Ella Al-Shamahi at The Richmond Forum

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

Ella Al-Shamahi

AN EVENING WITH NEANDERTHALS

TONIGHT’S LEAD PATRON

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10 percent of small businesses in the U.S., and is a leading middle market banking provider in the U.S. The company offers a diversified set of banking, investment, and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through its four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 37 on Fortune’s 2021 rankings of America’s largest corporations.

One of metro Richmond’s long-time top 10 employers, Wells Fargo focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and a lowcarbon economy. With more than 6,600 employees throughout the Commonwealth, their priorities of customer service and philanthropy remain at the heart of all they do. Wells Fargo is committed to making a positive impact by

helping people and communities succeed financially—and creating solutions for a stronger, more sustainable future where everyone can grow and prosper.

In 2021, Wells Fargo donated more than $15.5 million to nonprofits, schools, and community organizations across Virginia. In addition, Wells Fargo contributed to an inclusive economic recovery for small businesses impacted by the pandemic through its roughly $420 million Open for Business Fund (2020-2021), including grants to local organizations such as Appalachian Community Capital, Capital Impact Partners and Virginia Community Capital.

In addition to their philanthropic investments in the Commonwealth, Wells Fargo provided more than $7.5 million in Small Business Administration loans in fiscal year 2021 through the 7(a) program; nearly $4.4 billion through more than 11,500 mortgage loans, including those for low- and moderate-income families and individuals in 2020, and $790 million in loans to more than 17,000 small businesses across Virginia in 2020. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com or on Twitter: @WellsFargo.

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We proudly support The Richmond Forum and this evening’s speaker, Ella Al-Shamahi.

We thank her for her contributions to science, exploration, and sustainable development.

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TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

Ella Al-Shamahi

AN EVENING WITH NEANDERTHALS

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

OPENING MUSIC & NATIONAL ANTHEM

Elizabeth Wise & Her Guys

OPENING REMARKS

Heather Mullins Crislip Executive Director

The Richmond Forum

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Janet Tope Regional Banking Director

Wells Fargo

PRESENTATION

Ella Al-Shamahi

Fifteen-minute intermission for collection of audience questions via Slido

AUDIENCE QUESTIONS

Ella Al-Shamahi with Richard Conti Chief Wonder Officer Science Museum of Virginia

Tonight’s presentation may not be recorded or photographed by any means for any purpose. The Richmond Forum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization.

Creating vibrant communities

When we come together to build stronger communities, we give our time, energy, and ideas to help influence positive change. And as we watch progress take root, we grow as well.

The Richmond Forum, it’s an honor to recognize your commitment and service to the community.

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ELLA AL-SHAMAHI

ABOUT TONIGHT’S SPEAKER

AS A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER, Ella AlShamahi is no stranger to taking risks. Not only does she put her health and well-being on the line to collect fossils from caves in hostile, disputed, and unstable regions of the world, but the accomplished paleoanthropologist and evolutionary biologist also takes risks on the stage as a stand-up comedian.

Al-Shamahi works to tell a more complete geographical story of Neanderthals and early humans. She almost exclusively works in places where, as she puts it, it is hard to get insurance. Her expeditions have included Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as places she cannot publicly admit to having visited. She is an advocate for involving these regions in scientific exploration as an imperative to develop human knowledge. Al-Shamahi uses comedy as a coping strategy for the darker side of her work, and as a way to communicate science.

She has imparted her trademark humor to viewers and listeners across the globe, having hosted and produced numerous television and radio programs, including the BBC’s 2018 two-part documentary “Neanderthals: Meet Your Ancestors” with Andy Serkis. She is part of the group behind the BBC’s “Changing Planet,” a seven-year diary documenting the impact of climate change on key habitats around the world.

Al-Shamahi performs “nerdy stand-up” internationally and has taken four stand-up shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. Her TED Talk about her expedition to the Yemeni island of Socotra has been viewed online more than two million times. In 2021, she released her debut book “The Handshake: A Gripping History,” which was named a Sunday Times “Book of the Year.”

Tonight, Al-Shamahi is sure to spark curiosity and joy while educating the audience about humanity’s common ancestors.

