Vinegar Hill Magazine | Fall 2022 Issue

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Vinegar Hill Magazine is proud to announce that we have been granted a $50,000 award from the Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equi ty in Journalism Fund (REJ) ‘which seeks to strengthen a future where communities of color are powerful.’ The REJ does this ‘by nourishing and building up the capacity and sustainability of both news organizations and journalism ecosystem partners led by people of color.’

We started as a grassroots effort to counter the narrative of legacy media that rarely por trayed Black people in a positive way. Instead of depending on the news media to change, we set out on our own course—to set the record straight and to tell a more inclusive and complete story about Black people in Char lottesville. At the beginning, it started as a newsletter but evolved into something more. It became a community building tool that linked past to present and generation to genera tion— reimagining a community that had been brutally and historically marginalized.

We know that we carry on the legacy of the likes of Ida B. Wells and the founders of the Black press who sought to create a more inclu sive narrative in America. In Charlottesville, we know we stand on the shoulders of T.J. Sellers and Fleming E. Alexander (The Reflectorand

INSIDE

4 BLACK & BLUE

Regine Wright discusses being a Black police officer in trying times.

10 THE CENTER

Enid Krieger is Chairman of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Center at Belvedere invites people to get involved.

17 ANTWON BRINSON

Culinary Concepts Founder, Antwon Brin son discusses how he is using food to build community.

24 UNAPOLOGETICALLY

Khalilah Jones discusses how Black Women in Chralottesville are taking up space without asking permission.

the Tribune). We also understand that this work is greater than any of us individually, and the commitment to telling our own story and freely interpreting our reality is as important now as it ever has been.

We are grateful to Borealis Philanthropy and oth ers who see our work as critical and important. With these funds, we plan to build a sustainable and regenerative organization that carries on the legacy of Black media by championing Black joy, telling a more complete story, and being a beacon of hope and light in dark times.

Vinegar Hill Magazine is a space that is designed to support and project a more inclusive social narrative, to promote entrepreneurship, and to be a beacon for art, culture, and politics in the Central Virginia region. Advertising and Sales Manager(s) SteppeMedia Publisher Eddie Harris Layout & Design Sarad Davenport © 2022 Vinegar Hill Magazine. All rights reserved.

In the police department, it was a struggle to be Black, and at home, it was a struggle to be blue

by Regine Wright | Regine Wright is a private investigator, Army veteran, and former police officer who lives in the Charlottesville Albemarle area with her husband and son. She is dedicated to helping others and enjoys all things true crime.

This story was published as a part of Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project’s: First Person C-Ville

ForCharlottesville, the Unite the Right Rally was traumatizing. For me, the Ku Klux Klan rally the month before, on July 8, 2017, was equally so. It reminds me of how my time as a Charlottesville police officer was complicated by the need to live between two worlds.

That Saturday, about 50 Klansmen and 1,000 counter-protesters came to Charlottesville. I was assigned to the investigations unit — the first Black female detective in department history. The investigations unit was tasked with escorting the KKK members to and from the Thomas J.

“Stonewall” Jackson statue. However, when the plan for the event was released, I was the only person from the investigation unit reassigned to a patrol unit for the day.

I was angry and conflicted. I didn’t want to escort the KKK, but I’d worked hard to become a detective. I thought that I was placed with another unit because of my race. I wasn’t going to be hidden. After crying to my family, I expressed my discontent to my supervisors, and they moved me back to the investigations unit.

The day of the rally, I de-escalated a standoff

After the Ku Klux Klan rally in Charlottesville, Virginia on July 8, 2017, a friend sent Regine Wright a photograph they found on social media. While we’ve been unable to identify the photographer, Wright (the officer on the left) remembers the scene. The counter-protester asked why she was helping the KKK. “I told him that I wasn’t there for the KKK, I was there to keep him safe and out of trouble,” Wright writes. Credit: Courtesy of David McNair/The DTM

between a Black man and a man with a confederate flag tied around his neck. The Black man raised his hands, called me a traitor, and asked why I would help the KKK. I told him that I wasn’t there for the KKK, I was there to keep him safe and out of trouble.

At the end of the event, the KKK left the statue without getting their message across. The counter-protesters drowned them out. A Charlottesville Police Department supervisor announced that the permitted rally had ended and declared an unlawful assembly when the protesters refused to leave.

