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roanoke virginia

BUZZ Watch Party stars Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Watch Party stars Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries

Join us Thursday, March 14, at 6:00 pm at the historic Grandin Theatre for a free “sneak peek” of our newest BUZZ starring Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries.

BUZZ Watch Party - Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries

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Organized in 1997, Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries (SAEM) is a gathering of lay people and pastors from Salem, western Roanoke County and local service agencies working together to serve people in need: a summer “feed and read” program for children; student-led food pantries in area schools; and its signature “Mrs. Dorsey’s Clothes Closet” which provides free, gently used clothing and household items.

But the all-volunteer organization is in need of some sophisticated marketing to attract more donors and volunteers to its cause. Thankfully, Wheeler Digital is back for its third BUZZ to help. Many thanks also to the Louise R. Lester Foundation for granting us the funds to underwrite our production costs for this episode … our 46th BUZZ!

BUZZ Watch Party stars Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors” 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ Watch Party stars Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors”

All are invited to our free Watch Party on January 24, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Grandin Theatre premiering our newest BUZZ starring Roanoke City’s “Arts Connect Neighbors!”

BUZZ Watch Party - Arts Connect Neighbors

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Two years ago we embarked on ambitious project with the city of Roanoke and Roanoke Cultural Endowment to produce six episodes of BUZZ starring arts and culture. 

Over the first five episodes we featured the nonprofits that produce the annual Roanoke Arts Pop, and highlighted the intersection between the arts, health and wellness, public schools, even economic development. 

Here in this final episode, we work with our friends at Roanoke Valley Television as we look beyond the usual arts suspects to the streets, parks, and even homes close to where we live … all as we explore that classic Mr. Rogers’ question that Roanoke artists will be asking throughout 2024: won’t you be my neighbor?

Funding for this episode comes from the Roanoke Cultural Endowment and the City of Roanoke through the American Rescue Plan Act. Watch Party is sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment.

Top 10 BUZZ of 2023 900 432 Michael Hemphill

Top 10 BUZZ of 2023

Thank you for buzzing with us this year!

We hope you enjoy this highlight reel of our Top 10 buzz-worthy moments of 2023 … and look forward to highlighting and helping even more nonprofits in 2024!

No. 10: The Y is more than a workout as we showed in our episode starring YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge. See the stories of some at-risk teens served by “Rise 540.” Watch full episode. 

No. 9: Nonprofits literally do everything – from homeless shelters and children’s art programs to organizations like the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program that helps entrepreneurs design cutting-edge drugs and patent portable optical laser cutters. Watch full episode.

No. 8: The Roanoke City Public Schools arts program teaches kids how to dance, sing, paint, sculpt, play a stringed instrument, march in the band, produce digital music … and recycling and turtle-stacking? Watch full episode. 

 No. 7: How excited was the Community Foundation of the New River Valley when it soared past its goal for the 10th annual GiveLocalNRV? Watch full episode.

 No. 6: With its scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, gurgling streams and star-gazing skies, Alta Mons pulses with divinity for the thousands of people who retreat each year at the 800-acre eastern Montgomery County camp. But its human heart beats within one man: Jim Pearman. Watch full episode.

 No. 5: We buzzed at the chance to talk to Virginia Tech’s Liz Kitley, Kenny Brooks and Brent Pry for our episode starring The Hokie Way, which helps VT athletes use their Name, Image and Likeness to promote local nonprofits. One of those nonprofits is the Lifering Foundation, founded by Kelly Woolwine amidst incredible suffering. Watch full episode.

 No. 4: We’re fortunate to have Dan Mirolli in our hive as our cinematographer. His work really buzzes in our episode featuring The Least of These homeless ministry at night. Watch full episode. 

 No. 3: How proud is Norma Mondragon’s mother for the life she has built thanks to Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley? Watch full episode.

 No. 2: BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill returns to his hometown of Birmingham where he connects with old friends and his alma mater to produce episodes on four impactful nonprofits that began airing in December on Alabama Public Television.

 No. 1: In our most viewed video of 2023, musicians Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock and J.P. Powell – joined by Roanoke Symphony maestro David Stewart Wiley, Opera Roanoke’s Brooke Tolley, Roanoke Cultural Endowment’s Shaleen Powell, and the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir – provide the artistic beat for what makes Roanoke, Virginia, a great place for business. Watch full episode.

Putting the buzz in business 961 540 Michael Hemphill

Putting the buzz in business

As originally broadcast November 15, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Since 2017, RAMP – the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program – has been the buzz for nearly 50 entrepreneurs throughout western Virginia.

From high-tech engineers to white-coated scientists, RAMP has provided expertise instruction, 1:1 mentorship, non-equity funding, office space and a host of other resources to help startup companies accelerate their business.

On this episode of BUZZ – our 39th! – we’ll feature RAMP’s incredible work and provide it with some accelerating of its own with some cutting-edge marketing help from a familiar face to BUZZ, Carrie Cousins of LeadPoint Digital.

BUZZing about Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary watch party 900 506 Michael Hemphill

BUZZing about Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary watch party

All are invited to our free Watch Party on Nov. 20 at 6:00 p.m. at Grandin Theatre premiering our newest BUZZ starring Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary!

BUZZ Watch Party - Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary

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We think we know a thing or two about buzz, but we’ve got nothing on Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd County, Virginia. Founded in 2008, this 41-acre refuge buzzes year-round as a refuge that promotes sustainable and biodynamic beekeeping to help restore the health and vitality of the honeybee worldwide.

Poised to pollinate the U.S. and world with its mission, Spikenard turns to a man who knows his B’s — Bruce C. Bryan of 5Points Creative — for some bee-autiful marketing strategies that will give Spikenard even more … well, you know it. 

This episode is sponsored by the Community Foundation of the New River Valley.