new CEO

RVA in 2018, an annual celebration targeted to LGBTQ+ persons of color but open to all.

That Rev. Cross has achieved so much is no surprise, says Luise “Cheezi” Farmer, a Diversity Richmond board member and another of the Black Pride RVA cofounders.

“She has a way with words. Sometimes just to listen to her speak you are in awe,” said Ms. Farmer. “She’s just well-rounded, and she’s strong, and she has a lot of faith in the work that she does. And I think when you can balance all those things, then you have a good leader.”

Rev. Cross has spent her first months of leadership listening. She says three questions have threaded together her conversations with staff, board members and community partners: Who are you? Who is Diversity Richmond? Who do we want Diversity Richmond to be?

Her plans for a community listening

Continued from A1 Richmond Free Press e People’s Paper We stand for Equality Justice Opportunity Freedom and we fearlessly ght for Equality Justice Opportunity Freedom series in the spring will give an even wider community the chance to share their thoughts on what Diversity Richmond can do better.

But Rev. Cross wants the community to know there are opportunities for them to engage right now, as well help support Diversity Richmond’s mission of being “a vibrant, inclusive Richmond where inequality does not exist.”

“Of course people can always donate money,” Rev. Cross said. “But you can also volunteer or shop at the store, attend one of our events, rent the hall or support Iridian Gallery — the South’s only LGBTQ gallery.”

“Ultimately, I love Richmond,” Rev. Cross added. “I’m committed to this city and to this community.”