Eventually, I stood in a police line across from a group of angry people who cursed me, called me an Uncle Tom and recorded my name. Less than an hour later, the police ordered that same group of people to leave the area around the Charlottesville Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on High Street. But, rather than leave, an individual from the group assaulted an officer, then huddled on the steps with the

group. The officer warned he would pepper spray them if they refused to cooperate. When they refused, the officer used the spray and inadvertently sprayed me as I was kneeling and pleading with the group that the KKK wasn’t worth what was about to happen. Face on fire, part of me wanted to walk away. Why help after how they treated me? But instead, I found water and flushed the chemicals out of the eyes of protesters. I did it because I cared. It was my job. What happened leading to and on July 8, 2017, was not the only time I experienced the difficulty of being a Black police officer. I advocated within the department and the commonwealth attorney’s office on behalf of both minority victims and suspects. I remember explaining to coworkers that Thomas Jefferson having a Black “mistress” was not an example of why he wasn’t racist. Sally Hemmings was not free. When I straightened my hair, the back end of the compliment I received was, “You’re supervisor ready.”

I also faced adversity from the Black community.

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“When I was outside the Charlottesville area, a part of me still felt police were a threat. That part of me still gives my son the ‘how to act around police’ lecture.”

With limited knowledge, no facts, or false information, family and friends argued with me about police tactics and officer-involved incidents. Citizens called me a sellout, a disgrace, and accused me of sucking the white man’s dick. My son, not even 10 years old, defended me against anti-cop rhetoric taught by adult, Black educators.

On July 8, when I stood in uniform between those two men, I felt that Black man’s pain. It was the pain in my husband’s eyes, the pain I hope to protect my son from. After the rally, my co-workers acknowledged my pain and the tears in my eyes. Not the

pain from the pepper spray or the tear gas that the police department later released, but the pain I felt from witnessing the KKK come to town and the hatred I received from the community. Ultimately, fellow officers had my back, and I felt their pain too. They were good men and women who got up every day to help people, only to be hated. It hurt when I realized that besides immediate family and a few close friends, no one from my church or the community checked on me.

When I joined the Charlottesville Police Department in 2012, I began a career I enjoyed. I loved the work and the chance to help

people. When I made detective in 2016, it was a dream come true, a decades-long goal achieved.

But despite working with great men and women, like many in the Black community, I grew up with a certain level of distrust for the police. That distrust never completely goes away. When I was outside the Charlottesville area, a part of me still felt police were a threat. That part of me still gives my son the “how to act around police” lecture.

That part of me also made me take my responsibility seriously. On any given day, I knew I could be the face that a person

“Now, when I hear community members and police organizations talk about needing minority officers, I wonder if they consider the toll of what they are asking.”

felt they could trust, possibly de-escalating a bad situation. I engaged in community events so people would know that not only was there representation but that it was okay to choose law enforcement as a career.

Fast forward to 2020. I was tired of fighting the system for what I believed was right, tired of arguing with family and

friends, tired of the burden of, “But that’s why they need you there.” So I walked away from a career I’d once thought I would retire from. It was and still is a heartbreaking decision.

At work, it was a struggle to be Black, and at home, it was a struggle to be blue. Now, when I hear community members and police organizations talk

about needing minority officers, I wonder if they consider the toll of what they are asking. Are they prepared to offer the support and education that Black officers need to be and feel successful both in the department and the community or are they just checking the diversity box and moving on?

the center

Healthy Aging for All: The Center at Belvedere

by Enid B. Krieger | Photos provided by Author

Enid Krieger is Chairman of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at The Center at Belvedere. A retired health care executive, Enid has been a resident of Charlottesville for 23 years. She has provided leadership in a variety of ways to benefit the community, for which she was named one of the Daily Progress’ Distinguished Dozen in 2018.

Bernadette

WhitsettHammond, recently retired from her position as a school psychologist for Charlottesville City Schools, knew that in this next chapter of life she wanted to continue to learn, grow, and remain healthy in an inclusive environment. When she walked into The Center at Belvedere this past spring, she knew she had found the place to do just that! Bernadette was familiar

with The Center’s previous location on Hillsdale Drive, so was amazed and impressed by its new home with a spacious, light-filled atrium, and by the warm welcome she received from Center staff and volunteers. One of the classes she signed up for was Tai Chi. “I feel a spiritual connection with it,” Bernadette says, “and I find great comfort in being around people my age with no pressure to compete or perform.”

Reverend Mildred Best also wanted to remain active after retiring last year from her position as director of the Chaplaincy Department at UVA Health Systems. Like Bernadette, Mildred was immediately impressed by the state-of-the-art facility with spaces that are beautiful, functional, and thoughtfully designed—and by the array of programs available. Noticing her flexibility during a stretching class, a participant suggested

to Mildred that she take ballet, something she had never dreamed of doing. She is now enrolled in The Center’s Silver Swans beginner class and says, “I’m loving it, but NO TUTU!”

