Meet this week's guest editor, Rachael Deane! Rachael serves as Chief Executive Officer at Voices for Virginia’s Children, a Richmond-based, statewide advocacy organization advancing the interests of children and youth through public policy. A native Richmonder, Rachael enjoys everything the city has to offer, especially urban hikes with her two young children, who attend Richmond Public Schools. Rachael is an attorney and longtime advocate for economic, racial, and social justice, with experience in education and housing policy at several nonprofits in the Richmond area and nationwide. She is a believer in the power of civic engagement to create transformational change in our communities and in the value of honest conversations across lines of difference.
Take it away, Rachael ...
RVA East End Festival
Richmond is lucky to have a vibrant local music community and beautiful public parks. The RVA East End Festival, which will take place in Chimborazo Park this Saturday, will feature local professionals and talented youth artists, including members of the Richmond Symphony and the Armstrong High School drumline. Closing out the evening will be Richmond’s beloved James “Saxsmo” Gates, a gifted musician and music educator who introduced me to jazz when I took his band class in 1998. The event is free, and donations support music, visual arts, and performing arts programs in Richmond Public Schools.
Vitals:
RVA East End Festival/ Saturday, September 21st, 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm / free, donations support Richmond Public Schools / Chimborazo Park, 3215 E Broad Street
Innerwork Center Autumn Equinox Labyrinth Walk
This week marks the start of fall, Richmond’s most beautiful season. Welcome the cooler days, vibrant leaves, and spooky vibes with one of my favorite Richmond experiences, a labyrinth walk hosted by The Innerwork Center. Labyrinth walking is an ancient meditative practice that promotes personal reflection by integrating the mind and the body. If sitting meditations aren’t for you, labyrinth walks can be a great way to find peace and calm.
Vitals:
Autumn Equinox at The Labyrinth / Sunday, September 22nd, 5:00 - 6:00 pm / by donation / The Labyrinth - located in Yaupon Place, across the street from 3318 Loxley Road in Northside
School Board Candidate Forum
Autumn’s arrival also means we’re in election season. While all eyes are on the presidential election, let’s not forget the exciting local races that will help determine the future of our city and our young people. One of our most influential and important local institutions is the Richmond School Board, and all nine seats are up for election. On Monday evening, the League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metropolitan Area and The Richmonder will co-host a School Board candidate forum at Huguenot High School. I’ll spare the soapbox speech on why keeping up with the School Board is so important (even if you don’t have kids). Suffice to say, school boards are major cultural and policy battlegrounds, and public education is good for everyone.
Vitals:
School Board Candidate Forum / Monday, September 23rd, 6:00 - 8:30 pm / free / Huguenot High School, 7945 Forest Hill Avenue
*Limited Supply Remaining*
We've brought back one of our most popular Grid shop items, an Old Fashioned glass that is anything but old fashioned! Our collaboration with artist Hamilton Glass continues, and features his signature #Whosham RVA logo laser-etched around these double rocks cocktail glasses. Hamilton, with his architectural background and passion for public art, has been prominently featured in Richmond Grid and Here Weekly. We’re thrilled to present this limited-edition product from Grid Supply Co. that highlights his distinctive style.
If cocktail glasses aren't your thing, Grid Supply Co. carries other locally made gifts and handmade items by some Richmond's favorite makers and artisans.
Voices for Virginia’s Children is the state’s only nonpartisan, multi-issue youth policy and advocacy organization. Voices uses research, public policy, and deep conversation to knock down the barriers that stand between young people and opportunity. Founded in 1994, the organization recently celebrated 30 years of ensuring that the well-being of young people remains a top priority for Virginia’s legislators. Voices’ “Virginia’s Youth in Action” program brings together young people from across the state for advocacy and leadership development opportunities.
Voices knows that transforming lives requires transforming systems through strong, evidence-based public policy. This month, Voices will launch its new strategic plan, which focuses on five key policy areas: family economic security, early care and education, health equity, youth mental health, and the child welfare system. Voices’ recent policy briefs take on two urgent issues for the Richmond region: supporting the mental health needs of our public schools students, and supporting working parents with a statewide paid family and medical leave policy.
