Everyone in the media business will tell you it has been a tough year. In some ways it has been, but it was also the year we found another gear. As newsrooms froze up, we kept shining a light on the people who make Richmond what it is. The musicians, artists, comedians, actors, entrepreneurs, and all the folks building culture in real time. We are independent, and we support local culture and local business because that is who we are.
We offered editorials and opinions when others in Richmond media stayed quiet. We pushed back on Trump-era policies when it mattered. We fought to spotlight the activism that gives this city its backbone. We questioned local government when it needed questioning, and we cheered it on when decisions actually helped the community. We are politics, activism, local business, and culture under one roof.
In the middle of all the noise, we carved out our lane. Honest reporting. Real interviews. A commitment to helping Richmond make sense of what is happening. And now we are heading into 2026 with more energy than ever.
We have done it the way Richmonders tend to do things, on our own terms. No billionaire owners and no corporate strings. Just a voice that can speak plainly and still celebrate the best of this city. Reader support and local advertisers have kept our reporting rooted in the public good.
But local news is disappearing. Legacy outlets are compromised or gutted, and independent media is being asked to carry the weight. The numbers tell the story. Our readership is up 30 percent in 2025. Our social reach hit 8.5 million in the last three months. People want reporting that is free, accessible, and alive. That is why we keep our work open to everyone.
So if you are able, help us reach our year-end goal. Even $2 makes a difference. A monthly gift makes an even bigger one. Every contribution protects a free and independent press in Virginia. You can DONATE HERE.
And, as always, thank you for reading.
stay gold,
R. Anthony Harris
Creator and Publisher, RVA Magazine
stay gold,
R. Anthony Harris
Creator and Publisher, RVA Magazine
