Contributors - RVA Mag

A. E. Stallings

A.E. Stallings is an author and musician residing in Richmond, VA. He majored in English and Creative Writing at Hampden-Sydney College and spends a great deal of his time traveling and performing as the singer of the band Break Away. His available selected works can be found here mourningsongs.bigcartel.com

Aaron Linas

Aaron is a local and longtime environmentalist working to build future habitats in our changing climate. He's director of a land conservation start-up that seeks to turn polluted or exhausted property into wilderness spaces.

Abigail Buchholz

Abigail Buchholz is a political science major at the University of Mary Washington. At school Abigail acts as News Editor for her school's newspaper. In her free time she enjoys traveling, the beach, and reading Stephen King.

Ace Patel

Adam Lockett

Adam Lockett is a sophomore at VCU and serves as a member of the Transit Advisory Group.

Adrian Teran-Tapia

Alan Rodriguez Espinoza

Aleda Weathers

Aleda is a writer and a student at George Mason getting her Master’s in English. Her writing interests includes: fashion, art, culture, philosophy and music.

Alex Pagliuca

Alexander Rudenshiold

Local musician, show-booker, and gay man. Student at UMW.

Alexander Rudenshoild

Alexandra Zernik

Born and raised in Annandale, Virginia, Alexandra Zernik is set to graduate in December of 2020 from VCU with a degree in journalism and advertising and a minor in business. She is a photographer, reporter and designer. Her passions include synchronicity, numerology and poetry.

Alicen Hackney

Alicen Hackney is a music journalism student at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. Her passion is sharing and exploring music and it's cultural ties, and she is always looking for new artists and styles.

Allison Tovey

Allison Tovey is a freelance writer and publishing intern in Richmond, Virginia. Her passion for sharing stories is rivaled only by her love of photography and teen movies.

Allison Conwell

Allison Conwell grew up in upstate South Carolina. She got a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. She now lives in Richmond, Virginia and is working on Environment Virginia's Wildlife Over Waste campaign.

Amy David

Amy David was the Web Editor for RVAMag.com from May 2015 until September 2018. She covered craft beer, food, music, art and more. She's been a journalist since 2010 and attended Radford University. She enjoys dogs, beer, tacos, and Bob's Burgers references.

Amy George

Amy George is a 15 year resident of Richmond, VA and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Amy Wentz

Amy Wentz is an RPS graduate of Huguenot High School Class of 1997, her oldest daughter Jasmine is an RPS graduate, Class of 2016, & her youngest daughter Zoë is a first grader at JL Francis. That’s 30 years as a direct stakeholder. She’s also a former member of the Education Compact/Children's Cabinet.

Amy Rector

Amy L. Rector, PhD, is an assistant professor of anthropology at VCU. She is a biological anthropologist who studies human evolution, digs up fossils in Ethiopia, talks about being a woman in science, and thinks everything is #AnthropologyAF.

Andrew Goetzinger

Andrew is a Cuban American marketing student at VCU with a concentration in Product and Brand Management. He enjoys traveling the world, listens to all genres of music, appreciates skateboarding and street culture, and will eat all of the m&m's from your trail mix if given the opportunity. Instagram: a_goetzinger

Andrew Crider and Preston Page

Andrew Crider, a resident of Richmond, is a pilot and government solutions strategist for Monarch Group. He previously served at the Virginia Department of Aviation.

Preston Page is a lifelong advocate of small woman- and minority-owned business and the founder and CEO of Monarch Group. Preston currently is a lobbyist in the Virginia General Assembly.

Andrew Gionfriddo

Andrew Gionfriddo is a journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University. He currently works for the Richmond International Film and Music Festival.

Andrew Lucas

Drew Lucas graduated from Radford University. He enjoys photography, bicycling, music, writing, sociology, people, mountains, and water. He dislikes closed-mindedness.

Angie Huckstep

Anna Bedineishvili

Anna Pivovarchuk

Anna Pivovarchuk is the Co-Founder, Deputy Managing Editor and Culture Editor of Fair Observer, having previously held the position of Europe Editor. As a freelance writer and editor, she has contributed to various organizations such as the BBC, United Nations, NBC, Arise TV, Foreign Policy Association and The Moscow Times.

Annie Lynch

Annie Lynch is a landscape architect from New York City. Annie’s design work focuses on sites of memory and contested history within the context of restorative justice movements. She is a designer with the landscape architecture firm Studio Zewde.

Anya Sczerzenie

Anya is a senior journalism major/creative writing minor at VCU. She is from Leesburg, Virginia. She is also a contributing writer for the Commonwealth Times student newspaper. When she’s not working on a story, she likes reading, video games, podcasts, and walks in the forest.

Arianna Coghill

Arianna Coghill is a multimedia journalist, graduating from VCU in December 2019. She's been published in the Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and several other publications. When she isn't working on a story, she can usually be found reading or drinking five dollar wine from novelty mugs.

Arianna Rose

Arianna Rose is a VCU graduate, skilled in Public Relations & Music (Vocal Performance). When she’s not writing here, she enjoys taking in all the wonderful art & culture RVA has to offer, working as a makeup artist, singing, & volunteering at the VMFA.

Find her on Instagram: @the_rose_show

Ash Griffith

Ash is a writer and improviser from Richmond. She has a BA in English from VCU and an associates in Theater. When she isn't writing or screaming on a stage, she can usually be found wherever the coffee is. Bill Murray is her favorite person along with her black cat, Bruce.

Ashley Sasscer

Ashley Loth

Ashley Loth has been writing poems since she was a child. The Richmond-based artist is well known for her photography at Sound Snap Photography. She's working to put her words out there alongside her images. The Tragicly Poetic is a developing series of poetry and imagery. The poetry ranges from poems written in adolescence to present time. The first book in this series is set for release in October 2018 titled “My Goodbye Letter to You." This first project has been in the works for more than five years. It features more than 150 men and women from ages 18-70 photographed by Loth over the course of five years.

Aviance Hawkes

Aviance Hawkes is a former Mass Communications student at VCU. Aviance is an eclectic, positive, colorful being that also works at the Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU, Urban Outfitters, and Ink Magazine. Along with that, she DJs, produces, and create in all aspects whether it’s clothes or crafting. I collect and love graffiti, art, and a variety miscellaneous things.

Becky Ingram

Becky Ingram was with RVA Mag in the Summer of 2015 and has continued writing for RVAMag.com and GayRVA.com ever since, mainly submitting festival coverage. She has recently relocated to Berlin, Germany where she works as a photo-journalist for a fashion photographer. She hopes that her B.S. in Economics from VCU and her international journalism experience will help her acquire a content manager position for VICE Video some day. Her interests include surf cinematography, gonzo journalism, and funky bass lines.

Ben Blevins

Ben Blevins is the founder of Highland Support Project. He was "radicalized" after a mission trip in college to Central America in college, and since then has led HSP to foster agency and empower Indigenous communities by providing opportunities for education, community organization, supporting social entrepreneurs, and addressing health and poverty in the face of shifting political arenas and environmental changes.

Benjah White

Benjah White is a Richmond-based commercial & portrait photographer. He got started with photography through his high school yearbook/newspaper and fell in love with the medium. Networking/ working with local professional photographers allowed me a hands on education and furthered my perspective within the medium. He credits his inspiration to mentors, teachers and historical photographers (namely Weegee, Robert Capa & Ansel Adams). Portrait photography has become his passion, and he is exceptionally intrigued by surrealist portraiture work, which is the bulk of my personal work, lately. Check out his work here: www.Benjah-Photography.com

Benjamin West

Benjamin West has lived in Richmond for about half a decade. He loves long walks on North Bank trail and adding to his collection of mid-grade pens. His New Year's resolution was to choose campy, sci-fi paperback illustrations for all of his Spotify playlists, but he's already tripped up a few times.

BJ Camano

BJ Camano is a current junior (Class of 2021) at Randolph-Macon College. He is currently a triple major in Asian Studies, Music, and English with a minor in Japanese Studies. He enjoys both writing and singing in his free time.

Brandon Shillingford

I'm currently a journalism student (and aspiring critic) attending Virginia Commonwealth University. You can find my writing in places like Film Inquiry, The Commonwealth Times, or Cultured Vultures. I also host WVCW's weekly show, "Cinemania!"

Brandon Jarvis

Brandon is a lifelong Richmonder. He graduated from VCU with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. He writes about music, sports, politics, and general news.

Brea Hill

Brea is a senior at VCU studying broadcast journalism. She is an avid sports lover. Brea has recently tapped into her "foodie" side while covering local food events. When time permits, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.

