“In many ways,COVID-19 is clearly exposing long-standing issues in our community.”

What are your fears and/or concerns right now?

We’re all dealing with so many issues and so much change. As the director of the Valentine, I hope I can be useful and helpful as we navigate these challenges. We have an incredible staff and many supporters. My biggest concern is disappointing them.

What have you learned from living this new normal?

I can still cook… and I enjoy it. There’s a lot of delicious food in the freezer now. It’s hard cooking for one. For me living solo (being alone at home) is not that big a challenge. The challenge is not having the choice to leave.

Do you think anything positive will come from all of this?

Absolutely. In many ways, COVID-19 is clearly exposing long-standing issues in our community – access to healthcare and work, disparities in education, and availability of capital for small businesses. Again, we see with clarity, the impact of racism in every aspect of life in Richmond. COVID-19 is a call-to-action to begin to address these issues with new strategies. Everyone needs to step away from their screens and get to know the people who are working in these areas and become involved in some way. For some, it may be financial resources, but the real need is for people to be advocates for the institutional and political changes to address the systemic issues that have created these problems. And to be real partners with people in the community who are doing this important work.

READ THE STORIES

Click on any of the images below to learn more about what's on the minds of fellow Richmonders. From the pandemic to protests, our community has traveled through months of uncertainty, introspection and reflection. Sharing stories gives us an opportunity to learn, connect and grow with one another in the hopes of cultivating a more compassionate, open-minded and empathetic city to live in.