Richmond Memorial Health Foundation

10/20/2026

Richmond nonprofits continue to face challenges and uncertainty.

That is why we wanted to remind you of an opportunity we shared in June: the Richmond Community Investment Initiative (RCII), which can help nonprofits access more flexible capital.

There are two upcoming webinars you can sign up for to learn more:

Webinar 1: Wednesday, 10/21 at Noon

Webinar 2: Tuesday, 11/3 at Noon

Follow the link to learn more and register for the webinars: https://www.bridgingvirginia.com/rcii

10/07/2026

During National Hispanic Heritage Month (recognized nationally 9/15 through 10/15), we’re celebrating the people, cultures, and community leaders who help make the Richmond region stronger and more equitable.

One opportunity to recognize that leadership is Persona de Poder, an annual celebration hosted by Radio Poder that honors individuals making a difference in Virginia’s Latino and immigrant communities. The event, coming up this Saturday, brings people together to celebrate their contributions through recognition, cultural performances, food, and connection.

Learn more about the event and its honorees here:

10/06/2026

🖤 As part of Richmond Black Mental Health Week, we’re sharing an exciting event, From Surviving to Thriving: A Celebration of Black Mental Wellness, a gathering centered on Black mental wellness, resilience, healing, and thriving.

We’re especially glad to see our partner, Health Brigade, represented by Dr. Muriel Azria Evans as part of a powerful panel of mental health professionals and community voices. Together, the panel will explore what it takes to move from surviving to thriving and the importance of creating space for Black mental health, healing, and joy.

Thank you to the Virginia Counselors Association for creating space to center these important conversations. 🖤

🖤 From Surviving to Thriving: A Celebration of Black Mental Wellness

As part of Richmond Black Mental Health Week, join us for an uplifting virtual panel discussion exploring Black mental wellness, resilience, and what it means to move beyond survival toward thriving.

We’re especially proud to see Health Brigade’s Director of Mental Health and Wellness, Dr. Muriel Azria Evans, joining this important conversation alongside a powerful panel of mental health professionals and community voices.

📅 Wednesday, October 7, 2026
⏰ 6–8 PM
💻 Virtual panel discussion

Featuring Dr. Muriel Azria Evans, Dr. Lakesha Roney, Geravis Brown, Charnetta R. Waters, Cedric Wilson, Dr. Carlton Henderson, Dr. Brandy Richeson, and Dr. Brittany Suggs, with Shawana Ward as a panel guest.

Come listen, learn, and celebrate the many ways Black communities are creating space for wellness, healing, and thriving.

Registration is required. Scan the QR code on the flyer to register.

09/15/2026

Instead of our usual newsletter, our President & CEO, Reggie Gordon, is delivering a simple message this month: don’t forget to vote!

Midterm elections are right around the corner. The outcome will determine control of Congress and what policies become law. We know that decisions made in Washington can have a direct and dramatic impact on our partners and the communities they serve.

That is why it is so important that we embrace this civic responsibility together. Read Reggie’s full message here:

Email from Richmond Memorial Health Foundation Your Voice, Your Vote Friends, In the place of a full-length newsletter this month, I wanted to instead send a more personal message with a very specific

08/17/2026

We’re proud to support this work. Thank you to everyone helping advance this important effort and strengthen health and well-being in our community.

We’re honored to be part of it.

07/07/2026

You may remember that last year we announced that Fred Karnas, PhD, a former Senior Fellow with us, would briefly rejoin the staff as our Older Adults Initiatives Fellow. His role with RMHF officially ended in June, so we invited Fred to reflect on his recent work, what he's learned, and the challenges and opportunities facing our region's older adult population. You can read his article here: https://rmhfoundation.org/resource/reflections-from-fred-karnas-fellow-for-older-adults-initiatives/

It was a pleasure to work with Fred again, and we want to thank him for everything he's done to support RMHF’s mission to advance health, racial, and ethnic equity.

[...]Read More

07/02/2026

We are proud to highlight the extraordinary work of CrossOver Healthcare Ministry as a part of our "Voices from the Region" series!

CrossOver has served the community since 1983, providing high-quality, compassionate healthcare to uninsured and Medicaid patients. You can read the full article, featuring CrossOver CEO Julie Bilodeau and Director of HIV Services Dr. Vivian Bruzzese, here: https://rmhfoundation.org/resource/voices-from-the-region-crossover-healthcare-ministry/

You can read all past entries in the "Voices from the Region" series on the RMHF website.

