April 12-18, 2026 marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and the City of Richmond is recognizing the dedicated professionals within the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response (DECPR) who serve as the critical link between the community and emergency response. 

DECPR answers and dispatches all 911 and public safety non-emergency calls for the city of Richmond. The department also provides and supports the public safety infrastructure for the city through its Technology division and the Office of Emergency Management. As one of the busiest emergency communications centers in Virgina, emergency communications officers in the department answer more than 450,000 calls for service yearly. 

As the first point of contact in emergencies, Emergency Communications Officers play a vital role in protecting the safety and well-being of the community. Their work requires extensive training, critical thinking, and the ability to make split-second decisions that can save lives. 

“The work our Emergency Communications Officers do is demanding in ways that aren’t always visible,” said Stephen Willoughby, Director of the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response. “They carry the responsibility of guiding people through some of the most critical moments of their lives, and it requires a level of strength and dedication that we are deeply grateful for.” 

While National Public Safety Telecommunicators week highlights the vital role of 911 professionals behind the scenes of emergency response, the City of Richmond also recognizes the dedicated technology professionals from DECPR’s technology division and radio shop. These teams provide critical services to help ensure that the systems that support the city’s emergency response capabilities remain reliable and operational at all times. 

“When someone in our city calls for help, they should feel confident there is an entire team of professionals working behind the scenes to ensure they get the help they need, when they need it most,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement. “I want to thank the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and response for the work they do 24/7 to keep our community safe and connected.” 

As Laureates, Maurice "Moeflowz" Brown and Rosa Castellano will expand opportunities for residents to connect through poetry.  

On Saturday at the Richmond Poetry Festival, Mayor Danny Avula announced the selection of Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown and Rosa Castellano as Richmond’s next Poet Laureates. Their laureateship will be the City’s third, succeeding Joanna Lee and Douglas Powell/Roscoe Burnems.  

“My Mayoral Action Plan focuses on being ‘a city that tells its stories and tells the truth about its past,’” said  Mayor Danny Avula.  “Storytelling is how we understand healing in this city and how we imagine new futures together. It’s the foundation of what drives our administration: the work of bringing communities together and doing the collective healing work our city and our society so deeply need. And the Poet Laureate program is vital to that work.”  

Richmond’s Poet Laureate program began in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Richmond’s arts communities. Since then, the program has reinforced the City of Richmond’s investment in local artists while bringing poets into the work of local government.  

The program’s third application cycle drew proposals from poets across the city. An initial selection committee of community partners and city staff—including representatives from Richmond Public Library and Richmond Public Schools—shaped the application process, reviewed initial applications, and submitted recommendations to the Mayor for a final selection.  

Mayor Danny Avula’s selection of both Dr. Brown and Ms. Castellano highlights the program’s goals of unifying Richmond’s diverse poetic traditions and expanding opportunities for residents to engage with poetry as readers, audience members, and even creators. Each poet steps into the Poet Laureate role with deep connections to Richmond and a long history of building community through poetry.  

Dr. Maurice “Moeflowz” Brown’s first poetry performance in Richmond was in the early 2000s at Tropical Soul while he was stationed at Fort Lee. Since then, he’s become a fixture in Richmond’s slam poetry and spoken word scenes. He is the founder of Ink & Barrel Inc., an organization dedicated to empowerment through poetry, and serves as Associate Director of The Writer’s Den RVA. In addition to his work in the arts, Dr. Brown teaches math at Virginia Commonwealth University. In his Poet Laureate application, Dr. Brown proposed an intergenerational citywide poetry and storytelling initiative, including a leadership conference, organizational showcase, and citywide workshop series.   

"The first time I saw Moe perform, I knew I was watching something special,” said  Mayor Danny Avula . “Moe’s a dynamic speaker who invites an audience in and challenges them at the same time. He’s also a true teaching artist—his experiences educating and mentoring youth sets him up to make an enormous impact as a Poet Laureate.”  

“Richmond has the talent, history, and energy to position itself as a leader in Virginia’s arts scene,”  Dr. Brown  said. “Its future depends on connection, on collaboration, shared resources, and intentional cross-pollination. I see my role as helping facilitate those connections so the community can grow stronger together.” 

Rosa Castellano moved to Richmond in 2001 to pursue an MFA in poetry from VCU, and she and her family returned permanently to the city in 2018. She is perhaps best known as the co-founder of RVA Poetry Fest. Ms. Castellano is also the Writing Engagement Coordinator at the Visual Arts Center and the Literary Arts Director for Sundress Publications. Her writing has appeared in multiple publications, and her debut poetry collection is entitled  All is the Telling.  Her application proposed starting a Youth Poet Laureate program for the city to champion Richmond’s youth voices.  

“As anyone who has spent time at Poetry Fest can tell you, Rosa is just a powerhouse organizer who turns vision into reality,” said  Mayor Danny Avula . “The range of voices and activities represented there is a testament to her dream of a city rich with creative expression. Her own beautiful writing is even more powerful because of the way she brings other writers and artists along with her.”  

“The future of poetry and quite possibly what’s next for all of us will likely involve some form of service, of caring for our neighbors and to do that, we need to see and know each other. Poetry is one powerful way that can happen,” said  Ms. Castellano . “As Poet Laureate, I will continue working to support existing literary arts groups by creating infrastructure to make it easier for more people to find their literary homes.” 

Mayor Danny Avula announced the joint Poet Laureates at the Richmond Poetry Fest, which continues through Saturday evening. Dr. Brown and Ms. Castellano will each receive a $5,000 stipend annually through their tenure, along with $2,000 annually in support for their proposed program.  

For more on the Poet Laureate program and to follow the Laureates’ progress, visit  go.rva.gov/poet-laureate . 

