This weekly message includes information submitted via https://tinyurl.com/pau-richmond or emailed to contact@inclusiveVA.org.  Please contact the resource provider or event organizer directly with questions.  To unsubscribe from these Monday updates, simply reply with the word “unsubscribe.”

<><><><><>

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting of Promote, Act, Uplift – Richmond will take place virtually on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 from 9:00am – 10:00am.  Our speaker is Taylor Rivera Stone, who works for Amica Center for Immigrants.  They provide legal information, legal representation, and social services for immigrants detained by the federal government.  Taylor will tell us about two volunteer opportunities for which they need help in the Richmond area: offering support to individuals who are dropped off by the Richmond bus station after being released from one of Virginia's detention centers, and a court hearing observation program.   They will provide training for those who are interested.  Here is the Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87604401171?pwd=D2GGXViGWcZpX7TaXgkGHRxUip1p7K.1.

<><><><><>

ACTION: Promote, Act, Uplift – Richmond is planning mini-retreats to support nonprofit employees serving immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in the Richmond area.  Please email Renée Hill at renee7hill@gmail.com if you would like to be involved in planning these events.

<><><><><>

EVENT: Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center is launching “Cultura y Comunidad,” a monthly space for connection, culture, and community support. It’s a relaxed gathering where friends, families, and supporters can come together and enjoy good food while supporting a cause that’s close to my heart. The first one takes place on July 22 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant (9550 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235). Pepe’s has generously partnered with the LIVE Center and will donate 15% of every meal purchased that evening to help the LIVE Center continue their mission to support Latino survivors of violence across Virginia.

<><><><><>

EVENT: Join Richmond Peace Education Center on July 25 at 6:30pm at Lemon Cuisine of India for Dinner & Dialogue, a monthly community gathering where we share a meal and explore meaningful conversations that matter. No fixed themes. No lectures. Just real people, real stories, and the courage to engage with the world—one bite and one conversation at a time. Together, we’ll lean into curiosity, challenge assumptions, and reflect on how we can build more peaceful, just communities. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexd9o8Q-qKHrYptLWuHoyaLDl4_EY4dnufgMbT4ezBAymDzg/viewform.

<><><><><>

EVENTS: The Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and the Secure Communities Network are offering weekly free 45-minute lunchtime Zoom trainings on safety and security.  Topics include situational awareness, countering active threats, de-escalation, and more.  Learn more and register at https://jewishrichmond.regfox.com/be-safe-secure--security-training.

<><><><><>

EVENT: The 22nd annual Happily Natural Festival and Urban Farm Expo takes place on August 30 at the Fifth District Mini Farm (2227 Wise St., Richmond). Enjoy vendors, music, workshops, food, and Blackness. Learn more at www.thenaturalfestival.com.

<><><><><>

EVENT: The Leadership Institute at Union Presbyterian Seminary invites you to Compassion Across Borders: A Call for Solidarity and Justice. The conference takes place from September 16-18. There will be plenary sessions that explore how the bible and theological discourse have been misused to oppress migrants and how, at the same time, these religious traditions continue to inspire politics of compassion, inclusion, justice, and equity. There will be opportunities to learn about legal rights and processes to protect migrants. Workshops will offer various opportunities for speakers and participants to share their passion and expertise to equip one another with the knowledge and wisdom needed for this time.  Learn more and register at https://www.upsem.edu/event/compassion-across-borders-a-call-for-solidarity-and-justice/.

<><><><><>

EVENT: Join the Library of Virginia for a virtual talk on September 25 from 12:00pm – 1:00pm by author Richard Rothstein, who will discuss his books “The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America” and “Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law.” This event is part of the Library's programming related to the exhibition “House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History,” on view at the Library from July 14, 2025, to Feb. 28, 2026. This is a free event, but registration is required: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/14805280.

<><><><><>

EVENT: The Intersecting History Museum Crawl & Community Conversation is back! Initiatives of Change USA is proud to bring back one of our flagship community events for a fifth year, built around the theme “For Such a Time As This.” Join us Thursday, September 25th from 6 to 8 p.m. for our Community Conversation. Then join us on Sunday, September 28th from noon to 5 p.m. for our Museum Crawl, featuring returning museum partners as well as a few new faces. Sign up on Eventbrite to save these dates and stay tuned for additional updates in the weeks ahead: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/initiatives-of-change-usa-15580172083

<><><><><>

ACTION: He She Ze and We is holding an LGBTQ+ Youth Empowerment Event titled “We Got Your Back” on August 3 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church.  Financial sponsors are requested.  Learn more at https://heshezewe.org/events/.

<><><><><>

ACTION: Thank you to Pearl Wise-Crawley for providing the following information about how to support Sacred Heart Center: "I spoke with Stephanie who let me know that the Promote, Act, Uplift-Richmond community can be helpful by supplying food.  Canned goods and milk are always good.  For the children, they would love fresh vegetables and fruit, along with eggs.  For meat products, they could use frozen chicken and fish.  Anyone interested in helping out with food can call Stephanie 804-651-4470 at Sacred Heart to arrange for delivery.  Stephanie shared that she is happy to arrange for staff/volunteers to be there to help with unloading any food products.  Wednesday is an excellent day to drop off perishable items as their community stops by on Wednesday to receive products.".