2025 Founder's Day Celebration at Monticello
Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, gives the keynote speech at Monticello's annual Founder's Day event.
To commemorate Thomas Jefferson’s birthday (known locally as Founder’s Day) the University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello join together to present the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals to recognize achievements of those who embrace endeavors in which Jefferson, the author of the Declaration of Independence and third U.S. president, excelled and held in high regard. These medals are the highest external honors bestowed by the University of Virginia, which grants no honorary degrees.
This year, we are excited to welcome Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, as the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist in Citizen Leadership and keynote speaker.
The ceremony also features the presentation of the Citizen Service Award Recipient to Martize Tolbert on behalf of The Fountain Fund, a private, nonprofit organization that provides low-interest loans and financial coaching, helping formerly incarcerated people build credit and achieve their self-determined goals.