A Better Region

In this episode, we sit down with the founder of the Music Video Training Center, Jamal Johnson, and the Foundation’s Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Vivian Oden, to discuss the Ninth Annual Black Philanthropy Month Celebration, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Register by Tuesday, Aug. 4, at BPM2026.eventbrite.com.

In this episode, we sit down with Certified Public Accountant and Barron F. Black Community Builder Award recipient Jennifer Saunders Pfitzner and the Foundation’s General Counsel and Senior Director of Gift Planning Lynn Neumann. Together, they discuss strategic philanthropy, how charitable giving can support the causes you care about, and the potential financial and tax benefits that come with giving.
Below is a glossary of terms to reference while listening to this episode.
Glossary of Terms:
VFC (Visionaries for Change) – A giving circle of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
CLP (Community Leadership Partners) – A giving circle of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation.
RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) – The mandatory annual amount that the IRS requires individuals of a certain age to withdraw from certain tax-deferred retirement accounts.
QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution) – A direct transfer of funds from an IRA to a charity, giving eligible retirees a tax-efficient giving strategy.
OB3: (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) – A landmark U.S. federal law signed on July 4, 2025 codifying significant tax and spending policies, including changes affecting charitable deductions.
CGA (Charitable Gift Annuity) – An agreement between a donor and a qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides fixed payments to the donor (or another beneficiary), tax deductions to the donor, and gift to the charity.

On this special episode, we took a moment to celebrate the life of an extraordinary woman who was beloved and highly respected by the Foundation and many across our region and beyond: our friend Audrey Settle.

On this episode, host Tracie Paige sits down members of the Community Peacemaking Circles. Community Peacemaking Circles is a safe space to uplift All voices, build trust, connect with community and start your own racial healing conversation.

On this episode, we continued the celebration of National Philanthropy Month with Foundation Vice President for Development Kay Stine and 2024 Barron F. Black Award recipient, Legacy Society Member and local philanthropist Mavis McKenley to discuss the power of giving and philanthropy.
 

A Better Region Podcast shines a light on the good work being done by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the region’s largest provider of grants and scholarships.
On this episode, host Tracie Paige sits down with Foundation Vice President for Grantmaking Linda Rice and Associate Vice President for Grantmaking Gina Kelly to discuss scholarships at the Foundation.

A Better Region Podcast shines a light on the good work being done by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the region’s largest provider of grants and scholarships.
On the most recent episode, host Tracie Paige sits down with Foundation Associate Vice President for Development Kate Wilson and Community Leadership Partners member Danny Rubin to discuss active giving and making a difference in our community.

On this week's episode, host Tracie Paige sits down with Foundation Vice President for Donor Engagement Leigh Davis, along with philanthropist Grace Tazewell, who supports nonprofits through grants from the Thistle Fund.

On the premier episode, host Tracie Paige sits down with Foundation Vice President for Equity and Inclusion Vivian Oden, along with Fiona Charles and Kandi Hall, who are members of the Foundation’s Visionaries for Change giving circle.