Meet Sofia McDaniel, this week's guest editor. Sofia, who grew up in Prince William County, is the oldest of five and has two siblings with autism. Today, she holds a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University and works for the Commonwealth of Virginia, where she plays a key role in shaping policies that drive forward-thinking solutions in education. She collaborates with leaders across government, higher education, and the K–12 sector.
She is also a Fellow with the Education Reformers Academy, where she joins a national cohort of policy leaders who are passionate about ensuring all children experience the life-changing power of a great education. In addition, Sofia has done extensive work in domestic violence prevention and helped launch Florida’s first-ever faith-based initiative to address domestic violence.
And did we mention she's also Miss Central Virginia USA?
Beyond her professional impact, Sofia is deeply committed to mentoring and empowering young women and children. She is known for using her Miss Central Virginia USA platform to advocate for stronger educational outcomes for all children. Sofia is actively involved with Best Buddies International, where she serves as Chair of the Richmond Friendship Walk. She also supports Girls on the Run Richmond, where she is a member of the Impact Advisory Team and coaches an after-school program for elementary-aged girls.
Take it away, Sofia ...
RVA Best Buddies Friendship Walk
Join us for the second-ever Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Richmond, hosted at City Stadium! Every step we take makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals in our community. This special day is all about unity and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The event celebrates inclusion, fosters genuine friendships, and raises vital funds for Best Buddies programs in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Lace up your shoes, bring your friends and family, and help us grow the reach and impact of Best Buddies in our region! The walk is free to register and attend and is open to individuals of all ages and abilities.
Join us for Speed Scouting Sunday—a networking mixer for models, actors, photographers, videographers, designers, content creators, artists, and more. Come out to support a local business and make meaningful connections.
Vitals:
Follow Speed Scouting for event and location details / Sunday, April 13 / 4 PM – 6 PM
Tutus & Ties Downtown
Movement and play are good for children’s bodies and brains. In fact, movement can help increase memory, perception, language comprehension, attention, emotional understanding, and decision making! Join the Children's Museum of Richmond from 2:00 to 2:30 PM in the Downtown Playhouse for Tutus and Ties Tuesdays, where we’ll dress up and move, move, move!
This event is free with museum admission.
Vitals:
Tutus & Ties Downtown / Tuesday, April 15 / 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM / Children's Museum of Richmond, 2626 West Broad St.
More About Best Buddies.
Sofia is a dedicated volunteer for Best Buddies International, where she serves as Chair of the Richmond Friendship Walk. Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its programs help form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families.
Meet this week's guest editor, Dale Fickett! A driving force in Richmond’s entrepreneurial landscape, Dale blends academia, innovation, and advocacy to create economic opportunities for aspiring business owners. As an entrepreneurship professor at the University of Richmond and president of RVA Works, he leads a Virginia-based nonprofit dedicated to breaking down financial and educational barriers to business ownership.
A recognized thought leader, Dale contributes to Forbes and advises the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, shaping policies that empower small businesses nationwide. His research spans entrepreneurial finance and developmental economics, with global collaborations that include Trinity College Dublin, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia, and Northwestern University. He is currently exploring the transformative potential of AI and blockchain to increase access to small business credit.
Beyond academia and policy, Dale has firsthand experience as a founder in the retail sector and as a strategy consultant for Accenture’s European Financial Services practice. But his true passion lies in fatherhood and his missionary work in rural Haiti, where he continues to make a lasting impact on communities in need.
Take it away, Dale …
RVA Works
Let’s begin with RVA Works, a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to helping more people become business owners—particularly those facing social or economic barriers to entrepreneurship. RVA Works offers a range of educational, promotional, and financial support services designed to empower emerging founders. Since 2014, more than 100 new businesses have benefited from RVA Works’ programs, with alumni reporting an average 38% increase in annual income. The organization provides business training, network-building opportunities, and ongoing support to help entrepreneurs grow—regardless of their industry, revenue, or stage of development.