Ordinance modernizes payment reporting to publish key payment information, protect privacy, and build a Thriving City Hall 

Richmond, VA  —  Mayor Danny Avula announced today that he has introduced an ordinance ahead of Richmond City Council’s Monday meeting to fix the City’s payment reporting requirement, following through on a commitment made in March to address a longstanding issue with the existing ordinance that has not functioned as intended, and predates his administration.

While the issue was not among the Administration’s most urgent operational challenges, recent attention along with the Administration's desires to improve processes and systems underscored the need to resolve these longstanding problems. Following a full review, the Administration is advancing reforms. 

The proposed ordinance is the result of a review of City workflows, staffing, technology, and reporting requirements related to the payment registry required under City Code §12-16. The goal of the proposed ordinance is to preserve and support public access to City spending information while ensuring the system is practical, accurate, and compliant with privacy laws. 

“On March 26, I said we were taking a hard look at how the City delivers payment registry data. We did that work, and now we’re acting on it.” said  Mayor Danny Avula. "My ordinance gives the public the information they have a right to have about how taxpayer dollars are spent while creating a system that can actually work the way it was intended."

Under the proposed changes, the City would publish key payment information, including who the City is paying, how much was paid, and which department made the payment. At the same time, the ordinance would remove categories of payments restricted by privacy laws such as certain social services benefits and tax refund payments. 

The revised framework would better align Richmond with state and federal privacy requirements, as well as reporting practices used in neighboring jurisdictions. 

“This is about delivering better, more usable information to the public,” said  Mayor Danny Avula. “It means stronger transparency, smarter operations, and helping residents clearly understand how public dollars are being spent.” 

The ordinance also supports the Administration’s broader effort to make City Hall more accessible to residents. The effort builds on recent actions to modernize City operations and improve accountability, including the launch of TechDesk, updates to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, passage of FOIA Library legislation, and enhancements to the RVA Business Portal. 

• Download the ordinance as introduced
• Download a 1-page explainer on the ordinance 

Programming supports local entrepreneurs with tools for sustainability and scale

Richmond, VA —In recognition of Small Business Month this May, the City of Richmond’s Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) is proud to launch the PIVOT Symposium Learning Series.

The free series builds on the success of last year's PIVOT Symposium and will feature expert-led sessions designed to help business owners pursue public and private contracting opportunities. Topics include developing competency statements, writing competitive proposals, and leveraging artificial intelligence as a business support tool, among others.

“Small businesses are the backbone of Richmond’s economy, and this program reflects our continued commitment to their growth and long-term success,” said Patricia Foster, Director of the Richmond Office of Minority Business Development. “Through initiatives like this, we are equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to compete, scale and thrive in today’s evolving marketplace.”

The PIVOT Symposium Learning Series begins April 23 and runs through May, with weekly sessions held Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sessions will take place on the campus of Virginia Union University. Interested participants can click here to learn more and register.

Please see the below flyer for course details.

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About the Office of Minority Business Development

The Office of Minority Business Development (OMBD) works to cultivate inclusive economic growth by increasing access to opportunity for minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses across Richmond. Through advocacy, programming, and partnerships, OMBD ensures that all entrepreneurs have the tools they need to thrive.
 

City of Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald II has been named a charter member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond, joining a distinguished group of local leaders committed to mentoring, education, economic empowerment, and community service across the region.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond is part of the nationally recognized 100 Black Men of America movement, which focuses on improving the quality of life in communities through mentorship, leadership development, health and wellness initiatives, and economic empowerment. 

“The rechartering of the 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond represents an important step forward in our city’s commitment to youth advocacy,” said Stephen Miller-Pitts, President of 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond. “At a time when young people face complex challenges, mentorship and proven, evidence-based support are more important than ever. Our mission is to change the trajectory of our youth through ‘Mentoring the 100 Way Across a Lifetime.’ By focusing on our ‘Four for the Future’ pillars—Mentoring, Education, Health & Wellness, and Economic Empowerment—we aim to address the full spectrum of needs facing Black youth and their communities. As we reestablish our presence across Greater Richmond and surrounding areas, we do so as committed community partners, seeking the collaborations and resources needed to support the next generation. Because we know that ‘What They See Is What They’ll Be,’ and tonight they see ‘Real Men Giving Real Time’ to help secure their future.”

“We are pleased to welcome the Richmond, Virginia Chapter as the newest addition to 100 Black Men of America, Inc., marking a meaningful return to a community with a strong legacy of leadership and service,” said Milton Jones, Jr. National Chairman of the 100 Black Men of America. “This group of dedicated men represents the very essence of our mission—committed community servants who are ready and prepared to provide impactful mentoring to youth across the greater Richmond area. We are especially proud to have leaders among their ranks such as Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Richmond, whose professional excellence and commitment to community exemplify the caliber of leadership within this chapter. We look forward to the Richmond Chapter advancing our work and strengthening our collective impact as we continue Mentoring the 100 Way.”

As a charter member, Mr. Donald will help shape the organization’s founding vision and support programs designed to uplift youth and strengthen families throughout the Greater Richmond area. Charter members play a critical role in establishing the chapter’s leadership, programming priorities, and long-term impact in the community.

“I am extremely honored to join this dynamic group of charter members to charter the 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond and continue investing directly in the future of our community,” said Donald. “Providing mentorship, leadership development, and direct support to our youth is essential to cultivating the future leaders of the region at an extremely pivotal time.”

The launch of the 100 Black Men of Greater Richmond represents an important milestone for the region, bringing together leaders from across sectors who are committed to making a lasting difference through service, mentorship, and advocacy. Through its work, the organization aims to create pathways for youth success, foster leadership development, and strengthen the social and economic fabric of the Greater Richmond community.

For more information about the 100 Black Men of America, Inc its programs, please visit https://www.100blackmen.org.