So, while the building and its amenities are striking, the main attraction for people who join The Center is truly the breadth and depth of the program offerings. The organization creates a variety of opportunities for older adults to maintain and improve their intellectual health, and to connect with others for social support, emotional wellness, and fun. The wide array of educational and social opportunities as well as support in important practical life skills are what

keep members involved at The Center on a regular basis. Scroll through The Center’s website (thecentercville.org) and you’ll find talks on history and travel, classes on art and gardening, and sessions on rhythm, line, and square dancing. You’ll see opportunities to learn and play games such as bridge, American mah-jongg and backgammon; join support groups for caregivers of those afflicted with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases; and attend meetings on elder law, hearing health, and Medicare. The list of activities is endless. Then, following all this learning, exercise, and fun, relax at Greenberry’s, located in the atrium, and enjoy a cup of coffee, a breakfast sandwich, a tasty smoothie, bottle of beer,

glass of wine, or a variety of other tasty treats.

“The Center is a saving grace for me because it offers so much, and I’ve met so many very, very nice people,” says Robert Meadows, a retired industrial arts teacher. Robert discovered his great love for music in his later years. Now retired from The Center’s First-Wind Band, he says “Participating in activities at The Center always makes me think I can do more. We are better students now than when we were younger. More patient.”

The warm, inviting culture that Bernadette, Mildred, and Robert experience at The Center was not always what everyone encountered. After a 2018 in-house assessment of membership, programs, and activities, The Center learned painful truths: people of color did not feel welcome in the space and attempts to invite them in were found wanting—creating mistrust. There was a palpable absence of black and brown faces among staff, members, and volunteers and a lack of urgency on the part of Center leadership regarding issues of importance to our community. Confronting these truths led Center leadership to shine a spotlight on its organizational practices. Executive Director Peter Thompson stated, “The Center at Belvedere is a resource for everyone, not just an insulated segment of our community. As an organization and as individuals, we are dedicated to taking a practical, working role in fighting racism and advocating for a truly just and equitable

Center Day Trip to Mending Walls

society.” The result? An existing committee was expanded in purpose and scope to form the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEIC); a Boardappointed Racial Equity Task Force was assembled to create a Racial Equity Action Plan that is embedded in a strategic plan recently created with help from a consulting firm; and the organization has undertaken work at all levels to improve performance in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

With DEI as a core value of The Center, staff and volunteer training has begun and a myriad of programs have been presented to the Charlottesville/Albemarle community on a wide range of social issues, beginning with the speaker series initiated in

2018. Two editions of “Building a More Inclusive Community: Local Voices on Diversity” have focused on Black and brown communities, one last fall addressed Indigenous Americans. Charlottesville native Frank Walker’s artwork was introduced to The Center in May 2021; his work The African Violin is now on display at the top of the Grand Stairway, the first of a permanent collection promoting The Center’s mission to provide opportunities to explore creativity through the visual and performing arts. Books written by African and Native American authors have enriched the Center’s library. The African American Authors Book Club regularly meets at The Center on the second Thursday each month at 6:00 pm. Allyships are

being pursued with members of the LatinX community. A wonderful dance party with Soul Expressions, a Richmondbased soul and rock band, drew a diverse crowd of nearly 200 people for an unforgettable night of fun. Portrayals of Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman drew enthusiastic audiences during Black History Month, as did a discussion with Margot Shetterly, author of “Hidden Figures,” following a showing of the movie based on her book. Programs focusing on the LGBTQ community are underway, and a series of professionally facilitated small group discussions on the discrimination various groups in our community experience is in development. And so much more! The Center at Belvedere is acknowledging, learning

about, and sharing information regarding our community’s history of racial and social injustice and inequity to make things better for all.

In the words of Friazeal Bennett, a very active member of The Center, “At a certain point in life you either go for it, or you don’t..” Frizz is definitely “going for it” through almost daily activities at The Center. “Just milling around the Center before and after my classes, I find everyone so friendly, inviting me to participate in something, or saying ‘Ok … next time’, if I have another commitment.”

So, how can you get involved at The Center? Many programs are free and open to everyone; others require membership. Standard membership, which provides access to about 80% of the programs, is $180 a year ($15/ month) for an individual or $324 a year for a household. (Household is defined as two persons living at the same address, one of whom is age 50+). For the 20% of classes that require a paid instructor, program fees may apply, or there is an all-inclusive Prime membership option at $40

per month. For anyone who finds membership beyond their means, The Center has always offered scholarships on a no-questions-asked basis to those who express a need. The Center’s mission is “to create opportunities for healthy aging” for all, and the ability to pay should never be an impediment. A scholarship fund established in 2015 to honor educator, volunteer leader, and long-time Center member and Board president Mary Reese provided 205 individuals with memberships and/or support for program fees in 2021.

