We are proud to share that Charlottesville Inclusive Media (CIM) received the 2026 United Way of Greater Charlottesville Business for Good Award. 

The “Caring for Community Awards” ceremony was held on Sept. 16, United Way’s “Laurence E. Richardson Day of Caring,” when volunteer groups across the region lend their time to a variety of charitable organizations. This year’s presenting sponsors were Sentara Health and the University of Virginia.

“The Caring for Community Awards shine a light on those individuals and organizations whose service might otherwise go unnoticed, and we are proud to share their inspiring stories,” said Ravi Cooper, United Way’s CEO and president, during the awards ceremony.

Caring for Community awardees are nominated by and voted on by members of the public. 

Charlottesville Inclusive Media received the Business for Good Award, presented by Anthony Woodard from Woodard Properties.

“The Business for Good Award recognizes a business that demonstrates a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement — going beyond standard business practices to make a positive difference for employees, customers, and the wider community,” said Woodard in his presentation.

Charlottesville Inclusive Media is made up of three partners: Charlottesville Tomorrow, Vinegar Hill Magazine and In My Humble Opinion radio show, and is committed to expanding inclusivity in central Virginia’s local media ecosystem. It was also recently selected as a Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) Solidarity program grantee. 

Six groups in total won Caring for Community Awards. The other winners included: Raylaja Waller and Chaniya Brown for Community Philanthropy; Jasmyne Johnson from the YMCA Early Learning Center for Early Learning Impact; Janasha Bradford from Mahogany and Friends for Financial Empowerment; Jackie Martin, GOOD Foundation Cville for Community Health Advocate; and the Jefferson School with the Service Organization Impact Award.

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We are proud to share that Charlottesville Inclusive Media (CIM) was selected as a Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF) Solidarity program grantee.

CACF describes the program as a “movement building” fund for organizations “who go beyond providing direct services and instead seek to alter or completely reimagine broken systems.”

The $47,000 Reimagine Grant supports financial management, strengthens coordination and creates capacity to build sustainability for CIM’s programs, including deepening community relationships in Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Nelson counties following our Central Virginia Information Ecosystem Assessment project.

“The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation continues to be inspired by the work of the Charlottesville Inclusive Media team,” said Daniel Fairley, program manager of the Community Endowment Fund at CACF. “We have been a support of the project from the beginning and look forward to seeing their continued success!”

Since its inception in 2018 and first public-facing projects in 2020, CIM has built a local media ecosystem that features strong, sustainable independent media organizations. CIM builds information ecosystems through the Informing Our Communities Roundtable of community leaders; strengthens informal connections between media professionals at our social events; offers professional development opportunities through internships and fellowships; and increases inclusive storytelling through the First Person series. 

The Reimagine Grant will strengthen our operational capacity and allow CIM to continue to grow and blossom as a critical force for inclusivity and strong media systems in central Virginia.

Learn more about Charlottesville Inclusive Media and subscribe to get occasional updates.

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Madelyn Coles writes about raising her grandson when both of his parents were incarcerated. Her experience led her to found Another Mother’s Arms, a non-profit organization that aims to orient other caregivers in the same situation. Read more at Vinegar Hill Magazine.

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In My Humble Opinion, the Sunday talk show on 101.3FM, launched the podcast series to build on the work of Charlottesville Inclusive Media and bring more of our community’s perspectives into critical conversations. The segments are called First Person Charlottesville and folks can hear them by subscribing to In My Humble Opinion on iTunes, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Charlottesville Inclusive Media is a partnership between the radio program, Vinegar Hill Magazine and Charlottesville Tomorrow.

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This year, Charlottesville Inclusive Media welcomed new and returning faces to our internship program.

Interns Sophia Bangura, Kanesha Feggans and Taylor Frazier are getting hands-on experience in journalism and media production as part of the CIM ecosystem.