Brendan Callan

Brendan Callan is a graduate of James Madison University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and minor in Music Industry. He enjoys writing about both DIY Richmond artists who play in basements and Grammy-nominated artists who are still not yet household names. When he’s not playing music he’s usually writing about it, working at his day job, or eating some yummy ramen.

Brett L. Saunders

Brett L. Saunders was a law enforcement officer for over 30 years, retiring from the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries in 2016 as a Master Officer. He was a Field Training Officer and an instructor at the DGIF Law Enforcement Academy from its inception, developing and instructing the curriculum for Bias-Based Policing, Ethics, and Officer Survival. Officer Saunders was named Conservation Police Officer of the Year in 2009. He is now retired and living in Southside Virginia.

Brianna Scott

Brianna Scott is a senior at VCU studying journalism and is originally from the 757. Brianna enjoys Thai food, talking about racial and queer injustice, a bottle of red wine, and yelling at her Sims on the computer that can't hear her. She will write about anything and laugh about everything.

Brian Palmer

Brock Hall

Brock is a local area stand-up comedian and freakonomics fan with an Economics degree from VCU. He is always overthinking, and is also a firm believer that the best conspiracy isn’t secret, it’s boring.

Brooke Nicholson

Brooke Nicholson is a recent graduate from Old Dominion University with a double-major in both psychology and English. Most of Brooke's college career was spent inside the college magazine's office, eventually becoming the Editor-In-Chief. Realizing this was something she wanted to pursue as a life-long career, she has published works in a variety of medias, and her favorite topics to discuss are video games, music, and entertainment. Her ultimate goal is to be a PR Manager for a leading video game corporation.

Bruce Allen

Bruce Allen is a professional Fashion/Portrait photographer living in Washington D.C. He breaks the traditional mold of a photog by being the outspoken face of his brand. Check out more of his work or face on his Instagram @thebruceallen.

Bryce Collier

Writer from Richmond,VA.

Caitlin Barbieri

VCU Junior studying journalism and Spanish. Just doing my best with what I've got.

Soy un junior a VCU estudiando periodismo y español. Haciendo lo mejor que puedo.

Caitlin Morris

Caitlin is pizza-enthusiast, adventurer, and unofficial caterer. She has a love for travel writing and folklore, and can't wait to hear your ghost story. Caitlin has a degree in journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University. In her free time, she hosts the Virginia-based podcast, Something Spooky.

Caley Sturgill

Caley Sturgill is the Director of Media at RVA Magazine. Email her at [email protected] for inquiries and RVA On Tap releases.

Calyssa Kremer

Calyssa Kremer graduated from VCU with a double major in Art History and Painting and Printmaking. She currently lives and works in Richmond, Virginia.

Capital News Service

Carley Welch

I'm Carley Welch. I'm currently a rising senior at James Madison University where I'm majoring in media arts and design with a concentration in journalism, and minoring in political communications. I've had a passion for story telling since I understood what a story was. I believe personal growth and challenges are what inspires my writing and allows me to flourish my creativity. I love food, I love to travel, and most prominently, I love to learn. I'm always looking for the next adventure.

Carola Rojas

Carola Rojas is a Bolivian citizen and graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University. She's an aspiring creative strategist and advocate for diversity inclusion. She can find inspiration wherever she goes and is fond of living life on the edge.

Carolanne Wilson

Caroline Woods

RVA was home to Caroline for four years as she worked to receive her MFA in Interior Environments at VCU, and later as an interior designer for a local firm. She now lives out west with her husband. An INFJ, she is passionate about justice, cats, crosswords, and coffee.

Cassandre Coyer

Cassandre Coyer is a recent graduate from Emerson College, in Boston. Her areas of interest include immigration policies, environmental issues, and culture stories, but above all she loves writing features. Her favorite things include her two cats, Jon and Arya, cheese, and you guessed it, Game of Thrones.

Cassie Jacobs

Cassie has been involved with activism, social justice, and non-profit organizations for over 15 years. She identifies herself a life long progressive who advocates for women's rights, incarcerated youth, immigration reform, and affordable health care. She is the founding member and CEO of Peninsula Voices for Change and currently Chair of the Southeastern Alliance Human Rights Committee and a licensed therapist in private practice, she lives with her husband and 3-year-old son.

Cat Modlin-Jackson

Cat Modlin-Jackson is a freelance journalist who's written extensively on food and urban farming. She's reported for the Houston Chronicle, Eater, and Civil Eats. When she's not writing, she's helping her husband run a non-profit kids' garden education program.

Cesca Janece Waterfield

Cesca Janece Waterfield grew up in the woods and on the shore along the Rappahannock River, and in a one-stoplight town in King George County. She teaches writing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she’s studying for a PhD. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming from Scalawag, Writers Resist, Deep South, and others. She received the 2017 Editor’s Prize in Fiction from MARY: A Journal of New Writing, judged by Natalie Baszile. “San Francisco” is part of a nonfiction manuscript she’s currently working on titled, Baleful Heirloom.

Charles Rasputin

Charles Rasputin is a writer and artist based in Norfolk, VA that creates and develops work for public viewership and cultural consumption. He curates aesthetic appeal, branded culture and emotional investment through visual representations for clients, collaborators and his community at large. His current work explores immersive environments, shadows and light, and the creeping darkness that dwells within us all.

Charlotte Woods

Multimedia journalist. Creative writer. Geek. Gamer. Bookworm. Lover of red wine and sunshine. Bachelor of Arts - The New School. Master of Science - Virginia Commonwealth University.

Chase Browning

Chase Browning is a writer and broadcast technologist who has worked for community radio stations in Virginia for the past five years. He lives in Chicago.

Chaz Nuttycombe

Chaz Nuttycombe is a 19-year-old college student and lifelong RVA resident. He has been interested in politics since a very young age and has made punditry his primary hobby. He's worked on a couple of political campaigns and now writes for RVA Mag.

Chelsea Higgs Wise

Chelsea Higgs Wise is a social worker and intercultural communicator who specializes in connecting underserved and misrepresented communities to policymakers to advocate against racism and misogyny. As an activist who helps evolve narratives and policies, Chelsea has been an instrumental voice in numerous campaigns and was recently highlighted on the PBS News Hour as a community change-agent. Chelsea values genuine connection, authentic relationships, and meaningful impact. Ask her about how she’s recently worked with some of the coolest people in Richmond on feminine hygiene drives, diversity education summits and leadership initiatives for young adults.

Chloe Fortin

Chris Cassingham

I am a recent graduate of Mary Washington, and an aspiring film critic. You can find more of my words at Film Inquiry and on my Letterboxd page. You can also catch me at any number of screenings at the Byrd!

Chris Smart

Art is how we decorate space, It's what helped drive me to my passion for creating. My name is Chris Smart (The Art of CJS) and I'm a visual artist. I've always loved to create things with a intiment moment, something that pulls you in, I take a lot of inspiration from cinema, I've always loved get lost in the visual storytelling. Everywhere I go I see these little stories playing out around me. I like to sit back and watch then reinterpret. I think that's what I love most about photography, the ability to take what the world gives and give back what I see in it.

Christina McBride

Christina McBride is a junior at the College of William & Mary studying English and Creative Writing. Christina finally learned how to ride a bike but can't release her death grip to signal a turn. She plans on writing forever and is never going to die.

Christopher Brown

My name is Chris Brown (no relation to the singer). I'm from Richmond, Virginia and I'm currently a senior at VCU. I'm an avid music listener, willing to take on recommendations, as well as a casual fan of pop culture.

Christopher Green

Christopher Green is a senior at George Mason University where he will soon graduate with a BA in global affairs and communication. He seeks out opportunities to combine his talent for writing with his interest in culture.

Christopher McDaniel

Christopher Alan McDaniel is a 2015 VCU graduate with his Bachelor’s in English and a minor in Creative Writing. Chris aspires to be a collegiate professor of writing in his future. Until then, you can find him hosting free public creative writing workshops with the Filthy Rich and writing grants for Dogtown Dance Theatre. Chris can also be found around Richmond’s breweries and music venues enjoying what the city has to offer.

Clara Endres

Clara is non-binary trans woman (she/they pronouns) that enjoys writing about music, film, and fine food and drink. She is also a musician, mainly playing heavy music, and has an ever-growing collection of plants that she mothers in her spare time.

Clay Blancett

Clay Blancett is a Richmond-based writer and the author of the novel Avenue Of Champions.

Clay Helms

Henry Clayton Wickham

Henry Clayton Wickham is a Richmond native and graduate of the Zell Writers Program. He is a recipient of a Hopwood Graduate Short Fiction Award and the Andrea Beauchamp Prize; he recently completed a Nicholas Delbanco Residency through the Fine Arts Work Center. He teaches writing at The University of Michigan.

