Richmond educator, church leader recognized-Joan Belle Christian looks on during the street renaming ceremony in Jackson Ward on Saturday, Nov. 8. The event honored her lifelong dedication to education and community advocacy as well as to mentoring young leaders across Richmond. Below, the 1600 block of South Meadow Street is now Dr. Joan Belle Christian Street, honoring her decades of service to Richmond’s schools and community. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Richmond educator, church leader recognized-Family, friends and community members gathered Saturday, Nov. 8 to unveil a street sign honoring Joan Belle Christian, a beloved Richmond educator, humanitarian and community advocate. The 1600 block of South Meadow Street. is now known as Dr. Joan Belle Christian Street, recognizing her lifelong service and impact on generations of students, families and neighbors. A devoted lifelong member of Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, Christian’s dedication helped shape the church’s mission and community presence. She also served as a special education teacher in Richmond Public Schools for 29 years and held leadership roles with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Richmond educator, church leader recognized-Family, friends and community members gathered Saturday, Nov. 8 to unveil a street sign honoring Joan Belle Christian, a beloved Richmond educator, humanitarian and community advocate. The 1600 block of South Meadow Street. is now known as Dr. Joan Belle Christian Street, recognizing her lifelong service and impact on generations of students, families and neighbors. A devoted lifelong member of Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church in the historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, Christian’s dedication helped shape the church’s mission and community presence. She also served as a special education teacher in Richmond Public Schools for 29 years and held leadership roles with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Neighborhood pride shines at Brookland Park Fest-Brookland Park Fest filled the boulevard with music, art and food as residents and visitors gathered Sunday, Nov. 9 for the annual community celebration. The free event, organized by the Brookland Park Business Association, showcased local businesses, artists and food vendors, along with musical performances, family activities and special events hosted by shops along Brookland Park Boulevard between Fendall and North avenues. Neethi Jois (left) and sisters Riley and Evelyn Duong create painted magnets at the Hand Thrown pottery tent. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Neighborhood pride shines at Brookland Park Fest-Brookland Park Fest filled the boulevard with music, art and food as residents and visitors gathered Sunday, Nov. 9 for the annual community celebration. The free event, organized by the Brookland Park Business Association, showcased local businesses, artists and food vendors, along with musical performances, family activities and special events hosted by shops along Brookland Park Boulevard between Fendall and North avenues. Frankie Akande and her twin daughters, Bella and Henri Robertson, 9, navigate the bustling festival street while enjoying ice cream. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Neighborhood pride shines at Brookland Park Fest-Brookland Park Fest filled the boulevard with music, art and food as residents and visitors gathered Sunday, Nov. 9 for the annual community celebration. The free event, organized by the Brookland Park Business Association, showcased local businesses, artists and food vendors, along with musical performances, family activities and special events hosted by shops along Brookland Park Boulevard between Fendall and North avenues. ShaMecca “Mecca” and LaTeshia “Teshia” LeSane, owners of the Harlym Blue’Z restaurant in Brookland Park, perform during the festival. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Museum makes way for fashion, food and culture-The Afro-Vegan Social at the Branch Museum of Design on Sunday, Nov. 9, brought together food, fashion and culture. Organized by For the Fem in You, the event highlighted healthy food access while celebrating futuristic African culture and style. Guests enjoyed a set from DJ Chey Butta + Ease, a fashion show featuring multiple designers, a pop-up shop, and vegan tastings from local chefs and restaurants. A model walks the runway at the Afro-Vegan Social fashion show. All proceeds from the event were donated to For the Fem in You, a local group that focuses on creating safe spaces for women of color. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Museum makes way for fashion, food and culture-The Afro-Vegan Social at the Branch Museum of Design on Sunday, Nov. 9, brought together food, fashion and culture. Organized by For the Fem in You, the event highlighted healthy food access while celebrating futuristic African culture and style. Guests enjoyed a set from DJ Chey Butta + Ease, a fashion show featuring multiple designers, a pop-up shop, and vegan tastings from local chefs and restaurants. Shayola Binta serves vegan pumpkin stew to Ariane McKeller. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Museum makes way for fashion, food and culture-The Afro-Vegan Social at the Branch Museum of Design on Sunday, Nov. 9, brought together food, fashion and culture. Organized by For the Fem in You, the event highlighted healthy food access while celebrating futuristic African culture and style. Guests enjoyed a set from DJ Chey Butta + Ease, a fashion show featuring multiple designers, a pop-up shop, and vegan tastings from local chefs and restaurants. Runway models for Bebe Lamonica strike a pose after the show. (Julianne Tripp Hillian)

