Meet this week's guest editor, Dr. Hollee Freeman! A nationally certified educator with over 30 years of experience in K-12, higher education, and educational administration, Dr. Freeman is dedicated to transformative STEM learning. A TEDx and Creative Mornings RVA speaker, her work on education reform, DEI, and teaching practices has been featured in books, podcasts, and articles. She is also a self-published author of five children’s books and develops custom curricula for schools and organizations.
Beyond education, Dr. Freeman is a beekeeper, filmmaker, and radio host. She manages nine honeybee colonies through City Bees RVA and leads several ventures, including the Hollee Freeman Foundation and Freeman Educational & Business Consulting LLC. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, crafting, and watercolor painting. A passionate traveler, she dreams of conducting global research on beekeeping.
Take it away, Hollee...
Oakwood Arts
Oakwood Arts opens the door to creativity and career opportunities, breaking down barriers to make the arts and creative industries accessible to all. Through dynamic community engagement, inspiring programs, and hands-on learning experiences, they spark imagination and empower individuals to turn their passions into professions. From mastering cutting-edge digital tools to building the technical skills essential for success, Oakwood Arts’ classes and workshops prepare students to thrive in the ever-evolving world of creative work.
The Fourth Trimester Mental Health Program supports new parents through the challenges of early parenthood. It offers free mental health screenings for mothers and fathers, outpatient therapy sessions, and monthly postpartum group support on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Join Zawadi Nyong’o on Wed, Jan 29th for the first SoulCare With Zawadi Session of 2025! This event will be held LIVE on the Insight Timer platform during the first New Moon of the year. This is an opportunity to do a final clearing of 2024 and prepare for the year ahead. Zawadi creates sacred spaces for Black womxn to rest, restore, rewild, reconnect with their souls, and remember who they truly are.
Dr. Hollee Freeman shares her passion for beekeeping and Richmond through free monthly honey tastings and book readings centered on City Bees, a book she co-authored celebrating pollinators and the city’s cultural landmarks. Each event features unique, seasonal honey varietals. Stay connected by following on Instagram and Facebook and subscribing to the Hollee Freeman Foundation newsletter for updates.
As a state-certified apprentice beekeeper, Dr. Freeman also offers the Honeybees and Me course, a 6-month self-paced program with live group sessions and optional apiary visits. Enrollment is open until January 30th—Register Here to join this one-of-a-kind experience!
Stay connected and inspired through social media and the newsletter—let’s grow and learn together!
Meet this week's guest editor, Kathryn Thompson! As the Development Director for the Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA), Kathryn is on a mission to make quality affordable housing a reality in the Richmond region. From championing forward-thinking policies to spearheading impactful programs, Kathryn’s work is shaping the future of housing equity. She also oversees the newly launched Henrico Housing Trust Fund, a bold initiative driving sustainable solutions for local communities.
Passionate about creating change, Kathryn is eager to connect with donors who share her vision for a more inclusive Richmond.
Take it away, Kathryn...
Edgar’s Sweet 216th Birthday Bash
Celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s 216th birthday at the Poe Museum’s Enchanted Garden with live music, dramatic readings, and guided tours. Enjoy themed refreshments, interactive activities, and exclusive access to exhibits featuring one of the largest collections of Poe artifacts!
Enjoy an evening of swinging jazz standards, beloved favorites, and a heartfelt tribute to the Father of Bebop Violin, Joe Kennedy, Jr.! Featured musicians include Larry Lyles on violin, Thomas Wakefield on guitar, Todd Woodson on drums, and David Yohe on bass. Get ready for a celebration of jazz at its finest!
Don’t miss the Richmond region’s premier annual housing event! The State of Housing will feature keynote speaker Keeanga Yamahtta-Taylor, acclaimed author of Race for Profit, offering powerful insights into the intersection of housing, race, and inequality. Newly elected Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula will present his vision for housing over the next four years, and the Partnership for Housing Affordability will unveil their 2025 Housing Policy Agenda.
The event concludes with a catered networking reception, providing a chance to connect with leaders and advocates shaping the future of housing in the region!
Kathryn wears many hats as an Usui Reiki Master and an aspiring filmmaker with a passion for storytelling and healing. Her debut film, The Return To Me, earned acclaim at three film festivals, including the prestigious San Diego Black Film Festival. A former Cadence Pipeline Fellowship fellow, Kathryn is now gearing up to produce her second short film this year.
In addition to filmmaking, Kathryn is an active member of VisArts, where she occasionally shares her writing at their events, bringing her unique voice to Richmond's creative community. Always looking to collaborate, Kathryn hopes to connect with fellow filmmakers and writers in the area.
For those seeking balance and restoration, Kathryn also offers Reiki sessions. Connect with her on Instagram, @TheUCLife, to learn more about her journey and schedule a session.
Meet this week's guest editor, Mateo Smith! A graphic designer with a passion for art and storytelling, Mateo grew up bilingual and immersed in American and Colombian cultures. His multicultural upbringing inspires his belief in design as a universal language that tells stories and sparks meaningful connections.
Mateo thrives on projects that celebrate cultural heritage and bring ideas to life. One of his favorite projects was designing the logo for Memi’s, an Egyptian-themed restaurant where he blended tradition with bold, modern design. For him, graphic design is about more than visuals—it’s about creating experiences and leaving lasting impressions.
Inspired by creative visionaries like Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci, Mateo strives to blend innovation with artistry in his work. A lifelong soccer fan, he admires Lionel Messi and still treasures the memory of the World Cup final. Driven by insatiable curiosity, he is constantly exploring new ideas about creativity, culture, and human connection.
Take it away, Mateo...
The Lab by Alchemy
After a holiday break, The Lab by Alchemy Coffee planned to re-open this week, but the current water issue throughout the City of Richmond is causing a delay. Once it's safe for them to open, they’ll feature a Maple Black Sesame Latte; a limited-time special crafted with their signature in-house syrups. Stay tuned to their socials for updates and start your year with a delicious and memorable cup of coffee; their unique flavors won’t be around forever!
Vitals:
The Lab by Alchemy / re-opening soon, date TBD / view menu / The Lab by Alchemy, 814 W Broad Street
Legend of the Poinsettia by the Latin Ballet of Virginia
As someone with Hispanic heritage, I deeply value events that celebrate Latin culture. Legend of the Poinsettia, performed by the Latin Ballet of Virginia and presented by Dominion Energy, is a heartwarming tale of love, hope, and the true spirit of giving. Inspired by a cherished Mexican legend, this vibrant production weaves together captivating dance, music, and storytelling to honor Latin American and Spanish holiday traditions.
Performance Dates:
Friday, January 10th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, January 11th at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, January 12th at 3:00 pm
Looking to try something new? Memi’s, Richmond’s newest Egyptian-themed restaurant, is offering a free appetizer with the purchase of any two entrées! Located at 2229 West Main Street, Memi’s brings cultural heritage to life with its modern and flavorful take on Egyptian cuisine. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy a taste of something extraordinary.
Memi’s/ happy hour and dinner daily (hours listed above) / Memi's, 2229 West Main Street
More From Mateo.
One of my favorite projects is Hydrate Now, a Richmond-based company founded by my mentor and friend, Ash Malaisamy. By using innovative, eco-friendly aluminum water bottles, Hydrate Now turns everyday hydration into a powerful storytelling tool for businesses. I’ve had the privilege of designing key brand elements that align with their mission and bring their vision to life—a truly rewarding experience. Learn more at hydratenow.org.
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