We invite YOU to call or visit The Center, arrange a tour, and begin the next chapter of YOUR life.

The Center at Belvedere 540 Belvedere Boulevard Charlottesville, VA 22901 434.974.7756 thecentercville.org

Soul Expressions Event at the Center

YOU GET WHAT YOU FOCUS ON Antwon Brinson’s Vision of Using Food to Build Community

by Antwon Brinson | CEO Culinary Concepts AB

Inmy younger years, I was full of misplaced energy and lacked focus. To be completely honest, I had no clue what I wanted to pursue, and the expectations facing me and my friends–young Black men, many of us from single-parent homes–were not high.

The kitchen was the perfect place for a young man full of misplaced energy and difficulties focusing. The pace was relentless, which forced me to be fully present. There was always something new to learn, which kept me fully engaged. And the work meant something– we were feeding people, and I was proud every time a plate I had worked on

left the kitchen. It didn’t hurt that, like many teens, I was drawn to fire and knives– and now I was getting paid to work with them.

I was raised in Niagara Falls, New York, by a loving mom who also happened to be a foster parent. I was blessed with the opportunity to watch my mother walk in her purpose

every single day. She created an environment of love and support for all kids, including family, kids in the neighborhood, and most importantly the 250+ kids she raised during her career. My mom touched so many lives and inspired me and all of my siblings to pursue our passions, but that was easier said than done. Before I walked into the restaurant’s kitchen, I had no clue what I wanted to pursue, and the expectations facing me and my friends– young Black men, many of us from single-parent homes– were not high.

Inspired by my first kitchen experience, the following school year, I took a cooking class as an elective. What started as a hobby quickly evolved under the instruction of a caring and supportive teacher, and I developed a passion for cooking and decided to apply and enroll in the Culinary Institute of America. I was the first, and only, of my friends to ‘make it out’ of the grind of the environment we’d been raised in, where crime dominated, drugs offered false

hopes, and often our most proximate role models were ex-pimps, gangsters and hustlers.

Knowing how far I’d come and how much further I wanted to go, I created a list of goals to succeed in the world of fine dining. Where I was growing up, my community had big Caribbean influences and I would live vicariously through stories about people’s homelands, cultures, and food. When I had an opportunity to select my internship for school, I thought of those stories, and the pictures of palm trees that I taped up in my childhood bedroom. I decided to intern in the Caribbean. While there, I fell in love with the culture and cuisine, which led to me traveling and working in different countries throughout the region.

In the years that followed, I quickly checked goals off my list. I did a three year apprentice program, training under certified master chefs, which led to my ascension through the culinary

Photo Credit: Sera Petras Photography

ranks; moving from Sous Chef, to Chef de Cusine, Executive Sous, Executive Chef, and Food and Beverage Director. I worked with extremely talented teams and collectively, we achieved success and accolades. Yet despite meeting the goals I had set years prior, I found myself unfulfilled. I didn’t feel connected to any community in particular after years of moving from job to job.

In early 2017, my wife and I moved to Charlottesville. I had accepted the role of helping to open a new concept, where I would serve as Executive Chef. The owners hired me to recruit and build a kitchen team. From the very start, finding qualified staff was a challenge– few of the candidates who applied for roles had much culinary

experience, and even fewer understood the soft skills needed to be successful as a career professional.

While the process of building a team from the ground up was a challenge, I began to realize how passionate I was about teaching others. And, as I gained more insights into the labor shortages facing other restaurants, I began to wonder if there was an opportunity to start a program that focused on providing both culinary and life skills. I started researching programs across the country and was only able to find a handful that were providing the type of training that I envisioned. One of those programs, Liberty’s Kitchen, was located in New Orleans. An amazing woman by the

name of Janet Gorence Davas has built it from the ashes of Hurricane Katrina’s impacts. I reached out to Janet and she was welcoming and supportive. My research, conversation, and experiences led me to conclude that most culinary training was out of touch with the realities of the restaurant industry and the needs of both students and employers.

While I had a seed of an idea, I was not sure how to launch the concept. I had helped grow and improve established businesses, but I had never founded one from scratch. With only my concept in hand, I joined a local entrepreneurship program, which helped me shape my vision, setting the foundation to what is now known as Culinary Concepts AB.

