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Heart & Soul, Your Guide to Black Virginia

ABOUT HEART & SOUL

Experience our heart by celebrating our soul.

Heart & Soul invites you to celebrate life, creativity, and Black culture as it’s happening right now in Virginia. From the thriving arts scene in Richmond to the soulful sounds of Hampton Roads, the spirit of our communities shines through every neighborhood, every plate of food, and every beat of music.

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Charlottesville

Hampton Roads

Northern VA

Richmond

Roanoke

Black Virginia Can't-Miss Experiences

Whether you want to eat your way through the capital city, sip local wine and enjoy mountain views, or get up and groove on the coast, Virginia is ready for you. Use these featured experiences as a starting point to plan your trip.

Jackson Ward

Once known as the Harlem of the South, this neighborhood is a hub for Black culture, small businesses, and history.

Monticello Wine Trail

Explore over 40 acclaimed wineries, whether you'd like to savor award-winning vintages, take a tour, or attend an event.

Hampton Coliseum

This architectural standout hosts electrifying events year-round, including the landmark Hampton Jazz & Music Festival.

Connect with the culture

Community organizations, city programs, and directories around Virginia are ready to inspire your trip and fill your itinerary.

BLK RVA

A Richmond Region Tourism program celebrating all things Black culture in Virginia's capital city.

Black Cville

Charlottesville's directory of Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and activities to inspire your journey.

Newport News AACE

Discover cultural experiences including art, history, and events with this Newport News initiative.

400 Years Forward

Explore Black heritage sites in Hampton, plus where to eat and stay.

Upcoming Events

June 19-21, 2025

Family Day for Juneteenth at Mount Vernon

Celebrate freedom and heritage at Mount Vernon’s Family Day for Juneteenth. Learn about the enslaved people who fought for their freedom before Emancipation. Enjoy educational activities, storytelling, live performances, and crafts that honor the history and culture of Juneteenth.

June 27-29, 2025

Hampton Jazz Festival

Held at the iconic Hampton Coliseum, this legendary festival brings together the best names in music for every generation of music lovers. From smooth jazz to soulful R&B, it’s a weekend of timeless sound and good vibes.

July 17-20, 2025

Black Pride RVA

Join a powerful weekend of love, unity, and celebration at Black Pride RVA. This multi-day event uplifts BIPOC LGBTQ+ voices through parties, panels, performances, and healing spaces. Come for the joy, stay for the community—it’s all about empowerment, connection, and unapologetic pride.

August 8-10, 2025

Richmond Jazz and Music Festival

Every summer Maymont welcomes some of the biggest names in music to the Richmond Jazz Festival. Enjoy three days of local flavors, beautiful weather, and the best jazz, R&B, and soul artists.

August 24-25, 2025

African Landing Day (250th)

Held each August at Fort Monroe, African Landing Day honors the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in 1619. The day features powerful speakers, music, African drumming, and cultural performances. It’s a moment of reflection, remembrance, and celebration. Pro tip: Arrive early for the commemorative ceremony.

Saturdays in the Summer

Downtown Hampton Block Party

The Downtown Hampton Block Party is a lively community event filled with music, food vendors, local art, and family fun. Gather with neighbors to enjoy live entertainment, dance, and explore the vibrant culture of Hampton’s historic downtown. Perfect for a night of connection and celebration.

September 27, 2025

Run Richmond 16.19

Experience 400 years of Black history in Richmond during this walk-run event put on by the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. The race takes participants on a historic route prompting reflections about shared ancestry and the path towards unity.

October 4-5, 2025

2nd Street Festival

The streets of Jackson Ward come alive each October as Richmond celebrates the 2nd Street Festival. With multiple stages, food vendors, a marketplace for local artist, and a kids area, you can party all weekend long. Pro tip: Bring a folding chair to take in the music.

October 17-19, 2025

Anthem Go Festival

Embrace the outdoors at Roanoke’s three‑day GO Outside Festival—bike, hike, paddle, climb, race, or sample craft beer. Catch pro-athlete demos, live music, family-friendly zones, and gear try‑outs across downtown and Mill Mountain.