Cliff Hyra

Cliff Hyra is the Libertarian Party candidate for Governor.

Cody Endres

"The religion of one age is the literary entertainment of the next." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Colin Woodward

Colin Woodward is a historian and the editor of the Lee Family Digital Archive at Stratford Hall. He is a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, and Louisiana State University, where he received his Ph.D. in 2005. He is the author of Marching Masters: Slavery, Race, and the Confederate Army during the Civil War, available through University of Virginia Press. His history and pop culture podcast, Amerikan Rambler, is available at and on iTunes. He is writing a book on Cash called Country Boy: The Roots of Johnny Cash. He lives in Lakeside.

Colleen Leffler

Conner Evans

Conner Evans is a journalism and English student at University of Richmond. He has experience in newspaper reporting at Appen Media back home in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is currently the music director of WDCE 90.1 FM, University of Richmond's student-run radio station.

Craig Zirpolo

Craig Zirpolo (they/them) is a journalist, photographer and videographer from Richmond, Va. In addition to contributing to RVA Mag, they also work with Dust Up, Good Day RVA, RVA Track, The Broadberry, Gallery5 and Art 180.

Critiques For The Culture

Critiques for The Culture is a conversational podcast and WRIR radio show that focuses on the socio-political themes found within current movies, TV, and plays — covering all with humor. Hosted by two Black Queer folks of varying opinion, Critiques for The Culture aims to dissect our media, point out where we aren’t represented, and say what the rest of us are thinking. Taneasha and Brooke make up the CFC duo -- a couple of Black Queer folks who love their community, and love watching TV and movies.

Cullen Dolson

Cullen Dolson is a Master's student at William and Mary in their Master's of Education, Bilingual/ESL program and an educator in Richmond.

D. T. Jones

D. T. Jones has previously written about music for Landmark Media, Whurk Magazine, AltDaily.com, and POPSCURE. He is also sometimes a screenwriter, a poet, and a purveyor of bad jokes.

Dan Reeves

A native of Raleigh, NC, Dan Reeves is a contributing writer for The North State Journal and Richmond Magazine, where he covers arts and culture. He also served as music editor at Raleigh Metro Magazine. Dan lives in Richmond with his wife Kelly, and their twins, James and Anna.

Daniel Berti

Daniel Brickhouse

Daniel Brickhouse is a Sophomore at VCU studying Gender Studies and Journalism. With a love for writing and social issues, he felt RVAmag was the perfect opportunity for him. With aspirations to eventually be a creative director for his own magazine one day. In his free time, he models and plays soccer.

Daryl Tankersley

David Dominique

David Dominique is a composer and performer living in Richmond. Currently Assistant Professor of Music at William & Mary, much of Dominique’s recent music has been written for a jazz octet, including the albums Mask (2018) and Ritual (2013). Dominique has also composed numerous contemporary chamber pieces and theater works. For his return appearance at the ICA, Dominique will improvise solo, using his voice, electronics and a loop pedal to create an emotionally-infused soundscape built from whispers, chants, vocal harmony, and a selection of the texts and themes that have informed Rashid Johnson’s “Monument”.

David Millman

David Millman was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and is an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, where he is a Student Assembly Senator and a Board Member for the Sexual Violence Prevention Project. David has testified for environmental legislation at the Virginia General Assembly and is currently involved with activism and politics in New Hampshire and Virginia. David is also the NH Co-Chair of the Every Voice Coalition, a student-run advocacy group fighting to end sexual assault on college campuses around the country.

David Pettyjohn

David is an Eagle Scout and a rising senior at Longwood University, where he is a communication studies major with a minor in digital media. He writes for Longwood’s student newspaper, the Rotunda.. Hobbies include petting every dog on earth.

David Tran

David Tran is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Print/Online Journalism. When he is not working on a story, he can be found trying out new vegan recipes or catching up on some readings.

Davy Jones

Deandrea Chavis

Deandrea Chavis is writer and student at Hampton University studying communications and journalism. When not studying she is busy binge watching tv shows, finding new music or fundraising for childhood cancer awareness. She lives by the quote "be a voice, not an echo" as she vows to bring attention to social, political and health issues.

Deanna Davison

Deanna Davidson

Delores McQuinn

Devin Lanier

Devin Lanier is a student at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in public relations and minoring in general business. She first found her love for writing for an audience after her travel blog became viral in the summer of 2014 amidst a cross-country road trip. After the trip was over, she didn't want her writing to be. She is thrilled to work in the public relations field and continue her passion for writing.

Dominique Bailey

Doug Nunnally

Former RVA Magazine Print Editor, Sound Gaze Host, The Auricular Editor, Off Your Radar Editor. I like music and I write about it.

Ebony Walden

Ebony is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Ebony Walden Consulting (EWC), an urban strategy firm based in Richmond, Virginia. At EWC, she works with a wide range of organizations to design and facilitate meetings, trainings, strategic plans and community engagement processes that explore race, equity and the creation of more just and inclusive communities. Before founding EWC, Ebony worked in local government and for non-profit organizations dedicated to citywide and neighborhood level revitalization. Currently, Ebony is an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University where she teaches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the City. She holds a Masters in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelors in Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Elias Hakim

Elias Hakim is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursuing a degree in Political Science and Sociology. He serves as the Treasurer of the Young Democrats at VCU. As the Chair of Virginia Young Democrats LGBTQ Caucus, Elias is working to make the Party more accessible and accountable to marginalized queer communities. He has also previously interned in the Virginia General Assembly, a role that he plans to return to for the 2019 legislative session. Elias hopes to pursue a law degree a few years after finishing undergrad. He wants to establish a career in law and politics to provide solutions to issues that he cares about, including but not limited to; social justice, protecting our environment, and increasing access to quality education both domestically and abroad.

Emilee Lampert, Ellie Proctor, & Paige Majdic

Emilee, Ellie, and Paige are second-year graduate students at VCU Brandcenter studying Creative Brand Management. Together they’re passionate about using empathy and strategic thinking to spark solutions to big problems.

Emilia Ruzicka

Emilia is a data journalist and designer who splits her time between Richmond, VA and Providence, RI, where she is a senior at Brown University. She loves to tell stories of all kinds and is always excited by new projects and endeavors. See more info at tinyurl.com/emr-website or find her on twitter @EmiliaRuzicka.

Emilie von Unwerth

Emily Gerke

Emily is a senior at Randolph-Macon College majoring in English. She is captain of the cheer team and works part time at a daycare. In the future, she's looking forward to traveling outside of Virginia while pursuing a career in writing features.

Emily Holter

Originally from Prichard, West Virginia, Emily has found herself using her mountain roots to navigate Richmond. With a love of writing, Emily hopes to give a voice to those who often do not. She studies Journalism and History at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Emma North

Emma is a senior Print/Online Journalism major at VCU. She is interning with RVA Hospitality and writing blog posts for them this summer. In her free time she likes to spend time at the river and eat good food.

Eric Hause

Eric Hause is the publisher of OutWire757.com, Hampton Roads’ LGBT blog and magazine. He and his husband spend countless hours and dollars exploring and supporting Hampton Roads queer and allied businesses and organizations.

Ethan Malamud

Ethan is a VCU arts graduate with a concentration in theatre performance. He has a passion for culture, music, and people.

Evan Draim

Evan Draim is pursuing a law degree from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. He is a Public Policy Specialist for ServiceSource, as well as the 10th District Representative for the Young Republican Federation of Virginia. Evan is extremely passionate about bringing the conservative message to groups that may not traditionally vote Republican. As an openly gay Republican, he has advocated conservative principles to the LGBT community. He led the effort to have a contingent of Republicans marching in the Capital Pride Parade for the past two years, served as chairman of LGBT Virginians for Vogel (the first LGBT coalition supporting a Republican statewide candidate in Virginia), and drafted a 2018 Pride Resolution adopted by the Young Republican Federation of Virginia.

Fionnuala Fisk

Fionnuala Fisk is the co-hub coordinator of Sunrise Richmond and political director of Sunrise Virginia.

Gabriella Lacombe

GayRVA Staff

The LGBTQ voice for Virginia.

George Copeland, Jr.

George is a senior and Mass Communications major at Virginia Commonwealth University. His work has been featured in over a dozen outlets, including the Richmond Free Press, the Virginian Pilot, and others. He enjoys reading, podcasts and good music.

George Wethington

George Wethington is a master of the interviewing process and a connoisseur of collegiate admissions. He likes to spend time in nature. It is his nature.

Ginny Bixby

Ginny studies English, journalism, and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington. When she's not on her crusade to save the free press, she choreographs for her dance company and consumes excessive amounts of coffee and avocados. Her ultimate ambition in life is to write for the New Yorker and own approximately twenty cats.