Coleus in Carytown (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Community tunes in for Radio One’s health expo-Radio One hosted its 2nd Annual Community Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Victory Theater & Event Center on Midlothian Turnpike. The event encouraged attendees to prioritize their health through panel discussions on physical, mental and spiritual wellness as well as free screenings, health resources and wellness tools. Guests also participated in interactive activities including a 10-minute breathe and stretch session and a 15-minute Zumba class. Dawn Anderson, culinary and clinical dietitian, and Shanta Jackson, registered dietitian, speak on the panel “Sugar, Salt and Survival: Tackling Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.” (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Community tunes in for Radio One’s health expo-Radio One hosted its 2nd Annual Community Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Victory Theater & Event Center on Midlothian Turnpike. The event encouraged attendees to prioritize their health through panel discussions on physical, mental and spiritual wellness as well as free screenings, health resources and wellness tools. Guests also participated in interactive activities including a 10-minute breathe and stretch session and a 15-minute Zumba class. Ms. Community Clovia (center) of 99.3 Kiss Richmond hosts a panel with social worker Shayla Walker (left) and program and strategic development consultant Cary Goodman (right) on “Breaking the Cycle: How to Rewrite Family Health History.” (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Community tunes in for Radio One’s health expo-Radio One hosted its 2nd Annual Community Health & Wellness Expo on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Victory Theater & Event Center on Midlothian Turnpike. The event encouraged attendees to prioritize their health through panel discussions on physical, mental and spiritual wellness as well as free screenings, health resources and wellness tools. Guests also participated in interactive activities including a 10-minute breathe and stretch session and a 15-minute Zumba class. Chamika McKnight, (second right) a Virginia State University graduate student, and Kasinda Thomas, (right) a substance use disorder therapist, listen to a panel discussion. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond- Aqiyla McMillan of RVA Rapid Transit, her daughter Kayden McMillan and her goddaughter Kasey Collins planted trees Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the bus stop at Fairfield Avenue and Kane Street as part of Richmond Tree Week. A recent inventory found that 36% of the city’s tree wells are empty, leaving about 44,000 missing trees. Environmental data analyst Melanie Del Pozo reported that 403 bus stops have at least one vacant tree well and 227 have none. Many are in neighborhoods where residents face higher heat exposure. Richmond Tree Week, held Nov. 1-8, included more than 30 free events. Activities featured volunteer plantings, tree giveaways, walking and biking tours and educational workshops. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Honoring Veterans-Army veteran John Dorman attends the 69th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Dorman has visited the memorial for decades to honor Virginia’s men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Paying tribute-The ceremonies honored Virginians who have served and those currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Felix H. Shelton, 64, a Marine veteran, chants the Marine battle cry during the 69th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial on Tuesday, Nov. 11. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Paying tribute-The ceremonies honored Virginians who have served and those currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw speaks at the ceremony, which also featured remarks from Chuck Zingler, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and musical performances by the Combined Northside High School Chorus from Roanoke. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Paying tribute-The ceremonies honored Virginians who have served and those currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Police, firefighters duke it out for charity- Richmond City firefighters and police officers traded gloves for a good cause during River City Fight Night: Red Fight & Blue at River City Roll on Nov. 5. The charity boxing event raised funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, selected by the Fire Department, and the American Kidney Fund, chosen by the Police Department. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Police, firefighters duke it out for charity-Mo’Reese Moore, representing Richmond firefighters, squares off against Patrick Ripley of Richmond police. Richmond City firefighters and police officers traded gloves for a good cause during River City Fight Night: Red Fight & Blue at River City Roll on Nov. 5. The charity boxing event raised funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, selected by the Fire Department, and the American Kidney Fund, chosen by the Police Department. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Police, firefighters duke it out for charity-Keivon Henderson of the Richmond City Firefighters, fighting out of the red corner, goes glove to glove with Richmond Police’s Duane Peppel in the blue. Richmond City firefighters and police officers traded gloves for a good cause during River City Fight Night: Red Fight & Blue at River City Roll on Nov. 5. The charity boxing event raised funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, selected by the Fire Department, and the American Kidney Fund, chosen by the Police Department. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Police, firefighters duke it out for charity-Keivon Henderson of the Richmond City Firefighters shares a post-fight moment with Richmond Police’s Duane Peppel — and the announcer — after their bout. Henderson claimed the win for the firefighters in the charity showdown. Richmond City firefighters and police officers traded gloves for a good cause during River City Fight Night: Red Fight & Blue at River City Roll on Nov. 5. The charity boxing event raised funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, selected by the Fire Department, and the American Kidney Fund, chosen by the Police Department. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)