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Paddle Out. Tune In.

By Richmond Grid

Minds In Motion Celebrates 30 Years of Dance, Dreams & Community

By Richmond Grid
Live

Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Richmond: A Story of Empowerment, Not Just Awareness

By Carson Spicer

#richmondgrid

This evening, the Richmond community gathered to c This evening, the Richmond community gathered to celebrate the retirement of Sports Backers’ original trailblazer, Jon Lugbill (@jonlugbill). 

Jon, the founding Executive Director of the award-winning nonprofit, has spent the past 31 years inspiring active living across the Richmond region. He will officially retire on June 30, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of transformation, innovation, and community impact.

When Jon stepped into the role @sportsbackers in 1993, Richmond’s active living landscape was still in its infancy. Under his visionary leadership, Sports Backers grew into a nationally recognized powerhouse—hosting large-scale events, launching movement-building programs, and reaching hundreds of thousands of participants each year.

Over the course of his tenure, Sports Backers earned a long list of well deserved accolades. The organization was named the best sports commission in the country four times by the Sports Events and Tourism Association . Its Bike Walk RVA initiative received Bicycling Magazine’s (@bicyclemagazine) People’s Choice Advocacy Award, and the Kids On the Move program was honored by Running USA (@runningusa_org) with the Youth Event of the Year recognition. Sports Backers also played a key role in Richmond being named the “Best River Town in America” by Outside Magazine (@outsidemagazine).

In 2024, Jon was awarded Leadership Metro Richmond’s @ukrops Community Vision Award, a fitting tribute to his decades of service and the far-reaching impact of his work. As Richmond celebrates his retirement, it also honors the movement he helped build—one that will continue to shape the region’s culture of active living for generations to come.

In celebration and appreciation of Jon’s impact, we’re throwing it back to one of our favorite moments with him—a photo shoot we did with @rickkiddphoto on Belle Isle way back in 2012 that perfectly captured his love for the river, the trails, and the city he helped transform. The next photo features Jon at tonight’s retirement celebration @sportsbackers.
Being an artist isn’t just about the final piece Being an artist isn’t just about the final piece—it’s about the countless hours, the quiet struggle, and the steady labor that happens behind the scenes.

Richmond artist Ron Stokes (@viewsbystokes) stands with his latest painting, now on display at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (@bhmva) as part of the exhibit Bodie of Labor: Hands that Built a Nation.

Stokes describes the piece as a deeply personal reflection—one that captures the unseen energy, layered thoughts, and lived experience that shape every brushstroke.

The exhibit runs through August 16, offering powerful perspectives on African American labor and its enduring impact over more than 400 years on this continent.
Meet Jenny Kacani (@kennyjacani), this week’s gu Meet Jenny Kacani (@kennyjacani), this week’s guest editor for Here Weekly (@here.weekly). Here Weekly is a free, subscription-based newsletter by Richmond Grid that features tips for exploring and celebrating the River City—delivered by a rotating selection of local community leaders and changemakers. And this week, Jenny is here to share her ideas for getting outside, lending a hand, and pushing Richmond forward.

First, a little bit of background about Jenny! As the Volunteer Lead for Keep Virginia Cozy (@keepvirginiacozy), Jenny helps the Richmond-based nonprofit protect wilderness and inspire all Virginians to care for our wild places.

Since 2017, Keep Virginia Cozy’s passionate volunteers have removed over 600 tons of litter from public lands, helping preserve our natural legacy for future generations. Through zero-waste, community-driven efforts, they show how small, consistent actions can create lasting environmental impact.

In addition to keeping Richmond cozy, Jenny is a painter, glass artist (check out @shopoddbird for her flameworked creations), and works in publishing.

In this week’s issue of #hereweekly, Jenny shares a few favorite upcoming events—each one a celebration of what makes Richmond special: a community that comes together to create, take action, and make a difference.

First up is Reduce, Reuse, Risograph!—a hands-on class at Studio Two Three (@studiotwothree) that blends art and sustainability. It’s happening June 12 from 6–9 p.m.

Next is the Community Cleanup at Forest Hill Park. Meet at the picnic shelter to help pick up litter throughout the park—then stay for PRIDE on Forest Hill, and return the next day for the South of the James Farmers Market (@growrva).

