Xavier's 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.
Bloom Restaurant and Wine Bar
One of my favorite “city bars”; with aesthetics, energy and vibes are unmatched for bars in Roanoke. Did I forget to mention the food and drinks? Chef's Kiss! They allow me a place to escape when I am having one of those weeks where I wish I was in D.C, or New York.
Visit WebsiteLucky Restaurant
One of my favorite “city bars”; with aesthetics, energy and vibes are unmatched for bars in Roanoke. Did I forget to mention the food and drinks? Chef's Kiss! They allow me a place to escape when I am having one of those weeks where I wish I was in D.C, or New York.
Visit WebsiteRND Coffee
This was really hard to pick as well. There are several tea shops, and coffee shops that I frequent but this Black owned coffee shop had to make the list. They deserve their flowers for staying progressive. Not only is the coffee & tea a hit, but the food and snacks are a must! RND provides a very dope working environment where you can grab your favorite teas, coffee, food, and meet with people in a cool upcoming neighborhood called Wasena, which also has several other food attractions in the same vicinity.
Visit WebsiteSidecar
One of my favorite “city bars”; with aesthetics, energy and vibes are unmatched for bars in Roanoke. Did I forget to mention the food and drinks? Chef's Kiss! They allow me a place to escape when I am having one of those weeks where I wish I was in D.C, or New York.
Visit WebsiteThe Collective
The Collective is an entrepreneurial hub in the heart of NW Roanoke, VA. The Collective is a contagious, energetic space that provides entrepreneurs, creatives, and artists, a space to create, co-work, and collaborate. Whether you're just riding by to see the murals and see more of the city, or you spend some time there working on your projects or meeting with someone to brainstorm a creative idea. The art was curated by myself and painted by one of the greatest, Bryce Cobbs. The Collective is home to many of Roanoke's Black entrepreneurs.
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Paris
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.
Jarrell
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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Matt
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.
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