Colorful signs of fall in West End (photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Aiden Sales enjoys a Thanksgiving meal at The Giving Heart’s 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

A Thanksgiving of service-The Giving Heart marked its 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast last Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing more than 1,000 people to the exhibit hall for a day centered on meals and community connection. Kathy Taylor, one of the many table hosts at the event, selects a slice of sweet potato pie. (photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

A Thanksgiving of service-The Giving Heart marked its 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast last Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing more than 1,000 people to the exhibit hall for a day centered on meals and community connection. (photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

A Thanksgiving of service-The Giving Heart marked its 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast last Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing more than 1,000 people to the exhibit hall for a day centered on meals and community connection. Guests receive free meals, flu shots, clothing and other items at the convention center. (photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

A Thanksgiving of service-The Giving Heart marked its 20th annual Thanksgiving Day Feast last Thursday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, drawing more than 1,000 people to the exhibit hall for a day centered on meals and community connection. Gov-elect Abigail Spanberger and her family help prepare meals. (Photo courtesy of Abigail Spanberger)

Soul of Christmas-Children and families visited the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia on Nov. 29 for the annual Soul Santa Experience. The museum will host two more Saturdays, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of Community Access Days with free admission and optional donations. Attendees can hear holiday stories, join arts and crafts activities and browse the museum gift shop for items such as the Ebonyopoly board game. Okeira Lightfoot takes a photo of her children, Sir Lightfoot, 3 (left), and Laiyah Edwards, 8 (right), with Soul Santa. (photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Soul of Christmas-Children and families visited the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia on Nov. 29 for the annual Soul Santa Experience. The museum will host two more Saturdays, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of Community Access Days with free admission and optional donations. Attendees can hear holiday stories, join arts and crafts activities and browse the museum gift shop for items such as the Ebonyopoly board game. Kyndal Davis, 4, colors a holiday picture in the arts and crafts section of the Black History Museum’s annual Soul Santa Experience. (photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Soul of Christmas-Children and families visited the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia on Nov. 29 for the annual Soul Santa Experience. The museum will host two more Saturdays, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of Community Access Days with free admission and optional donations. Attendees can hear holiday stories, join arts and crafts activities and browse the museum gift shop for items such as the Ebonyopoly board game. Volunteers Michaele’ McKeever-Davis and Trayc Freeman welcome guests to the museum. (photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Small Business Saturday brings community, commerce together-Shoppers filled Sheppard Street on Nov. 29 for the Small Business Saturday Market hosted by RVA Galleries between Floyd and Ellwood avenues. The market featured 75 vendors offering everything from ceramics and fine art to spirits and locally made food. Katherine Thompson, a three-time RVA Galleries vendor, talks with a visitor at her booth. (photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Small Business Saturday brings community, commerce together-Shoppers filled Sheppard Street on Nov. 29 for the Small Business Saturday Market hosted by RVA Galleries between Floyd and Ellwood avenues. The market featured 75 vendors offering everything from ceramics and fine art to spirits and locally made food. Cards and goods made by Renee Stramel are displayed at the market. ((photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Small Business Saturday brings community, commerce together-Shoppers filled Sheppard Street on Nov. 29 for the Small Business Saturday Market hosted by RVA Galleries between Floyd and Ellwood avenues. The market featured 75 vendors offering everything from ceramics and fine art to spirits and locally made food. Rebecca Gunther explores local vendors. ((photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-Henrico County’s held its annual Candlelight & Ribbon Tying Ceremony on Tuesday to honor homicide victims. Sponsored by the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, the event featured prayer, remarks from friends and family of the deceased, a memorial board of photographs and a memorial tree where participants placed the names of those they have lost. Early reports show the county has recorded just two homicides through December 2025, down from 22 during the same period last year — a potential 91% decrease if the trend holds through year’s end. An attendee holds a candle during the event, which concluded with an outdoor reception. (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-Henrico County’s held its annual Candlelight & Ribbon Tying Ceremony on Tuesday to honor homicide victims. Sponsored by the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, the event featured prayer, remarks from friends and family of the deceased, a memorial board of photographs and a memorial tree where participants placed the names of those they have lost. Early reports show the county has recorded just two homicides through December 2025, down from 22 during the same period last year — a potential 91% decrease if the trend holds through year’s end. Attendees pause at the memorial board displaying photos of loved ones. (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-Henrico County’s held its annual Candlelight & Ribbon Tying Ceremony on Tuesday to honor homicide victims. Sponsored by the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, the event featured prayer, remarks from friends and family of the deceased, a memorial board of photographs and a memorial tree where participants placed the names of those they have lost. Early reports show the county has recorded just two homicides through December 2025, down from 22 during the same period last year — a potential 91% decrease if the trend holds through year’s end. Shakim “Shaka” Woodberry holds a framed photo of him and his daughter at the ceremony Dec. 2 outside the government center. She was killed in 2019. Woodberry has since helped found Fathers Advocating Community Teamwork Solutions, a group working to turn “pain into progress.” (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-Henrico County’s held its annual Candlelight & Ribbon Tying Ceremony on Tuesday to honor homicide victims. Sponsored by the Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Victim/Witness Program, the event featured prayer, remarks from friends and family of the deceased, a memorial board of photographs and a memorial tree where participants placed the names of those they have lost. Early reports show the county has recorded just two homicides through December 2025, down from 22 during the same period last year — a potential 91% decrease if the trend holds through year’s end. Nicole Totten shares the Victims’ Rights memorial tree at Henrico County’s annual Attendees pause at the memorial board displaying photos of loved ones. ceremony as she remembers her niece, Diamond Cox. (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-In Richmond, the Drums No Guns Foundation recently celebrated a $96,638 Health Equity Fund grant from the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation to support youth mental and behavioral health in schools affected by community violence. The year-long project, led by Ram Bhagat and coordinated by Kiran Bhagat, brings restorative justice practices to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, in collaboration with community-based educators, artists and public health partners. Ram Bhagat speaks at a news conference on Nov. 10 at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School where the Drums No Guns Foundation announced the awarding of the grant. (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Lighting the way for healing and change-In Richmond, the Drums No Guns Foundation recently celebrated a $96,638 Health Equity Fund grant from the Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation to support youth mental and behavioral health in schools affected by community violence. The year-long project, led by Ram Bhagat and coordinated by Kiran Bhagat, brings restorative justice practices to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, in collaboration with community-based educators, artists and public health partners. Olufemi Shepsu, a school social worker, speaks at a news conference, joined by social workers, teachers, counselors, and student support specialists involved in implementing the Drums No Guns program. (Photo by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond-A runner passes David H. Turner’s “Atlantic Sturgeon” sculpture outside the James A. Buzzard River Education Center at Dock Street Park along the Virginia Capital Trail. The sculpture celebrates the return of the Atlantic sturgeon to the James River and highlights the James River Association’s efforts to restore the river, reconnect the community to its waterfront and promote environmental education. (photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)