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.

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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I grew up in Southwood Mobile Home park, a housing community located off 5th Street on the outskirts of the City of Charlottesville. By 2007, it was the largest Latino neighborhood in central Virginia. It was a mix of Mexicans, Salvadorians and Hondurans, who took up residency with people from many places.

Read more at Charlottesville Tomorrow.

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Before I was inmate number 1414048, I was Candace Williams.

And long before the system knew my name, I was a little girl whose mother was in and out of prison. I was raised by my grandparents. I told myself over and over again, “I’m not going to end up like my mom.” But cycles don’t just break because we want them to.

Read more at Charlottesville Tomorrow.

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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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This forum is co-sponsored by Charlottesville Inclusive Media, the Black Professional Network, The GOOD Foundation, Vinegar Hill Magazine and In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) radio show.

Dr. Cameron Webb, the Virginia State Commissioner of Health, will moderate the event and share opening remarks. The panel will feature Doreen Bonett, executive director and co-founder of Birth Sisters of Charlottesville; Gene Cash, CEO and executive director ofCounseling Alliance of Virginia, LLC; and nutritionist and health journalist Rovenia “Dr. Ro” Brock, PhD.

Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Main Auditorium, Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
Register online to attend.

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The first snow of the season in early December made my Charlottesville street look brand new, laying a clean white sheet over a city with a dirty history.

The cold bit my cheeks as I scraped ice off my car and thought about making hot chocolate and other warm winter treats. So many of my favorite childhood memories happened in snow, and this weather always fills me with nostalgic comfort. I was still grinning as I started the engine and backed out of my driveway, only for my smile to fade when I saw what was written in the snow on a car parked directly in front of my house.

The word “nigger” was etched in ice on the windshield. And if that wasn’t enough, a penis was drawn above it.

Read more at Charlottesville Tomorrow.

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The goal of the project is to better understand how people in central Virginia get vital local news, what already works and where there are gaps. Data and experiences collected as part of this work will be made public and shared back with community members through a published report and public conversations.

The survey asks about how residents of the four counties get community news, which local issues are most important to them, and if they have trusted sources or barriers to getting information. Filling out the survey takes about 10 minutes and it is offered in English and Spanish.

If you take the 10-minute survey and share your contact information, you can receive updates on the project and will be eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift card.

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