Connect and collaborate with Richmond’s entrepreneurial community. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this is your chance to meet fellow founders, share ideas, and build valuable connections in a relaxed setting. Don't forget to bring your business cards and a friend or colleague who would love to join us at the HogsHead Cafe.
1 Million Cups (1MC) provides a supportive, inclusive space for entrepreneurs and the community to gather, connect, and grow. It’s a place where Richmonders can work through business challenges and discover new opportunities. These inspiring events offer a chance for local entrepreneurs to learn from one another within a thriving community of peer-founders. For the next event, register to join us as we spotlight an exciting new startup: Clique, a dating app that makes meeting new people safe and fun by connecting friend groups for group meetups. Combining the best of traditional dating apps with a social, safety-first approach, Clique recently took 1st place at Techstars Startup Weekend – Changemakers Richmond, hosted at the University of Richmond.
Vitals:
1 Million Cups: Clique / Wednesday, April 2 / 9:00 AM / University of Richmond, Robins School of Business, 102 UR Drive iLab - Room 123
More About 1MC.
The Richmond startup community has experienced significant progress over the past ten years, including growth in the number and quality of support services for innovators and entrepreneurs. This national program of the Kauffman Foundation has now expanded to help entrepreneurs in over 100 communities. With over 400 Richmond meetups, our region has received recognition as one of the most consistent support hubs for these founders.
1 Million Cups Richmond has now joined the range of public events hosted by the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, and many emerging business owners have benefited from student assistance offered through the Spider Business Hub. Public events such as the Robins Executive Speaker Series, C-Suite Conversations, Techstars Startup Weekend Richmond, and 1 Million Cups draw innovative leaders, faculty, and students to discuss society’s most pressing challenges.
Meet this week's guest editor, Dr. Hollee Freeman! A nationally certified educator with over 30 years of experience in K-12, higher education, and educational administration, Dr. Freeman is dedicated to transformative STEM learning. A TEDx and Creative Mornings RVA speaker, her work on education reform, DEI, and teaching practices has been featured in books, podcasts, and articles. She is also a self-published author of five children’s books and develops custom curricula for schools and organizations.
Beyond education, Dr. Freeman is a beekeeper, filmmaker, and radio host. She manages nine honeybee colonies through City Bees RVA and leads several ventures, including the Hollee Freeman Foundation and Freeman Educational & Business Consulting LLC. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures, crafting, and watercolor painting. A passionate traveler, she dreams of conducting global research on beekeeping.
Take it away, Hollee...
Oakwood Arts
Oakwood Arts opens the door to creativity and career opportunities, breaking down barriers to make the arts and creative industries accessible to all. Through dynamic community engagement, inspiring programs, and hands-on learning experiences, they spark imagination and empower individuals to turn their passions into professions. From mastering cutting-edge digital tools to building the technical skills essential for success, Oakwood Arts’ classes and workshops prepare students to thrive in the ever-evolving world of creative work.
The Fourth Trimester Mental Health Program supports new parents through the challenges of early parenthood. It offers free mental health screenings for mothers and fathers, outpatient therapy sessions, and monthly postpartum group support on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Join Zawadi Nyong’o on Wed, Jan 29th for the first SoulCare With Zawadi Session of 2025! This event will be held LIVE on the Insight Timer platform during the first New Moon of the year. This is an opportunity to do a final clearing of 2024 and prepare for the year ahead. Zawadi creates sacred spaces for Black womxn to rest, restore, rewild, reconnect with their souls, and remember who they truly are.
Dr. Hollee Freeman shares her passion for beekeeping and Richmond through free monthly honey tastings and book readings centered on City Bees, a book she co-authored celebrating pollinators and the city’s cultural landmarks. Each event features unique, seasonal honey varietals. Stay connected by following on Instagram and Facebook and subscribing to the Hollee Freeman Foundation newsletter for updates.
As a state-certified apprentice beekeeper, Dr. Freeman also offers the Honeybees and Me course, a 6-month self-paced program with live group sessions and optional apiary visits. Enrollment is open until January 30th—Register Here to join this one-of-a-kind experience!
Stay connected and inspired through social media and the newsletter—let’s grow and learn together!
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