More than 20 years ago, Style Weekly named L. Douglas Wilder as the first Richmonder of the Year, just before he was inaugurated as Virginia’s first black lieutenant governor in 1986.

Since then, the Richmonder of the Year title has gone to newsmakers of all kinds: activists, educators and business leaders — even groups of people who symbolized a segment of the community in crisis (“The Young Black Male”).

They’ve all been people who have helped start important conversations, triggered change and made a significant impact on the city and region.

As we prepare to unveil the 2007 Richmonder of the Year in six weeks, we’d like to know what you think. When you look back on the year, who has consistently captured your attention? Caused you to think differently? Who has intrigued you? Who’s dominated your conversations and debates?

Send us your thoughts by e-mail to letters@styleweekly.com. Please put Richmonder of the Year in the subject line. And if you’d like your letter to be considered for publication, please include your name and daytime telephone number. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Editors