and fuller life.
In 2009, Richard chaired the local fundraising effort for the Cal Ripken Senior Foundation, which established the Field of Dreams for youth programs. The Bainbridge Street field was dedicated in 2011 and named in honor of Richard. In 2008, the foundation presented Richard with the inaugural Perfect Practice Award.
He served for six years on the board of directors of Doorways, formerly known as the Hospitality House.
At 86-years old, Richard is currently sitting on the advisory board of Illume Family Recovery. He works tirelessly to fundraise for this local nonprofit that provides services to support families with a loved one suffering from substance use disorder and mental health challenges.
Richard is known for his quick wit and engaging personality. He and his wife Ellen, have two daughters, Debra and Shelley and sons-in-law Steve Brown and Win Gouldin. He has been blessed with two grandsons, Daniel Brown and Jarrett Gouldin, and a granddaughter, Evelyn Gouldin.
Having led a life unselfishly devoted to causes that benefit society, Richard November epitomizes the spirit for which the Humanitarian Award was established.
VCIC also will honor Edward H. Baine, BK Fulton, Sheryl L. Garland, Karen A. Legato and George Keith Martin with Humanitarian Awards on Oct. 29.
For details on the event, visit www.inclusiveVA.org .