Sophia Bangura joined Charlottesville Tomorrow in March. She supports the newsroom through administrative and editorial work, including co-writing “From the Newsroom” articles, and streamlines digital resources for the product and technology team. Bangura graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2026 and is pursuing a career in journalism with an interest in American politics.

“Sophia was eager to learn and grow. She worked on a range of projects across our community engagement, editorial and product teams, and we so appreciate her contributions,” said Atlee Webber, community editor at Charlottesville Tomorrow.

Kanesha Feggans, who goes by Neno, returned for her second year as an intern for In My Humble Opinion (IMHO). This time, she is an assistant engineer for the community-based talk show. Feggans is well-versed in web development, social media and audio engineering, and  produces and performs her own music.  

“The team over at IMHO has graciously taken me under their wing and have been open to me introducing new ideas, and been open to new content and concepts to further the growth of the show,” said Feggans. “The internship has also opened many doors to new connections through other organizations such as the Black Professionals Network, Charlottesville Tomorrow, Vinegar Hill, and so much more.” 

At IMHO, Feggans translates her music production experience into live radio production, while also building out her digital marketing skills. She’s a recent graduate of Piedmont Virginia Community College, where she studied IT and cybersecurity.

“Kanesha Feggans added a perspective and element to the IMHO family that was more than we knew was needed,” said IMHO co-host Charles Lewis. “In addition to fresh ears and production skills, she lends her voice to address topics affecting her generation.”

Over at Vinegar Hill Magazine, Taylor Frazier returned for her second year as a driving force behind Stay Fresh’s new website and social presence, telling the stories of Black farmers, winemakers and sustainability leaders across the region.

“Working with the Vinegar Hill team allowed me the opportunity to learn more about the Charlottesville community and serve as a conduit to impactfully contribute to its history,” said Frazier. 

She uploaded articles, created social media content and supported marketing campaigns. Frazier studies commerce and data science at the University of Virginia.

“The CIM internship gives those who have an interest in the information ecosystem and its intersection with community development a real world opportunity to get experience and make a contribution,” said Sarad Davenport, the Chief Operating Officer for Vinegar Hill Magazine.

“Our interns have also brought their own brilliance, helping us to think in different ways in our effort to build a healthier information ecosystem,” said Davenport.

Learn more about the Charlottesville Inclusive Media internship program.

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A core part of our mission as Charlottesville Inclusive Media is to strengthen our information “ecosystem,” including all the people and groups across our region who amplify and share local news and vital resources. They might work for traditional outlets, like newspapers, or write  blogs or Substack newsletters, or even share information on a bulletin board at a community center.

In order to better understand how central Virginians access and share news, we started with Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Nelson counties. We partnered with the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation to work with the Listening Post Collective, a group that specializes in this sort of research, to create an information ecosystem assessment.

Listening Post Collective conducts these assessments across the nation, hiring local researchers to do surveys, interviews and information mapping. 

“Our mission is to partner with communities on building responsive and resilient information ecosystems that reflect local news needs and pathways,” said Jesse Hardman, founder of Listening Post Collective. 

“Some of that work is lifting up traditional news organizations, but it also means partnering with trusted information sharers who aren’t journalists. By listening to communities, we see how critical information actually moves, and can better lean into local needs.”

The Central Virginia Information Ecosystem Assessment launched Wednesday, April 8, the day before Local News Day, for those celebrating!

Local researchers Oliver Hale, Sue Frankel-Streit, Sharon Harris, Luna Cortes and Kristina (Ti) Stelling surveyed 316 community members, mapped 75 community information hubs and interviewed 13 local communications experts, including representatives from the NAACP, a the founder of a popular newsletter and the chair of a county Republican committee. 

According to the report, people said the top barrier to accessing information was the lack of local news outlets, although residents are trying to fill these gaps with hyperlocal newsletters and Facebook groups. The primary ways respondents reported getting local news was by word-of-mouth through friends and family (55%), then Facebook (48%).

