Hampton Newsome is author of several books on the Civil War including Richmond Must Fall: The Richmond-Petersburg Campaign, October 1864, published by Kent State University Press  and recognized as a best book of the year by the Civil War Monitor magazine; as well as The Fight for the Old North State: The Civil War in North Carolina, January-May 1864, which received the Emerging Civil War Book Award and the book of the year by Civil War Books and Authors.

His most recent title is Gettysburg’s Southern Front: Opportunity and Failure at Richmond. Also published by University of Kansas Press, this book has received the Edwin C. Bearss Book Award for Outstanding Scholarship from the Chicago Civil War Roundtable as well as the Emerging Civil War 2023 Book of the Year award.

Recently retired from a career practicing consumer and environmental law, Newsome is a regular speaker at Civil War Round Tables and has led tours of sites around Richmond and Petersburg. He posts book-related information on Facebook at “Hampton Newsome – Author.” He is currently working on a book about the Appomattox Campaign.

Weekly lunch meetings are not always convenient for busy professionals. So, we formed the Wine Down Wednesday Club Satellite, which meets at 6 pm every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at Mekong Restaurant, 6004 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23230, for fellowship and planning service projects. Members of this more intimate group may also attend Monday speaker meetings as their schedule allows and are considered full-fledged members of the Club.

Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that encourages young students to set and achieve goals, building self-esteem and good citizenship.

Volunteers are meeting at the school on Wednesday, November 12 at 8:45 a.m.

Contact Debbie Powers for more information: debbiepowers1@gmail.com

Enjoy the Holiday!

Enrich the lives of children by sharing the magic of books! Kiwanis Club members are invited to George W. Carver Elementary School to read to students from kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Sessions take place on Monday mornings for about one hour. Arrival time is 8 a.m.

Contact Bob Rogers for more information: bobrogers@globalweb.net

Enrich the lives of children by sharing the magic of books! Kiwanis Club members are invited to Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary School to read to students from kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Sessions take place on the First Friday of each month for about one hour. Arrival time is 8 a.m.

Contact Debbie Powers for more information: debbiepowers1@gmail.com

Perhaps the most important role of a metropolitan newspaper is to cover the affairs of local and state government, warts and all.

Award-winning Richmond Times-Dispatch investigative reporter, Samuel Parker, is responsible for numerous well-researched, block-buster articles exposing malfeasance and inefficiency at Richmond City Hall. While most of these occurred under the previous administration, he continues to closely monitor activities of the new administration under Mayor Danny Avula.

A relatively new reporter (his first newspaper job), Parker has already garnered the Virginia Press Association Award for Government and Data Journalism, as well as the Open Government Award from the Virginia Coalition for Open Government.

His talk will review his groundbreaking stories as well as tools of the investigative reporter, including the oft-abused Freedom of Information law.

The Kiwanis Club of Richmond is hosting a Membership Blast event at The Answer Brewpub on Wednesday, October 29 from 6-8 p.m.

This gathering provides a casual space for prospective members to learn more about the volunteerism opportunities, club assets, and value of being a Kiwanian.

Join us! Bring a friend, family member, or coworker who is interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of Richmond.

RSVP to Lauren Comet: lauren.comet@quinnevans.com.

Angela Oakes serves as Vice President of Strategy for the Greater Richmond Partnership, where she leads strategic initiatives and fundraising efforts to position Greater Richmond as the premier mid-sized region for business investment. With a strong background in both public and private sectors, Angela brings deep expertise in economic development, marketing, and relationship-building to her role. She previously held key positions with the Henrico Economic Development Authority and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, where she promoted the region to domestic and international companies considering expansion or relocation.

A lifelong resident of the area, Angela holds degrees from the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. She will be joining us at Kiwanis to share timely updates on economic trends and opportunities shaping the Greater Richmond region.

Like communities across the country, the Richmond area faces a growing lack of affordable housing.

Marion Cake, Vice President of Affordable Housing at Project:HOMES, is responsible for the design and implementation of programs that foster affordable homeownership and rental opportunities in central Virginia.  Throughout his 24-year career, his approach has been to support homeowners in changing neighborhoods, while preserving their community’s unique character.  A native of Arlington, Virginia, he is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College. 

See more about his organization here.

We will have our tournament at the Dominion Club.

Registration at 11 a.m. - Lunch on Cart

12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start - Captain’s Choice

6:30 p.m. Presentation & Awards Dinner

Proceeds benefit our partner Fatherhood Foundation of Virginia.

