Albemarle Foundation for Education

10/06/2026

The Albemarle Foundation for Education congratulates our board member, Scott Hamler, on receiving the 2026 J. F. Bell Vanguard Award!

Not one, but two.

The Minority Business Alliance is proud to announce the 2026 J. F. Bell Vanguard Award recipients:

Scott Hamler, Founder & Owner of 4Z Digital

Jen Solomon, Reporter at NBC29

This year’s Gala theme, The Golden Hour: Honoring Those Who Illuminate Our Community, is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: true impact is not only measured by how brightly you shine, but by how intentionally you use your light to help others be seen.

Scott and Jen have each done exactly that.

Through their work, they have created visibility for people of color, minority owned businesses, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and organizations throughout Charlottesville and the surrounding community. They have helped people be seen, heard, celebrated, and recognized by telling stories that matter, amplifying voices that deserve to be heard, highlighting milestones worth acknowledging, and shining a light on the people doing meaningful work in our community.

Because visibility matters.

Being seen can open a door.
Being heard can create an opportunity.
Having someone tell your story can introduce your work to an entirely new audience.

And sometimes, the greatest use of your own light is turning it toward someone else.

Scott and Jen have continually used their platforms to do that.

The J. F. Bell Vanguard Award recognizes individuals whose work helps move our community forward. This year, we could not choose just one. We are proud to recognize two individuals who understand the power of a platform and have consistently used theirs to help others find their voice, share their stories, celebrate their successes, and step into their own light.

Charlottesville is brighter because of their work.

Please join the Minority Business Alliance in congratulating Scott Hamler of 4Z Digital and Jen Solomon of NBC29, our 2026 J. F. Bell Vanguard Award recipients.

Only a few tickets remain for this year’s Gala. Join us as we honor Scott, Jen, and others who continue to illuminate our community, and don’t miss your chance to be in the room for The Golden Hour.

Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/26MBAGALA

10/06/2026

AFE’s Executive Director and members of our Board enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP Branch’s Freedom Fund Banquet!

We appreciate the Branch’s ongoing work to serve our community, advance equity and equal opportunity, and bring people together. It was a pleasure to connect with neighbors and community leaders who share a commitment to helping our community thrive.

Thank you to the organizers and volunteers for a welcoming and meaningful evening. From all of us at the Albemarle Foundation for Education, thank you for all you do for our community!

*Acting Superintendent Chandra Hayes, Executive Director Atalaya Sergi, Latara Ragland, Temi Anderson, Diantha McKeel, Randy Tripp Jr., Kate Acuff, and Bob Beard.

08/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Back to School Bash such a joyful celebration of students, families, public education, and community!

Because of the generosity of our sponsors, community partners, volunteers, and Albemarle County Public Schools, students and families started the school year with backpacks, school supplies, free health services, food resources, community connections, and a reminder that their community is cheering them on.

We are grateful for every person and organization that helped make this day possible. Together, we helped students begin the year ready to learn, supported by a community that believes in them.

To all students, families, teachers, and school staff, we wish you an outstanding school year filled with learning, connection, growth, and joy!

Sincerely,

Albemarle Foundation for Education

Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, The Bama Works Fund, Apex Clean Energy, St. Luke Episcopal-Simeon, Wawa, County of Albemarle, UVA Community Credit Union, Shenandoah National Park Trust, Crutchfield, Sentara Health, United Way of Greater Charlottesville

08/12/2026

🎒✏️ Welcome back, Albemarle County Public Schools students and teachers!

As a new school year begins, the Albemarle Foundation for Education celebrates our students as they arrive ready to learn, the educators who are poised to inspire and encourage them, and the families and community members who are supporting them every step of the way.

Here’s to a year filled with discovery, growth, connection, and new opportunities.

Together, we will ensure every student thrives!

Happy first day of school! 💙💛

08/07/2026

We are so excited to welcome you this weekend to the Back to School Bash co-hosted by Albemarle County Public Schools and the Albemarle Foundation for Education!

08/03/2026

We want to welcome back the extraordinary educators who invest in and support our Albemarle County Public Schools students!

08/03/2026

This is another great community tradition supporting our students and their families! Take advantage of all the wonderful Back to School events this coming weekend.

Get the kids looking and feeling great in a new pair of kicks! 🫡👟

07/23/2026

The Albemarle Foundation for Education and Albemarle County Public Schools would like to recognize our 2026 Back to School Bash Partners! This event would not be possible without them 🎉

Thank you to Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co of Central Va, New Dominion Bookshop, Smooth Skin Laser, 2nd Act Books, and our local branches of Target and Home Depot for your contributions! 💙💛🧡

Don’t forget to stop by the Back to School Bash on August 9th, 2026 from noon to 4 PM at the former JCPenney space at Fashion Square Mall! All families are welcome 🗓️

✔️Receive FREE backpacks, school supplies, physicals, immunizations, and more so that all students start the year ready to learn! 🎒📓
✔️Connect with schools, community partners, and other resources to equip your student for success 📚
✔️Plus, enjoy an afternoon of activities, music, food, games, and prizes to destress before the school year 🍎

Join in supporting our mission to ensure every ACPS student thrives by donating at www.albemarlefe.org/support

07/21/2026

You're looking at PART 2 of the amazing lineup of community partners who will be tabling at the Albemarle County Public Schools Back to School Bash on August 9th, 2026 from noon to 4 PM at the former JCPenney space at Fashion Square Mall! 🗓️ 🎉

Be sure to stop by their tables to connect, learn about local resources, and discover the incredible organizations that help support our community. We can't wait to see you there! 💙📚

PART 2 of 2026 Back to School Bash Tablers:

Tranquil Assuage
Computers 4 Kids
UVA Police Division
ACAC Afterschool
The Women's Initiative
Greer Elementary School
Mountain Kim Martial Arts
Albemarle County Fire Rescue
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Inc.
Shenandoah National Park Trust
100 Black Men of Central Virginia
Albemarle County Police Department
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Region Ten CSB
Monticello Area Community Action Agency
Albemarle County DSS: Self-Sufficient Unit
PEATC - Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center
UVA Facilities Management Apprenticeship Program

✔️Plus, receive FREE backpacks, school supplies, physicals, immunizations, and more so that all students start the year ready to learn! 🎒📓
✔️Enjoy an afternoon of activities, music, food, games, and prizes to destress before the school year 🍎

07/20/2026

You're looking at PART 1 of the amazing lineup of community partners who will be tabling at the Albemarle County Public Schools Back to School Bash on August 9th, 2026 from noon to 4 PM at the former JCPenney space at Fashion Square Mall! 🗓️ 🎉

Be sure to stop by their tables to connect, learn about local resources, and discover the incredible organizations that help support our community. We can't wait to see you there! 💙📚

PART 1 of 2026 Back to School Bash Tablers:

Albemarle County Public Schools Department of Technology
League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area
Albemarle County Public Schools - Human Resources
Charlottesville Coalition for Gun Violence Prevention
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge
Virginia Career Works - Piedmont Region
Archaeology at Monticello
Trades + Tech Education Foundation
Jackson P. Burley Middle School
Shelter for Help in Emergency
PREP Parent Resource Center
Albemarle County Broadband
UpLevel Family Martial Arts - Charlottesville
Compass Behavioral Group
Blue Ridge Poison Center
Child Health Partnership
Journey Middle School
UVA Trauma Program
Elks Lodge 389

✔️Plus, receive FREE backpacks, school supplies, physicals, immunizations, and more so that all students start the year ready to learn! 🎒📓
✔️Enjoy an afternoon of activities, music, food, games, and prizes to destress before the school year 🍎