Antwon and the neighborhood kids in Niagara Falls, NY | Photo contributed by author.

One of the biggest lessons I learned in the early stages of evolution was called customer discovery, which gives you the opportunity to speak with and interview people who you think would be your ideal customer. Confident in my idea, I made a survey, put on a suit and tie, and approached 50 local restaurants. I explained that I could help them with their staffing issues. I went door to door, sidewalk to sidewalk parked car to parked car. I distributed flyers and spoke with people. I learned which time of day was best to go to Cherry Hill, to Belmont, to South Street. After weeks of effort, six people applied to my class. I accepted four of the applicants.

Today, we are fortunate to have many talented partners and team members who support our mission. We’ve expanded our programming to reach students who are preparing to leave the CharlottesvilleAlbemarle jail and who need to find careers after re-entry. We are equipped to build custom programs to work with high schoolers, families looking to develop healthy eating habits, kids learning their first kitchen skills, and more.

I’ve spent years in the culinary industry, and my feelings towards it are complex. My love of food and gathering people around the table have only grown stronger in the years since I was a teen dicing carrots and working the fry

station. But I’ve also seen the ugly side of the industry, in dozens of restaurants, states, and countries. Turnover is high, and workers are often treated as disposable. Kitchen culture can be macho, toxic, and even dangerous. While a major draw to the industry is the low barriers to entry, this can also mean that many folks show up to work with major unaddressed challenges, including trauma, difficulties with emotional management, and confusion over unfamiliar or unarticulated expectations.

My vision is to change the culinary industry from the ground up. This may sound farfetched at first glance, but my experience over the past three years running my business have taught me the profound impact

Culinary School Graduation (Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY). Photo contributed by author.

of meeting people where they are, offering mentorship, and teaching life skills that help people succeed. This isn’t only about supporting people who work in kitchens– part of what makes Culinary Concepts so successful is that we also work with employers to ensure that they are offering living wages, healthy kitchen cultures, and

realistic work expectations. This approach creates a virtuous cycle. Our grads are committed to their own professionalism, success, and our employers are aware that recruiting and sustaining top talent pays off in lower turnover and more successful kitchens. So far, we’ve collectively

trained over 150 students through our GOCook and Phoenix programs that focus on students with significant barriers to employment. And we’re grateful to the broader community that supports us–our model is partially supported by offering private, group, and corporate cooking classes. We’re honored that folks with greater means and a passion for food spend their dollars locally on these classes and in so doing, help support our mission.

Culinary Concepts AB is a product of my whole story. CCAB wouldn’t exist without my mom, who expressed her love in her actions and taught me to walk in my passion. The streets help me develop my swag, common sense and most importantly how to navigate. Through my travels, which exposed me to so many unique people and cultures, I’ve learned that everyone has something to contribute. And through my career, I’ve learned the value of mindset– that with drive, collaboration, and commitment to excellence, anyone can excel in the culinary arts. CCAB’s ambitious vision is essential to our community’s well-being– creating a culinary industry that elevates its workers, their families, and our whole community. The message I want to get across to everyone that interacts with Culinary Concepts is that you get what you focus on. I’ve decided to focus on using my craft to make the world a better place for all of us.

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apologetically

The Women Who Get It, Get It

by Khalilah Jones

Photographer: Brian Dunn

Wardrobe Stylist: Khalilah Jones

Models: Ciera, Courtney, Juanika, Khalilah, Reyshawn, Sabrina, Shaniece, Shenise

Black women are taking up space unapologetically. Sis is embracing her body, leading the charge, giving gratitude to our sister circles and doing it in her prettiest, posh, powerful and poppin’ ensembles.

No longer feeling obligated to traditional ways of life with a husband and 2.5 kiddos, more and more Black women are forging ahead in spite of insurmountable threats to their very livelihood (because that’s always a thing). Living outside of stereotypes, our favorite angry Black woman trope, and seemingly limitless limitations, Black women are taking the bull by the horns and taming it with just the right sprinkle of Black girl magic, in all aspects of modern life.

I have had the honor and privilege of curating a charismatic and decidedly “Black in all its glory”, group of Charlottesvillians for my recent work for the Soul of Cville fashion show and subsequently worked on this riveting photoshoot. Fashion is but an attempt to realize art in living forms AND social intercourse. The Soul of Cville was so much more than a festival. The Rise of the Phoenix was so much more than a fashion show, hardly just a chic collection of clothes. The women who get it, get it!

It is all about advocacy, community service, business and camaraderie. Today, let’s explore Black women’s ongoing contributions and embrace the multifaceted roles they are playing here in Charlottesville.