“I asked if there are any sources of news in the community that you don’t trust and they say Facebook. So I asked them where they get their news? Facebook. What do you not trust? Facebook. Maybe there’s a little bit of a problem here,” said Nelson County researcher Oliver Hale, who is quoted in the report.

“Almost every single person I talked to, regardless of age, except for maybe people who are under 20, they all said they get their news from Nelson Knows [Facebook Group].”

“It is interesting that a local newspaper like The Central Virginian has survived, and I think it survived because the Louisa community has a strong investment in their local newspaper,” said Mitch Sasser, editor of the paper, according to the report. He also emphasized the role of a rural editor as all-encompassing. 

“I think the idea of an editor conjures up someone who leads their team of reporters and a little bit behind the scenes. But that’s not the reality I think as a rural editor. It’s like, ‘Oh, no, I’m kind of responsible for the content each week and responsible for delegating and making sure that there’s something that I can’t do that other people are doing it.”

And although outlets based in Charlottesville and Richmond sometimes cover the four counties, respondents said this coverage can be spotty and lack local context. County governments, despite being close to the issues, were found to be inconsistent about communication. Researchers found that there are hot-button issues that increase demand for local news, such as the construction of data centers.

“Partnering with amazing local researchers in Fluvanna, Louisa, Nelson and Madison counties, we’ve listened on porches, in churches, at libraries, in coffee shops, and local folks have shared what’s missing and ideas they have for reconnecting their neighbors to the news they need,” said Hardman.

The study is only the beginning. Over the spring and summer of 2026, The Local News Listening Tour will have “tour stops” in Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Nelson counties. The event series will bring people together to discuss local news needs in central Virginia. You can submit your email to sign up for updates.

“We see local news as essential community infrastructure that keeps central Virginians informed, connected and engaged. It impacts the many important issues that affect our region — from housing to education to economic opportunity — and helps us all make decisions about our daily lives and the future of our communities,” said Eboni Bugg, director of community investment at the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.

Charlottesville Inclusive Media partners Charlottesville Tomorrow, Vinegar Hill Magazine and In My Humble Opinion radio show will keep helping build local news and information for everyone in central Virginia, while acknowledging the innovative and nimble ways community members have filled the gaps. We’ll see you on the listening tour!

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Date & Time: Sunday, November 23, 2025 • 3:00–5:00 PM
Location: Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, 233 4th St NW, Charlottesville, VA 22903

Join Dr. Wes Bellamy and special guest Joy Reid (former MSNBC commentator, author, and political analyst) for a high-energy stop on the Nobody’s Coming to Save Us Book Tour. This program is a community conversation on leadership, purpose, and action—designed to move us from awareness to impact.

What to Expect

• Opening performance by The DND Dance Team to set the tone for a people-powered afternoon.
• Our voices, Our Time panel highlighting emerging leaders and tangible pathways to serve. The Panel features Jessica Carter of HER Sports, Raylaja Waller of the City of Promise, James “Littlez” Dowell of the Prolyfck Run Club, and Shanice Bradford of Ready Kids.
• Fireside chat with Joy Reid & Dr. Wes Bellamy on authentic leadership, accountability, and building institutions that last.
• Audience Q&A and a practical Call-to-Action so you leave with next steps, not just notes.
• Books available on site (while supplies last).

Who Should Attend

Students, organizers, educators, faith and civic leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone committed to building stronger Black communities and cross-community coalitions.

Co-Sponsors

This event is proudly co-sponsored by partners featured on the flyer and event write-up:
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. — Charlottesville Alumnae Chapter; In My Humble Opinion Radio Show; Vinegar Hill Magazine; The Tonsler League; BPN; Can I Talk To You Cville?; and the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center.

Accessibility & Notes

• Venue is accessible; please reach out with any accommodation requests.
• Doors open at 2:30 PM; program begins promptly at 3:00 PM.
• Seating is first-come, first-served with limited standing room available.

Come ready to learn, build, and act—together.

Read about the event in Vinegar Hill Magazine.

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