Graham Stone

Graham Stone (he/him) is songwriter and musician currently residing in Richmond, VA.

Greg Rosenberg

Greta Timmins

Greta Timmins is a second year at the University of Virginia originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. When she's not writing for RVA Magazine and GayRVA, she also writes for her school newspaper, The Cavalier Daily. In her free time, she can be found obsessing about college basketball, hiking, and competing for her school's Model UN team.

Hadley Chittum

Hadley, originally from Roanoke, Virginia, is a photojournalism major at GWU. She's passionate about documenting issues of incarceration and restorative justice in DC. When she's not taking photos, she's spending time in nature or watching RuPaul's Drag Race.

Haley Zhao

Haley Zhao is a student studying business and journalism at the University of Richmond. She loves to travel and enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities. During her free time, Haley likes to explore the restaurants and cafes in the city of Richmond.

Helen Alvarez

Helen is a writer and avid YA reader. She is Salvadorian but was born in New York and has lived in Virginia for most of her life. She is currently studying at Randolph-Macon College to get her degree in English with a Writing and Education minor.

Henry Haggard

Henry Haggard, a 7th grader at Tuckahoe Middle School, is an advocate for equality and an activist for the ACLU of Virginia. He has hosted two ACLU-sponsored events, created a civil liberties club at his school, started a petition to protect the fourth amendment with policing in Henrico, and formed the official ACLU People Power grassroots campaign facebook page for Richmond, Virginia.

Hip Hop Henry

Virginia St. Trojan x Hampton Pirate. Internet Radio Host. The Cheats Movement Podcast Co-creator. Half decent DJ at WRIR 97.3 FM. Dreamer for Hire. A Knxwbody.

Himanshu Bhardwaj

Isabella Boehling

Isabella Boehling is from Richmond, VA. She is currently studying at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, majoring in English and minoring in Education in hopes of becoming a teacher. She is on the tennis team at R-MC and enjoys spending time with friends.

Ishan Bose

ig: @haants

Jack Clark

Jack Cooper III

Jack Cooper III (27) is a hardcore music enthusiast originally from Roanoke, VA. They are now living in the DMV and working full-time with a Muslim Civil Rights group on Capitol Hill. Currently Jack fronts a Blackened Hardcore band called Choose to Suffer, runs What It Takes HxC Blog, and occasionally promotes and books shows in both Northern Virginia and in their hometown of Roanoke.

James Braxton

James Braxton is the key relationship builder for RISE For Youth. James cultivates community awareness and collaborative opportunities to build with key stakeholders. James is the creative lead for initiatives undertaken to implement RISE for Youth’s strategic plans. Previously James was a Juvenile Justice Organizer at LAJC. As a previous Boys & Girls Club Area Director, James developed a youth program for photography and music and secured grant funding to implement the program. James developed a leadership program for youth to teach the skills of professionalism and ethics in the work place. James studied Human Services at University of Phoenix, and is a Restorative Justice Certified Facilitator. James is dedicated to community empowerment and youth development and brings to the RISE team an ability develop and turn youth and community partnerships into action that results in successful advocacy efforts.

Campaign

James Daymond Evans, known professionally by his stage name Campaign, is an American hip hop recording artist. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia.

James Miessler

James Millner

James Millner is president of Virginia Pride with a background in public relations, marketing and non-profit management.

James Robinson

Jamie McEachin

Jamie McEachin is a junior at James Madison University where she’s majoring in media arts and design with a concentration in journalism, and minoring in political communications. Jamie believes that knowledge is power, and she wants to empower readers with the stories she writes. She loves any excuse to add to her plant collection.

Jared Foretek

Jason Olsen

Jason Olsen is an RVA native, semi-retired Chef, aspiring musician, and stay-at-home Papa to Aaron and Ella. He currently resides in Louisa County, VA doing renovations at a snail's pace

Jason Sallade

Jason Sallade is a junior at Randolph-Macon College and a member of the Men’s Swim team. He is a passionate fan of the Washington Nationals and enjoys long-form journalism and sushi. He can be found on Instagram at jason_sallade.

Jason Lappa

Jason Lappa is a photographer, journalist, and documentarian based out of Charlottesville, Virginia. He is also a contributor for RVA Mag and is leading a project called PROTESTOR, an an ongoing journal of photographs that I am logging as I attend protests and marches across the United States for the duration of the Trump Administration.

Jason Boleman

Jason is a senior print/online journalism major at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also promotions director and sports announcer for VCU's student-run radio station, WVCW. His interests include college basketball, thrift stores, writing, and making his friends laugh.

Jay Guevara

Richmond native, Southside born and raised. Graduated from VCU with a Bachelors in Health, Physical Education, and Exercise Science, with an Exercise Science concentration and a certificate in community engagement. Writer, currently contributing to The Cheats Movement, FeelGoodRVA, HennyNCoke, and LoveLace Magazine.

Jay Smack

Jayla McNeill

Jayla McNeill is a journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University and contributor to RVA Magazine. Her writing includes politics, diversity, art, culture, and social issues.

Jeff Smack

Jeff Smack is a Virginia native and a man of contrast. Equal parts restless creative and analytical thinker — he works in advertising with a background in design and strategy. In his free time he aspires to sit quietly by a river attempting to go unnoticed by the landscape.

Jerry Williams

Jerry Williams, aka TVJerry, is a writer, producer, and director of movies and videos. In addition to directing Spider Mites Of Jesus: The Dirtwoman Documentary, Williams has also reviewed cinema and theater for Style Weekly and WTVR, as well as on his own website, TVJerry.com, since 1998.

Jesse Scaccia

Jesse Scaccia is the editor of AltDaily.com. He is a founder of Decriminalize Norfolk, and a communications consultant associated with NORML.

Jessica Norman

30 year old RVA native living in Los Angeles. VCU class of 2011 graduate with B.A. in World Cinema. Movie theaters are my sanctuaries. Currently pursuing M.A. in Film Studies and writes volunteer film reviews for several online publications.

Jimmy O'Keefe

Jimmy O'Keefe is a senior at VCU studying journalism and political science. Jimmy enjoys booking shows, eating ice cream around town, and hanging out with Oregon Hill's sweetest street cats.

Jo Rozycki

Field reporter for GayRVA/RVA Mag. RVA born and raised. Theatre nerd, french fry lover, dog-obsessed, die-hard Montreal Canadiens fan. Storyteller. William & Mary 2020, Sociology.

Joanna Patzig

Joanna Patzig is a student wrapping up studies in English and Craft and Materials at VCU this fall. She likes science fiction, hiking, and sewing funny shapes.

Joe Vanderhoff

Joey Wharton

John Reinhold

John Reinhold is a CEO, shareholder, and President of Inkwell Ventures. Inkwell is the founding company of RVA Magazine, Inkwell also owns GayRva.com and RVA On Tap.

John Donegan

Jojo Sanderford-Schultz

Jonah Schuhart

Jonah Schuhart is a Senior Broadcast Journalism Student at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jonah hopes to use his work to spread goodwill and a positive message. Despite this healthy outlook, he survives solely on a destructive diet of Japanese action games and Cheetos.

Jonathan Brooks

Jonathan is a Portrait & Concert Photographer. Born and raised in Richmond, Va.

Joseph Genest

Joseph Vargo

Joshua Dudley

Joshua Dudley is a freelance writer, actor, and comedian who lives in the Hampton Roads area. He’s beating Chrohn’s disease but still has more articles published this year than anyone else you know that went to the emergency room 4 times in 2017.

Julia Harrison

Julia Raimondi

Julia Raimondi is a journalism student at the University of Richmond from Kentucky with a love for everything about her adopted city. She also loves writing about Richmond and its surrounding area, and has previously written with The Henrico Citizen. Julia also regularly contributes to University of Richmond's independent student newspaper, The Collegian, where she served as news editor in Fall 2018.

Justin Mcclung

Kaitlin Edwardson

Kaitlin Edwardson is a journalism major at the University of Richmond. At school, she is a writer on the school’s newspaper and enjoys writing about topics such as culture, events, food, and sports.

Kate Seltzer

I'm a sophomore political science and communications major at University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I like mac n' cheese and the color green. I spend an inordinate amount of time obsessively consuming all forms of media.