Richmond CASA recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court proceedings. These volunteers serve as consistent, caring voices for children, helping to ensure they are placed in safe, permanent homes and that their needs are heard by decision-makers.

Sarah-Keel Crews has served as Greater Richmond Volunteer Coordinator for SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) for four years. She has almost a decade of non-profit work experience with some of Richmond’s most vulnerable communities. A Richmond native, she attended Douglas S. Freeman High School and James Madison University.

Starting a New Kiwanis Year!

Julie Bilodeau serves as the Chief Executive Officer of CrossOver Healthcare Ministry. She joined CrossOver in 2003 after a decade at Circuit City Stores. Under her leadership, CrossOver significantly expanded, opening a clinic on Quioccasin Road in Henrico County, establishing an in-house licensed pharmacy, and implementing electronic health records. Currently, she is leading a $9 Million capital campaign to improve facilities.

Julie holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of William and Mary and an MBA from the Darden School of Business. She is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond. She is president elect of the West Richmond Rotary Club and a member of River Road Church, Baptist.

Dr. Danny Avula took office as the 81st Mayor of the City of Richmond on January 1, 2025.

Before his election to public office, Danny served the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts for 12 years, including 6 years as its Director. There, he championed efforts to increase access to care for the most vulnerable residents of our community, prioritized the voices of those with lived experience, lifted up the intersection of housing and health, and addressed the root causes that shape health outcomes-especially poverty and race.

In January 2021, Governor Northam appointed Danny to lead Virginia's COVID-19 vaccination effort. He jumpstarted a struggling vaccine rollout and elevated the Commonwealth from 50th to one of the top 10 most-vaccinated states in the country. As Virginia emerged from the pandemic, Danny was then appointed as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services by Governor Youngkin, where he led significant transformational work to support families and to create more sustainable pathways out of poverty.

Danny is a pediatrician and works as a hospitalist at Chippenham Hospital.

Born in Hyderabad, India, he immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1979. A father of five, Danny and his wife, Mary Kay, have lived in Richmond's East End for over 20 years. Mary Kay is a teacher with Richmond Public Schools.

Danny holds degrees from the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Johns Hopkins. He was named one of Richmond's "Top Docs" each year from 2013-2022, a Richmond Times-Dispatch Person of the Year in 2019, and Style Weekly's Richmonder of the Year in 2020. In 2017, he won the Dancing With the Richmond Stars contest.

Kerwyn Phillip, MBA, is an author, small business consultant and financial literacy advocate. He recently released his first book, “Malik’s First Job: Financial Principles for Teens” about a young man who seeks financial advice from his father. Since the book’s release, Mr. Phillip has appeared on NBC-12 (Richmond), The Michael Colyar Show, Real Black News with Raqiyah Mays, Soul Logistics Radio and several other social media outlets.

A lifelong educator and financial literacy advocate, Mr. Phillip has taught Economics and Personal Finance in Henrico County Public Schools, and facilitated financial literacy workshops at Richmond Public Library, Henrico County Public Library and Chesterfield County Public Library. In 2016, his organization, The Ndugu Business & Leadership Academy, partnered with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Department of African American Studies on their SWAGIFY Financial Literacy Research Project. Also in 2016, he received the Manny Award from My Brother’s Keeper of Greater Richmond for contributions to the community in Central Virginia. 

Kerwyn Phillip is a Brooklyn, New York native, who earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from Morgan State University and his master’s degree in Business Administration from Averett University. His passion is teaching leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy to youth in under-served communities.

Enjoy the Holiday!

CHRIS MOONEY SUPERLATIVES
• 2-time Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award finalist (2010, 2024)
• 2024 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, NABC District 4 (A-10) Coach of the Year
• Most wins in Richmond history (358 in 20 seasons)
• Most wins in a season in Richmond history (29 in 2010-11)
• Most conference wins in a season in Richmond history (15 in 2023-24)
• Most wins vs ranked opponents in Richmond history (16)
• Winner of only A-10 tournament titles in program history (2011, 2022)
• Winner of only A-10 regular season title in program history (2024)
• Most A-10 tournament championships among active coaches (2, tied with SBU’s Mark Schmidt)
• Highest NCAA Tournament seed in program history (7th, 2010)
• Highest NIT seed in program history (1st overall, 2015)
• Highest A-10 Championship seed in program history (1st, 2024)
• Highest rank in AP Top 25 since 1957 (19th – December 2020)
• Longest win streak since 1935 (11 - December 2023 to January 2024)

Read more here.

