RICHMOND FIRST CLUB PROGRAMS:
SEPTEMBER 2025 THROUGH JUNE 2026
The program topics and speakers are subject to change.
SEPTEMBER 10:
"Investing in Those Who Are 'Growing Bolder' in the Region"
Speaker: Amy Strite, President/CEO of SPAN
OCTOBER 8:
"Feeding Change: Where Community Meets the Kitchen"
Speaker: Micheal Sparks, CEO, The Underground Kitchen Community First (UGK CF)
NOVEMBER 12:
"A.I. - Life Changing Solutions, Improving Customer Service Delivery"
Speaker: "A.I. - Life Changing Solutions, Improving Customer Service Delivery"
DECEMBER 10:
"Annual Election Postmortem and General Assembly Preview"
Speaker: Speaker: Jeff Schapiro, Political Columnist (Retired)
JANUARY 21:
"Richmond 300 Masterplan Update"
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Vonck, Department of Planning and Development Review Director
FEBRUARY 11:
"State of the Unhoused: What's Next for Addressing Homelessness in the region"
Invited Speaker: Greta Harris, President and CEO of Better Housing Coalition
MARCH 11:
"No Child Left Behind - What it Means to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)"
Speaker: Jeanine Harper, Executive Director, Richmond CASA
APRIL 8:
"Johnny's Reading is Improving in RVA and the State of Richmond Public Schools (RPS) K-12 Education."
Invited Speaker: Jason Kamras, RPS Superintendent
MAY 13:
"Move Along, Folks. Nothing to See Here. Enforcement of Virginia Freedom of Information Laws and Regulations."
Speaker: Megan Rhyne, Coalition for Open Government Executive Director
JUNE 10:
"A Surprise Great Finale!"
Speaker: TBD
Possible Field Trip(s) - date(s) to be determined
Virginia Holocaust Museum
Hollywood Cemetery (Guided Tour)
RICHMOND FIRST CLUB PROGRAMS:
SEPTEMBER 2024 THROUGH JUNE 2025
SEPTEMBER 11:
"9-11: First Responders from the Endangered Financial Sector"
Speaker: Rhett DuPont, former Head of Securities, New York Stock Exchange
OCTOBER 9:
"Addressing America's Civics Crisis"
Speaker: Joni Albrecht, Executive Director, John Marshall Center
NOVEMBER 13:
"NOVEMBER 13: (Note: Meeting will be held in the River Dining Room on this date)
"Reforming the Problematic Richmond School Board"
Speaker: Shannon Heady, Richmonders for Effective Governance of Schools (REGS)
DECEMBER 11:
"Election Postmortem and General Assembly Preview"
Speaker: Jeff Schapiro
JANUARY 15:
Award Ceremony: 2024 Good Government and Leadership Award
"The Evolution of the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Newspaper Industry 2005-2025"
Speakers: Howard Owen, former TD editor and newsroom executive
Kelly Till, President and Publisher of the Times-Dispatch
FEBRUARY 12:
"Actions to Address Metro Richmond's Housing Crisis"
Speaker: Marion Cake, Vice President of Affordable Housing, Project Homes
MARCH 12:
"The New Mayor's Vision for Richmond"
Speaker: Mayor Danny Avula
APRIL 9:
"Venture Richmond: Keeping the Capital City a 'Capital' Place to Live and Visit"
Speaker: Lucy Meade, Director of Economic Development and Community Relations
MAY 14:
"Metro Richmond's Growing Hispanic Community-Where They Live and Work, and Their Aspirations."
Speaker: Tanya Gonzalez, Executive Director of the Sacred Heart Center
JUNE 11:
"Richmond's Beautiful Gem: Exciting Expansion Plans for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden"
Speaker: Brian Trader, Lewis Ginter CEO
Venue: The Robbins Room at Lewis Ginter with lunch and a tour of the gardens