Meet our Guest Editor, Jeff Mapp MD, MBA, a Richmond native who has dedicated 16 years to pediatric care in his hometown. After graduating from the VCU School of Medicine, Jeff practiced at Pediatric Associates of Richmond for almost 15 years. He has more recently joined the faculty at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU. His passion for global health, ignited during his pre-med days in Guatemala, led to the creation of Extra Mile Pediatrics, a global health nonprofit, in 2018. The organization serves nine communities across Guatemala and El Salvador.
Beyond his medical achievements, Jeff is also a food enthusiast, always on the hunt for local food spots, breweries, and coffee shops when he's not in his scrubs. Jeff lives in Richmond with his wife and two daughters.
Take it away, Jeff...
Villages at Révéler
On Friday March 22nd, local band Villages ("Part Americana, part neo-70's folk rock") will be playing at Révéler in Carytown. This popular venue and local favorite band are not to be missed, so consider grabbing a ticket ASAP. Villages will be doing an acoustic set, and will be joined by several special guest musicians throughout the night.
Vitals:
Villages at Révéler / Friday, March 22nd, 8:00 - 10:45 pm, tickets $12 - 15 / Révéler, 3108 W Cary Street
The Extra Mile 5k
We're super excited to host the inaugural Extra Mile 5K this weekend in Byrd Park! Even though we are a global health nonprofit, we are firmly rooted in RVA. So we're loving this opportunity to get together with tons of our supporters and the Richmond running community to celebrate our hometown. We think we've put together a unique event as runners will not only run the traditional 3.1 miles of a 5K, but will go the extra mile to create a total race distance of 4.1 miles. Those who aren't interested in as long a course, but still want to be involved have the option of registering for just "The Extra Mile" only, making this event great for walkers and joggers of all speeds and intensities!
Registration is still open for this event and will remain open until race morning, so it's not too late to join us!
There are so many great local breweries in the Richmond area, and there are so many things that make each one worth a visit. Final Gravity became a bit of a race planning office for our team as we were putting together the Extra Mile 5K, for lots of reasons. They have a very active running community, and Final Gravity Run Club hosts weekly run groups in the area. The brewery has a great neighborhood feel, and the staff is always super friendly and helpful. Last, but certainly not least, they have great beers on tap as well as several kombucha options and snacks.
We'll have a crew of people there at least twice this week. Our post-race celebration will be at Final Gravity on Saturday afternoon and I plan to head back for Trivia night Tuesday at 7:00 pm!
In January of this year, our field teams saw our 3,000th patient since inception. As exciting as that milestone is, we are more proud of the quality of care each patient received, and the consistency with which they were seen in follow-up year after year. Our focus remains on foundational health issues that can create sustainable and long-lasting positive impact: development, growth, nutrition, chronic care management and more. The time our clinical teams spend in each community does more than provide care at the individual patient level. Our teams are also able to discern the nuances and circumstances that make healthcare access so difficult for our families. We can then develop systems and programs that can be run locally, and on an ongoing basis, so that overtime care is available and dependable. To date we have developed programs that provide households with clean drinking water and that provide children with poor vision with custom glasses for vision correction. Finally we have piloted programs that deliver speech therapy for children with developmental delay and products and education to address menstrual health and period poverty. We feel strongly that the combination of ongoing clinical care at the individual level, paired with program development and systems-level solutions, is a combination that creates the kind of change that grows over time and can ultimately lift entire communities.
Meet Justin Ferguson, this week's guest editor for Here.Weekly. By day, he advises clients on how to navigate the purchase or sale of their investment property. By night, he is a WSET Level 3 certified Sommelier and Wine Director at The Underground Kitchen! Justin is committed to bridging the gap between investments and cultural experiences, one client and one glass at a time. As the Multifamily Specialist at Marcus & Millichap's Southern Virginia Office, Justin has a knack for understanding clients personally, strategically transforming their aspirations into tangible results. But, his canvas extends beyond the boardroom. As the Wine Director at The Underground Kitchen in Richmond he doesn't just pour wine, he curates experiences and weaves in stories of culture and history into every glass. From tantalizing pairings to blind-tasting adventures, Justin's passion for wine transcends mere appreciation—it's a celebration of life itself. With Justin, the journey isn't just about achieving goals, it's about savoring every moment along the way.
Take it away, Justin...
Irish Festival at Center of the Universe Brewing Co.
This is a staple for me, with my Irish "Ferguson" heritage. The Irish festival offers a vibrant cultural experience, immersing you in the rich traditions of Ireland through music, dance, and cuisine. From lively performances of traditional Irish music to energetic displays of Irish dancing, the festival atmosphere is infectious and joyful. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to sample authentic Irish cuisine, indulge in hearty stews, savory pies, and perhaps even raise a pint of Guinness to celebrate Irish heritage.
