Heart & Soul, Your Guide to Black Virginia

Matt's 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.

Historic District & Downtown Mall

Alley Light

The Alley Light is a French spot that gives the speakeasy vibes as you walk down a literal alley with a single light outside of the entrance. Love the cocktails there great small plates, and is cozy and intimate which bodes well for date night or afterwork drinks.

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The Corner + West Main

Mel's Cafe

This is a black owned restaurant in Charlottesville that is a staple of the community. It's on Main Street and is a must go if you're in the area visiting. The food is cooked with heart and soul, the best kind.

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Historic District & Downtown Mall

Ten

Ten is a sushi restaurant that is on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville. It's great for date night with an intimate setting and has great rolls. For a night out with friends it's great because of the location being surrounded by a few great bars.

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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.

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Jarrell

Norfolk

Jarrell Williams is a storyteller, host, creative marketer, and advocate for positivity, self-worth, and joyful exploration. A father of three, Lennon, Leo, and Tala Joy, Jarrell champions a lifestyle rooted in curiosity, connection, and play alongside his partner, Heidi Joy. 

As the creator of Nomarama, Jarrell has built a culturally influential platform that highlights the authentic joy of travel, nature, food, and community through compelling storytelling and immersive experiences. Jarrell’s on-camera work includes hosting the acclaimed three-season series City With Bite, produced in partnership with the City of Norfolk and VisitNorfolk, which showcases independent restaurants, breweries, and culinary culture across the region.

Beyond the screen, Jarrell has spent years working in marketing and advertising for Visit Virginia and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) across the country, crafting campaigns that generate visibility, tourism growth, and community engagement through authentic content and local partnerships. His work spans creative strategy, brand storytelling, content production, event curation, and experiential campaigns that celebrate local culture and small businesses.

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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.

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