I asked the following questions:

1. Where have you found your people?

2. Where have you felt seen, heard and valued?

3. What’s tea?

4. In 5 words or less, what message would you share to Black Women and girls struggling with taking up space?

Courtney, Owner of De La Roll

I have been in Charlottesville since 2006 and have been involved in things and organizations here and there. I have found my people where I was least expecting. I started becoming more physically active back in 2018 and in 2019 challenged myself to begin running with Prolyfyck Run Creww. After the first one I was addicted to the creww. These are my people. Prolyfyck Run Creww is what ”community” should look like. It consists of Charlottesville’s most caring, most giving, most vulnerable, most active, most kind, most funny, and most motivated people. They have become my family! Since running with Prolyfyck Run Creww I have run a plethora of races, but my most accomplished race was the Richmond 1/2 marathon in November of 2021. In this space I am free to be who I am and explore who I am and pushes me toward my goals. I am one of 4 organizers of the Sister Creww So Gifted Womxns Run Creww which is a black centered womxn led segment of Prolyfyck. Tea: nobody does what you do, better than you do it!

Juanika, MS, LMHP-E

Being a Charlottesville native, I have had the fortune of making lifelong friendships throughout my life. I have a relationship that started in preschool, and to this day when we see each other there are zero barriers/challenges in communication. Other relationships have formed through mutual interest such as church,

Courtney

Photo Credit: Kristen Finn

Juanika

Photo Credit: Jill Meriweather

come + enjoy

a band.

people. Try a dance or exercise class.

live music

a cup of coffee.

aging

adults age

and up.

gyms, workout groups, run groups and work/networking. Finding like minded people within the same ethnic makeup has been and continues to be an obstacle as there aren’t many places in Charlottesville that cater to AA/BIPOC population.

I have felt the most seen and heard within my run crew (Prolyfyck Run Creww) and within my clinician networking group (Central Virginia Clinicians of Color). Within those spaces I can be my complete authentic self, free of any judgement and completely understood. It’s also within those spaces where I see people that look like me. Within these spaces I can share daily struggles and challenges, receive support and guidance if needed or just feel heard, seen and felt. There is a level of safety and peace that comes with finding your space. NEVER dim your light, QUEEN

Khalilah, Chic & Classy Image Consulting, Image Consultant, Marketing & PR Coordinator Listen, Charlottesville IS my people. I came here as an Air Force spouse originally from Phoenix, Arizona. As you can imagine, that title comes with a level of anxiety and constant navigation of the unknown. I had moved to 4 different states (west coast, to the Midwest to the east coast) in the span of 8 years. Admittedly, I’ve never met a stranger. But y’all, I have literally met the most community oriented and determined people right here in Charlottesville. I’ve connected with my fit fam thru Parks and Rec, the YMCA, a mud run with Prolyfyck Run Creww, the Women’s 4 Miler, skating with De La Roll, tapping into challenges with Sabrina or Xtreme Hip Hop Step with Avis, dance with Shaniece B and even took a class with Alore, my advocacy and community service sisters as a chartering member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of the Charlottesville Metropolitan area (subsequently the Black Women of Central Virginia), Families Helping Families and my chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated, Eta Phi Omega, my mentorship mavens thru my early relationships with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Project Discovery and the work with 101 Jams and as a board member of the IX Art Park for the Soul of Cville the last 2 years.

Vinegar Hill magazine has provided a platform for me to marry my passion for fashion with my heart for service every quarter. I literally could go on and on. I guess what I am saying is there’s always a space for you…if you show up as your genuine and authentic self, people will embrace and accept you. If they don’t? Those aren’t your people. ”Bloom where you are planted!”

Reyshawn, Supply Chain Planner

I’m originally from DC but I’ve been living here for 15 years. I’ve found my people throughout the Charlottesville area. From different gym locations, such as MMAI (now closed), jobs that I’ve held and by networking, these are the places that I’ve found individuals that I could connect with on different levels and with different backgrounds. Honestly I’ve come across some amazing people throughout Charlottesville and I’ve also come across

Reyshawn

Khalilah

Photo Credit: Ty Cooper

Photo Credit: Model

some that weren’t. However, I met some of those amazing people through others, which allowed me to develop friendships. Also, I am a part of the Sister Circle… I’ve met great people from there. Being in the Rise of the Phoenix fashion show, Khalilah and the other ladies are amazing and made me feel welcome even when I felt like running away or afraid to put myself out there because of what I was going through and my recent failed relationship.