Vitals:
Irish Festival / Saturday, March 16th, 1:00 - 8:00 pm, free / Center of the Universe Brewing Co.,11293 Air Park Road, Ashland
GalaxyCon Richmond
A not-to-be-missed event for any sci-fi lovers looking to reconnect with their favorite comics, tv shows, anime, and gaming. You'll experience impressive cosplay, where attendees dress up as their beloved characters, as well as a wide array of merchandise to peruse. GalaxyCon provides an immersive sci-fi experience, making it not just an event, but a community for enthusiasts.
One of my favorite writers and comedians, Wanda Sykes is coming to town! With her unique perspective and razor-sharp wit, Wanda brings a refreshing and hilarious take on life's absurdities. Seeing her perform live is not just entertainment—it's an unforgettable experience that has me laughing long after the show.
Vitals:
Wanda Sykes Presents: Please & Thank You / Saturday, March 16th, 5:00 pm & 7:30 pm, tix range from $39 - $79 / Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Energy Center, 600 E. Grace Street, Richmond
More From Justin…
My wife and I wrote a book called An Ordinary Day; a picture book about two boys who move through a typical day. It follows them at home, school, and through after-school activities. And it highlights how even in the mundane of experiences, Black children operate in a world that consciously and subconsciously promotes messaging about bias and inferiority. The book subtly and tactfully demonstrates experiences with microaggressions and systemic disadvantages. This children’s book is an innovative approach to broaching discussions about racism and structural differences with children – a process that should start for all children early in childhood.
I also just earned my WSET Level 3 certification in wine! This is pivotal for professionals seeking in-depth knowledge and credibility in the wine industry. It requires a rigorous understanding of grape varieties, regions, production methods, and tasting techniques, making it both intellectually demanding and rewarding.
Meet Caelan Nzamba, this week's guest editor for Here.Weekly. As the leader of Conscious Creations, he drives the sustainable fashion and art initiative, ReVitAlize (RVA), fostering a community for artistic minds striving for societal change. He's a unifying force, rallying diverse individuals and inspiring them to bring their visions to life. The Conscious Creations platform provides him an opportunity to blend various skills and experiences, such as integrating mental health themes into fashion shows, an approach influenced by his tenure at VCU Health System.
In addition to ReVitAlize, he also organizes social events and fundraisers in his role as a medical school class Vice President. His personal hobbies comprise professional piano playing, hip-hop dancing, and jogging around Richmond.
Take it away, Caelan...
Embrace Fashion Show
The Embrace Fashion Show is the first fashion show of ReVitAlize ‘24! With a runway of collections encouraging the audience to celebrate their perfect imperfections while not comparing themselves to others through sustainable designs and curation.
Vitals: Embrace Fashion Show / Friday, April 5th, 7:00 pm, tix range from $12 - $33 / 6 E Law Firm, 6 E Broad Street
An intimate market for local sustainable businesses with a portion of the day dedicated to a swap. The swap will incorporate clothes, shoes, art, and books. Bring your items and swap away!
Vitals:
Fashion & Art Swap / Saturday, April 6th, 12:00 - 5:00 pm, free / ART 180, 114 W Marshall Street
Pictured: Calm Jungle vending at last year’s Fashion & Art Swap co-hosted by SwapMeet
Photography: Saintlaurenttuan
Evolve Fashion Show
The second fashion show and last event of ReVitAlize ‘24 contains collections that remind us to enjoy the journey while not imposing impossible standards upon ourselves. One of the collections adds a creative twist through sustainable wearable art made by our sculpting team.
Vitals:
Evolve Fashion Show / Sunday, April 7th, 3:00 pm, tix range from $12 - $50 / Les Crepes Carytown, 3325 W Cary St
Pictured: Asja Querin & Jessica Baiza
Photography: Ayden Lawman
More From Conscious Creations…
Our first production last April, themed Unapologetic, revolved around being confident in your identity and ideas, especially if they better those around you. In a world where society challenges our authenticity and individuality, the inaugural season encouraged people to stand firm in who they are. Overall, it was the first step in empowering those involved to be the change they want to see regarding fast fashion, human rights, and other societal aspects.
As soon as the first production ended last year, our team worked diligently on this upcoming production to enrich the creative vision by theming this year’s production Embrace & Evolve. While Embrace & Evolve contain core events from last season, several new additions transform the traditional fashion and art landscape by reinventing spaces, collaborations, and the like.
Embrace is about accepting and celebrating our imperfections, conveying a sense of grace when we typically impart standards of perfection on ourselves, which hinder our growth. Similarly, Evolve emphasizes enjoying the process while not comparing ourselves to others.
Head over to our website or Instagram to discover more of what this season, April 5-7th, entails!
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