“A LOT OF PEOPLE FIND SCIENCE BORING, BUT SCIENCE IS FULL OF THE WEIRD, THE WONDERFUL, AND THE COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS.”

Celebrating the spirit of inspiration

Inspiration allows us to dream bigger and view challenges from a new perspective. It means looking beyond. Seeking bold ideas. Tackling problems that most others think are impossible. The result is innovation that can make an impact on our community.

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RICHARD CONTI IS THE CHIEF WONDER OFFICER of the Science Museum of Virginia, the Commonwealth’s flagship institution for informal STEM learning.

The Science Museum connects the community with science in unexpected ways, having been a beloved institution for more than four decades. Under Conti’s leadership, the museum has undergone a radical evolution to ensure it can continue to fulfill its mission to enrich all Virginians’ lives through science.

A $60 million capital campaign transformed the Science Museum’s core exhibition galleries, built the Dewey Gottwald Center, constructed a parking deck, and initiated the creation of a new civic greenspace along Broad Street. The Science Museum strengthened its statewide reach with a $9 million project to reimagine the Danville Science Center and the development of a $115 million satellite facility in Northern Virginia, slated to open in 2025.

A former U.S. Naval Aviator, Conti amassed 1,000 flight hours and 250 carrier arrested landings as a backseater (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat and is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN). He earned a Bachelor of Science from Tulane University and a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Learn how you can support the Science Museum’s mission at smv.org/support.

ELIZABETH WISE & HER GUYS

TONIGHT’S MUSICIANS

ELIZABETH WISE IS A RICHMOND-BASED BLUES MUSICIAN .

“With a slide in her left hand and conviction in her voice,” singer, guitarist, songwriter, and interpreter of traditional folk forms, Elizabeth Wise, has truly travelled — and lived in — the world.

Her travels have taken her from the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and up the James River, to the juke joints of Memphis, the folk clubs of Manhattan, and the wilds of New Zealand. She spent her formative years playing piano and singing church music before coming of age as a fully formed folk artist whose influences are steeped in traditions that trace their roots back to the Appalachian hills, Kentucky bluegrass, and the blues of the Delta.

To quote esteemed songwriter and musician Kenny White, “Faithfully carrying on the traditions of Elizabeth Cotton and Malvina Reynolds (with a dose of Bessie Smith, for good measure), Elizabeth Wise is a vital link who connects us to this fast-fading golden era and breathes new life into it.”

Her latest album, “Reckless Sophistication,” is produced by Shockoe Records. Joining her tonight are fellow musicians Brian Cruse (bass), Roger Carroll (saxophone), and Scott Milstead (drums).

We are proud to support The Richmond Forum

At Hunton Andrews Kurth, we value ide as and innovation.

We applaud The Richmond Forum for its dedication to bringing together le aders from around the world to inspire the Richmond community.

COMMUNITY IS strengthened when we engage multiple perspectives.

DO YOU KNOW NEANDERTHALS?

“Neanderthals and modern humans never met.”

False. It is believed that after migrating from Africa, modern humans made contact with Neanderthals in the Middle East. By mating with this other species, modern humans were able to pass on genes that allowed their offspring to adapt to colder environments and build immunity to new diseases. Today, humans carry an average of 2% Neanderthal DNA.

“Neanderthals looked much like modern humans.”

True. Although shorter and squatter than present-day humans, it is quite likely that Neanderthals could blend in with tonight’s audience.

“Neanderthals were persistence hunters.”

False. Neanderthals were encounter hunters, which means that they would travel in groups while hoping to come across prey. Once a target was spotted, the group would respond quickly and with great force to take down the animal using long thrusting spears. Neanderthals were likely powerful sprinters — potentially faster than humans today — but did not have much endurance for chasing prey over long distances.

“Neanderthals were capable of abstract thought.”

True. Evidence found in cave dwellings shows that Neanderthals wore decorative jewelry crafted from feathers and other animal byproducts, as well as makeup created from a variety of natural pigments. Many scientists believe that this form of artistic expression is indicative of an ability to understand intangible concepts.

“Neanderthals could communicate with one another verbally.”

Depends on who you ask. There is skeletal evidence that Neanderthals could make clear “ee” and “oo” vocal sounds. Whether or not those sounds were used to communicate specific ideas and meanings is not widely agreed upon.

