Meet this week’s guest editor, Deb Freeman! As a culinary anthropologist, Deb explores the intersections of race, culture, and food, with a focus on Virginia and the South. She is the executive producer and host of Finding Edna Lewis on PBS and created Setting the Table, a critically acclaimed, award-winning podcast on Black foodways and culinary history.
Freeman has appeared on Finding Flavor (Max) and The Key Ingredient (PBS) and has written for Eater, Condé Nast Traveler, Food52, Garden & Gun, and more. She has also provided cultural commentary for BBC Radio.
Originally from Norfolk, Freeman moved to Richmond six years ago. She enjoys exploring international grocery stores to discover unique snacks from around the world.
Take it away, Deb ...
Free Tours of Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Each tour is led by a knowledgeable guide and will explore the same key themes, so you only need to register for one date. Spaces are limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with history—reserve your spot today!
As a young lawyer with a growing family in Springfield, Illinois, Abraham Lincoln often donned an apron to help whip up dinner when his wife was in need. What tasty dishes did he prepare? We’ll explore the simple cookbooks available in his era with such tasty treats as jumble cookies, rhubarb tonic, and slow-cooked barbecue. This presentation will take a culinary look at Abe Lincoln’s dinner table.
Experience Richmond’s rising musical talent as the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra performs Haydn’s Symphony No. 103, “Drum Roll,” alongside woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The Percussion Ensemble will also take the stage, showcasing chamber music by YCO and RSYO percussionists.
A highlight of the evening is violist Joe Legukto, winner of the 2025 Richmond Symphony Student Concerto Competition. Don’t miss this inspiring performance by Central Virginia’s most advanced young musicians!
I recently finished filming Finding Edna Lewis, a PBS documentary now available on the PBS app, website, and VPM (check local listings). The film explores the life and legacy of Edna Lewis, a pioneering Black chef from Freetown, Virginia, whose farm-to-table philosophy reshaped the way Americans view Southern cuisine.
Through interviews with chefs, historians, and those who knew her, Finding Edna Lewis highlights her influence on modern food culture and celebrates her role in preserving Southern culinary traditions.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Beth Anne Booth! Beth Anne is an artist, survivor, and advocate for the healing power of creativity and nature. A Williamsburg, Virginia, native, she studied art history and design at the University of Alabama, Oxford University, and the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Her career has spanned prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and Richmond’s arts and culture scene, most recently at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
A woman in recovery, Beth Anne shares openly about her sober journey, which has provided her with a strong spiritual foundation. In 2022, she faced a life-altering lung disease that led to a double-lung transplant in June 2024. Through it all, she found strength in abstract expressionism, embracing the deep connection between art and healing.
Now based in Richmond, Beth Anne continues to create, travel for live music, and draw inspiration from bold colors, eclectic textures, and the natural world. She collects Mexican folk art, finds comfort in hawks, and secretly dreams of being a DJ.
Take it away, Beth Anne ...
photo credit: John Enright
Valentines Day at Rosewood
Stop by Rosewood Clothing on Friday, February 14th, starting at 12:00 pm, to pick up a beautiful premade bouquet—perfect for your sweetheart or yourself! All proceeds will benefit Safe Harbor RVA, supporting survivors of violence and abuse. Swing by, grab a bouquet, and help spread the love while supplies last!
Soul for Soil (January 31 – March 27, 2025) at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden explores the deep historical and spiritual bond between African American culture and the natural world. Curated by The Art Seen, this exhibit highlights resilience, creativity, and renewal through an artistic lens. Located in the Community Art Gallery in the Kelly Education Center, it is included with Garden admission.
Portals, a community-based exhibition in Shockoe Bottom, is on display now through the end of February. Created by the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) in collaboration with the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, with support from Venture Richmond and The Art Seen, this exhibit features large-scale historic photographs showcasing African American life from the early 1800s to the 1980s.
image credit: Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
More from Beth Anne...
I created Healing Whole Arts in 2021 as a space for reflection, healing, and creativity—unaware that it would prepare me for a profound physical journey. After a sudden unspecified interstitial lung disease (ILD) diagnosis in 2023, I received a double-lung transplant on June 14, 2024, a moment that transformed both my life and my art.
An elevated perspective, combined with a surge of creative energy, gave rise to the "Breathe" series—a body of large-scale paintings rooted in abstract expressionism. This collection is my artistic response to the emotions and experiences I went through, from the moment I received "The Call" that lungs were available to the "First Breath" I took with my donor’s lungs.
Join me for an Artist Q&A and public viewing of the "Breathe" series on Wednesday, February 26, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at The Yellow House. Experience the art, embrace the present, and breathe it all in. FREE with RSVP via Eventbrite.
Meet this week’s guest editor, Myra Goodman Smith! Myra has deep roots in our region, having shared her childhood experiences in Richmond through the UR museum exhibit "Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond" and the book "Overcoming Bias." She has served residents and communities in our region through various roles and currently serves as President and CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond.
In her role, Myra connects community leaders, enhances their capacity to create meaningful change, and inspires community engagement. Passionate about nonprofit governance and management, Myra often extends her expertise to assist in strengthening organizations.
In her free time, Myra and her husband enjoy spending time with their families and attending concerts and sporting events in Richmond and beyond. She draws inspiration from the Chinese proverb below:
“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, and others build windmills.”
Take it away, Myra ...
Billy Childs Quartet with Sean Jones, The Winds of Change
One of the things I love about Richmond is its talented musicians. Billy Childs is one of the finest — a leading American composer and jazz pianist who excels in both jazz and modern classical music. He’s won Grammys, writes for classical ensembles, and performs at top venues worldwide. This performance features his quartet alongside internationally recognized trumpeter Sean Jones.
One of the things that makes Richmond special is its powerful storytellers. Theresa G. is one of them — a renowned performer who brings history to life. Best known for portraying Coretta Scott King, she captures audiences with her vivid storytelling. In this performance, she honors Maggie Walker, the nation’s first Black female bank president, in a moving tribute. Experience In the Presence of Maggie Walker this weekend, as part of the Distinguished Speaker Forum at River Road Church.
Do you want to create change and make a difference in your community? Join us on February 13 to learn more about LMR’s community leadership program, Leadership Quest. You will discover how our program empowers individuals to connect, foster understanding, and create lasting change. Alumni and current participants will share firsthand stories about how they’ve built meaningful relationships, addressed regional challenges, and found innovative ways to make a difference. Whether you’re already leading or simply driven by a desire to do more, Leadership Quest is your opportunity to take the next step and inspire change where it matters most.
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