Charlottesville Tomorrow is celebrating our 20th anniversary, and we’re throwing a party.
Our team has been busy behind the scenes prepping a day of family-friendly fun, including free food, music, local vendors, interactive exhibits and more.
The “Next 20” celebration on Saturday, Oct. 4 honors two decades of bold local journalism, community storytelling and civic connection — and celebrates our community ‘s visions for the next 20 years.
In that vein, here are some visions from our party-planning team: CEO and Editor-in-Chief Angilee Shah, Chief Sustainability Officer Michaux Hood and Event Strategist Sabrina Feggans.
Why do you think it’s important to celebrate, even during hard times?
Angilee Shah: The more difficult the challenge or daunting the task, the more grateful I am to be tackling it with a strong community. This is a really busy time in the newsroom, and there is so much to do, but I want to celebrate because so many people had a hand in making sure the Charlottesville area has an independent local newsroom that is growing. It takes a community of people over many years — 20 in Charlottesville Tomorrow’s case — to build something sustainable and that we have done this work together is worth celebrating.
Sabrina Feggans: I think it ‘s important to celebrate, even during hard times, because celebration reminds us of what we’ve accomplished in hard times — our progress and commitment to our community. It allows us to hope for what’s next and shows that our community can come together to achieve that hope. Celebration builds resilience, and resilience is what carries community through challenges.
What will you be celebrating about local news in central Virginia?
Michaux Hood: We are celebrating in community with all of our local supporters, including contributors to our recently launched Next 20 series, which features perspectives on what ‘s possible in central Virginia. The event recognizes the contributions of everyone in Charlottesville Tomorrow’s orbit, from our partners and fellows with Charlottesville Inclusive Media, 9,000 email subscribers, and local donors who make our reporting possible and keep it free for everyone to access.
Shah: I’m really proud of the rich tapestry of organizations and communities that Charlottesville Tomorrow is a part of. We are fortunate in central Virginia to have community leaders who work hard to help keep people informed, who are trusted and can cut through thick layers of falsehoods and half-truths that crowds so much of our digital ecosystem right now. We will celebrate Charlottesville Tomorrow’s role in this ecosystem, and our commitment to making sure more people have access to and feel represented in their local media.
What part of the Next 20 celebration are you most looking forward to? What do you hope people will take away from the experience?
Feggans: I’m excited about hearing directly from our Next 20 panelists, hearing from previous members of the board and staff, and seeing the community engage with the interactive activities we’ve planned. I hope people walk away not only inspired by the stories they hear but also feeling like they have a hand in shaping the next chapter of Charlottesville Tomorrow! The power of accurate local news to connect us, generate ideas and empower us to take action in shaping the future of our community through an amplification of diverse voices — this is what excites me.
Hood: I’m looking forward to everyone getting a chance to hang with our special guests including our previous executive director, Giles Morris, who will be joining us to MC the event, along with current and previous board members and our current staff!
I’m also hoping folks who want to get more involved check out ways to collaborate with Charlottesville Tomorrow moving forward, to help bring our news and information to everyone in central Virginia. At the event, we’ll share ways you can volunteer with us, share our work within your circles and even submit your own 20 year vision for central Virginia for our Next 20 series.
Take action
RSVP now to join us to celebrate on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The first step to creating our shared future is imagining it.
For Charlottesville Tomorrow’s 20th anniversary, we are inviting central Virginians to share their visions for the next 20 years.
