Richmond City Democratic Committee Candidate Forum at Diversity Richmond, June 16, 2025
From Creighton Court to the basketball court to the court of justice!
 
Dr. Antionette V. Irving, Richmond Sheriff, grew up in the city's Creighton Court public housing complex, where she learned the values of respect and discipline that have served her throughout her career.  After graduating from Armstrong-Kennedy High School, her strong work ethic drove her to become a college basketball standout, eventually being named to the Shaw University Hall of Fame. 

Throughout her 26+ year career in the Henrico Sheriff’s Office, Antionette was recognized as an intelligent, inspiring, and professional leader, and was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Major in either the Henrico Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.  Her leadership and vision encompass organizational management, fiscal administration, human resources development, conflict resolution, and community relations.

​In her tenure as Richmond Sheriff she has focused on restorative justice and equipping residents of the Justice Center with the resources they need to prepare themselves for successful reentry into society, while also tightly managing the COVID-19 response at the Justice Center, receiving praise from the Richmond Health Department.  In her first two terms she has secured over $8 million dollars in grant funding for reentry and opioid recovery programs, equipment, and staff training. She has also established 250 community partnerships to create robust engagement in supporting reentry and reducing recidivism.
 
Antionette is a committed mentor, civic leader, and philanthropist in the City of Richmond, volunteering within the community and through the Saint Paul’s Baptist Church.  A strong proponent of education, Antionette strives to encourage young people to develop values, self-esteem, character, and discipline through AVI Foundation, which she founded and where she serves as President. 
 
In addition to her BA in Criminal Justice from Shaw University, Antionette earned her Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, and her PhD in Business Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Northcentral University.
Additional recognition:
  • Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Second Vice-President, 2023-2024
  • Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Secretary, 2022-2023
  • Virginia Sheriffs’ Association (VSA) Treasurer, 2021-2022Secretary, 2022-2023
  • United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Keeper of the Flame Award, 2022
  • Virginia Sheriff’s Association (VSA) Treasurer, 2021-2022
  • Member of National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
  • Member of International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National Association of Chiefs of Police (NACP)
  • Member of Virginia Sheriff’s Association (VSA); Virginia Correctional Association (VCA); American Jail Association (AJA)
  • National Society of Leadership and Success Leadership Honor Society (Sigma Alpha Pi), 2021
  • Virginia Professional Communicators
    2021 Newsmaker of the Year
  • National Society of Leadership and Success, 2021 (Northcentral University Chapter)
  • National Society of Leadership and Success Training Program, 2021
  • VSA Board of Directors, City of Richmond, Region VIII , 2020-2021
  • The John Jasper Trailblazer Award honoree at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church 2020
  • Chairperson of the Community Criminal Justice Board 2019
  • Inducted into the 2019 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Athletic Hall of Fame
  • Chair of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council 2019
  • Living Legend Honoree, National Alumni Association of Shaw University, 2018
  • Emerge Virginia Boot Camp, Class of 2017
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, 2017 honoree
  • Past President, Virginia Center for Restorative Justice
  • Leadership Metro Richmond, graduate 2008
  • YWCA Women of the Year in Government and Politics, 2002 honoree
  • Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • Charter Member, Henrico County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
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