01.24.2024

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Today’s Forecast

61º | Cloudy | 15% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 5:24 p.m.

Investing in health equity

Richmond Health Equity Fund establishes four new partnerships

Members of the RHHD's new partner organizations stand around a lecturn in front of a crowd.

Members of the four partner organizations were present answer questions from community members. | Photo by RICtoday

Mayor Levar Stoney, Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert, and the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts announced four new partners and over a quarter of a million dollars of new funding for the Richmond Health Equity Fund on Monday.

The new partnerships were announced in the basement of Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Gilpin. A number of Richmond community members, including Councilmember Katherine Jordan, were in attendance.

The Health Equity Fund is a program seeking to address systemic racial healthcare disparities at the local level. The city has invested $1.2 million to date. This year’s partner organizations will receive a total of $351,000.

The four organizations receiving funds this year are Gateway Community Health, the Virginia Prison Birth Project, Daily Planet Health Services, and Urban Baby Beginnings. Representatives from all four organizations were present to answer questions from the community.

Mayor Stoney and Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert address the crowd — Mayor Stoney and Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert announced the new partnerships.
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Photo by RICtoday

Healthcare disparities are a nationwide struggle, but Stoney said that Richmond is throwing the “entire kitchen sink” at the issue.

The mayor pointed to statistics showing that, due to systemic inequities in healthcare and food systems, Black people face illness at a significantly higher rate. The COVID-19 mortality rate among Black people was significantly higher than that of their white counterparts.

Lambert said that being elected at the height of the pandemic gave her a special perspective on the healthcare needs of the Richmond community. Since then, improving access to healthcare has been a top priority.

“We’re investing in the long haul,” she said.

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Dominion Energy Jazz Café | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | VMFA, 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond | Free | Groove in the Cochrane Atrium with bassist Jordan Ponzi.
UR Men’s Basketball vs. George Washington | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 7-9 p.m. | Robins Center, 365 College Rd., Richmond | $10-$32 | The 13-5 Spiders take on George Washington at home.

Thursday, Jan. 25

Transit Talk: Transit App | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Log on for a session with the experts at Transit to see how to best use the app and upgraded service, Transit Royale.
Champions | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Coalition Theater, 8 W. Broad St , Richmond | Free | Get ready for an open mic showdown full of surprises, hosted by Sarah Ahmed and Jordan Boyd.

Friday, Jan. 26

4th Friday Opening Reception | Friday, Jan. 26 | 6-8 p.m. | Art Works, 320 Hull St., Richmond | Free | See four new exhibits, explore 80 artist studios, and enjoy music and refreshments.

“BKLYN the Musical” | Friday, Jan. 26 | 8 p.m. | Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Route 1, Chesterfield | $49 | Get tickets to see this musical which followers a troupe of homeless street performers and a young girl searching for her father.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Drink

Hardywood has announced a year-long concert series in honor of VA agriculture and music. Each show will coincide with the pre-release of a new beer, starting on Feb. 22 with a show by Suggesting Rhythm and a batch of Peach Trippel. Check out the schedule.

Open

Jason Crowder, owner of Powhatan barbecue joint Smok N Pigz, has now opened a market space next door. The Butcher Shop sells chicken, pork, and beef, as well as processed meats like sausage. (Richmond BizSense)

Civic

State employees are in the process of moving out of the James Monroe Building and into the Virginia Lottery tower. All employees will be moved into the 23-story building on East Main by July 2025. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State

A bill that ensures free meals for all Virginia Public School students has now passed the State Senate. Senate Bill 283 now goes to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. (Virginia Mercury)

Richmonder

Aidan Bryant, a self-taught Prince George County aerialist, has advanced to the semifinals of “America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.” Bryant returned to the show after winning “America’s Got Talent: All Stars” last year. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Watch

HGTV’s “House Hunters” came to Lakeside for an episode that will feature local spot Final Gravity Brewing Co. Catch it this Friday, Jan. 26, at 10 p.m.

Asked

In search of Richmond roasters

What’s the best local coffee roaster in Richmond?

Riverbend Coffee roasts their coffee in the middle of the shop. | Photo by RICtoday

Everyone knows Richmond has great coffee. You can’t throw a mug in this city without hitting a local java spot. But we want to know — what’s the best local coffee roaster?

Obviously there will be some overlap on this list. Some shops, like Blanchard’s, are known just as much for their beans as they are for their brews. Others, like Reviresco, made their name as roasters and only recently opened brick-and-mortar cafes.

When you’re running low on coffee beans, where do you go for a freshly-roasted refill?

Let us know

The Buy

The Buy 1.24.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

The best baking supplies to cook up something cozy and comforting this winter. Think: a sourdough starter helper, lemon lavender scones baking mix, and Herbes de Provence focaccia mix.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

After we wrote about Larus Park on Monday, we got some responses from readers chiding us for drawing attention to their favorite spot. While I won’t apologize, I’ll remind everyone who might be getting out there to brush up on their trail etiquette.

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