Explore every episode of the podcast Buzz4Good! Nonprofits + Marketing

On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about the power of POWHR (Protect Our Water Heritage and Rights). 

Whenever nonprofits have to go up against big for-profit companies it’s often like David vs. Goliath … but with David lacking any stones for his sling. But recently a Southwest Virginia environmental nonprofit used its power to successfully stymy – for now at least – construction of a massive 25-acre, 136,900 hp compressor station that Mountain Valley Pipeline wanted to build in a rural section of Montgomery County. 

Michael chats with POWHR community organizer Crystal Mello – who prefers to describe herself as the local cleaning lady and a nanna — and double Hokie Seferina Olivo, who is POWHR’s community science manager, about POWHR’s fight against Mountain Valley Pipeline … and its work to establish environmental justice for Southwest Virginia.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about one of his favorite days of the year, a day that celebrates more than 130 nonprofit organizations in the New River Valley of Virginia: GiveLocalNRV kicking off at noon on June 24 and ends noon on June 25. It’s a 24-hour fundraising marathon coordinated by our good friends at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, which seeks to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the nonprofits that serve the NRV. To talk about the day and its impact, Michael chats with Community Foundation assistant director Lindsey Gleason-Reed.

We also talk with a new nonprofit that helps children who struggle in a traditional academic environment: Why Not Workshop.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with the founder of SHIELD Chaplaincy amidst this week's tragic killing of Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy Logan Utt. Just before Utt's May 29 shooting death, the nonprofit SHIELD Chaplaincy reached out seeking some buzz for its work helping law enforcement officers throughout the Roanoke area handle the trauma and stresses of their work so that they can better serve our communities and their families.

Listen to our conversation with Darren Potter, founding chaplain of SHIELD Chaplaincy.

On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about Commonwealth Catholic Charities ... specifically its vital role welcoming to our communities some of the most incredible and inspiring people you’ll ever meet, though they're increasingly under attack by our very government: immigrants and refugees. 

Michael chats with the nonprofit’s Khalefia Dungee, volunteer extraordinaire Beth Ruffing, and Samim Noorzad, whose amazing journey from his native Afghanistan to Roanoke, Virginia, is sure to uplift you. Learn more about an upcoming CCC event for which Michael is providing some ... buzz!

On today’s show BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about about college … and the unaffordability of it for too many high school graduates who are getting ready to walk the stage this month and receive their diplomas. Thankfully some nonprofits have stepped up to work on this issue, and we speak with two that are headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia: Project Discovery and Friends of the Blue Ridge!

Conflict is natural, but can be painful, so on today show's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with Chelsea Cleary, program manager of The Bridge Institute, a nonprofit resource center that provides mediation and restorative justice for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and businesses in Roanoke Virginia. 

In increasingly unsettling times, The Bridge Institute helps people resolve conflict and create healing. Listen to Chelsea's  personal journey of family trauma, and her tips on how to bridge challenging relationships in a world that increasingly seeks to divide us.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about food ...  specifically a Roanoke, Virginia nonprofit dedicated to supporting farmers and fresh, local food for all: the Local Environmental Agriculture Project, aka LEAP. 

LEAP is celebrating another milestone – a harvest if you will – on April 14 when it cuts the ribbon to a new $250,000 pavilion at its West End Farmers Market. Michael chats about that and all of LEAP’s incredible projects and program with executive director Maureen McNamara Best, a true buzz4good.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about ... beds! Specifically a nonprofit founded in Idaho that builds and provides free beds for low-income children: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Luke Mickelson founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace in 2012 in his garage. Today, it's a $25 million operation with more than 400 chapters throughout the U.S. and world, including here in Roanoke, Virginia.

Michael was buzzing to connect with Luke because of his nonprofit’s mission ... and, unbeknownst to Luke, the impact that Sleep in Heavenly Peace had on creating Buzz4Good! Not only does Luke share his founder story, but also offers lessons for other nonprofit founders whose organizations outgrow themselves.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about Defending Democracy, founded in Blacksburg, Virginia, in response to what organizers say is the increasing authoritarianism of the second Trump administration. Michael chats with Virginia Tech professor emeritus Jim Bohland, and asks how Virginia Democrats' redistricting effort squares with Defending Democracy's mission. Regardless of your political affiliation, you'll want to listen.

This week BUZZ also began production on a new episode starring On Our Own of the Roanoke Valley, a drop-in center in Roanoke that is open 365 days a year for people struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Michael shares his conversation with executive director Robin Hubert about the nonprofit's work and her personal journey from addiction to recovery.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about SML Gives Inc. SML stands for Smith Mountain Lake and the nonprofit SML Gives Inc. works to fight, poverty, hunger, and homelessness for the impoverished families and individuals living around the otherwise relatively wealthy lakefront property communities. Michael talks with founder, executive director and president Joey Donovant, who has an incredibly inspiring story to share about his own personal journey through addiction and pain that led him to found the nonprofit.