Michael P. Kehoe has served as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since March 2024. Prior to becoming Chairman of the Board, Mr. Kehoe served as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 2009 to March 2024. From 2002 to 2008, Mr. Kehoe was the President and Chief Executive Officer at James River Insurance Company and previously served in various senior positions at Colony Insurance Company from 1994 to 2002, finishing as Vice President of Brokerage Underwriting. Mr. Kehoe earned a B.A. in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law.

2025-26 Officers and Directors will be in a training session.

Lauren Zaller Moore joined Children’s Hospital Foundation as President and CEO in March 2019. In that time, she has grown the Foundation team, launched a capital campaign, “Built for Kids. Built by You.” and seen the opening of the Children’s Tower, CHoR’s home for pediatric emergency, trauma and inpatient care. Now she’s leading the launch of a new comprehensive fundraising campaign focused on four pillars: supporting the whole child and family, innovating and educating the next generation of care givers and researchers, expanding current facilities and programs to serve even more children and families and growing unrestricted funding to ensure CHoR is able to meet any future challenges head-on.

Under her leadership, Children’s Hospital Foundation has raised more than $112 million, connecting with more than 7,000 donors a year who are translating their passion for children into gifts for Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Lauren came to Children’s Hospital Foundation after seven years serving in roles advancing medical philanthropy at VCU Health. Prior to joining VCU in 2012, Lauren worked as a development officer for University of Minnesota’s Masonic Children’s Hospital and at the University of Tennessee. Lauren’s community connections extend beyond CHF as a board member of the Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia and The Estate Planning Council of Richmond, VA; a member of the chief development advisory council for the Children’s Miracle Network and the chair of the Children’s Philanthropy Group.

She lives in Richmond with her husband, two children and mischievous dog. She also remains a loyal–and vocal–fan of the Tennessee Volunteers.

In November 2021, Jason Miyares (pronounced me-YAR-ez) was elected the 48th Attorney General of Virginia. Prior to this position, Miyares served in the Virginia House of Delegates for three terms, and before that, worked as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach. A product of Virginia public schools, Jason graduated with a Bachelor's in Business Administration from James Madison University and a Juris Doctorate from the College of William and Mary School of Law. As Attorney General, Miyares has been focused on improving public safety, strengthening economic growth, combatting the deadly impact of opioids and fentanyl, and protecting Virginians from corporate misconduct. Jason Miyares is the first Hispanic American to be elected to a statewide office in Virginia, and the first child of an immigrant to be Attorney General. Last year, Miyares launched Operation Ceasefire, a comprehensive approach to fighting violent crime by focusing on intervention and aggressive prosecution of gun crimes. His office has secured over $1 billion in opioid settlements for drug addiction and recovery from pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, holding them accountable for their role in the opioid epidemic.

Martin D. Brown currently serves as Chief Diversity Officer and Director of the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion under Governor Glenn Youngkin. Chief Brown has extensive experience working in the private sector and state government, serving in senior executive positions for three previous Governors.

As Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, he led and managed over 1,700 employees in 120 locations, overseeing the development of an online customer portal, safe reductions of children in foster care, and increases in adoption, as well as the development of a practice model strengthening Virginia’s families at every client contact. As Advisor to the Governor for Prisoner Re-Entry & Family Re-Integration, he established a best-practice family-strengthening program, now expanded statewide. As Policy Advisor to the Governor – he coordinated the state visit of Mrs. Coretta Scott King and the recognition of Martin Luther King, Jr. as the first African American permanently memorialized on Virginia’s Historic Capital Square. While serving as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Chief Brown helped lead Virginia’s welfare reform effort.

In addition to his public sector experience, he has worked with hundreds of diverse individuals from six of the seven continents as President of the Providence Management Group, a media and public relations firm, and as manager of a Chick-fil-A franchise. He is a founding Board Member of the Gloucester Institute, served on the Board of Elijah House Academy and the Richmond Christian Leadership Institute and as a Pastoral Deacon for 14 years at Kingsway Community Church.

Chief Brown is a graduate of Howard University and the Virginia Executive Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University. He and his wife Nita live in the Richmond area with their two adult children.

