Portsmouth’s First Citizens, 2025

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (February 5, 2025) – James and Kathleen Cullen will be honored as the 2025 Portsmouth First Citizens on April 24, 6:00pm, at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel, 425 Water St. Portsmouth. This annual award, determined by a committee composed of former First Citizens from nominations submitted by the public, recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of citizenship through service to the community.

Since arriving in Portsmouth in 2010, the Cullens have been deeply involved in numerous civic initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the city. James launched a volunteer deputy program, mobilizing Coast Guard members to contribute thousands of service hours to public safety. Kathy revitalized the Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market, transforming it into a nonprofit that supports small businesses and increases food accessibility.

Their commitment to Portsmouth extends to a wide range of community-driven initiatives, including public art projects, youth mentorship, and efforts to assist underserved populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted their volunteer efforts to meet pressing community needs, refurbishing and donating bicycles while ensuring the Farmers Market remained operational under strict health guidelines. In 2024, their extensive service was recognized when Volunteer Hampton Roads named them Volunteer Family of the Year.

As the 2025 Portsmouth First Citizens, James and Kathy Cullen continue to inspire with their unwavering leadership and generosity. Their contributions have strengthened Portsmouth, fostering a connected and resilient community.

This event honoring James and Kathy is hosted by the Portsmouth Service League and is open to the public. Proceeds from ticket sales and donations from the event have been designated for Tidewater Youth Services Foundation, the Portsmouth SPCA, and the Portsmouth Service League. The Portsmouth Service League invites everyone to join in this celebration to recognize their generosity and service and to encourage a spirit of civic-mindedness in others. For ticket purchases or additional information, please email firstcitizen@portsmouthserviceleague.org or visit

https://givebutter.com/PFC2025

FIRST CITIZEN OF PORTSMOUTH

For eighty-third years, the citizens of Portsmouth have honored an individual for his or her contributions to the Portsmouth community by naming that individual Portsmouth’s First Citizen.  The First Citizen Committee, comprised of all living previous honorees, is now accepting nominations for the First Citizen of Portsmouth 2025, to be honored on April 24, 2025.

A Portsmouth First Citizen should be an individual who embodies the spirit of citizenship through his or her service to the community for the sole purpose of and in the spirit of giving.  This spirit is evidenced by an individual’s civic, charitable, and religious contributions to fellow citizens, the Portsmouth and Hampton Roads communities, the state and country without remuneration and over and above the pursuit of one’s chosen vocation.

To nominate an individual, please complete the Nomination Information Form below and submit a detailed letter of nomination to the First Citizen’s Committee via email OR mail to c/o Portsmouth Service League, PO Box 6647, Portsmouth, VA 23703.  In your nomination letter, you should describe the nominee’s background, scope of work in the community, the qualities or actions that make that work extraordinary, and why you feel the nominee should become First Citizen.  You should consider the nominee’s service to humanity, volunteer service and philanthropic contribution, governmental contributions, cultural achievements, and moral and/or religious leadership.  Your nominee need not be a resident of Portsmouth, but his or her service should have been principally in or to the City of Portsmouth.

Nominations are confidential and the nominee should not be informed of his or her nomination.  Persons having identified a citizen for nomination are encouraged to collaborate to present a broad spectrum of a nominee’s accomplishments and provide letters of endorsement. 

Please submit your nomination on or before November 6, 2024. 

Candiss Cox, First Citizen Co-Chair 2026

firstcitizen@portsmouthserviceleague.org/Candiss’ Cell: 757-618-0797

Portsmouth Service League
P.O. Box 6647
Portsmouth, VA 23703