Drag BINGO Postponed

Hold on to your dabber, darlin! Due to circumstances beyond our control (red tape and whatnot), our Drag BINGO scheduled for June 9th has been postponed. We’ll make lots of noise when we have the new date set so you won’t miss out on all the fun. Thanks for understanding. And be a dear and tell the gang.

Support Diversity Richmond for Give OUT Day 2022!

GIVE HERE

Give OUT Day is a month-long fundraising campaign culminating on June 30, the only national day of giving for the LGBTQ community. Last year Give OUT Day raised over $1.9 million for LGBTQ nonprofits in all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

Diversity Richmond helps to sustain LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ-friendly community-based organizations and nonprofits in and around Richmond, VA. Through these relationships and our programs we act as a facilitator in the community, connecting LGBTQ+ community members with vital resources. 

Diversity Richmond operates a retail store, Diversity Thrift, which is a foundational source of funding for our community programs. Donations of furniture, clothing, and household items help us to continue supporting and celebrating the local LGBTQ+ community. Simply put, we are a reflection of the community’s generosity and we couldn’t do what we do without you!

Here's how your monetary donation can help Diversity Richmond support the LGBTQ+ community: 

$10 provides three pairs of shoes for LGBTQ+ community members in need

$25 provides six articles of clothing for community members in need

$100 covers the rental of our classroom for a local support or recovery group

$250 covers the cost of 3-days of emergency housing for a community member experiencing homelessness

$500 covers gas for our Diversity Thrift trucks to pick-up community donations for two weeks

$1,500 allows a nonprofit or community group to use our event hall for free

$5,000 funds a local LGBTQ+ organization or project seeking assistance through our annual grant program, Diversity Richmond Gives Back

GIVE HERE
Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated! 
 

Diversity Richmond is hiring an Executive Director

Diversity Richmond is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead its organization. Diversity Richmond is a non-profit organization that provides support and services to the LGBTQIA+ community and their families in central Virginia and beyond.  Diversity Richmond envisions a region where the LGBTQIA+ citizens are treated with respect and dignity and their unique gifts are championed and celebrated, thereby strengthening our community.  We aspire to challenge systemic homophobia, transphobia and racism to foster and strengthen equality and social justice, to build a culture of equity and diversity.

The qualified candidate must possess a strong commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and the advancement of inclusion initiatives. In addition, the qualified candidate must have outstanding leadership and managerial skills, the ability to build rapport and relationships using strong communication skills. The qualified candidate must have exceptional stewardship and strategic planning skills. 

The Executive Director will aid the organization in promoting our mission and objectives by maintaining positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. A minimum of 7 years human capital, human services, fiscal management and oversight, or equivalent experience working in the LGBTQIA+ community or non-profit organization is required. An advanced degree in business or related field is strongly preferred. Starting salary commensurate with education and experience.

Resumes should be submitted to Amy Williams, . Diversity Richmond is an equal opportunity employer.

James Millner Recognized by Richmond Region Tourism

Congratulations to VA Pride Program Director James Millner for his recognition by Richmond Region Tourism for his work helping make the Richmond Region a safer, more welcoming, and inclusive travel destination for LGBTQ people. For many years, James has not only helped secure tourism events but also has been instrumental in offering knowledge, support, and community connections within the LGBTQ+ space throughout the Richmond region. He even assists Richmond Region Tourism by hosting LGBTQ+ event planners and travel media during site visits. By continuing to position Virginia and the region as a place of inclusive excellence, James’ work enables the tourism industry to authentically welcome and partner with more industry leaders.
Pictured L to R: Jack Berry, President and CEO of Richmond Region Tourism, James Millner, Dan Schmitt, Board Chair and Jasmine Turner of NBC12.

Arthur D. Toth, Jr.

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that our dear friend Art Toth passed away Sunday after a courageous battle with cancer. Art was a member of the Diversity Richmond Board of Directors, serving four years as chair. Memorial services will be private.

Donations in Art’s memory may be made to Bon Secours Hospice or Melanoma.org. Read more.

Delegate Dawn Adams honored Art on the floor of the House of Delegates. Watch

 

Our Dedicated Volunteers Helping Animals

Diversity Thrift volunteer linens coordinator Susie Wood doesn't let any of our donations go to waste. About a year ago, she enlisted the help of her friend Jowellyn Rakestraw to distribute our unusable linens to help area shelter animals. 

Jowellyn, a retired nurse, maintains our relationships with RACC, SPCA, Helping Hands, and Henrico Animal Shelter. Susie sets aside towels, throws, and blankets and gives them to Jowellyn who takes them home to sort, fold, bag, and drop off at shelters. These linens are used in cages for animals that have had medical treatments and need a soft spot while they recover.

