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Members of the Charlottesville Low-Income Housing Coalition will present Whose City? A community panel about luxury and affordable housing on Wednesday, September 16, at 6pm, in the Jefferson School at 233 4^th Street, North West. Panelists will discuss how racial inequality relates to housing, and the impact of luxury development on community stability. This event is free to the public, with a reception to follow. For more information, call 609-915-6132.

The University of Virginia's Office of the Vice President for Research presents Unlocking Alzheimer's: Genetics, Early Detection, and Healthy Aging, a free public talk by Sarah Flowers of the UVA School of Medicine, part of the UVA Answer Series. The event takes place Wednesday, September 16th, at 6 p.m. at the Crozet Library, 2020 Library Avenue in Crozet. The talk is free and open to the public. For more information, visit answers.virginia.edu.

Make plans to join the Suicide Prevention Awareness Resource Council for its 11th Annual SPARC of Hope 5K on Saturday, October 17th at East End Farm in Louisa County, near Zion Crossroads. This event is an opportunity to honor lost loved ones and celebrate hope, healing, and positive change. In addition to the 5K, the event will feature a speaker, refreshments, children's activities, and a raffle. Proceeds will support local suicide prevention efforts, helping to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and bring hope to those affected by suicide. For more information, and to register, visit S P A R C Hope dot Com

Lighthouse Studio hosts a screening of Where Hope Takes Root: An American Story, which brings together film, storytelling, and voices from across Virginia to highlight the journeys of refugees who now call the Commonwealth their home. Following the film, audience members will hear directly from participants during live talks and Q&A, with a reception for Full Admission ticket holders to cap off the evening. The event takes place at Vinegar Hill Theatre in downtown Charlottesville on Friday, September 18th at 6:30pm. For details and to purchase tickets, visit Lighthouse Studio dot ORG slash Events.

UVA's School of Architecture’s Center for Cultural Landscapes presents Landscapes on Film: Care, Placemaking, and Belonging on Black Land, a two-day film symposium. On Sunday, September 20th from 2:30-5:30pm, filmmakers from Texas, Virginia, and California will screen movies at Vinegar Hill Theater in Charlottesville's downtown mall. The conversation continues Monday, September 21st at 5pm at UVA’s School of Architecture where filmmakers will share their perspectives on community care and belonging in Black cultural landscapes. Please email [email protected] for registration links.

Looking for a fun and meaningful Saturday morning activity for the family? Every third Saturday, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center hosts Rhythm & Roots. Children and their caregivers can enjoy an engaging storytime, creative hands-on activities, and explore African American culture together. The next program is Saturday, September 19th at 10:30 a.m.. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. Visit JeffersonSchoolHeritageCenter DOT org to learn more.

The documentary “Juvies” will screen Friday, September 25th at 7pm at Vinegar Hill Theatre. “Juvies,” executive produced and narrated by Mark Wahlberg and featuring poetry by Mos Def, is about children charged as adults, some of whom are receiving 15 plus years to be served in an adult prison. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with judicial reform advocates and professionals. Visit JSFF Juvies dot Eventive dot ORG for tickets and info.

The Descendants of Enslaved Communities of Virginia is hosting their annual Descendants Day Symposium in Charlottesville on Saturday, September 26th at The Center at Belvedere. With Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of the 1619 Project Nikole Hannah-Jones leading this year’s keynote conversation, this all-day event entitled STILL HERE: Black Survival, Joy, and Community in the 250th, celebrates the significant contributions of the Black community in the building and maintenance of this country. Tickets and information at eventbrite DOT com, or contact Jessica Harris at chair AT descendantsuva DOT org.

Charlottesville Pride presents its 2026 Festival on Saturday, September 26th, from 12:30-7:30pm at the Ting Pavilion on Charlottesville's downtown mall. The event will feature entertaining performances, local vendors, food and drinks for sale, and a fun, community-focused atmosphere in celebration of Pride. For more information, visit Cville Pride dot ORG.

On Our Own's 35th Anniversary Celebration is happening Wednesday, September 30th, with an open house from noon to 5:00pm, and a formal celebration program to follow, at 123 4th St NW in Charlottesville. Since 1991, On Our Own has provided free peer support services to adults seeking recovery from mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and trauma. Former participants, volunteers, staff members, board members, and supporters are encouraged to attend, reconnect, and share their stories and memories. It's free and open to the public. For more information, call 434-979-2440

UVA’s Center for Community Partnerships invites 6th through 12th grade students in Charlottesville and Albemarle County to enter the 2026 Voices of Democracy Student Writing Contest. This year’s theme is “The Next 250 Years.” Students are invited to write 150 to 300 word essays sharing their vision for the future of America by imagining what democracy will look like 250 years from now, and how young people and emerging technologies might shape what comes next. Search communitypartnerships DOT virginia DOT edu for contest details. All submissions are due by September 30th.

The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary invites animal lovers to attend Mountain View Magic Soirée, its annual fundraising gala. The event takes place at Eastwood Farm and Winery in Charlottesville on Friday, October 2nd at 5:30pm. Tickets include an open bar, a delicious buffet meal from Botanical Fare, live music, and many more surprises. All funds raised will support the Sanctuary's wildlife rehabilitation and education programs. For details and to purchase tickets, visit Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary dot ORG slash Gala.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Central Blue Ridge will host its third annual pickleball tournament, The Big Serve, on Saturday, October 17th. This event to raise awareness and funds in support of youth mentoring will be held at the Darden Towe Park pickleball courts from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features a round-robin format with teams of two competing in social, competitive, and match groupings. Early-bird registration continues through Wednesday, September 30th and registration closes on Tuesday, October 13th. For more information or to register, visit Blue Ridge Bigs dot Org slash Pickleball

Life Moments, A Circular Mile, a new exhibition by Charlottesville artist Theresa Woodfolk, opens this Saturday, with a free reception from 6 until 8 p.m., at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. Through handcrafted works created from reclaimed wood and everyday objects, the exhibition shares memories of Black life and community in Charlottesville's historic Black neighborhoods. The program runs through December 12th. Learn more at JeffersonSchoolHeritageCenter DOT org.

Martin Horn Helps, a nonprofit in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, is the local affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This program provides children with a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail every month from birth to age five, at no cost to their families. The program currently serves over 2,500 children locally, but relies on community support. You can honor Dolly's legacy by donating at imaginationlibrary DOT com, where you can also register your child free of charge.