Sept. 1 Newsletter: Two unsung heroes
Weather: Below average temperatures continue. High of 78.
On this date in 1955, the city is plagued by mosquitoes after back-to-back hurricanes create fertile conditions for the bugs.
The editor's desk
Good morning! As the holiday weekend continues, we're using today's edition to spotlight our 25 in '25 series celebrating the people who make us proud to be Richmonders.
Hopefully you've enjoyed it as much as I have over the past month. When we started The Richmonder as a nonprofit, we knew we'd have lots of news to write about, but we never wanted to lose sight of our power to connect the community and celebrate the people who make this a great place to live.
- We'll be toasting all 25 on Sept. 19 at the Robinson Theater. Please join us for an inspiring evening of food and fun.
Today, we introduce you to the 23rd and 24th members of our inaugural class. Their stories remind us all of the power we have to make a difference. Enjoy!
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
Angela Jordan wears all hats serving high school students
With a caseload of about 50 students at Richmond High School for the Arts (formerly George Wythe), Angela Jordan's connections in the community come in handy.
Whether it's finding supplies for class, a meal for the night, diapers for a student’s child, or an outfit for prom, Jordan works to keep her students on track to graduate as the site coordinator for Communities in Schools of Richmond.
Reporter Victoria A. Ifatusin shadowed Jordan on a day that included helping one of her former students move into the dorms at Virginia Union.
“She kept me level-headed when I was in dark places,” the student said. “She kept me pushing, and every time I listened to her, it showed results.” Read more here.
For the past 13 years, Julia Warren Mattingly has celebrated RVA, in ways big and small
When she was 17, she started a nonprofit to help make children's birthdays special. People saw it as a passion project, but something that wouldn't last past high school.
Now, more than 7,000 birthday parties later, Mattingly is ready to move on to her next challenge.
After thirteen years with Celebrate RVA, she announced recently she is preparing to step aside, to focus on her role as a mom and, she hopes, as a foster parent. Read more here.
Read some of our other 25 in '25 profiles
- Keith Ramsey makes bicycling fun during his group's Monday night rides
- Emily McMillen is the thread that keeps Woodland Heights connected
- Igmara Sanchez Prunier provides Latinos a space to grieve
- Rodney Hopkins goes above and beyond for people seeking emergency shelter
- Bob Argabright made it his mission to fix up a South Richmond park
Find the complete list of honorees here.
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