Hack for RVAExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 299 / Hack for RVA
Meet this week's guest editor, Ashley Ray. Ashley is a lifelong lover of Richmond and fiercely dedicated to supporting all things local. Her communications business keeps her busy telling stories and keeping comms rolling for amazing nonprofits like Girls For A Change, organizations like Lighthouse Network, and Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union.
When she’s not working, she’s connecting the Jackson Ward neighborhood through her role as the Co-Chair of the Safety and Beautification Committee for Historic Jackson Ward, supporting the Arts District Business Alliance, getting into pickle shenanigans (TBA), or volunteering for cool things like this weekend’s Hack for RVA.
Hack for RVA is a civic hackathon that brings together Richmond’s hackers, hustlers, and artists to build solutions for the city’s biggest challenges and compete for awards. In partnership with the City of Richmond and the Mayor’s Office, this event is intentionally aligned with Mayor Avula’s seven areas of focus for a thriving city. The event brings together nonprofit leaders, city leaders, and citizens to build together, making this a truly collaborative process. If you care about the future of Richmond and want to be a part of the change, this event is for you. It’s all happening March 27–29 at VCU School of Business.
If you’re joining Hack for RVA, you’ll be within walking distance of Jackson Ward, the neighborhood Ashley calls home. Here are some of her favorite spots.
Take it away, Ashley ...
Penny's Wine Shop
Penny’s Wine Shop generally lands on the “where to drink” lists, but in my opinion, they offer some of the best food in Richmond. Small plates, innovative dishes, and vegetarian-friendly options. Owners Kristen Gardner Beal and Lance Lemon have made Penny’s a space for community and connection with good vibes, good food, and good wine. Pro tip: make a reservation! And if you're up for trying out new and interesting wines regularly, Penny's offers a monthly membership featuring clean farmed wines from around the world hand-delivered right to your front door.
I love a good dive bar. When I’m not pulling up at Penny’s, I’m hanging out at GWARbar, a heavy metal-inspired joint in Jackson Ward that doesn’t take itself too seriously and always delivers. Late-night tots always hit the spot, Narragansett is $3 a pint, and if you’re there on a Sunday night, you might find me singing karaoke with a mix of regulars and first-timers who somehow all feel like they belong. Now that spring has arrived, make sure to also check out their patio and beer GWARden!
Roam around Jackson Ward and the Richmond Arts District! Hit up Gallery5 and Art 180, stroll down Broad St., catch a show at the November Theatre, and dine at local spots like Tarrants and Lillie Pearl. The neighborhood is full of energy, creativity, and history, all within a few blocks. If you want to come back next weekend, it really comes alive for First Fridays, when galleries open their doors, the Moon Market takes over Brook Rd., and fire dancers perform in the street. Come join us!
I’m really excited about Hack for RVA because it’s the first time the city has been willing to collaborate on such a large scale with so many different stakeholders involved. Organizers have spent months bringing together nonprofits and city leaders to develop problem statements and identify data sets so that when participants arrive, they’re ready to build. If you’re like me and wondering what you can do to help in this chaotic world, this is it. Start local. Start right here. Come ready to dig in, and once the work is done, come celebrate with us! We’ll kick off on Friday morning with speakers like Michael Millions and Mayor Avula, and then hackers will get an orientation to the problem statements from the nonprofits and city leaders who drafted them. Participants have until Saturday at 10 pm to turn in their solutions, and then on Sunday we celebrate. The Awards Festival happens from 1:30–3:30 pm at the VCU School of Business, where you’ll hear the top five finalists pitch and then the winners will be announced.