IT TURNS OUT, THE NEANDERTHALS WERE STRONGER, SMARTER, FASTER, BETTER LOOKING, AND MUCH, MUCH MORE LIKE US THAN WE EVER THOUGHT. - Ella Al-Shamahi

MEET YOUR ANCESTORS

A GUIDE TO EARLY HUMANS

6 MILLION YEARS AGO

5 MILLION

4 MILLION

AUSTRALOPITHECUS AFARENSIS

Discovered in 1974

Lived in Eastern Africa

Walked the earth approximately 3.85 - 2.95 million years ago

Height: Males averaged 4’11”; Females averaged 3’5”

Weight: Males averaged 92 lbs.; Females averaged 64 lbs.

PARANTHROPUS BOISEI

Discovered in 1959

Lived in Eastern Africa

Walked the earth approximately 2.3 - 1.2 million years ago

Height: Males averaged 4’6”; Females averaged 4’1”

Weight: Males averaged 108 lbs.; Females averaged 75 lbs.

HOMO ERECTUS

Discovered in 1891

Lived in Africa, as well as in Western

and East Asia

Walked the earth approximately 1.89 million - 110,000 years ago

Height: Ranged from 4’9” - 6’1”

Weight: Ranged from 88 - 150 lbs.

HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS

Discovered in 1908

Lived in Europe and possibly Asia, as well as in parts of Africa

Walked the earth approximately 700,000 - 200,000 years ago

Height: Males averaged 5’9”; Females averaged 5’2”

Weight: Males averaged 136 lbs.; Females averaged 112 lbs.

Australopithecus afarensis

Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Orrorin tugenensis

Ardipithecus kadabba

Ardipithecus ramidus

Australopithecus anamensis

3 MILLION

2 MILLION

1 MILLION TODAY

HOMO FLORESIENSIS

Discovered in 2003

Lived in Asia (Indonesia)

Walked the earth approximately 100,000 - 50,000 years ago

Height: 3’6” (estimate based upon studies of a female skeleton)

Weight: 66 lbs. (estimate based upon studies of a female skeleton)

HOMO NEANDERTHALENSIS (aka NEANDERTHAL)

Discovered in 1829

Lived in Europe, as well as in Southwestern and Central Asia

Walked the earth approximately 400,000 - 40,000 years ago

Height: Males: average 5’5”; Females: average 5’1”

Weight: Males: average 143 lbs.; Females: average 119 lbs.

NEANDERTHALSAREANIMPORTANTPARTOFOUREVOLUTIONARYSTORY,ANDSTUDYINGTHEMCANHELP USUNDERSTANDNOTONLYWHEREWECAMEFROMBUTALSOWHEREWEAREGOING.-Ella

Al-Shamahi

HOMO SAPIENS

First described as a species in 1758

Originated in Africa, now worldwide

Have been alive for the last 300,000 years through the present era

Height: Males average 5’7”; Females average 5’3”

Weight: Both males and females average 136 lbs.

Paranthropus boisei

Homo erectus

Homo floresiensis

Homo heidelbergensis

Homo neanderth alensis

Australopithecus africanus

Paranthropus aethiopicus

Australopithecus garhi

Homo habilis

Australopithecus sediba

Homo rudolfensis

Paranthropus robustus

Homo naledi

Homo sapiens

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THE ART OF inspiration

Cultural institutions make our world more fascinating, inviting and should allow its residents to access cultural experiences and expressions that are relevant to them. From the stage to the screen to exhibition halls and education programs citywide, Altria takes pride in our longstanding support of local arts and all they do to bring people together. Altria is proud to support The Richmond Forum.

Take a closer look at www.altria.com

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Challenging Our Thinking. Changing the World.

Genworth is proud to support The Richmond Forum in presenting a diverse spectrum of powerful voices that challenge Richmond to learn while empowering local voices of all ages that position Richmond to lead.

As we strive to help families navigate the aging journey with confidence, we are pleased to promote dialogue and understanding that fosters an inclusive community for every generation.

WHY DO WE DO THAT?

AN EVOLUTIONARY LOOK AT HUMAN BEHAVIOR

AS THE HOST OF THE BBC PODCAST “Why Do We Do That? An Anthropologist’s Guide to the Modern World,” Ella Al-Shamahi dives into the cultural, historical, and evolutionary story of everyday human habits and behavior.