Rabbi Gary S. Creditor was installed as the senior Rabbi of Temple Beth-El, Richmond, Virginia on October 3, 1993 and retired as Rabbi Emeritus in June, 2014, concluding a forty-year career in the pulpit Rabbinate. He instituted many programs in Adult Education such as a weekly Talmud class and, a weekly class in Basic Judaism. He was instrumental in returning post B’nai Mitzvah to participate in services and Torah reading. Under his direction the Mollie Brown and Sylvia Janus Mikvah was built at Temple Beth-El that serves the entire central Virginia and Shenandoah Valley Jewish communities.

Rabbi Creditor served on the Board of the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond and its committees in many capacities. He was a member of the Richmond Rabbinic Association and served as its chairman. Rabbi Creditor is a long-time member of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, serving on its Board of Directors and is chair of the Living Wage Certification Program. He has spoken to a wide and diverse spectrum of institutions in Richmond: the Kiwanis Club, the Governor’s School for Governmental and International Studies, and at the Jewish Women’s Room and Jewish Women’s Club at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center. Rabbi Creditor participated with Governor Tom Kaine in the memorial program for students and faculty who died at Virginia Tech, and many interreligious programs held around Richmond following the tragedy of September 11th, 2001.

Rabbi Creditor is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly, of the Washington Board of Rabbi, the Washington-Baltimore region of the Rabbinical Assembly, and the New York Board of Rabbis. He served congregations in New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut and Long Island, New York before ascending to position in Richmond.

Rabbi Creditor was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York in 1976, where he received his MA in Talmud (1974) and Bachelor of Hebrew Literature (1971). He graduated from Columbia University G. S. with a B.A. in Far Eastern Religions (1971). As part of these programs he studied at Hebrew University in Jerusalem (1968-1969, 1973-1974). In 2003 he received his Doctor of Divinity (Hon.) from J.T.S. recognizing more than twenty-five years of Rabbinic service.

Enjoy the Holiday!

More to come!

Robert R. Lindgren served as Randolph-Macon College’s fifteenth president from February 1, 2006 until the end of the 2024-2025 academic year. During his tenure, Randolph-Macon focused on increasing enrollment, revitalizing RMC’s campus, creating new academic and co-curricular programs, and increasing private support of the College. New student enrollment had increased by 50% and 15 new majors had been created in this period. The College completed 11 new buildings, having also completed major renovations on 6 facilities, all totaling more than $110 million in construction expenditures. Private support of Randolph-Macon has reached an all-time high and the College completed a $125 million comprehensive campaign during his tenure. Since 2016, the College has consistently ranked in the top 30 among all colleges and universities in alumni giving participation.

To read more about Robert R. Lindgren, click here.

Betsy Wells Edwards is the executive director of the Virginia Press Association. She has experience in public relations, marketing and lobbying. She served in public information roles for the Indiana Senate, the Indiana Public Service Commission, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. She also served as the development director for the ACLU of Virginia and Preservation Virginia and as the executive director of the Virginia Fair Trial Project. Edwards has lived in Virginia since 1986 and is the author of Virginia Country: Inside the Historic Homes of the Old Dominion (Simon & Schuster, 1998). She holds a degree in Political Science and Journalism from Indiana University.

Born and raised in the River City, Lucy is a champion of Richmond’s creativity, innovation, revitalization and future. For decades, she has worked with many community partners to enhance the vitality of Richmond. As Director of Economic Development and Community Relations at Venture Richmond, Lucy has prioritized fostering community engagement, driving economic growth, and creating strategic partnerships to enhance the vibrancy and prosperity of Richmond's downtown.

​Prior to her time at Venture Richmond, Lucy was in commercial real estate development before discovering a passion for downtown and nonprofit leadership. This experience gave her an inside look on Richmond’s residential side and important networking skills that have aided her in development and community relations with Venture Richmond.

​One of her favorite accomplishments was leading the collaborative team effort that created the unique open source community brand: RVA. She has thoroughly enjoyed getting the opportunity to watch locals and tourists experience the meaning behind the RVA brand and grow to represent it.

​When not in the office, you’ll find Lucy around town cycling, oil painting, gardening and savoring Richmond’s art and food scene. She loves to travel and rarely passes up an opportunity for an adventure. Her deep love for Richmond and all it has to offer shows in her day to day life as well as her contributions to the community.

Join us as we celebrate with our Key Club Scholarship Recipients. We sponsor Key Clubs in four high schools: Atlee, Benedictine, Richmond Community, and Thomas Jefferson High Schools.