Finally, Jenny gives a big shoutout to the 5th Annual Cozy Ol’ Brewgrass Festival, happening June 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Riverside Outfitters (@riversideoutfittersrva). There are just a few tickets left—follow @keepvirginiacozy for the link.

And if you haven’t subscribed to #hereweekly yet, it’s free—sign up at hereweekly.com.
The Pay-What-You-Will LGBTQ+ History of Carytown W The Pay-What-You-Will LGBTQ+ History of Carytown Walking Tour by @thevalentinerva will take place on Friday, June 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hosted by The Valentine, this week’s tour invites participants to explore Carytown (@carytownrva), Richmond’s iconic “mile of style,” and uncover the people, businesses, and spaces that have supported the city’s LGBTQ+ community from the 1970s to today.

The tour begins in front of the historic Byrd Theatre (@thebyrdrva) and will cover approximately one to two miles. All are welcome, and individuals of all abilities are encouraged to attend. As with all Valentine walking tours, the event will be held rain or shine.

Advanced tickets are required. This tour is presented in partnership with Richmond Region Tourism (@visitrichmondva).

For more information or to reserve a spot, follow @thevalentinerva and visit thevalentine.org.
🎉GOOD NEWS! 🎉 Our friends @keepvirginiacozy 🎉GOOD NEWS! 🎉 Our friends @keepvirginiacozy just dropped some surprise tickets for the previously sold out 5th Annual Cozy Ol’ Brewgrass Festival — and they’re live now through the link in their bio!

This year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet, with:

🍽️ Food from: @1115mobilekitchen @goatocado @veganaction @arrozrva
🍻 Drinks by: @vasenbrewing @drinkhike @ninja_kombucha
🎶 Live music from: @andrew.g.alli & Josh Small
🛍️ A maker fair featuring local artists and creatives

Join us June 19 at 5:30 PM down by the river @riversideoutfittersrva (325 S 14th St) and help keep our parks, trails, and beloved James River cleaner and cozier for all. 

🎟️ Act fast — only 15 tickets just opened up! Grab yours now via @keepvirginiacozy’s Instagram bio.

#RVAevents #KeepVirginiaCozy #JamesRiver #SupportLocal #RVAfoodie #RVA #RichmondVA
Student Voices Mean Tasty Choices: The Superintend Student Voices Mean Tasty Choices: The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council—made up of Richmond high schoolers from eight different schools—spent the 2024–25 school year working together to improve school meals across Richmond Public Schools (@rvaschools) by surveying over 2,700 students as part of a “School Meals Remix” initiative.

As part of the study, the students also hosted a large tasting event for their peers at the Hilton Richmond Downtown, called the “Taste Test Takeover,” and ultimately presented their findings to the School Board. Students serving on the council spoke at the meeting, emphasizing the importance of school meals—especially a nutritious breakfast—and the impact they can have on student learning each day.

As a result, 10 new, student-approved dishes will soon be added to RPS menus. The Student Advisory Council was created to help school district leadership hear directly from students and incorporate that feedback into policy decisions.

📸 @rvaschools 

#teachwithlove #RPS #richmondva

Live (View all)

Live

Parkinson’s Awareness Month in Richmond: A Story of Empowerment, Not Just Awareness

By Carson Spicer
Live

Dear Richmond: After the Storm, The Sun Still Rises

By Carson Spicer
Live

Golden Fest: Richmond’s Music Scene Unites for One of Its Own

By Erin Frye Provencher
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How a Gift Became a Full-Time Gig

By Patricia Moore

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Work

A Trailblazing Partnership: Alliance for Building Better Medicine’s Supply Chain Webinar Series

By Richmond Grid
Live

How a Gift Became a Full-Time Gig

By Patricia Moore
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Alliance for Building Better Medicine Launches Transformative Webinar Series

By Richmond Grid
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Alliance for Building Better Medicine Honors Essential Medicines Shortage Awareness Day

By Paul Spicer

Play (View all)

Play

GFAC PARTNERS WITH JR. NBA TO LAUNCH GIRL ACTION TEAMS IN RICHMOND

By Richmond Grid
Play

DISHING UP SUPPORT FOR PODIUM RVA

By Richmond Grid
Play

Jamaica House is Back, Bigger and Brighter

By Richmond Grid
Play

Cheers to Creating Cohesion

By Richmond Grid
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