Meet Vincent Ellis White, this week's guest editor. Vincent has impacted the Richmond community as a human services worker, child welfare advocate, and as a mentor. He is the initiator and moderator of the impactful panel series, Difficult Conversations/Stronger Communities, addressing crucial community and cultural issues. Vincent is also the author of the best-seller “Finding Chris, My Father,” and a traveling stage play. His heartfelt life story and journey has been featured on ABC in New York, CBS, NBC, and featured in numerous lectures at universities across the country. He has been recognized as one of Style-Weekly's Top 40 under 40 recipients, Richmond’s Hometown Heroes, and a recipient of countless honors for his work in foster care and fatherhood initiatives. His greatest achievement remains raising his son, Jordan Ellis White, who's embarking on a pre-med journey at Kent State University.
Take it away, Vincent!
The Well Collective
One of my all-time favorite places to go for therapeutic services and to get centered, is The Well Collective. Located in the heart of Shockoe Bottom, Well Collective is a space for conscious community offering multicultural, intergenerational wellness, equitable healing modalities, educational workshops and an apothecary for individual and collective well-being. Recently, owner Ashley Williams purchased the six-story, 158 year old Branch Building on Main St. to make it the headquarters and hub for education and retreat.
As a community partner with The Well Collective since 2023, I'm thrilled about the upcoming event, "Difficult Conversations: Co-Parenting and Custody: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." This topic is a community request and part of the 'Difficult Conversations, Stronger Communities' series. These panel events encourage candid discussions on current issues affecting our community. Each event features experts, fostering healthy, respectful dialogue in an open forum. Unexpected moments of laughter, tears, and revelations create an atmosphere of healing. Join us at The Well on May 14th for an enriching experience.
Common House Richmond bravely opened in the fall of 2020, right in the heart of RVA's Arts District. I became a member in December 2020 and have been adoring the space since then. It's a social club equipped with all the amenities you could think of -- a podcast room, screening room, open co-working floor, wine cellar, in-house restaurant, open courtyard, rooftop pool, and more. It truly feels like my home away from home. The food is top-notch and there are always live bands playing. And you never know who you might bump into! I've made new friends, sealed business deals, learned about wine pairing, and experienced so much more at the Common House. I've also been a programming partner with Common House since 2022, and thoroughly enjoy collaborating with their staffing team. Their next event is a Mother's Day Brunch, taking place on Sunday, May 12th at 10:00 am, which will serve as a toast to all the Moms across the city.
Oh, now one thing I love to do is EAT. I actually have a running list in the notes section of my iPhone of restaurants that I'd like to visit. But I always go back to The Lilly Pad, Richmond's only waterfront bar and restaurant! It's a bit of a drive from the city center, but well worth it. As you arrive, you instantly feel like you've found an escape from the hustle and bustle, a little slice of paradise. On a sunny day, you can sit by the water, rent boats, listen to a live band, mingle with friendly strangers, and savor some of the best food you've ever tasted. Don't miss their weekend brunch on May 11th & 12th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Vitals:
Brunch at The Lilly Pad / Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm / 9680 Osborne Turnpike
More About Difficult Conversations.
In early 2022, Vincent formed a partnership with Common House which allowed him to create a quarterly series focused on facilitating difficult conversations. Understanding the significance of these types of discussions, he established a safe space where people could be vulnerable, transparent, and openly engage in challenging dialogues without fear of judgment. The inaugural event, held on March 9, 2022, was an immediate success. It organically gained momentum with each subsequent event, drawing attention to the significant impact it was having on attendees. Now in its third year, Vincent has secured new partnerships with The SPOT Event Center in Petersburg and The Well Collective. He is set to return to Common House on July 25th and plans to expand the series to various other locations in 2024.