November 15, 2025

Two Up Wine Down Festival

Sip, snack, and celebrate wine at Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting featuring Virginia’s finest varietals, local DJ's, and a marketplace spotlighting BIPOC wine pros and artisans.

Multiple Dates

Not Your Average Everything

From AfroBeats and R&B parties to tailgates and festivals, NYA Events by Humble Hustle turn up the fun while giving back. Proceeds support local programs, so every ticket helps the community thrive. Keep an eye on their socials to catch the next big event—they’re anything but average.

Multiple Dates

UnlockingRVA

Unlocking RVA hosts various events around Richmond including Silent Discos at 17th Street Market and Brunch on the Plaza. These tailored events connect Richmond to local businesses and most importantly each other.

Explore All Events

Meet the Curators Behind Heart & Soul

Xavier

Roanoke

Xavier Tramaine Duckett is a community leader, artist, entrepreneur, traveler, and mentor based in Roanoke, VA, where he was raised in a culture of service, generosity, and love for community. In 2015, Xavier moved back to Roanoke after finishing his football career at ODU, with the mission to not only give back to his community, but to uplift it. He recognized the need for local youth empowerment programs and founded nonprofit The Humble Hustle Co. with that in mind. Xavier has leveraged his diverse background to impact youth and inspire others. His work continues to uplift his community and its members.

Matt

Charlottesville

A resident of Charlottesville, Matt Harmon spent the past 5 years developing a love of wine. As his passion for wine developed, he wanted to share that passion with family and friends. As he did so, he noticed people’s preconceived ideas about wine, and who “should” drink wine and sought to change this perception. And thus, his entrepreneurial journey with Harmony Wine was born. Matt challenges the perception of who and what wine drinkers should be in his everyday life—sometimes he drinks wine in a suit, sometimes he kicks back and drinks his wine wearing his joggers.

Tashira

Alexandria

It’s all fashion on Tashira’s corner of the internet. So, what keeps her going in the DC Metro area? Find out more as she takes us through her Alexandria City Guide. Tashira Halyard—known to her online community as Tashira Garcon—is an attorney, equity consultant and fashion content creator. She’s a breast cancer survivor who seamlessly blends style, self-care and social justice into her brand “Politics & Fashion.” Her Instagram and YouTube channel are hubs for not only fashion inspiration, but also a rapidly growing sisterhood.

Jarrell

Harrisonburg

Jarrell Williams of Nomarama is the father of two beautiful boys, Lennon & Leo, and promotes a lifestyle of positivity, self-worth and exploring the world with his partner, Heidi Joy. His online brand, Nomarama, highlights an authentic lifestyle of travel, food, power of play and exploration of nature, all while supporting local businesses. On his shows, “The City with Bite” and “Just Droppin’,” he takes you on food journeys around the state and beyond. You might also recognize him from his small business incubator the Munchie Market, or his adventures as a tourism ambassador, nature aficionado, and overall creative powerhouse.

Paris

Richmond

Born and raised in Richmond, Paris is a flight attendant by day and a full-time Content Creator whose creativity never really turns off. For someone who travels daily for a living, coming home to RVA always feels like a “big hug after a long stretch of time away.” She’s had the chance to see the world and truly enjoys being immersed in other cultures and expanding her worldview, but the 804 will always be her home.

Selah

Richmond

Selah Marie was born and raised in Richmond, VA and influenced by southern culture and the urban creativity surrounding her from an early age. As both a mother and a photographer, she’s learned that being creative and having fun is the key component to solving a multitude of problems. When pitching clients, she believes that you are not simply purchasing a photoshoot, you are investing in an experience that will serve both as a statement in your portfolio and as an illustration of your creative ability and willingness to adapt to creative vision. She takes pride in accelerating careers and helping brands create viral visions and social media branding elements.

Mike

Richmond

“Spurweezy” knows how to throw down in the kitchen, but even the best home chef wants to let someone else do the cooking sometimes. Mike Spurlock is an event professional and content creator who’s built a loyal, food-loving following on TikTok with his authentic and relatable approach to food and cooking. While grateful for his virality on the platform and the opportunities that have come along with it, Mike is most passionate about creating content that truly connects with his audience and wants to create a more inclusive space for all creators and viewers alike.