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nonprofit

BUZZ to Produce 6 Arts & Cultural Episodes in 2022 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ to Produce 6 Arts & Cultural Episodes in 2022

We are BUZZing about our new partnership with the City of Roanoke and Roanoke Cultural Endowment to produce six episodes in 2022 that feature our region’s arts and culture … and the organizations that make it possible. 

Read the news release issued Feb. 17 by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

As BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill shares in the news release: “Our very first BUZZ episode was produced at the start of the pandemic and featured Southwest Virginia Ballet. Given the challenges that permeated our country during this time, the beauty and joy of the ballet’s music and dancers offered comfort. That’s the power of art. We’re honored to share that story and bring more ‘buzz’ to the artists and organizations who provide that to Roanoke.”

The first episode of this 6-part series, airing Feb. 23 on Blue Ridge PBS, showcases how Roanoke’s arts and cultural nonprofits have survived the pandemic, and are now collaborating with the Taubman Museum of Art to present the weekend-long Roanoke Arts Pop! on March 4-6.

LeadPoint Digital, led by BUZZ veteran and AAF Roanoke president Carrie Cousins, works in this episode to give arts in Roanoke more “buzz.”

“12 Buzz4Goods” Song 900 506 Michael Hemphill

“12 Buzz4Goods” Song

Here on the 12th day of Christmas, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill presents his “12 Buzz4Goods” song!

Here we look back on the 12 nonprofits that have been featured on BUZZ since our debut in August 2020 on Blue Ridge PBS. We also thank our sponsors and the marketing pros who gave these organizations more “buzz.”

And we look ahead to an exciting 2022!

  1. Southwest Virginia Ballet & Carrie Cousins
  2. Healing Strides & 5Points Creative
  3. Mill Mountain Zoo & Wordsprint
  4. RAM House & Wheeler Digital
  5. Eastmont Community Foundation & Wordsprint
  6. Feeding Southwest Virginia & Access
  7. Virginia811 & Carrie Cousins
  8. Giles County & 5Points Creative
  9. Blue Ridge Women’s Center & Wheeler Digital
  10. Christiansburg Institute & Soectrum Media Solutions
  11. Children’s Assistive Technology Service & 5Points Creative
  12. Habitat for Humanity of the New River Valley & 5Points Creative

Celebrate BUZZ Anniversary on Aug. 3 630 485 Michael Hemphill

Celebrate BUZZ Anniversary on Aug. 3

It’s hard to believe that BUZZ made its Blue Ridge PBS debut on Aug. 5, 2020, with episode 1 featuring Southwest Virginia Ballet and marketing specialist Carrie Cousins.

We invite you to CELEBRATE our anniversary and PREVIEW our 13th episode on Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 6:30 pm at the Grandin Theatre. The event is free. Beer, wine, soft drinks, popcorn and candy will be available for purchase from the Grandin. (Pre-party for AAF Roanoke members and previous stars and supporters of BUZZ starts at 6:00 pm).

The event is free. Beer, wine, soft drinks, popcorn and candy will be available for purchase from the Grandin.

Our newest BUZZ is a special two-part show featuring the Christiansburg Institute, with Spectrum Media Solutions, that airs Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 on Blue Ridge PBS. 

For 100 years, the Christiansburg Institute stood as one of the finest schools for Black Americans in Virginia. Founded in 1866 just a year after the Civil War put an end to slavery, Christiansburg Institute became a testament to African-American self-preservation, educating thousands of students on its 185-acre campus. Education giants such as Booker T. Washington served as superintendent. 

But in 1966 school integration finally took hold in Virginia … and Christiansburg Institute’s legacy was quite literally whitewashed away. Its academic buildings were shuttered. Its students scattered to previously whites-only schools. Its land subdivided and sold off. Today all that’s left is one abandoned building on four acres.

But there’s a group of passionate people dedicated to preserving its history … and creating a catalyst for community conversations, racial justice and change. 

We thank Woods Rogers Attorneys at LawCommunity Foundation of the New River Valley, and Partners in Financial Planning for their sponsorship support of this episode … and all of you who have been part of BUZZ during our inaugural year. 

BUZZ “shines” at Advertising Awards Gala 600 450 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ “shines” at Advertising Awards Gala

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill was awarded the inaugural SHINE AWARD at Thursday’s Western Virginia American Advertising Awards Gala, hosted by AAF Roanoke.

The 2020-21 award was presented in recognition of BUZZ’ public service work helping nonprofit organizations through its TV show that airs on Blue Ridge PBS and, starting in April, on VPM public television serving Richmond-Charlottesville-Harrisonsburg.

“Our work wouldn’t be possible, though, without the American Advertising Federation of Roanoke and its membership of incredible marketing professionals who donate their time and talent to the nonprofits we feature,” says Hemphill. “They are the people who really shine on BUZZ.” 

Hemphill also credits his director of photography and editing, Dan Mirolli, “who brings the shine to our production in every episode.”

Episode 5 of BUZZ 1024 576 Michael Hemphill

Episode 5 of BUZZ

Now playing on Blue Ridge PBS and our YouTube channel: Episode 5 of BUZZ featuring Southwest Virginia Ballet REDUX!

Since being featured on the first episode of BUZZ in August 2020, Southwest Virginia Ballet has done amazing work leveraging both its marketing makeover by digital specialist Carrie Cousins, Wordsprint and Press Press Merch, and its new relationship with Blue Ridge PBS … a good partner to have during a pandemic when your main event of the year is a live performance in front of a packed auditorium.

Created and hosted by Michael Hemphill, this episode features Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s David Stewart Wiley, Anderson Music Therapy, and iconic locations in Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge including Taubman Museum of Art, The Hotel Roanoke, Berglund Center and Mill Mountain Star.