06/30/2026

RMHF President & CEO, Reginald "Reggie" Gordon, Esq., recently sat down with two Richmond Public Schools students for the RPS Alumni Stories series, sharing the journey that shaped his life in public service. Reggie's path — from Thomas Jefferson High School to Duke, Howard Law, and ultimately back to Richmond — is a testament to what it means to lead with purpose.

Reggie credits his RPS education, and a simple chance reconnection with a mentor, for opening the door to a career devoted to equity, justice, and community. Today, that commitment drives everything he does at Richmond Memorial Health Foundation.

His advice to the next generation? "Follow what you know moves you, gives you energy, or inspires you."

🔗 Read the full story here: https://www.rps.fund/alumni-stories

05/28/2026

Richmond Memorial Health Foundation is pleased to share this webinar opportunity for our nonprofit community.

Join Warren Whitney & Woods Rogers for a 90-minute session covering two topics every Virginia nonprofit leader should have on their radar:

⚖️ Virginia Nonprofit Employers' Mid-Year Legal Update: Attorneys Leah Stiegler and Alex Liubinskas of Woods Rogers will highlight recent employment law changes and key takeaways from the Virginia General Assembly's latest legislation.

📋 Moving Toward Equity: 2026 Compensation, Benefits & Work Culture Report: HR Consultant Esther Nand of Warren Whitney will guide attendees through salary benchmarking data and trends in compensation, benefits, recruitment, retention, and workplace culture.

Both sessions include live Q&A.

🗓️ Choose your date:
• Monday, June 8 | 2:00–3:30 p.m. Register here: fb8d79bd-6a4d-460e-a71d-8f189a8a6de5@47045ffa-3925-403b-9379-b8ecc64767cf" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fb8d79bd-6a4d-460e-a71d-8f189a8a6de5@47045ffa-3925-403b-9379-b8ecc64767cf
• Wednesday, June 10 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Register here: 937c5d66-ab14-44e8-9d26-0ef70a8af200@47045ffa-3925-403b-9379-b8ecc64767cf" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/937c5d66-ab14-44e8-9d26-0ef70a8af200@47045ffa-3925-403b-9379-b8ecc64767cf

05/11/2026

We're so proud to celebrate Vanessa Walker-Harris, MD, as a YWCA 2026 Outstanding Women Awards honoree in Health & Science! 🎉

Dr. Walker-Harris has dedicated her career to advancing public health and racial justice across Virginia, from her current role as Director of the Office of Family Health Services at the Virginia Department of Health, to her leadership on the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation Board of Trustees.

Her commitment to health equity and building a healthier, more just Commonwealth for all Virginians is an inspiration. Congratulations, Dr. Walker-Harris! 👏

Introducing Vanessa Walker-Harris, MD, 2026 Outstanding Women Awards honoree in Health & Science category!

Vanessa Walker Harris, MD, is a dynamic public health leader dedicated to advancing health and racial justice. She currently serves as Director of the Office of Family Health Services at the Virginia Department of Health, where she cultivates a culture of collaboration and innovation to strengthen programs in maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, injury and violence prevention, and nutrition security. Grounded in her core strengths of integration, convening, and coaching, she works to build alignment across diverse stakeholders and systems, with the goal of ensuring that all Virginians have a fair and just opportunity to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Dr. Walker Harris previously served as Secretary of Health and Human Resources under Governor Ralph Northam, where she championed equitable access to high-quality healthcare alongside the social supports necessary for individuals and communities to thrive. She advanced to this role after serving as Deputy Secretary, where she played a key role in addressing maternal health inequities across the Commonwealth. Her leadership spans public health, policy, and philanthropy, with deep experience in program administration, strategic planning, budget management, and the development and implementation of health equity–focused policy.

Beyond her governmental service, Dr. Walker Harris has demonstrated catalytic leadership in the nonprofit sector, including as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Richmond Memorial Health Foundation. In this role, she has helped deepen the organization’s focus on policy and advocacy, civic engagement, and community power-building in pursuit of a more equitable and healthy Richmond region. Across all of her work, she leverages her expertise to promote civic engagement and support the next generation of public health professionals (continued in comments).