Equity in local media matters. This spring, Charlottesville Inclusive Media, the partnership between Vinegar Hill Magazine, In My Humble Opinion and Charlottesville Tomorrow, to grow a more diverse news media ecosystem — from who owns and produces that media to whom it was made for — was formally commended by the Virginia House of Delegates.
The partnership is noted in three resolutions brought by 27 representatives and passed on the House floor in March. Charlottesville Inclusive Media “fosters a greater sense of community, elevates conversations and stories of importance to African American audiences, and builds capacity to enable independent Black media companies and professionals to thrive,” reads the resolution.
Each partner media outlet was also commended individually for their contributions to diverse communities.
- Vinegar Hill “as a beacon for art, culture, and politics in the Central Virginia region and a valued platform for the Black community in Charlottesville, Vinegar Hill Magazine has contributed a meaningful thread to the social fabric of the Commonwealth”;
- In My Humble Opinion “through its thought-provoking and illuminating discussions, In My Humble Opinion Radio Show has become an important and uplifting voice for the Black community in Charlottesville”;
- and “recognizing that an informed citizenry is the foundation of all democracies, Charlottesville Tomorrow has made great strides in furthering the pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality for all.”
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Virginia House of Delegates,” said Sarad Davenport, Chief Operating Officer at Vinegar Hill Magazine. “This commendation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the vision of our founder, Eddie Harris, and it inspires us to continue our mission of empowering the Black community and creating a more equitable society.”
“Thank you Del. Katrina Callsen and all other representatives for our House Resolution honoring our work. IMHO Talk Show takes great pride in being a media platform that serves as a conduit for voices of our community. We are very much honored and appreciative,” said producer and co-host Charles Lewis.
“When I was walking up to get the certificate from the delegates, I thought about what we dreamt of at Charlottesville Tomorrow, that after so many years, we’re moving forward,” said Troy Robinson, a manager for In My Humble Opinion and director on the board of Charlottesville Tomorrow. “We’re investing in a community that previously wasn’t considered, and now we are standing up here, in the history books. In the eight steps it took to get up there, it all ran through my mind.”
Vinegar Hill Magazine, a leading independent African American publishing company dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in Central Virginia, was commended in House Resolution 430. In My Humble Opinion, the podcast and talk radio program on 101.3 Jamz, was commended on House Resolution 395. Charlottesville Tomorrow, central Virginia’s nonprofit newsroom which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025, was commended in House Resolution 433.
Since the resolutions passed, Charlottesville Inclusive Media has begun to expand its work with community leaders in central Virginia. You can find out more about Charlottesville Inclusive Media on its new website at cvilleinclusivemedia.com.
Are you as excited about what inclusive media can do for central Virginia as we are? Here’s more about how you can help grow the work.