Kathy Mendes

Katie Beam

Katie Beam is a 38-year-old Licensed Veterinary Technician and freelance writer who spent her elementary school years in Paris, France and her middle and high school years in rural northwestern Virginia, where she spent her time studying English Literature and competing in various equestrian sports. She currently resides in Richmond, VA with her fiance and their 4-year-old pit bull, Gata. She divides her time between writing and helping her fiance cook for his RVA based catering company, SoCo Catering

Katie Logan

Assistant Professor of Focused Inquiry at Virginia Commonwealth University

Katie Watkins

Katie Watkins is a public historian with an emphasis on early American history. She is a National History Day and Virginia Association of Museums volunteer and graduate of Christopher Newport University. She has spent the last ten years interpreting history throughout the Historic Triangle and now calls Richmond her home. She currently works as a public archaeologist in Williamsburg and can usually be found the rest of the time taking long walks through the city with her husband and greyhound.

Katja Timm

Kaylin Cecchini

Kaylin Cecchini is a VCU senior studying Political Science and Philosophy. She serves as a student advocate and is as President of two organizations: VCU Young Democrats and Pi Sigma Alpha. Her passions include good governance, effective and intersectional policy, and sustainable urban planning.

Kelli Strawbridge

Ken Penn

Kendall Bazemore

Kerry Anderson

Kerry Anderson has offered her talents as a pillar of the Richmond arts and culture communities for over the past ten years, and has been an executive board member at Gallery5 Arts since 2015. Her distinct passion for cultivating a synergistic community for the arts in Richmond has taken on many forms, and brought together otherwise diverse communities of creatives and movers. Her other interests include beagles, communal meals and the lifetime of emotion that happens in a second because of art.

Kiara M.P.

Kieran Cleary

Kieran Cleary, selfie taken in Nashville on a Thursday afternoon, lives in Midlothian, co-writes a music blog, All Apologies, graduated from The College of William & Mary, BA English, 2019. Raises money for Richmond Animal League and plays Hardcourt Bike Polo in Richmond.

Kiran Heffner

Kiran is a Junior at Randolph Macon College, studying English. Cruising through Richmond at night, or spending time with friends. You can catch Kiran binge watching Netflix or crime shows in her free time. She gets her inspiration from walking through the streets of Richmond, where she is always looking for the next hot story.

Kyle Shearin

Powered by coffee, Kyle Shearin is a regular contributor for RVAmag for better part of the decade. Mr. Shearin studied journalism/film at VCU while eventually graduating from the University of Mary Washington with a B.A. in English Lit. Started KCC (Kyle's Criterion Corner) in 2015. Probably likes a lot of the same stuff you do.

Lana Ferguson

Lana recently graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in journalism. She served as editor-in-chief for the university newspaper, The Daily Mississippian, her final year there. She is a Mechanicsville native, but her work has taken her all over the United States' Southern region, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Sri Lanka. When Lana's not in the office or on an interview, she's probably with her black lab Cooper, eating local food, or seeking adventure elsewhere.

Landon Shroder

Landon is a foreign policy and communications professional from Richmond specializing in high risk and complex environments, spending almost fifteen years abroad in the Middle East and Africa. He hold’s a Master’s Degree from American University in Conflict Resolution and was a former journalist and producer for VICE Media. His writing on foreign affairs has been published in World Policy Journal, Chatham House, Small Wars Journal, War on the Rocks, and the Fair Observer, along with being a commentator in the New York Times on the Middle East.

Laura Confer

Laura Drummond

Laura Drummond is a freelance writer based in Charlottesville, VA. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. Her favorite things are taking pictures of flowers, experiencing live music, going on road trips, and spending time with her husband and two cats.

Lauren Francis

Lauren Francis is a writer and independent producer living and working in the Richmond area.

Lauren Hepburn

Chicago transplant with a deep interest in individual stories as well as the craftsmanship of art in all of its forms. Believer in the power of story and human connection. Lover of haute couture, a good cup of coffee, and travel.

Lee Graves

Lee Graves is a writer and songwriter in Richmond, VA. Graves specializes in beer writing in Virginia, and you can find much more of his reporting on the beer world at his website.

Lee Lynch

Lee Lynch has been writing lesbian fiction since the 1960s, and is an important influence in modern lesbian literature. Her syndicated column, The Amazon Trail, has been running since 1986. She lives with her wife, Elaine Mulligan Lynch, in the Pacific Northwest.

Leslie McCrea

Lia Tabackman

Freelance writer, reporter, content strategist.

Lucas Wilson

Lucas Wilson holds a BA in English, summa cum laude, from Liberty University and an MA in English from McMaster University. He then completed his MTS with a Certificate in Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, graduating first in his class. He is now a PhD candidate in Comparative Studies at Florida Atlantic University, writing his dissertation and teaching in Toronto, Ontario, and he is a Dissertation Fellow through The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

Lucienne Nghiem

Lucienne Nghiem is a published photographer, filmmaker, and designer based in Richmond, Virginia. Her work has been seen across the East Coast as official selections in festivals such as VHSL, the Virginia Film Festival, and the Poe Film Festival. As primarily a portrait and live event photographer, Lucienne loves working with people and the incredible electric buzz of energy that comes from photographing live shows. Along with photo/film, Lucienne's other interests lie in environmentalism, activism, and running a digital platform called Kinecttd, which is inclusive of showcasing work as well as a podcast, blog, and social media. She is one of many co youth leaders for the Environmental Youth Council of Virginia.

Madeline Hanes

Born and raised in Fredericksburg, I now live in the beautiful southwest city of Roanoke. Attended Virginia Commonwealth University and have a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology; I adore learning about human history and culture. There’s nothing I believe in more than music, and nothing would make me happier than to attend live shows and write about what transpired. Feel free to inquire.

Madelyne Ashworth

Madelyne is a Richmond native and staff writer at RVA Magazine, primarily covering politics and white nationalism in Virginia. She spent the past four years working and living in D.C., earning her B.A. in journalism and running to the White House every time the President sneezed. Follow her on Twitter at @madelyne_ash.

Madison Hetzler

Madison is a writer, reader, and enthusiastic home cook who relishes the opportunity to gather people around a table. She holds a Bachelor's in Finance and a Master's in Theological Studies, and lives on Richmond's south side with her husband, Josh.

Madison Sweitzer & Ben Blevins

Madison Sweitzer is a 2019 graduate from the University of Richmond with a degree in Global Studies, Development, and Latin American, Latinx, and Iberian Studies. She served as a Princeton in Latin America Fellow in 2019 and is currently the Outreach Coordinator for Highland Support Project.

Maggie Campbell

Maggie Campbell is a junior at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She is originally from Oakton, Va. Maggie is the president of Ohio University’s chapter of Society of Professional Journalists. She is also the education writer, a copy editor and a social media contributor for The Post, a student-media outlet at Ohio University. She enjoys writing public affairs, political and human-interest stories.

VCU CNS

Malik Hall

Malik Hall is a RVA native and received his Bachelors of Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Minor in Media Studies. Writing wasn't big on his radar until he took a science journalism class in college and since then he found it as a perfect outlet for himself. Skateboarding is his favorite hobby outside of his new found love for writing.

Malik Welton

Malik Welton is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Public Relations.

Mallory Campbell

Marc Cheatham

Margeau Graybill

Margeau is a 27-year-old Virginian who has always been passionate about the environment and animals (including the strange human species). She spent her early school years being homeschooled, which allowed her to travel around the state, discovering her love of Virginia in the process. She is a graduate of VCU in Psychology and Environmental Science.

Marissa Walker

Marty Mitchell-Netting

Marty Mitchell-Netting has self-published a novel, The Sensation Inside, and has several more in progress, including an expansion of this story. She has a BA in English and a MA in Creative Writing. She lives in Stanardsville, Virginia with her husband David.

Matt Ringer

A meat popsicle.

Matt McDaniel

Matthew is a freelance journalist inspired by the Beat Generation N.B. Allen Ginsberg & Jack Kerouac. Trying to uncover true stories and discover new perspectives, Matthew works, reads, and travels extensively.

Matt Perry

Matt is the president and co-owner of Riverside Outfitters. He resides with his wife, Stephanie, and two kids (when they're home from college) in Richmond's Stratford Hills neighborhood. When not working, you'll find Matt mountain biking, hiking around Richmond from brewery to brewery with his wife, watching his daughter play soccer, or visiting his son in NYC.

Matthew Conover

Matthew Conover is a writer attending nursing school. His work has appeared in RVA Mag, Gadfly, Pretty Much Amazing, and It's Going Down. He also assists in the production of a new WRIR radio show about the proposed pipelines, which you can stream now, called End of the Line.

He lives in Woodland Heights.

Matthew S. Sporn

Matthew Sporn is a journalist and blogger born and raised in RVA. He began his writing career on Tumblr. That led to Examiner.com, an internship at RVA Mag, and then the Odyssey at VCU. If it's politics, Matthew is covering it. He is on Twitter @Matthewrva.

