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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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!
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.
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.
