Posts Tagged :

southwest virginia

Buzzing in California! 900 416 Michael Hemphill

Buzzing in California!

BUZZ is now on in California!

Carol Jessee, former executive director of Southwest Virginia Ballet, which we featured in our first episode in 2020, texted us: “Just got a note from a friend who lives in LA saying he turned his TV on and there I was! The ballet Buzz4good was on!!! WOW! Congrats!”

Turns out KVCR Public Media in San Bernardino picked up our show off of the NETA (National Educational Telecommunications Association) platform and is airing it Sundays at 4:30 pm Pacific.

Thank you Blue Ridge PBS for offering BUZZ to public television across the U.S. Now audiences everywhere can see firsthand what a caring and beautiful region is our beloved Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

We’re buzzing in Cali!

Free BUZZ Concert features Addie Levy + Domino 900 506 Michael Hemphill

Free BUZZ Concert features Addie Levy + Domino

Dear friends:

In addition to BUZZ, I also work for the nonprofit Friends of the Blue Ridge, which recently introduced me to the multi-talented Addie Levy.

The 21-year-old Radford native – who now splits her time between Nashville and Dollywood – headlined Friends’ ON THE RISE concerts in Roanoke and Asheville featuring phenomenal up-and-coming Bluegrass sensations.

Addie recently shared with me that she’s formed a Nashville-based trio called Domino, and hoped to find a place to perform in Roanoke on April 14. (Click here to take a listen.)

Well, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to provide some buzz. So I reached out to my friends at the Taubman Museum of Art, which graciously agreed to host a free concert on Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m. I hope you’ll join me!

Below is an RSVP along with a blurb about Domino and a YouTube recording of a recent performance. They’re incredible and I’m honored to be a buzz4good for them.

Always buzzing,
Michael Hemphill, Creator of Buzz4Good

BUZZ Concert – Addie Levy + Domino

Name

In the heart of Nashville, the trio of Cole Ritter, Luca Chiappara, and Addie Levy weaves a stellar blend of Bluegrass, Jazz, and Swing. Their music, polished through years of exploration, brings a magic to the stage. All 3 members are nationally touring musicians, working for multiple artists and touring under their own names. Joining together in the fall of 2023, the three created a powerhouse trio that shows off each of their strengths and true love for music.  Join them for smooth melodies and cosmic rhythms that make for an unforgettable experience.

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.

The Hokie Way kicks off Season 4 900 505 Michael Hemphill

The Hokie Way kicks off Season 4

As originally broadcast October 4, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Virginia Tech sports fans are understandably passionate about how its teams perform on the field and court. But for nonprofits throughout Virginia there’s as much enthusiasm for what the Hokies are doing outside of the games to further their missions in the community.

That’s due to another nonprofit in and of itself: The Hokie Way. The Hokie’s Way mission is to create opportunities for Virginia Tech student-athletes to leverage their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in support of charitable organizations.

On today’s episode of BUZZ, we will feature head football coach Brent Pry, women’s basketball coach Kenny Brooks, and two of our favorite Hokies: Liz Kitley and Sean Pedulla, in hopes we can help The Hokie Way score more buzz of its own.

Funding for this episode is generously provided by Partners in Financial Planning and EvolutionHR.

This BUZZ is personal 900 506 Michael Hemphill

This BUZZ is personal

As originally broadcast July 26, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Twenty years ago I was new to the nonprofit world working on my first project in my community of Shawsville, Virginia: revitalizing an abandoned nursing home into a community center. 

Our group of volunteers had little money and no experience, but one organization was willing to believe in us and award us our first grant: The Community Foundation of the New River Valley. 

What an honor it has been to produce our newest BUZZ featuring the Community Foundation’s work helping hundreds of nonprofits throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. Thank you 5Points Creative and Bruce C. Bryan for providing the buzz for the Foundation as it coordinated its 10 annual — and biggest ever — GiveLocalNRV!

About the episode:

Founded in 1994 with just $8, the Community Foundation of the New River Valley today claims more than 200 funds and $15 million in assets from which it awards each year $500,000+ in grants and scholarships. Hundreds of nonprofits — and thousands of individuals — have been helped by this vital organization.

One of the big events that it hosts each year for the region’s nonprofit community is Give Local NRV, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. Returning to BUZZ for its seventh episode, 5Points Creative gives a major marketing boost to the Community Foundation for this milestone occasion.