We couldn't do all that we do without the help of our wonderful, dedicated volunteers. If you, your work group, or organization would like to volunteer with us, please use our volunteer application.

Pictured: Jowellyn Rakestraw and Susie Wood

Zakia McKensey and Karen Legato Recognized by YWCA

Congratulations to our past grant recipients Zakia McKensey and Karen Legato for their recognition by the YWCA! Zakia is the 2022 Outstanding Women Awards honoree in the Health & Science category. Karen is the 2022 Outstanding Women Awards honoree in the Nonprofit Leadership category.

The awards ceremony will be held on May 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The Richmond Convention Center. Ticket info

VMHC LGBTQ+ History Award

Diversity Richmond and VA Pride are honored to have sponsored the first ever LGBTQ+ history award of the Virginia History Day competition hosted by the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC). Students from all over Virginia competed at the local level where winning history projects moved on to the statewide competition in Richmond at the VMHC.

 

Hundreds of students and their families attended the competition and awards ceremony which was held the weekend of April 23 and 24. The winning LGBTQ+ history project was a paper entitled “From the Mattachine to Stonewall: How Diplomacy Failed the American Gay Rights Movement” submitted by Drew Rivas. Drew will receive a $1,000 cash prize provided by Diversity Richmond and VA Pride.

 

We are grateful that the VMHC recognizes that LGBTQ history is Virginia history. We congratulate Drew Rivas and wish them well as they continue in their educational pursuits!

The Rodney Lofton Fund

Many of you have asked how you can honor Rodney Lofton’s life. In response, UGRC/Black Pride RVA, Diversity Richmond, and VA Pride have established the Rodney Lofton Fund which will be used to support individuals and organizations doing good work in our community. Rodney was a force for change in the world. His legacy of service to the greater Richmond community and beyond will continue to live on in the work of others. Please consider giving to honor Rodney’s life and impact. Donate here.

Memorial service for Rodney Lofton to be held March 26th

On March 14, 2022, Rodney Lofton departed this world after a courageous battle with cancer. For many of us, we are mourning the loss of a dear friend and someone who has been a tireless advocate for HIV/AIDS and social justice.
 
In his role as Vice President and Deputy Director, Rodney became the first Black person to hold a senior position in the history of our organization. He also worked as a Program Coordinator and served on the Board of Directors. 
 
Rodney created one of our signature programs, the Black and Bold Awards, as a grassroots effort to offer the RVA community an opportunity to celebrate and commemorate everyday “out and bold” Black LGBTQIA+ individuals. This year we celebrated six years!
 
For Rodney, there was so much work to be done. So today, as a community, we should stand together in solidarity and tap into every ounce of resiliency.
 
Thank you, my Friend, for all your hard work in support of this community. Thank you for helping to foster a more inclusive Diversity Richmond. You will be missed but not forgotten.
 
Please join us to celebrate the life of our friend, Rodney Lofton, at a community memorial service on Saturday, March 26th at 11:00 am in the Diversity Richmond Event Hall, 1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220. Light refreshments will be served following the service. The memorial will also be streamed on Zoom.
 
Cheezi Farmer 
Board Chair 
Diversity Richmond 

First graduating class of Latino Entrepreneurship Academy

Twelve participants have graduated from the Latino Entrepreneurship Academy, a professional development program made possible by a partnership between the city’s Offices of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement (OIRE) and Minority Business Development (OMBD) and Diversity Richmond’s Viva RVA! Program.
Participants attended 15 weekly sessions, learning about business and entrepreneurship from a diverse group of established local business owners. Session topics ranged from “Planning for a Health Business,” to “Managing Cash Flow,” to “Marketing 101.”
The academy was in-person at Diversity Richmond and held entirely in Spanish.
“The Richmond community is full of hardworking, creative individuals who speak Spanish as their preferred language,” said Karla Almendarez-Ramos, the manager of OIRE. "Programs like this emphasize that the city not only values Latino entrepreneurs, but also firmly believes they are vital to our city’s vibrant, diverse marketplace of ideas and innovation.”
The partnership was key in making this first of its kind program possible. Viva RVA! funded the project in addition to providing development and implementation support. OIRE and OMBD lent expertise in Spanish-language instruction and outreach and business development, respectively. More photos in our Media Gallery

Black and Bold Awards Photo Album

A photo album from our 6th annual awards is now available to view in our Media Gallery. Pictured is Virginia Senator Jennifer McClellan who was our special guest speaker.

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