Maya Earls

I am a reporter from the Richmond-area. When I'm not at work I'm usually watching or playing soccer, or watching The Golden Girls.

McKenzie Grimes

Megan Wilson

Megan Wilson is a freelance writer and marketing professional. She contributes fashion content for RVA Magazine, which is fueled by her work as a stylist and blogger behind SweetSauceBlog.com. She wants to give the Richmond fashion community a voice by telling the stories of designers, creatives, and business owners on the rise. She also covers topics including travel food, business, health, and beauty.

Melina

Michael Millions

Michael Millions is a Richmond rapper and co-founder of Purple Republic Music Group. Stream his newest album, Hard To Be King, on SoundCloud at soundcloud.com/michaelmillions.

Mike McCabe

Mike McCabe is a Richmond native recently returned home after time spent teaching in Spain, Oregon, Texas, and North Carolina. He is a grad student at VCU and also works as the Richmond director for the international concert series, Sofar Sounds. Mike is a borderline-belligerent supporter of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, likes cold bodies of water, and can often be found walking in Church Hill with his Boston Terrier, Hugo.

Miranda Scott

Miranda is an avid tattoo enthusiast, outdoors enjoyer and a proven traveller with an indomitable adventurous spirit, always looking for that next big trip. When not travelling, she can be found enjoying a nice cup of green tea with her fluffy cat, Theodore.

Mitchel Bamberger

Mitchel Bamberger is a writer and musician from Richmond, VA with a vast array of interests from environmental sustainability to poetry, music, and all things creative. As an active artist in the local music scene, Mitchel has a finger on the pulse of the thriving organism that is RVA music. This young writer is ambitious and advantageous, with a diverse background of creative writing experience in poetry, prose, songwriting, and most recently, journalism.

Mitchell Paige

Mitchell Paige is a graphic artist, aspiring comedian, and writer with a focus on not putting all his eggs in the same basket. Mitch frequently vists the city; you can catch him participating in open mics around town or covering events here in RVA, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville.

Molly Bloom

Monique Drake & Brionna Nomi

Monique Drake was born and raised in North Central Richmond (3rd District). She is a parent of a 7yr old daughter who attends Barack Obama Elementary, is active in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), and is an active community member and entrepreneur. Her daughter is her inspiration. She believes deeply in supporting everyone in her community to live their best life.

Brionna Nomi, PhD. is the Chair of Richmond for All, and co-chair of RFA's Public Education Committee. Brionna is a community organizer who taught in Richmond Public Schools for a decade before leaving due to administrative pressure and retaliation. Her research focuses on teacher professionalism and agency, both of which she sees challenged in today's public education landscape. Brionna lives in Richmond with her husband, Michael, and their son, Maverick, a future RPS student.

Montigue Magruder

Montigue Magruder was born Charlottesville and has lived in Richmond for nearly 20 years. He got involved in local politics in 2010 when he spoke against GRTC Transit System's proposed fare increases. He served on the GRTC & Transit Study Task Force from 2012-2013. He is a member of Industrial Workers of the World, Richmond Crusade for Voters, Richmond NAACP, and the Richmond Green Party. Montigue ran for Richmond City Council in the City's 5th District during the 2016 election cycle. Montigue is on the ballot as a Green Party candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the 69th District.

Morgan Macenka

I’m a senior at VCU studying Broadcast Journalism that’s hoping to be an on-air news reporter once I graduate. My hometown is RVA.... well, just right outside of it in Midlothian. Throughout my whole life, I was undecided on what I wanted to do for my career. I then found my passion for news and journalism in high school. The end goal for my career is to take my talents to a news room.

Nate Malinowski

Senior Communications Studies Major from Middle River, Maryland. Avid animal lover also serving as the Men’s Lacrosse team captain for Randolph-Macon College.

Marilyn Drew Necci

GayRVA editor-in-chief, RVA Magazine editor for print and web. Anxiety expert, proud trans woman, happily married.

New Civil Rights Movement

Nicholas Daily

Nicholas Daily, or Nicho, is an artist, writer, branding & graphic designer for various musicians and music venues, directs design and branding for The Camel, is an avid melomaniac, and has worked in the RVA music industry for over five years. Nicho has toured with artists such as Alex Grey, painted murals at music festivals for The String Cheese Incident, and aspires to meld music, art, and culture in every facet of his life.

Nick Mills

Nick Mills is a former British Army Intelligence Corps operator who now works as a political / security analyst in the Middle East; he holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Leicester. As a father of four young boys, Nick is a Lego, WWE wrestling and Nickelodeon expert.

Nidhi Sharma

Noah Daboul

I’m Noah. I’m from Norfolk, Va. (the best city in the Commonwealth), and I’m a rising junior at VCU studying digital journalism. Through my studies, I have had the privilege of being published in the Washington Post through The Robertson School’s Capital News Service. I also write and edit for VCU’s INK Magazine; I like to think that I’m the most nitpicky editor on staff (but like, in a good way). Outside of journalistic writing, I like to write poetry, essays, and music. I also am a big fixed gear cyclist, film photography fanatic, champion carb-loader, cat lover, musician, and wearer of hats.

Noah Page

Noah Page is the Vice President of Virginia Center for Public Press, hosts a rap radio show on WRIR 97.3 FM, and runs Secret Bonus Level, a rap concert series.

Noelle Abrahams

Noelle is a senior at VCU, a stereotypical Tarantino fangirl, and honestly thinks that Miller Lite tastes good. She lives with her cats, Donnie Darko and Big Girl.

Norrin Nicholas

Norrin Nicholas is an independent writer/multimedia artist in Richmond, Virginia. After graduating from the University of Kentucky for Writing, Rhetoric & Digital Studies he returned to his hometown to put his writing skills to use, progressing its culture. In 2018 Norrin began creating his own self-published magazine series documenting the creatives efforts of artist all across the globe. His passion for writing is limitless, and he work ethic is nothing short of hardworking.

Oliver Mendoza

Student at VCU majoring in Journalism and minoring in English. Passionate about the environment and living as environmentally conscious as possible. Born and raised in Miami, Florida.

Olivia M

Olivia is a web developer and small business owner that resides in Southwest Virginia.

Olivia Markowski

Owen FitzGerald

Hi, everyone! I'm a lifelong Richmonder who loves this city and the people in it. I will be graduating from VCU in December with my degree in digital journalism. I'm passionate about the environment and giving a voice to people who can't be heard on their own.

Paige Holloman

I’m Paige Holloman. I am currently a first year undergraduate student at Randolph-Macon College, majoring in Accounting with a double minor in English and Writing. I enjoy fiction writing and dancing, my favorite styles to dance are ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern and lyrical.

Parker

RVA Mag Arts & Culture Content Curator
RVA Mag Co-founder
Gallery5 OG(5er)
Conjuring ideas, creativity, and growth through focus, effort, action, and tapping into the flow of life.

The Peedmont

The Peedmont is a Virginia-based independent news network that focuses on news and events around the great Commonwealth of Virginia. Originally formed by a group of colonists during the American Revolutionary War in 1779, we've since grown as a company to over 5,000 employees, multiple branches state-wide, and have proudly been awarded three Nobel Peace Prizes. We were there when the British burned Washington in 1814, when Lincoln addressed Gettysburg, and were among the first reporters onsite at Pearl Harbor.

Our mission has always been to report on current events from around the glorious state of Virginia. We're here to bring you the most accurate reports from all necessary social, economic, and political standpoints, leaving no stones unturned in the process. The Peedmont strives to represent the finest in journalistic integrity, and we hope you look to us when the news breaks in your neck of the woods.

Peyton Humphreys

Peyton is a current sophomore at Randolph-Macon College and a member of the Women's Basketball team. She is an enthusiast of spontaneous travels, Nintendo, and smushy-faced dogs.

Phil Ford

Phil Ford is the co-editor and a contributing writer of Richmond Macabre : Nightmares from the River City and Richmond Macabre 2 : More Nightmares. He is also a contributor to artist Chuck Scalin’s Body of Evidence Book Art project. A writer, columnist, and musician, his work has appeared in ThroTTle Magazine, Richmond Magazine, and Carbon 14 Magazine. He also DJs the Friday Clock Out 5-7PM and co-hosts Death Club Radio on Thursdays 12:30PM on WRIR 97.3, Richmond Independent Radio.

Prabir Mehta

Progressive Liberal

Raised on the mean streets of Midlothian, VA, Richmond's own Daniel Harnsberger arose from one of central Virginia's more conservative areas to become the world's most famous Progressive Liberal wrestlers. His journey to get there took him all over the country and across the globe. Now he's drawing upon those experiences as he answers your questions about politics, wrestling, life and love and all subject matters in between.