“There are lots of everyday things which, when you think about them, are pretty weird,” says AlShamahi. “Social media may tell you to blame the latest influencer who went viral. Your therapist might tell you to blame your parents, but I am here to tell you to blame your great, great, great, great, great, etc., grandparents. For some stuff at least.”

Why do we doomscroll?

In 2020, the word “doomscrolling” was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. It refers to “the practice of obsessively checking online news for updates, especially on social media feeds, with the expectation that the news will be bad, such that the feeling of dread from this negative expectation fuels a compulsion to continue looking for updates in a self-perpetuating cycle.”

This compulsion to consume negative information may date back to our early human ancestors, when understanding potential threats was a matter of life or death.

“Knowing that there were yummy mushrooms near a tree was great,” says Al-Shamahi. “But if there were killer insects on the same tree, that’s the real information you need to get into your head immediately. From an evolutionary perspective, it is more important to survive than to thrive, so having a negativity bias is a survival mechanism.”

Humans have biological tendencies that are in constant interaction with culture and context. The internet supplies access to the world’s seemingly infinite number of wrong-doings and catastrophes. When that access is paired with a biological predisposition to fixate on negative information, your brain may struggle to recognize when enough negativity is enough.

“Ask yourself if this [negative information] is helping you or those around you, and if it’s not, at what point should you stop reading and try to do something about it?”

Why do we shake hands?

The handshake spans many historical eras and can be found across a variety of cultures. Despite a common belief that shaking hands originated from individuals who wanted to demonstrate that they were unarmed, Al-Shamahi says there is convincing evidence that the handshake is biological, rather than cultural.

“It’s deep within our DNA,” she says. “Chimps are our closest living relatives, and both them and the bonobos shake hands.”

Primatologists have found that chimps’ handshakes are linked to positive social interactions, often observing how the behavior is used as a method of de-escalation after a physical altercation.

“It is just incredible. And you think, if our closest living relatives are shaking hands, it suggests that we’ve always been shaking hands and that our shaking hands is at least seven million years old, which is when our common ancestor with the chimps was around.”

SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA

FROM EXPERIENTIAL EXHIBITIONS to in-depth live demonstrations to fun videos on social media, the Science Museum of Virginia looks for opportunities to encourage all Virginians to enrich their lives through science. The Science Museum is a catalyst for inspiration, a place that sparks curiosity, encourages discovery, and generates ideas in science, technology, engineering, and math.

The 223,000-square-foot building features hands-on exhibitions about wellness, innovation, and physical sciences — to name a few — that let you see if you’re faster than a rat, able to beat a robot playing air hockey, and can move to the beat. Three lab spaces — eco, animal, and art — encourage guests to interact with science in unexpected ways. Two makerspaces harness the power of the maker movement, celebrate innovation, and let guests roll up their sleeves to create. The Science Museum also hosts thought-provoking touring exhibitions from around the world.

At nearly a quarter of an acre, The Dome is the largest screen in Virginia. Whether you’re exploring America’s national parks, plunging into the ocean with great white sharks, hunting for dark matter at a particle physics laboratory, or traveling to the cosmos in search of new planets, The Dome provides the ultimate “you are there” film experience.

Science is not limited to the Science Museum’s walls! The campus is packed with native pollinator plants, natural stormwater retention and purification systems, a pollinator garden, multiple train cars, a 29-ton granite globe, an 80-ton aluminum submarine, and more. In addition, science lovers can enjoy the Science Museum’s compelling, informative, and quirky videos and digital content staff have created to help viewers connect to science in their daily lives.

Whether you’re a thinker, a tinkerer, a creative, or a full-on science geek, the Science Museum has something for everyone and is appropriate for all age levels . A desire to help curious minds discover the connections between science, technology, engineering, and math guides the museum’s staff in everything they do. Science is all around, and discoveries are limitless. The Science Museum is simply a gateway to that universe!

When did our ancestors start cooking?

Who made the first tools?

Why do we laugh?

What is the earliest known use of pain relief?

Answer these questions — and learn more about human evolution — on the Science Museum of Virginia’s blog and YouTube channel.

