By T. Cearnal
March 3, 2025
As we prepare for the inaugural issue of The Richmond Seen, one thing has become increasingly clear: our mission isn’t just to provide quality stories about underground artists, but also to bring cohesion to the creative cliques in our city.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve joined in community with many of Richmond’s creatives as we prepare for our print launch in March. Most recently, we gathered for a panel discussion honoring Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Mad Skillz and had the pleasure of interviewing James Ford of @just_something_i_ate. We first met James on a chilly evening at Penny’s Wine Bar, where we shared a beautifully chilled red and a conversation that spanned hip-hop, gentrification, controversy, Black people in fine dining spaces, constructive criticism, legacy—everything Richmond has to offer. And everything she lacks. As James simply put it, “Community… yeah.”
That same sentiment echoed through the panel, as Skillz’s closest friends all agreed—he has always included Richmond, Virginia his hometown, in every accolade.
It’s a reflection we’ve seen time and time again as we’ve laid the groundwork for The Richmond Seen, sharing stories, experiences, and the moments that shape our creative landscape.
It was our desire for community that led us to be part of The Internet Is Fake listening party last year at BHMVA. It was that same desire—and the calling to put our MF phones down and actually engage with news, events, and stories—that gave birth to TRS. We want to bring back the experience of walking into your local gas station, grabbing a soda and a newspaper. Or stepping into Country Style on Williamsburg Road, seeing the same elders at the counter, sipping coffee over a donut as they discuss politics, business, family, and local events—flipping through the newest publication of the Richmond Free Press.
That same desire brought us to the Le Cache Dulcet this chilly Sunday – a new record and coffee shop, and welcomed him into the community.
This is what fuels the stories we want to share through this newspaper.
The first edition of The Richmond Seen is just a couple of weeks away, where we’ll highlight the women artists, creatives and local businesses of Richmond.
We look forward to being the bridge that brings the creative community together.
Thank you for allowing us to be seen.
