Courtesy, UVA Media Relations

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The Education Rights Institute at the University of Virginia School of Law will host a conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6-7:30 p.m. at UVA’s Old Cabell Hall.The event, “Reflections on Education with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson,” will open with an introduction by UVA Interim President Paul Mahoney, then a short reading by Jackson from her bestselling memoir, “Lovely One.”

Event host Professor Kimberly Jenkins Robinson, the founding director of the Education Rights Institute (ERI), will offer remarks, and will join Justice Jackson for a wide-ranging conversation on education..

“We are thrilled to welcome Justice Jackson to the University of Virginia,” Robinson said. “Her story and leadership exemplify the powerful impact of education and the importance of high-quality educational opportunities, which ERI strives to advance.”Robinson has a personal connection with Jackson — the pair were roommates at Harvard Law School. “Justice Jackson has been a supportive friend since we were roommates, and I have been honored to encourage her along her journey to the Supreme Court,” Robinson said.The event is free and open to the public, and registration is required.Signed copies of “Lovely One” is be available for purchase at the UVA Bookstore and will be available at the event. No live book signing will occur.

Registration Details

Registration for the free event opens Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 8 a.m. on the event website. Registration will close on Sept. 7 at 11:59 p.m. unless all seats are claimed earlier. Seating is limited and will be filled in order of registration. For security reasons, only registered attendees will be admitted. Registration is non-transferable, and there will be no standby line. All attendee names will be submitted to the appropriate federal authorities for screening purposes.

On Sept. 18, doors at Old Cabell Hall will open at 4:30 p.m. The program runs from 6-7:30 p.m. Government-issued ID will be required at check-in for all attendees on the day of the event, and names on the cards must match registration information exactly. A clear bag policy will be enforced. Non-approved bags, laptops, food and beverages will not be permitted, and any items left outside the auditorium will be removed.

Four-Day Gathering Featured Top Culinary Talent, Thought-Provoking Conversations, Memorable Performances, and Signature Family-Style Experiences

Courtesy Salamanda Media Relations

(Middleburg, VA; August 20, 2025) – The Family Reunion, the nation’s leading culinary celebration of diversity and excellence, marked its fifth anniversary with a sold-out weekend of food, culture, and community from August 14–17, 2025, at the Five-Star Salamander Middleburg resort.

Presented by Chef, Restaurateur, and Author Kwame Onwuachi in collaboration with Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Collection and Food & Wine, the four-day festival drew  1,000 daily attendees for dynamic programming that blended culinary mastery with cultural conversation. The event once again supported the Onwuachi ’13 Scholarship Fund at The Culinary Institute of America, with the help of partners including Wells Fargo, Amazon, Lexus, Google, Coca-Cola, and others.

This milestone year featured an all-star roster of culinary luminaries, including Mashama Bailey, Erick Williams, Rodney Scott, Gregory Gourdet, Nyesha Arrington, Carla Hall, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Tiffany Derry, and Alexander Smalls. Together, they led a rich program of panels, cooking demonstrations, family-style meals, spirited evening events, and late-night afterglows.

Thursday opened with the “Fore Us, By Us” Golf Excursion at Creighton Farms Golf Club followed by a Welcome Reception Cookout presented by United Airlines and Virginia Tourism Corporation, featuring pitmasters Rodney Scott, Bryan Furman, Kevin Bludso, Rasheed Philips, along with Torrence “Chef T” Gregoire and Virginia Ali/Ben’s Chili Bowl. Highlights included Chef Bryan’s Carolina Peach Mustard Ribs, Chef T’s OG Crunch Fried Chicken, and for dessert, Bourbon Peach Hand Pies by Salamander’s Pastry Team. The inaugural Legacy Dinner, a unique culinary experience presented by OpenTable, was held at Harrimans Grill, the resort’s renowned Five-Star restaurant. Mashama Bailey and Erick Williams crafted a delectable menu featuring deviled quail eggs and caviar, fried soft shell crab, roast chicken, and buttermilk pound cake. The evening was capped with a lively “Purple Haze” R&B Party featuring a surprise performance by Mario.