Rabbi Michael Knopf

“Richmond’s Rabbi,” Rabbi Michael Knopf is the Rabbi of Temple Beth-El in the Museum District and an active member of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Named one of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” by The Forward and one of Richmond's "40 Under 40", Rabbi Knopf is a fellow of Rabbis Without Borders, the Clergy Leadership Incubator, and Leadership Metro Richmond. He is active in numerous local, national, and international organizations that champion racial and economic justice, human rights, and interfaith partnership.

Rachel Scott Everett

Rachel Scott Everett is Co-Founder & Creative Director at EVERGIB, a nomadic creative studio specializing in strategically led advertising and branding. Since the 2016 election, she’s been a passionate resister, leveraging her expertise to raise awareness of, and advocate for, women’s rights and social equality.

Raymond Riley

Full time NICU nurse, part time horror story writer.

Rebecca Maguire

Reggie Pace

Reggie Pace host of the PACECAST and co-Founder of Richmond’s own NO BS! Brass, a high-octane Brass explosion that's played festivals all over The United States, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Canada, Italy, Croatia, Hungary, and Belgium.

Pace is a member of the Hustle Season Podcast, and you can catch him in town playing with Piranha Rama, Night Idea, The Big Payback, Mikrowaves and Brunswick. He has toured the world with Bon Iver, during which they won a Grammy for "Best New Artist." He has also played music in beautiful venues such as Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Sydney Opera House, O2 Arena in Dublin, Wembley in London, Coachella, Bonnaroo, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival. His television appearances include Saturday Night Live, Ellen, Jimmy Fallon, David Letterman, Stephen Colbert, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland and Seth Meyers.

Rev Yearwood

Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. is the President & CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, a minister, community activist, U.S. Air Force veteran, and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop political life. He entered the world of Hip Hop Politics when he served as the Political and Grassroots Director of Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Summit Action Network in 2003 and 2004. He was also a key architect of P. Diddy’s “Vote Or Die!” campaign. In 2004 he founded the Hip Hop Caucus to build a sustainable organization for hip hop politics. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, Hip Hop Caucus is a multi-issue organization with a progressive agenda focused on: strengthening democracy; civil and human rights; climate change and environmental justice; and, economic empowerment. Hip Hop Caucus works to hold elected officials accountable and leverages culture to engage young people in the advocacy and civic process. Through a collaborative network, Hip Hop Caucus focuses on addressing core issues impacting under-served and vulnerable communities with programs and campaigns that support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders. Learn more at HipHopCaucus.org. Follow HHC online @HipHopCaucus on all social media platforms.

Rich Tarbell

Rich Tarbell is a photographer based in Charlottesville, VA. His second book, Regarding Charlottesville Music, Part II -- The Pandemic Portraits, will be released on November 26, 2021.

Rich Meagher

Rich Meagher teaches political science at Randolph-Macon College, and is the author of Local Politics Matters (Lantern Publishing and Media, 2020).

Richard Walker

Richard Walker is a mental health professional and long-time community advocate who founded a non-profit dedicated to guaranteeing civil rights for the formerly incarcerated. From standing with Union Hill to defeat Dominion Energy’s compressor station that targeted the historic Black community, to helping get fair chance hiring policy passed in over 20 localities, Richard has an established record of influencing change. He is now running for the House of Delegates District 71 seat to bring his advocacy to the General Assembly and fight for the rights of all people to housing, education, healthy communities, and to be heard over corporate interests.

Richie Kamtchoum

Richmond Racial Equity Essays

The Richmond Racial Equity Essays idea was inspired by and modeled after The Just City Essays: 26 Visions of Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity, an e-book of 26 Essays edited by Toni L. Griffin, Ariella Cohen and David Maddox and published by J. Max Bond Center on Design for the Just City at the City College of New York, the Nature of Cities and Next City. Using the Just City Essays as a model, urban planner and consultant Ebony Walden collaborated with Dr. Meghan Gough from VCU's Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and urban farmer and activist Duron Chavis, to create a similar collection of 24 essays along with 7 video interviews and an 8-episode podcast series focused on racial equity In Richmond. We hope to capture voices from all walks of life and sectors in Richmond - from activists to academics, representing the diversity of the Richmond community. The goal is to explore what an equitable Richmond looks like, especially as it relates to racial equity and highlight the strategies that will help us get there. We’d like the ideas from the essays and videos to create a solid framework for advancing racial equity in Richmond, Virginia.

Robert Sodaro

Robin Schwartzkopf

Robin Schwartzkopf is a writer from Richmond, Virginia, currently studying Media Studies and English at the University of Virginia. She enjoys exploring stories about pop culture, the arts, and film. In her free time, Robin loves watching basketball and crafting with her roommates.

RVA Staff

RVA culture rag since 2005. #RVA

Ryan Kent

Ryan Kent is the author of Hit Me When I'm Pretty, This Is Why I Am Insane, Poems For Dead People, and EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE: SELECTED POEMS 2014-2021. His debut album DYING COMES WITH AGE will be released in Fall 2021. Ryan contributes to RVA Magazine and Ozy.com. He maintains a pack a day habit. (Photo by D. Randall Blythe)

Ryan Persaud

Ryan Persaud is currently studying Mass Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University. They enjoy reading and writing interesting stories, listening to various podcasts, and wasting the rest of their free time on video games. They are also an obsessive Twin Peaks fan.

S. Preston Duncan

S. Preston Duncan is a poet, End of Life Doula, caregiver, and BBQist in Richmond, Virginia. Recent aspirations include becoming the Jason Isbell of literature, stealing Death's laughter, and transcendental pimento cheese. His poetry has appeared or been selected to appear in Tulane Review, Circle Show, Levee Magazine, Unstamatic, Coffin Bell Journal, *82 Review, the Yardstick Books "Water" anthology, "Show Us Your Papers" anthology, and elsewhere.

Saffeya Ahmed

Saffeya Ahmed is a senior at VCU studying journalism and political science. Enjoys painting, writing poems, and watching Friends.

Sage Cannady

Sage Cannady is a college student with a passion for documentary film. They are working on a BA in Political Science at VCU. When they are not frantically studying or watching Netflix, they can be spotted drinking frozen lemonade and reading a good book.

Samuel Goodrich

Born and raised on classic films, Sam has been interested in films from the moment he opened his eyes. He spends his time catching up on the movies he's missed and writing his opinions on them.

Sarafina Sackey

Sarafina Sackey is a Senior at VCU majoring in Broadcast Journalism.

Sarah Allen

Sarah Allen is a local writer and activist, born and bred in RVA.

Sarah Honosky

Sarah Honosky is a field reporter for RVA Mag and GayRVA. She likes 90's cult classic television, biking, and writing about Richmond arts and culture.

Sarah Kerndt

Sarah Kerndt is a graduate of Christopher Newport University with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Film Theory. Her taste in food is equivalent to that of a third-grade birthday party ("I love cake!"), she loves killer whales, and her lil' pitbull named Maple.

Sarah Lucchesi

I’m a student at VCU studying public relations. I’ll try anything once, especially if it’s an appetizer. I’m too curious for my own good. I appreciate a live band and a good happy hour.

Sarah Schuster

Saw Black

Sean C. Davis

Sean C. Davis is a Richmond-based freelance writer and journalist who covers climate and environmental issues, state and local politics and activism. He attended Old Dominion University and didn't really like living in NoVa, that one time. RIP Strange Matter. RIP Alt Daily.

Seth Clabough

Seth Clabough is a fiction writer from the Richmond area. His works include the novel All Things Await and a variety of short stories, which have been published in anthologies, journals, and magazines ranging from Blackbird: an online journal of literature & the arts[3] and Aesthetica magazine to The Chronicle of Higher Education[4] and New Writing: the International Journal for the Practice and Theory of Creative Writing. He is an English professor at Randolph-Macon College.

Shannon Cleary

Radio/Words/Stories/Jokes/Bass

Booking Agent at Flora, Bassist at Clair Morgan and Music director at WRIR 97.3 fm Richmond Independent Radio

Silvia Serrano

Silvia Serrano is a writer and journalism student at the University of Richmond from Madrid, Spain. She has a special interest in environmental issues, although she also enjoys writing about social and cultural topics.

Simi Ajayi

Spencer Davidson

Spencer Davidson is a photojournalist specializing in arts and entertainment. Outside of concerts he also works in portrait photography.

Samantha Rinchetti

Samantha is a Virginia Beach native currently studying communications with a concentration in digital media at Longwood University. She specializes in women's issues and empowerment in politics and visual and performing arts.