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VISIT

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COMMITMENT

Kaufman & Canoles is committed to strengthening our community. As part of that commitment, we are proud to support The Richmond Forum and the diverse guests they invite to inspire and inform our community. We CAN. And we will.

The Richmond Forum brings people from every corner of the globe to visit the Richmond community and share their stories.

Covington Travel helps people from the Richmond community visit every corner of the globe for business or pleasure. Together, we hope this program inspires you to visit new places, explore unique cultures and bring home stories of your own to share.

Let us take you there.

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We are UNRELENTING.

We focus on improving health for all people. Our care for those with sickle cell disease — a painful blood condition mainly affecting Black people — goes beyond pain management and treatments.

It’s about impact. Offering a medical home — a place of comfort and hope that helps them tackle the everyday challenges of the disease. Here, we treat the big things, the little things and everything in between. Welcome to VCU Health.

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2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVECOMMITTEE

Ellen E. Spong, Chair

BlueEdgeCapitalLLC

Teresa Downs, Vice Chair Altria*

Jonathan Brabrand, Treasurer TransactCapital*

Steve Otero, Secretary CapitalOne*

Laura E. Kottkamp, Member-at-large VCUSchoolofBusiness*

Robert K. Beckler, Immediate Past Chair TemperPack

COMMITTEECHAIRS

Steve Humble, Program VPM*

Celia Rafalko, Investment CaryStreetPartners

Kelly O’Keefe, Nominations & Governance BrandFederation*

Betty N. Crutcher, PhD, Education Subscriber/Supporter

PRODUCTION TEAM & STAFF

THERICHMONDFORUMSTAFF

Heather Mullins Crislip ExecutiveDirector,heather@richmondforum.org

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DirectorofDevelopment&SponsorEvents,dee@richmondforum.org

Michael Brown

DirectorofSubscriberServices&Operations,michael@richmondforum.org

Sandra Wheeler

DirectorofStudentPrograms,sandra@richmondforum.org

Lucretia M. Anderson

Speech&DebateInitiativeManager,lucretia@richmondforum.org

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CommunicationsManager,maggie@richmondforum.org

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DIRECTORS

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SPEECH & DEBATE JUDGES

JUDGES ARE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS of the Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative and allow students to compete in state and national qualifier events. With February, March, and April being the busiest months in speech and debate, we need volunteer judges now more than ever! No experience is necessary and training is provided. Volunteer for a half or full day — there is no minimum time commitment. Learn more and sign up to help out at richmondspeechdebate.org.

Meet the RFSDI Judges

Brett Feinstein was drawn to judge for RFSDI because debate was a central part of his high school and college experiences — and helped him fulfill his career goals. He competed for four years at Kingswood-Oxford School in West Hartford, CT, and for two years at Connecticut College. Now, Brett is a consultant who works with clients to blend strategy, analytics, and messaging into successful communications and marketing efforts. What Brett likes best about judging is that it’s “a way to give back to the activity that gave him so much opportunity and growth.”

Dr. Muhammad Abbas is a psychiatrist in Central Virginia. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, Dr. Abbas trained in British parliamentary debate at one of the oldest institutes in the region. He enjoyed a speech and debate career spanning over eight years and included competing, coaching, and adjudicating at nationallevel debates and declamations. He values the forum of debate as it fosters expression, dialogue, and the complex interaction of ideas for both personal and social growth.

Thank you to the following volunteer judges who have participated in a scrimmage or tournament this school year:

Muhammad Abbas

Irmarie Alvira

Valerie Bell

Gracie Bernechie

Stephen Chandler

Chris Cotropia

Micah Dalton

Mason Davenport

Phyl Demitriou

Brett Feinstein

Kimberly Hoyle

Fred Kaufmann

Stephen Kinderman

Andrew Landrum

Julinda Lewis

Claire Mairead

Terri Moore

Henry Nisiobincki

Daphne Patterson

TeDarryl Perry

Adrianna Quaide

Suzy Rohler

Joanne Sims

Shanea Taylor

Julie Turner

Carrie Woodrum

Brett Feinstein

Longtime subscriber and volunteer judge

Dr. Muhammad Abbas Volunteer judge for two years

NATIONAL HBCU SPEECH & DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP

February 23 - 26, 2023 | Co-Hosted by Virginia State University

THE FIRST IN-PERSON NATIONAL HBCU SPEECH & DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 2019 is less than a week away. Help us wish competitors the best of luck as they compete at Virginia State University next weekend.

