Each day, VPM is committed to connecting with and engaging Virginians. Throughout 2024, VPM went into our communities to host events, connect with neighbors, participate in panel discussions, provide educational resources to parents and caregivers and much more. This level of involvement helps VPM create robust and diverse content that reflects the communities we serve.
Below are just a few highlights of VPM’s community engagement activities throughout 2024.
VPM was proud to partner with this year’s Virginia Festival of the Book, which took place from March 20-24. VPM’s Charlottesville headquarters took part in “Festival Friday” where it hosted Moderator Readings, allowing attendees to hear from several different authors.
In April, VPM President & CEO Jayme Swain moderated a conversation about the Supreme Court at The Richmond Forum between legal affairs journalists Jan Crawford and Kimberley Strassel. Several topics were discussed, including pressing cases on the docket, the First Amendment, friendships between Supreme Court justices and more.
From June 5-7, VPM helped facilitate the PMJA Conference in Washington D.C. where members of the VPM News team helped organize several events within the conference. VPM News director Elliott Robinson facilitated a conversation on transitioning from traditional, for-profit media to working in public media. VPM News managing editor Dawnthea Price Lisco moderated a conversation on starting a career in public media and a conversation on how to leverage collaboration to improve news coverage of state governments.
On Aug. 8, VPM and community members gathered at 15 E. Broad St, the location of VPM’s future headquarters in Historic Monroe Ward to celebrate the start of construction in a less traditional way: with a block party.
On Aug. 13, VPM President & CEO Jayme Swain joined the Randy Wilson Podcast to talk about VPM, breaking ground on the new building and our place in the community. Listen on Apple and Spotify or watch on YouTube.
On Aug. 22, Style Weekly hosted “Best Fest” to celebrate the winners of the annual “Best of Richmond” issue from earlier in the summer. Learn more about the event and some of the attendees in this article from Style.
VPM had a significant presence and role in the 2024 Richmond Folk Festival, which took place from Sept. 27-29. As in years past, VPM broadcasted the performances live from the festival. At the VPM tent, attendees had the opportunity to record radio break introductions for VPM News and Music shows and were able to meet some of the reporters and hosts. View a photo gallery from this year’s Festival.
On Oct. 1, VPM partnered with 12 On Your Side and Chamber RVA to bring audiences live coverage of the Richmond Mayoral Forum. The one-hour debate was held at VPM’s studios in Chesterfield County. VPM’s Angie Miles and 12 On Your Side’s Curt Autry served as moderators.
VPM reporter Keyris Manzanares was named a 2024 ‘Persona de Poder’ by Radio Poder 1380 (WPTK, Richmond's Spanish radio station). She accepted her award on Oct. 12 in an event that was also part of their Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.
On Oct. 16, VPM hosted an event at its Sesame St. studios called “A Look at 2024 Elections: Local and National.” The event featured several panelists, including the host of RVA’s Got Issues Dr. Rich Meagher, Dr. Bob Holsworth, TV show host & producer Angie Miles and internationally acclaimed VPM journalist Jahd Khalil.
The next day, over 200 people celebrated the launch of season two of Life in the Heart Land at an event hosted by co-producers VPM and Staunton-based Deep Structure at The Wayne Theater in Waynesboro.
On Oct. 20, nearly 200 children and their families attended the 3rd annual Children's Festival Down by the Bog at Booker T. Washington Park in Charlottesville.
In November, VPM senior producer Clay Bretz attended Heartland Heroes: A Veterans Day Tribute at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business where the ‘Veterans’ episode of season two of Life in the Heart Land was screened. After the screening, Clay participated in a panel discussion about the episode and the challenges that veterans face after their service concludes.
VPM continues to strive toward connecting with the members of our community to create a more informed and empathetic Commonwealth. If you have any questions about VPM’s work in the community, please contact Mary Arritt, VPM’s Community Engagement Manager.