Friday began with the Rise and Dine Breakfast led by Chef Mawa McQueen and Food & Wine Editor in Chief Hunter Lewis. Guests then rotated through Breakthrough Sessions,anew addition this year, featuring cooking demos by Tiffany Derry, Erick Williams and Tavel Bristol-Joseph; trivia with Dr. Jessica B. Harris and Alexander Smalls; while Wells Fargo hosted “The Times Are Changing and So Are Our Wallets,”  a fireside chat with Mayor Leo Williams of Durham, NC, and the National Restaurant Association. Following the panels, Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi and Dakar NOLA showcased a variety of signature dishes during a Family-Style Lunch. Dōgon offered curried branzino and BBQ greens, while Dakar presented chicken yassa and a black-eyed pea salad. Vallery Lomas’ dessert rounded out the meal. Afternoon highlights included BBQ 411 with Rasheed Philips and Rodney Scott and “Jerk: The Dish That Freed a Nation,” with chefs Andre Fowles, a masterclass with Nicola Blaque and Lamar Moore leading guests through an in-depth tasting of delicious jerk cuisine.

That evening paid tribute to the Harlem Renaissance celebrating the era that reflected on Black identity. Culinary showcases included Adrienne Cheatham’s Lobster Beignets, JR Robinson’s Fraiche Gumbo, Melba Wilson’s Harlem Fried Chicken and Waffles, oysters from King St. Oyster Bar, and many more delectable dishes. For the Legacy Dinner by Gregory Gourdet and Nyesha Arrington, guests enjoyed Chilled Sweet Corn Soup with Peekytoe Crab, Epis Rubbed Snapper, Roasted Suya Shrimp, Beef Cheek, and a Strawberry-Sorrel Shortcake. The evening concluded with musical and cultural performances, including a special appearance by the legendary Slick Rick.

Saturday featured marquee panels, including a Food & Wine–curated discussion on renowned chef, author and teacher Edna Lewis and the legacy of black women chefs moderated by Cheryl Slocum, with panelists Carla Hall, Mashama Bailey and Dr. Jessica B. Harris. The Family-Style Lunch showcased Tatiana’s Sofrito Roasted Chicken and Piri Piri Salad, while Lure Fishbar offered a Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass Sandwich and Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. Breakouts included a “Chopped”-style competition presented by Google and a fireside chat titled “Turning Your Passion Project into a Money Maker,” hosted by Gigi Dixon from Wells Fargo, entrepreneur Hill Harper, and Janell Stephens, the founder and CEO of Camille Rose Hair Care. The evening came to a close with a 1970s-themed Block Party that showcased culinary talents from various chefs. Brian Jupiter’s lamb carnitas, Damarr Brown’s dirty grits, Douglas Williams’ New England Fry Basket, Muhammad Hadi’s lamb sausage pizza, and Kareem Queeman’s sweet potato rum cake were just a few of the dishes on offer. To add to the nostalgic vibe, the Salamander Pastry Team created tie-dye boozy Jello shots to honor the 70s theme. Saturday evening’s Legacy Dinner featured Tiffany Derry and Tavel Bristol-Joseph, who showcased a variety of dishes, including ceviche, a New York Strip, smoked yams, and watermelon lime sorbet. The evening also included a special Lifetime Achievement Award honoring the late James Beard Award-winning chef Patrick Clark, accepted by his son, Preston Clark.

Sunday closed the weekend with an uplifting Sunday Service featuring the Baltimore Urban Choir, sending attendees home inspired and connected.

As in previous years, attendees were divided into four “families”—Harry Belafonte, Sammy Davis Jr., James Baldwin, and Billie Holiday—competing for points in interactive games and chef-led activities. Team Sammy Davis Jr. claimed this year’s victory.

Supported by Salamander’s acclaimed culinary team, the weekend featured more than 50 chefs, authors, and hospitality leaders, including: Virginia Ali, Nyesha Arrington, Mashama Bailey, Kareem Bakeman, Shorne Benjamin, Osei “Chef Picky” Blackett, Nicola Blaque, Kevin Bludso, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Maya-Camille Broussard, Damarr Brown, Adrienne Cheatham, Preston Clark, Tiffany Derry, Andre Fowles, Bryan Furman, Deb Freeman, Charles Gabriel, Gregory Gourdet, Torrance “Chef T” Gregoire, Muhammad Abdul Hadi, Carla Hall, Dr. Jessica B. Harris, Brian Jupiter, Vallery Lomas, Matthew Lyons, Serigne Mbaye, Mawa McQueen, Lamar Moore, Nina Oduro, Kwame Onwuachi, Ken Pettus, Rasheed Philips, Jamila Robinson, JR Robinson, Rodney Scott, Alexander Smalls, David Thomas, Tonya Thomas, Georgiana Viou, Chip Wade, Erick Williams, Douglass Williams, and Melba Wilson.