Students will compete in the following categories:

• After Dinner Speaking

• Dramatic Interpretation

• Duo Interpretation

• Extemporaneous Speaking

• Impromptu Speaking

• Informative Speaking

• Interviewing

• Persuasive Speaking

• Poetry Interpretation

• Programmed Oral Interpretation

• Slam Poetry

• IPDA Debate

• NPDA Debate

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE.

The National HBCU Speech & Debate Association aims to foster and grow speech & debate teams at all HBCU institutions by providing counseling and training for coaches and students. The Association is committed to providing students at HBCUs with the skills and training necessary to successfully compete in speech & debate.

Alpha Beta Boulé Ellen E. Spong & Augustus C. Epps, Jr. Drs. Betty Neal & Ronald A. Crutcher

RICHMOND FORUM SPEAKERS

1987

January Ted Koppel

February Hodding Carter and Larry Speakes with Paul Duke

March General Brent Scowcroft with Diane Sawyer

April Charles Kuralt

1988

January Oprah Winfrey

February Jeane Kirkpatrick and Vladimir Pozner with Marvin Kalb

March George Will

April Art Buchwald

1989

January Sam Donaldson

February Henry Kissinger with John Chancellor

March William Buckley and Charles Rangel

April Dr. Carl Sagan

1990

January Paul Duke, Howard Fineman and Charles McDowell

February Frank Carlucci, George McGovern, William Proxmire and William Rusher with Bettina Gregory

March Mike Wallace

April Alistair Cooke

1990–1991

October Chancellor Helmut Schmidt

January Admiral William Crowe, General Alexander Haig and Robert McFarlane with Edwin Newman

February H. Ross Perot

March Art Buchwald and Andy Rooney

April Captain James Lovell and Dr. Frank Drake with James Burke

1991–1992

October Barbara Walters

January PM Margaret Thatcher

February General H. Norman Schwarzkopf with Larry King

March Dr. Marc Micozzi and Dr. Victor McKusick with Patricia Cornwell

April Mark Russell

1992–1993

October Terry Anderson

January Hiroki Kato and T. Boone Pickens

February Dr. Joyce Brothers

March Dr. Bill Cosby

April President Mikhail Gorbachev with Cokie Roberts

1993–1994

November Senator Warren Rudman, Lamar Alexander and Dr. Marvin Cetron with Chris Wallace

January Frank Capiello and Michael Holland with Louis Rukeyser

February President George H. W. Bush

March Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

April Bob Newhart

1994–1995

November General Colin Powell

January Walter Cronkite

February Dave Barry

March Tom Clancy

April Jack Kemp and George Mitchell

1995–1996

November PM Brian Mulroney and Ambassador Carla Hills

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MARIA RESSA

AT THE RICHMOND FORUM

JANUARY 21, 2023

MARIA RESSA HAS SPENT THE PAST DECADE OF HER CAREER STANDING UP TO A DICTATOR. The journalist’s remarkable work exposing the human rights abuses of authoritarian President Rodrigo Duterte has earned her a Nobel Peace Prize and no fewer than 10 arrests by the Philippine government.

Having been acquitted of four charges of tax evasion against her and her digital news company, Rappler, just three days before her visit to The Richmond Forum, Ressa took to the Altria Theater stage with an infectious sense of gratitude. “You don’t know what freedom feels like until you almost lose it. You, in Richmond, your air is sweet.”

In her first international trip since the acquittal, Ressa spent much of her day getting to know Virginia’s capital and its citizens before attending the Forum. Walking down Broad Street, she talked to a mixture of college students and long-time Richmond residents. “I got a sense of what was behind the headlines [about Monument Avenue] from 2020. Your story is like ours.”

Ressa believes there is a “battle for our minds,” which tech companies around the world are waging against the public. “The fight for our attention is a new economy that is chipping away at our free will.” She informed the audience that they would walk away from the evening with answers to three questions: How does the attention economy operate? What impact does it have on society? Finally, how can people fight back?