The Soul Cville Fashion Show is where I’ve felt seen, heard and valued. For me that was more than just a Fashion Show. It gave me the opportunity to come from behind the shadow of someone else’s platform and make a statement for myself; without saying words, I was heard!

To hear the Cville community cheer me on when I stepped onto that stage I felt seen, heard and valued. Walking on that runway was my way of reclaiming ME. I felt like a Phoenix rising from the shadow that no one knew I was in. ”Step-Up beautiful! You already standout!”

Sabrina, Beyond Fitness, Owner

My answer is two-fold, I have felt, seen and valued with my community of Beyond Fitness with Sabrina. A diverse community that was grassrooted from my own unhealthiness and desire for a healthier life. This community has allowed me to be one of the top leading BLACK women fitness instructors in the community. This community has trusted and came along with me on this lifestyle journey over the last 6 years. Until 1.5 years ago… it was a lonely journey at times being a black women who was heavily into fitness/weight training until my introduction to the Prolyfyck Run Creww who not only created space for Beyond Fitness but an actual space for brown and black men & women to heal and get fit. There is a space solely for brown and black women, that personally allows me to be black, bold and/or black and vulnerable - a space that allows for me to be me. There is a common interest, respect, inspiration that I find in this space that aid in my growth as a black woman leader in the community .

“You are enough PERIOD.”

I appreciate these ladies for taking the time to indulge me. In closing, what I am learning at this big age of 43, is we need to have the courage to recognize that our voice deserves to be heard by the multitude. It is also imperative that we allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to seek out the voices of other black women and learn what we can from one another. To you, Good Sis, yes, YOU…I hear you. I see you. I value you and I GET IT! Until next time, be well!

Sabrina

Photo Credit: Klassic 1

MANIFESTING THE MALDIVES

by Michaela Nicole

So, the top of everyone’s bucket list is the Maldives, it’s the dream trip of a life time. The water, the beaches, the island atmosphere, I mean who wouldn’t want to go?

I was recently given the gift of traveling to the Maldives for my birthday and it was everything and more!

First, let’s start off by saying Maldives is NOT a budget destination. Period. Yes, there are resorts where you can pay a few hundred a night but more than likely it will be a 3 to 4 star location, will not have the same amenities as the high er tier resorts, and you will have a beach side villa or smaller suite. Also, what people don’t know is that there are a lot of hidden fees. For example, the taxes alone run something like 22

percent. Secondly, transportation. Most of the resorts are located on atolls that are made up of several islands. In the Maldives you use either a speedboat or seaplane to get around.

The typical method of transpo is a seaplane. This can run $300-800 EACH WAY, EACH PERSON. So, while the resort itself may be like $300 or $400 a night, the taxes and the seaplane fees will take your costs from budget to luxury real quick, fast, and in a hurry!

An Overview

We stayed at the St Regis Resort Vommuli Is land. From the minute we got off our flight at Male, the treatment was top notch. We were able to wait for our plane in the newest Business Lounge where we were treated to a delicious high tea spread and a variety of juices, teas, and beverages. It was definitely a nice intermission

before our next stop.

We took the seaplane directly to our resort. The flight took a little under an hour. The sea plane is tiny, it only holds about 10 passengers tops. But the flight was absolutely stunning, looking at all of the various

islands and turquoise water be low was quite memorable.

Once we arrived, we were greeted with dancing and delicious refreshments. At the welcome area, we were intro duced to our lovely personal butler, Aida. We were then

given a tour of the grounds before we were taken to our villa, where we were greeted with sunset views and a bottle of complimentary champagne and desserts.

Step by Step 1. We stayed in the Overwater

Sunset Villa. The villa was in one word: OUT OF THIS WORLD. It came equipped with a huge tub, plunge pool, and steps that led directly into the Indian Ocean.

2. There are only 77 villas total on the entire is land, so the attention to detail, customer wise, is really great. Because the resort only has a limit ed number of occupants on the island, we re ceived lots of tender loving care, and were able to get a lot of extra perks as well.

2a. There were 6 restaurants at the resort. Rang ing from Arabic cuisine, (also the Maldives is predominantly Islamic and the language is actu ally a mix of Arabic and tribal) to Asian fusion, to Mediterranean. I live in the Middle East, so I was just happy to have pork again.

2b. Alba is the main restaurant. The breakfast is buffet style and the options are plentiful. Be cause of the rain, we had to do dinner there a few times as Cargo, the Arabic based restaurant is outside. The food for Cargo was absolutely de licious.. One night we were taking pictures and one of the staff asked if we wanted to see the wine cellar, and maybe take some pics down that

way. Well, it went from a quick tour to a tasting and full blown photo shoot.