The mission of The Family Reunion is to nurture, develop and celebrate racial and ethnic diversity within the next generation of hospitality professionals. The celebration took place at Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Middleburg resort, which is one of only five properties in the USA to hold separate Forbes Five-Star ratings for accommodations, spa and dining. Experiences took place throughout Salamander’s 340 acres, including its Culinary Garden and Library. There was also a sweeping outdoor Grand Stage venue hosting a rotating lineup of meals and events.

The only African American woman to wholly own a Forbes Five-Star resort, Johnson is renowned for co-founding Black Entertainment Television. In addition to collaborating on The Family Reunion, Johnson and Kwame Onwuachi also partnered to create the highly acclaimed restaurant, Dōgon, at Johnson’s Salamander Washington DC hotel. Onwuachi, who owns the renowned Tatiana in New York City, also recently announced two new dining projects: Maroon in Las Vegas and Las’ Lap Miami.

The 2025 Family Reunion event’s full list of partners includes Salamander Collection, Food & Wine, Wells Fargo, Virginia Tourism Corporation, United Airlines, Sheila Johnson Collection, National Restaurant Association and the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), Amazon, Google, Lexus, OpenTable, Toast, Select Events, Coca-Cola, Inspire, Zigma World, AmaWaterways, Ecolab, Glad, Tilit, Visit Loudoun, La Colombe, and Nubian Hueman.

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By Bonnie Newman Davis

Photos by Bonnie Newman Davis and Chinae Renee

I recently spent my fourth year documenting the Kwame Onwuachi Presents The Family Reunion hosted by the Salamander Collection’s resort in Middleburg, Virginia. This year’s reunion, which drew hundreds of people from various parts of the U.S., was bigger and better than ever. The first Family Reunion rolled out in 2021, when pandemic-weary folks finally felt comfortable consuming good food and good libations among friends old and new. This past weekend’s event (August 14-17) celebrated culture and cuisine mixed with panel discussions about building community, legacy and wealth. Congratulations Shelia Johnson and Kwame on your Fifth Family Reunion! Cheers to many more!!

hashtag#TheFamilyReunion

The inaugural Petersburg Book Fest, hosted by Resist Booksellers, will take place onSaturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School in Petersburg, Virginia.

This one-day literary festival will showcase local and national authors, educators, artists and independent publishers, offering something for everyone – from author meet-and-greets, book signings and panel discussions to family-friendly programming such as children’s story time sessions, local food vendors and hands-on activities.

Demetrius Frazier is the owner of Resist Booksellers, a Black-owned independent bookstore that opened in Petersburg in 2022. He saw a literary festival as a way to improve access to diverse voices and create inclusive spaces where literacy, creativity and community can flourish.

“Petersburg deserves a space that not only celebrates books, but also affirms the richness of our stories and culture,” said Frazier in a press release. “We’re excited to bring people together across generations to read, learn and grow.”

The Petersburg Book Fest is free and open to the public.

For more details about the event and featured guests visit www.petersburgbookfest.com

Keynote Speakers:

Keynote speakers are, from left: Ayanna Gray, Kelly J. Baptist, Frederick Jones and Sandra Jackson-Opoku.

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The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center is planning live demonstrations, a collaborative outdoor mural, an art scavenger hunt and more starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 as part of its free Art Community Day celebrations. Additionally, CHTVAC offers free admission to its schedule of changing visual art exhibitions.

Through Aug. 23, visitors have the opportunity to explore two different exhibits:

“Please Touch the Art: Works by Sally Baker” presents sewn artworks that offer a hands-on way for the visually impaired to experience color, perspective and composition, and to understand art as a means of communication.

