Initiatives of Change USA

About two weeks ago, members of the Richmond community, mental health practitioners, advocates, and changemakers came together to have an honest discussion about the role of mental health in our day-to-day lives.

This event, which we called “Circle UP: Making Space for Mental Health,” held space for an open conversation about where we are, where we want to be, and how we can get there together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and a special thank you to our panelists, who took time out of their busy schedules to be with us.

Stay tuned for upcoming Circle UP events at the links in our bio.

Opal Lee, called “the Grandmother of Juneteenth” is a teacher and advocate who pushed for years to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.

This quote from 2025 exemplifies not only the enduring legacy of Juneteenth and the promise inherent in the celebration, but also what this holiday calls us to do, especially on the heels of our nation’s 250th “anniversary”: to look closely at our present, identify the problem at hand, and work to change it; to change hearts, change minds, and in so doing, change the future.

We hope you had a joyful, reflective, and inspiring Juneteenth!

VoicesFromUS

Last month’s Walking & Talking Tour with our friends at The Valentine was a resounding success! We had a great crowd join us for a revealing exploration of the historic Barton Heights neighborhood and rewarding conversation about how that history resonates today.

Thank you to everyone who came out, and a special thanks to our partners at the Valentine for helping make this program possible. Stay tuned for more information about future Walking & Talking opportunities!

Following a recent journey to Ghana, our Executive Director Allan Charles-Chipman shared his personal reflections on the ongoing, national invitation to celebrate the nation’s “250th anniversary.” What are we truly being called to celebrate? What harmful, painful, and shameful legacies are we being encouraged to endorse? And are we instead much better served by looking ahead to the next 250 years and envisioning a more just, inclusive, and equitable future for all?

Read his thoughts at the link in our bio and sign up to our mailing list.

After the recent Supreme Court decision effectively gutting the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965, we find ourselves turning to powerful voices from the past; those whose words continue to echo today, speaking enduring truths about our present and providing a bold path to a more just future.

With that in mind, we encourage you to reflect on this quote on the second slide from civil rights activist and freedom fighter Fannie Lou Hamer from 1965.