2c. Orientale was also a highlight. I absolutely love Sushi and squealed like a little girl when they brought out the sashimi sampler that had everything from halibut to sea-bass to calamari sashimi options. The staff also sang a very sweet happy birthday to me and I was able to enjoy a delicious plate of Gelato.

3. It rains. A LOT. But if you are familiar with Miami or Caribbean style rain showers, it's of ten a short, warm shower and then it's sunny again. There was only one full day that it actually stormed the whole day. The best time to avoid rain season is between Dec to about April. How ever my birthday is in August, so that wasn't an option.???? But despite the rain, it was quite beautiful.

4. This is not a trip for a group. So leave yo kids at home! This is 100 percent a baecation vibes. One, because well, at least at our resort, it was isolated so there isn't really much to do activities wise. Also because of the rain, a lot of events were rescheduled. After the first couple of days

we had basically done every excursion possible. A lot of people will say that they find the Maldives boring but personally I really enjoyed the peace and quiet. There are plenty of resorts with proper bars and nightclubs, but I really loved the chill and relaxed vibes at the St Regis.

5. The Maldives is STUNNING. But you already knew that. Honestly though, pics don't do it justice. The sunset and sun rise is unreal. I have never seen water so unbelievably clear and I’ve traveled all over the Ca ribbean, and southeast Asia. It truly lives up to its reputation.

6. Also, you don't need a week. We stayed 5 days and that was more than enough. You do

quite a bit of traveling though between the normal flight and the seaplane, so I can see how someone would not want this to be a quick trip as well. Now let’s get to the nitty gritty, thee PRICE.

So, in the Maldives there are lovely beach villas. But let’s be clear y’all, it’s all about the overwater villas. When we envision our Maldives trip, the first image we see is us walking out into the sunset of a beauti ful villa with a panoramic view of the ocean, with the ocean surrounding us.

Beach villas are beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but the overwa ter villas absolutely hit different. It’s almost unreal. 100 percent they are worth the cost of

admission. So if you want that overwater experience, prepare to shell out at minimum $800 to $1,200 per night on the low end, and $1800 to $2500 per night on the high end. Costs: *All costs are in USD*

Accommodations: St Regis

Resorts Vommuli, Sunset Over water Villa $2,220 per night We stayed for five nights total. Total cost: $11,100 plus about $1000 in taxes and service charges. So the room was about $12,000 total.

*Quick note: St Regis is a Mar riott hotel, if you happen to be a member of Marriott Bonvoy Awards, you can redeem your points towards the balance of your stay. If you don’t stay at a Marriott resort, there are Kem

pinski, and also IHG resorts as well which have excellent rewards programs*

Seaplane

$1,490 (round trip for two peo ple) Flight: $1,900 *it should be noted, we flew from Muscat, Oman. Ticket prices will be dramatically different from the States

Excursions

Glass Kayak -one hour $200 Seaboarding- 15 mins per per son, at $150 per person, for a total of $300.

Food $1800 initial deposit for the food package, but after about the 3rd night, the $1800 was quickly reached. All in all the total for food was about $2700. I had some awesome birthday surprises. For example, I woke up to an AMAZING floating breakfast for my birthday. Nor mal buffet breakfast was includ ed in the room cost, but the floating breakfast is separate. The cost runs about $400. But

the spread is unreal. It also in cludes a bottle of champagne. The average cost for dinner will run you about $300 to $400 per meal. I think the cheapest meal for both of us was $250.

Tips

Please make sure you tip! (I’m looking at you, fellow Ameri cans. Because we are known globally to not be good tip pers.) At these places they are working extremely hard to keep you comfortable and your trip amazing. Please make sure to tip housekeeping, butlers and servers. It’s not just good and customary etiquette but also, it’s nice to show appreciation to the people who make sure your stay goes well. Standard tip is about 15 percent, but on aver age 20 percent is a good rule of thumb.

Tip cost: $300 to $500 for per sonal butler, accumulative for restaurant wait staff and servers, housekeepers.

Clothes: (Cuz you know we had

to get island fresh!) $1000

Beauty and Barber Prep

Fulaini braids $50 (Because you know we gots to get the vaca tion braids!)

Bikini wax/pedi/Russian mani cure: $110

Souvenirs: There’s a really de cent shop in the Male Airport. Lots of cute little trinkets etc. I was able to find this adorable coral purse and nice bath and body style sets. $400

Total cost: $20,000 to $21,000 total.

All in all, it was the experience of a lifetime and I definitely plan to go back!