Buy Back the Block: Hear from Leaders about the History  of the Black Community and Food Justice in Fifeville  

Register for the event USING THIS LINK

Charlottesville, VA – August 14, 2024 – “Buy Back the Block: Hear from Community Leaders  About the History of the Black Community and Food Justice in Fifeville.” The event will take  place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM in the Jefferson School  African American Heritage Center Auditorium, 233 4th Street, NW, Charlottesville, VA. Lunch  will be provided.  

Panelists will discuss the rich history of the Black community in Fifeville, its relationship to the  University, and the effects of the pending redevelopment at 501 Cherry Avenue in the  neighborhood. Because the area is often referred to as a “food desert,” speakers will also  address food justice issues.  

Panelists Include
Dorenda Johnson, Fifeville Community Leader
Jalane Schmidt, UVA Professor
Aleen Carey, Cultivate Charlottesville Co-Executive Director
Sarad Davenport, Moderator

The Fifeville Neighborhood Association (FNA) has hired local business owner and area  resident, Deanna McDonald, and her company RN HEARTwork – Health Education, Coaching &  Consulting LLC, to conduct a community engagement initiative.  

This event is the first of multiple forums to be conducted as a part of Fifeville’s new community  engagement project focused on a potential grocery store at 501 Cherry Avenue. Events and  surveys are aimed at sharing information and getting feedback from residents about what they  would like to see in a store and whether they or someone they know might want to be involved  in owning and/or operating a grocery store. The Fifeville engagement initiative will be  concentrated in four of Charlottesville’s historically Black neighborhoods: Fifeville, Ridge Street,  10th & Page, and Rose Hill. However, events are open to all Charlottesville and Albemarle  Community members.  

This community engagement project is funded by a grant from Charlottesville Area Community  Foundation. Additionally, The Equity Center at UVA is partnering with the Fifeville Neighborhood  Association and supporting their efforts by providing resources and lending their expertise in  community research. 

See coverage from NBC29
See interview on WINA

This is a pivotal moment for the Fifeville community. Valuable input from residents could directly  influence the developers’ decisions regarding the 501 Cherry Avenue site, ensuring it truly  reflects the needs and aspirations of community members.  Attendees are asked to RSVP at: bit.ly/4dVxV6z or scan the above QR code.  

Background: The site at 501 Cherry Avenue, now owned by Woodard Properties, is locally  known as the location of the former Estes IGA Building. It is projected to be replaced with two  buildings containing affordable 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. The developer is holding  space for the Music Resource Center and for a potential grocery store. As yet, no person or  entity (nonprofit or co-op model) has come forward to purchase or take on the ownership or  operation of a store.  

For more information, to cover the event, or schedule an interview, please contact:  

Deanna McDonald, MHA, BSN, RN
RN HEARTwork LLC
Tel: (434) 218-0740
Email: RnHEARTwork@gmail.com