Stephanie M. Rizzi

Stephanie M. Rizzi taught high school English full-time for 11 years, most recently at Hermitage High School in Henrico County, where she was also journalism instructor/sponsor. She is currently an instructor in the Department of Focused Inquiry at VCU. She is active in her community and has volunteered for several community service projects in conjunction with the Richmond YMCA. She is the past president of her neighborhood association, The Randolph Community Group, and has done much work to resolve disputes and foster positive relations between student renters and long-time homeowners in her neighborhood. Her research interests include the preservation of the history of traditionally African American neighborhoods in Richmond, specifically “The West End” and Jackson Ward. She enjoys sharing with students that she’s been at VCU since she was 17, and she is a huge step aerobics enthusiast.

Stephen Allen

Stephen Allen is the Site Manager of the International Rescue Committee in Richmond, Virginia. Stephen has 9 years of experience with the IRC – initially starting as a volunteer at the IRC in Phoenix. Stephen knew he would be committed to working with refugees during the economic Recession of 2008, when more than 1,100 refugees arrived in Phoenix needing work. As an Employment Specialist, Resettlement Supervisor and now as Site Manager, Stephen has built bridges for refugees and their host communities. Stephen holds a Master’s Degree in International Development and Poverty Studies from the University of Birmingham, England.

Stephen Wood

Stephen Wood writes about politics, sports, history, and any combination thereof. His work has appeared in Paste Magazine, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, and These Football Times, among others. A Richmond native, he is currently based in New York.

Dr. Steve Yacovelli

Dr. Steve Yacovelli (“The Gay Leadership Dude”) is Owner & Principal of TopDog Learning Group, LLC. His latest book, “Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of their Jungle” “came out” June 2019. For more information, visit TopDogLearning.biz.

Stu Holman

Stu lives in Charlottesville, VA with his wife and 2 children. He has a big passion for people and promoting underground streetwear and creatives. STUDIGS.com is a platform that showcases these brands and artists through photography and interviews.

Sydney Lake

Sydney Lake is a writer at RVA Magazine. Telling stories in a meaningful way is her deepest love, and writing is her trade of choice. She also loves good food, old music and passionate people. Think pimento cheese biscuits with a side of Steve Miller Band.

Sydney Skidmore

Sydney Skidmore is a Richmond-based blogger who got her start in writing when she began doing a personal column on sex and relationships for HennyNCoke.com. Since then, she has launched her own website SydneyLikeAustralia.com where she has continued her personal column and began incorporating interviews with people of interest. In addition to her writing, she is a volunteer for not only UnlockingRVA, but also WRIR 97.3 where she is currently working on starting a talk show called Sydney Like Australia.

Gabriel Santamaria

Band leader of The Flavor Project, Co Owner at La Cocina Studios, Cast Member on The Hustle Season podcast.

Taiya Jarrett

Taiya Jarrett is a junior at Longwood University where she is pursuing a major in Communication Studies, as well as a minor in Political Science. While at school, she invests her time in the university’s newspaper, where she writes about various topics on a local and national scale.

Talya Faggart

Talya Faggart is a Senior at VCU studying Broadcast Journalism. She enjoys fashion, music, and watching Rick & Morty.

Tasia Lainhart

Tasia Lainhart is an English Major at Randolph-Macon College. She is passionate about music, poetry, and sociology.

Taylor Knighting

Taylor Nice

Taylor Nice is a non-binary multimedia content creator currently located in Minneapolis, MN. They focus most of their time and energy into their alt/post punk band, Partition.

Taylor Patzman

Taylor Patzman is a journalism student at VCU and former theatre student. Besides writing, her interests include ska revival, leopard print, and poorly cut bangs.

Ted Lewis & Rev. Lacette Cross

Ted Lewis is the Executive Director of Side by Side. Rev. Lacette Cross is the Executive Director of Us Giving Richmond Connections (UGRC).

Theo Trotter

Theo Trotter is an artist and writer. He graduated from Bard College in 2019, and is now based in Richmond, VA.

Tico Noise

Tim Wellington

Tim is a local part-time photographer and full-time music fan...but he likes to stay hard to find.

Timothy Cantrell

I'm a senior at the Robertson School of Media and Culture at VCU. I grew up in rural Virginia and fell in love with RVA as soon as I moved. I enjoy writing, cooking and playing video games in my free time. My true dream is to one day work in entertainment.

TJ Cropper

TJ is a recent graduate of Mary Baldwin University with a Performing Arts degree. They enjoy warm drinks, making art of all kinds, and watching Cobra Kai. Their life dream is to hug a bear (as in, the wild animal).

R. Anthony Harris

I created Richmond, Virginia’s culture publication RVA Magazine. I brought the Richmond Mural Project to town. Designed the first brand for the Richmond’s First Fridays Artwalk. Promoted the citywide “RVA” brand before the city adopted it as the official moniker. I threw a bunch of parties. Printed a lot of magazines. Met so many fantastic people in the process.

Professional work: www.majormajor.me

Tony The Pilgrim

Wandering the seas of cheese.

Vince Kane

Vince Kane is a writer and musician from Kenosha, WI who currently resides in Richmond, VA. You might find him performing music at any number of local venues or street corners (when weather permits) with his backing band the Static, or writing articles about music, art, culture, and injustice.

Vivienne Lee

Vivienne Lee is a graphic designer and arts writer at RVA Magazine. She majored in Communication Arts at VCU and has worked with Richmond Magazine. She enjoys pugs, boba tea, and has an moderately impressive collection of Star Trek memorabilia.

Will Gonzalez

Will Gonzalez is a writer from Washington, D.C. living in Richmond. He is a contributor for the Henrico Citizen and VCU's Capital News Service.

Will Pohlmann

I went to high school at the Collegiate school and now attend Randolph-Macon College where I am going to major in communications and minor in Journalism. I am looking to go into some sort of field of advertising or marketing. I also play on the Randolph-Macon Men's Lacrosse team and am the Vice President of SAE at Randolph Macon.

Willie Hilliard

Willie Hilliard is a city resident, RPS alumni, parent, volunteer, advocate, and member of the Mayor's Education Compact.

Will McLeod

Will McLeod is a journalist and activist living in Washington, D.C. He began his career in independent media covering Occupy Wall Street in New York City, and later worked on covering the Scottish Independence Referendum in 2014. He has been active in British and American politics, both as a campaign worker and advisor. His weekly podcast, Hopping Mad, covers economics and politics, and can be found at ImHoppingMad.com. He is on twitter as @WillMcLeod99.

Wyatt Gordon

Wyatt Gordon is a born-and-raised Richmonder who holds a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a bachelor's degree in international politics from the American University in D.C. Wyatt is an urban planner and community organizer working to foster safer, more sustainable cities and greater civic participation in local government.

Zach Armstrong

Zach Armstrong is a senior at Virginia Commonwealth University majoring in Mass Communications and minoring in Political Science. Zach aspires to be a journalist because, in the words of Hunter S. Thompson, it “uses the English language as both a musical instrument and a political weapon.” He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and his hobbies include playing guitar and reading.

Zachary Brown

Zachary Brown is a J.D. Candidate at the University of Richmond School of Law and is running for the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 10th State Senate District.

Zachary Klosko

Zack is studying Digital Journalism at VCU and covers local politics. When he isn't writing, he enjoys watching eSports, baking homemade bread, and volunteering at WRIR.

Zoe Hall

Zoe is a writer and illustrator from Rockville, Maryland. She graduated from VCU with a BFA in Communication Arts in 2020. Her favorite vacation strategy is walking and looking.

1	Local Farm brings the Grit and Glam to VCU Depot Market
2	Virginia Primary 2017 Rundown
3	Foo Fighters headed to RVA in October, tickets on sale 6/29
4	Mardi Gras in RVA

1	The RVA CBD Rundown
2	Hungry Harvest are the Food Heroes We Need
3	Ram Pantry Makes Sure There’s Still Food on the Table
4	The Oddities & Curiosities Expo Kept it Spooky
5	Keeping Richmond Weird

1	RVA Happy Hour
2	Science On Tap: Tribute T
3	Science On Tap: Tribute To Grunge
4	YONDER MOUNTAIN STRING BAND + THE TRAVELIN’ MCCOURYS

1	Farm To Table 2.0
2	Black Is__365: Richmond Art Installation Encourages Year-Long Celebration of Black History
3	A Vehicle For Difficult Conversations
4	Vaccines Are Coming — Now What?

1	The Romance Behind The Art: An Interview With Joelle Wade
2	Powerful Moments At The Appalachian Vibes Music Festival
3	The Dark Side Of Red Vein
4	Humorous Darkness: The Art of George Alexis
5	Sweating Through The Night

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