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Richmond Mayor-elect Levar M. Stoney was named the RTD Person of the Year on Thursday.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch program, which is in its second year, recognizes notable individuals who have impacted the Richmond region.

Stoney and 20 others were recognized as Person of the Year honorees for achievements in the community in 2016 or recent years. They and five Hall of Fame inductees, who were recognized for lifetime contributions to Richmond, will be featured in the December issue of the RTD’s Discover Richmond magazine.

In accepting the honor, Stoney, who received a standing ovation, said he was humbled and grateful to have been elected mayor and blessed to have the opportunity to lead a city that he believes is on the rise.

Stoney, 35, who has never previously held an elected office, said he’ll set out to unite the city and build “one Richmond.”

“And I ask that you join me,” Stoney said.

During a luncheon Thursday at the John Marshall Ballrooms in downtown Richmond, RTD President and Publisher Tom Silvestri said of Stoney: “He knows that poverty, public schools and basic services are challenges but also opportunities.”