Rhythms of History: Second Street Festival brings Jackson Ward’s history to life
Saanvi Vootla, Contributing Writer People from all around Richmond gathered in the historic Jackson Ward district on Oct. 4-5, eager to experience the community’s history through music and art at the 37th annual Second Street Festival. The event, open to all that has evolved into a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar. Each year on the […]
‘Before we can reconcile and reconnect, we must recompense’: Federal grant aims to build park reconnecting Jackson Ward
Varsha Vasudevan, Staff Writer A federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, DOT, will be used to reconnect Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood, according to the Reconnect Jackson Ward initiative. The grant is part of an initiative called Reconnecting Pilots Program by the Biden-Harris administration, which aims to reconnect communities throughout the U.S., according to […]
City considers removal of Jackson Ward mural to preserve historic area
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Local artist Nils posted on a Richmond subreddit, an online community forum through Reddit, about needing a blank wall for Swiss artist Bust to paint a mural. Homeowner Josh Shaheen, who’s lived in Jackson Ward for a little over a year, had a blank wall and offered the space, thinking nothing […]
Art institutions, Richmond team up for painting project funded by grant
Sahara Sriraman, Spectrum Editor A diamond-shaped mural with a teal Sankofa iconography-inspired image sits surrounded by thick red and yellow lines, creating color contrast that immediately catches the eye. The large mural funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative sits at the intersection of West Marshall Street and Brook Road. In September, ART 180, […]
2nd Street Festival returns to Jackson Ward, celebrates Richmond culture
Mackenzie Meleski, Contributing Writer The 2nd Street Festival made its return to Richmond on Oct. 2-3, after a yearlong hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood. The festival, and its location in Jackson Ward, has been a local tradition for 33 years. This year the two-day event included live music, […]
Richmond Folk Festival returns in person for 17th anniversary
Jiana Smith, Contributing Writer After a silent year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Richmond’s riverfront will once again be full of visitors enjoying art, music and food. The Richmond Folk Festival is returning to the city’s riverfront from Oct. 8-10 as an outdoor, in-person event for its 17th anniversary. Erika Gay, Venture Richmond’s marketing and […]
JXN Project sheds light on forgotten history of Jackson Ward neighborhood
Grace McOmber, Contributing Writer Sisters Enjoli Moon and Sesha Joi Moon said they made a jarring discovery three months ago while researching the Jackson Ward neighborhood. “I thought, as with everything, Google would have the answers,” VCU alumna Sesha Joi Moon said. “But it wasn’t that simple.” According to Sesha Joi Moon, the establishment date […]
Jackson Ward Collective serves Richmond’s Black entrepreneurs, partners with VCU students
Claire Darcy, Contributing Writer On a day in the 1940s, Richmonders could take a stroll in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood and find it lined with thriving Black-owned banks, theaters and clubs — until a plan to revitalize the city in the mid-1950s displaced the African American community. Now, three Black female entrepreneurs are working […]
Cozy new restaurant opens in Jackson Ward
Aliviah Jones, Contributing Writer A new Jackson Ward social cafe — named after rhythm and blues artist Maxwell’s first album “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite” — opened at the end of last month, joining the ranks of a number of social spaces in Richmond. Entrepreneur Kelli Lemon, founder of Urban Hang Suite, had thought about opening […]
Raising a garden for Jackson Ward
Jackson Ward resident and VCU employee Jourdan James launched a crusade to privately-fund a community garden and engagement space in Jackson Ward at the intersection of West Jackson St. and Chamberlain Parkway despite facing obstacles. The Jackson Ward Community Garden GoFundMe has an overall goal of $2,700, which would pay for a two year lease […]