She decided to finally leave. Maybe it was after years of abuse, or after one violent night too many. Maybe it was the first time she truly believed that if she stayed, she might not survive. Whatever brought her to that moment, making the call took courage. On...
We spend a lot of time calling out what the City of Richmond gets wrong. And honestly, it’s not hard—just follow the trail of half-fixed potholes, stalled projects, or meetings where words go to die. But every now and then, there something worth pointing to and saying, see, that’s how it’s done. Today, it’s our parks. The city just landed at #16...
“I met this phenom many, many moons ago at DLB, and I was instantly smitten. She’s always marched to the beat of her own fuckin’ drum—and still does. So much respect. And then I heard her sing... oh mylanta. Her voice absolutely floored me. She moved to Richmond at 18 and is still killing it at 81. “I reversed the numbers, baby.” In...
As the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Exhibition invites us to reflect on the term “Black Dandy” in this year’s exhibit, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, if there’s ever been a time to make travel plans to see it, this is the one. On view from May 10 through October 26, the exhibit focuses on menswear, Black designers, and the social...
A Sunday series from RVA Magazine featuring writers from Richmond and Virginia Writer’s Block is RVA Magazine’s new Sunday series highlighting contemporary writers working in Richmond and across the Commonwealth. Each week, we’ll feature original poems, short stories, or essays. Just real voices writing right now. We’re starting the series with...
UPDATE! Thursday, May 29, 2025 -- 2:30 p.m. The City of Richmond has officially lifted the boil water advisory issued earlier this week, declaring the water safe to drink following two successful rounds of quality testing. The advisory, which had been in place since Tuesday morning, impacted thousands of residents who were forced to boil tap...
Disclaimer: The following is a letter to the editor. It represents their personal views on this issue. RVA Magazine is committed to providing a platform for community voices on important local matters. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of RVA Magazine, its staff, or affiliates. Written by Heaven-Leigh Kennedy, The...
One Richmond-area student’s fight reveals how Virginia’s 2020 reforms often died on arrival. When Lyn Jones transferred to Matoaca High School, just south of Richmond, she noticed something odd. Every girls’ restroom was outfitted with a metal dispenser—mounted to the wall, labeled clearly, promising free menstrual products. But every one of them...
“Man, I can't imagine an alternate reality in which I'm not a completely obsessed cat person. When I was very young, a stray kitten was yelling at me from across the street near my mom's workplace. I remember getting out of the station wagon to embrace the kee keez, knowing I'd get in trouble. My mom came back to the car and looked bummed at...
Disclaimer: The following is a letter to the editor. It represents their personal views on this issue. RVA Magazine is committed to providing a platform for community voices on important local matters. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of RVA Magazine, its staff, or affiliates. This Letter to the Editor, written by...