“PLAYTIME: Toys and Art” showcases childhood wonder and artistic expression with colorful arrays of toys and artwork either inspired by or incorporating toys, as well as interactive elements designed to evoke nostalgia and foster a sense of playfulness and discovery.   

Year round, the center also offers classes, workshops and educational programs that seek to promote a better understanding and appreciation of art through opportunities for participants to interact with artists and instructors while creating artworks of their own.

The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center is located in Hampton at 4205 Victoria Blvd.

For more information visit https://www.hamptonarts.org/the-charles-h-taylor-visual-arts-center

Green Ridge landfill project faces ongoing community opposition

By Debora Timms

The Green Ridge landfill project will be the topic during a special meeting scheduled by the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors on Monday, July 28, from 7 p.m. at Cumberland County High School/Middle School cafeteria. On the agenda, a public hearing on CUP 24-01, the conditional use permit needed for the proposed recycling and waste management facility to proceed with state and local applications, and the consideration of a new host agreement. 

There have been long-running objections from the community members over the proposal which would allow 104 acres out of the 1,177 acre site to be available for active dumping. These include the potential of water contamination, increased traffic from what the company estimates can be 75 waste hauling trucks per day, concerns regarding noise and odors, as well as negative impacts to public safety and property values.

But there are other concerns as well, such as the likely diminishment of the community’s image and the feeling that this move will be a “degradation of a historically Black-built community and the 80-plus historic and cultural resources identified therein.”

This is the feeling shared by Rev. Muriel Miller Branch, a retired educator, community advocate, local historian and president emeritus of the AMMD Pine Grove Project, during a phone interview Friday, July 25.

Rev. Branch was one of the community members who founded this organization in 2018 with  the aim of preserving the historic Pine Grove School, her alma mater and one six Rosenwald schools built in Cumberland County to provide educational opportunities for Black children in the segregated South. 

The nonprofit wants to restore and repurpose Pine Grove School, which would be directly impacted should the landfill go forward, for community use as a museum and cultural center. 

Current AMMD president, Sonja Branch-Wilson, pointed out a landfill would be a major hurdle for these plans during a planning commission meeting that took place April 21.

“Who would choose to immerse themselves in history and culture at a living history museum when their experience is marred by offensive odors of waste right in our backyard?” Branch-Wilson asked the commissioners. “What happens to that living history when trucks are hauling trash down Pine Grove Road?” 

Rev. Branch expressed concerns with the way the board of supervisors have engaged with the community and their concerns since the project was first proposed.

“In 2018 the community came out en masse to speak against the landfill at public hearings,” she said, noting that the planning commission recommended denial but the board of supervisors approved this first CUP which expired in June. 

“Since then, there has been near radio silence,” Rev. Branch continued, noting a lack of transparency and outreach to constituents. 

“We [AMMD members] have been full throttle since March trying to get information out there,” she said, adding that many don’t have the technology or internet service to keep informed of posts online – particularly with the latest updates to the CUP and host agreement being made public only 11 days ago.

Rev. Branch hopes community outcry can persuade the board to follow the guidance of the planning commission who again recommended denial of the CUP and host agreement. She hopes to continue raising awareness in the days ahead, including with a planned protest Saturday morning from 8-11 in front of the Cumberland County Courthouse.

“I just urge… and that’s not even a strong enough word, but I urge everyone to come and pack the house for Monday’s hearing,” she said, before her voice betrayed the overwhelming emotions involved.

“I just feel at my wit’s end,” Rev. Branch ended. “It’s been a long fight and it really hits hard. There’s so much at stake for our community – the community where I grew up and that so many of our parents and grandparents built.”

The 2025 NABJ Authors Showcase will celebrate the rich tapestry of voices and stories within the National Association of Black Journalists community. This year’s showcase taking place during NABJ’s convention in Cleveland, Ohio Aug 4-10 will feature a diverse lineup of journalists/authors, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the forefront. Attendees can look forward to engaging panel discussions, book readings, and opportunities to meet and interact with the authors. The event will highlight a wide range of genres, from thought-provoking non-fiction and insightful memoirs to captivating novels and vibrant children’s books. Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer, or simply someone who appreciates the power of storytelling, the 2025 NABJ Authors Showcase promises to be an enriching experience that celebrates the art of writing and the importance of diverse narratives in literature.