THEREWASALOTTOUNPACK INHERPRESENTATION—ISSUES THATWILLLEAVEMEPONDERING FORDAYS.ONECOULDEASILY HAVELEFTDEPRESSEDABOUT THEWORLDTECHNOLOGYIS LEADINGUSINTO.HOWEVER, THESEFEELINGSWERETEMPERED BYTHEOPTIMISMANDHUMORIN MS.RESSA’SPRESENTATION.

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Ressa explained that social media companies use machine learning to build “clones” of users based on the content they click, like, and share. Those clones are then served microtargeted content that often preys on an individual’s specific fears and spreads disinformation, while putting profits in the pockets of big tech companies like Facebook. “Algorithms coded into social platforms are insidiously shaping our future by encouraging the worst of human behavior.”

Maria Ressa fired up the audience by urging them to think more critically about social media platforms and their impact on democracy.

Worldwide, illiberal leaders with popular online presences are being elected to office. As a consequence, “the number of democracies has rolled back to 1989 levels,” Ressa said. These leaders have set in motion an information war which uses divisive narratives, masquerading as free speech and morally superior ideologies, to splinter communities. “But the goal was never to make you believe in anything,” Ressa claimed. “The goal was to foment so much anger and hate that you tore things apart, that you created chaos.”

Nations like the Philippines, Brazil, Italy, and the United States have all seen this pattern unfold. Ressa outlined the specific chain of events that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, from the introduction of the “stop the steal” narrative in a Russia Today op-ed to the normalization of extremist ideas on social media via QAnon. “Whether it’s in the United States or in Myanmar,” she said, this cycle creates real-world violence.

“But we can find solutions in our collective wisdom,” Ressa added with genuine optimism. “In the long term it’s [through] education, in the medium term it’s [through] legislation, and in the short term it is just us.” She called for redefining civic engagement in the digital age while coming together within our communities to create a better future.

Ressa left the audience with one final question, which only they could answer for themselves: “What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth?”

Reclaiming the Monument lit up the Altria Theater to welcome Ressa to Richmond.

From top: 1) Steve and Sam Otero with evening’s Host Patron, Capital One, enjoyed dinner with Maria Ressa. 2) Regina Elbert of Dominion Energy, the Lead Patron for the evening, introduced Maria Ressa. 3) The Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School jazz band provided musical entertainment. 4) Moderator Melody Barnes asked Ressa questions from the audience. 5) Ressa visited the Student Room to talk with local high school and college students.

? HAVE A QUESTION FOR ELLA AL-SHAMAHI?

HEAD TO SLIDO.COM TO SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE PROGRAM Q&A.

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Event code: RVAFORUM

Mending Walls: The Documentary

Thirty artists create a groundbreaking public art project about empathy and racial justice in the documentary “Mending Walls,” presented on public television by VPM. Courtesy of Katrina Ta art-Hecksher

CONNECTED TO WHAT SPARKS CONVERSATION.

CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS.

As Virginia’s home for public media, we bring you relevant news and local storytelling  to foster a greater understanding of our state, our neighbors and our world. VPM.org

NEXT AT THE RICHMOND FORUM

MARCH 18, 2023

JOHN LITHGOW

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO LITHGOW

John Lithgow is a raconteur with a wide-ranging and towering talent. His work in film, television, and theater has left an indelible impression on audiences, and he believes deeply in the cultural importance of the creative arts and the livelihood of the creative class. He is a prolific actor with two Tonys, six Emmys, three SAG Awards, and two Oscar nominations. The ever-charming Lithgow will bring to The Richmond Forum stage his trademark wit and a presentation full of heart. He is also a spritely and whimsical poet for adults and children who will undoubtedly treat us to an original limerick or two.

(Format: Speech with Q&A)

APRIL 29, 2023

DR. CORNEL WEST & THOMASCHATTERTONWILLIAMS

UN Re lent ing

An accomplished paleoanthropologist, National Geographic Explorer and ... a stand-up comic.

And what we have in common is uncommon.

Because just like Ella Al-Shamahi, we are unafraid to take on challenges others can’t. Or won’t. Supported by more than $400 million in research funding, our potential is unlimited.

VCU. A world unlike any other.