We also share our newest BUZZ episode highlighting the incredible work that has been done in Franklin County highlighting the 70 African-American men who bravely fought for the union and freedom in the Civil War in the United States Colored Troops. The Franklin County NAACP recently unveiled a new statue honoring this history, and we featured this ceremony in our newest BUZZ, which is now available on our YouTube channel.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about two very different nonprofit educational institutions that are sure to tug at your heart, hopefully your wallets, and that nearby box of tissues to wipe away a tear from your eye. Michael talks with two parents from the tiny Noah-Christian Academy in Salem, Virginia that works with PreK through 2nd grade children who have struggled in traditional schools. 

And he visits with the nonprofit Masterpiece Alliance, which provides community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Masterpiece Alliance has formed a new partnership Shepherds College, a first-of-its-kind college in Wisconsin that offers higher education and workforce training  for the community that they serve.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill is buzzing about Black History Month. 

A couple of weeks ago we premiered our newest episode starring Harrison Museum of African American Culture as it moves into its new home at Melrose Plaza in Roanoke. Here we share the audio of that episode hope you’ll go to our YouTube channel to watch it in its entirety. Or better yet, go visit the museum for yourself!

Speaking of Black History Month, our next new BUZZ stars the Franklin County NAACP, which recently unveiled a new statue in Rocky Mount, Va., honoring the 70 Black men born in the county who fought for the Union and freedom in the Civil War as members of the United States Colored Troops.

We were there for the unveiling – a spectacular day that actually included a video tribute from NBA great Steph Curry, who has family from Franklin County.

Merry Christmas! Yes, yes, we know it’s at least Jan. 3 if you’re listening to this, but in celebration of the 12 days of Christmas,  on today’s show BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill shares 12 BUZZ highlights from 2025 in anticipation of even more BUZZ here in 2026.

We’ve gone back through the nearly 40 BUZZ episodes and BUZZ Live! shows we produced in 2025 and selected these 12 moments that highlight nonprofits that engage in everything from Black history, animal welfare, refugee and immigrant opportunities, Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, poverty, literacy, unplanned pregnancies, and so much more.

It’s what we love about nonprofits: they literally do everything! Merry Christmas!

Something wicked this way comes on today's Buzz4Good. On Nov. 6 Radford University hosts The Wicked Festival in which hundreds of students grapple in public presentations with our world’s wickedest problems. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with Paige Tan, Radford University political science professor and festival director.

Michael also share some "sneak listens" to two new episodes of the TV show BUZZ starring the nonprofits Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association and Elimisha Kakuma. Elimisha is the Swahili word for "educating." Kakuma is the name of a refugee camp in Kenya that is home to 300,000 people who have been forced to flee war and violence in their home countries. Why are we buzzing about Elimisha Kakuma? If you’re a Virginia Tech Hokie fan, you will want to listen.

Today BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about On Our Own of the Roanoke Valley, a nonprofit drop-in center that strives to improve the quality of life of people with mental health/substance use issues. We speak with executive director Robin Hubert, who knows all too well the need for such a place as she struggled for years with depression, alcohol abuse, and attempted suicides. 

Michael also bids farewell to a real buzz4good, Brent Pry, now former head football coach of Virginia Tech. He was featured in our 2023 BUZZ show starring The Hokie Way. He is a class act and a great representative of not only Virginia Tech but Southwest Virginia as a whole.

On today's Buzz4Good, creator and host Michael Hemphill is buzzing live from the historic Lyric Theatre in downtown Blacksburg, Virginia, to feature the inspiring people who serve, and are served by, the Blacksburg Refugee Partnership.

Blacksburg Refugee Partnership is an organization run entirely by community volunteers who believe all humans have the right to a safe, peaceful, happy home. They connect displaced families to the resources and ongoing support they need to successfully plant roots here in America.

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about the Athena Leadership Award, given by the Roanoke Regional Chamber that celebrates women who have achieved the highest levels of professional accomplishment while giving back to their communities and actively investing in the success of future leaders.

Today Michael chats with the three finalists – all exceptional women who helped build BUZZ – about leadership:

• Melissa Woodson, executive director of RAM House and the star of one of our first episodes we produced in 2020. 
• Renee Brown, President and CEO of DePaul Community Resources, who has previously appeared on this show.
• Becky Freemal, who generously served as host of our pilot BUZZ in 2019 and this year helped launch BUZZ Live! 

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

On today's Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about Melrose Plaza, Roanoke, Virginia’s new neighborhood center, which held its grand opening on July 31. The project, which began as a community conversation and research study, is now a transformative community initiative led by the nonprofit Goodwill Industries of the Valleys.

Hundreds of people from across the Commonwealth of Virginia helped cut the ribbon to the one-of-a-kind Melrose Plaza, which includes a wellness center, grocery store, cafe, adult high school, bank, public library and African-American history museum. Its mission is to revitalize a once-prosperous Black community decimated by urban renewal.

Listen to the inspiring leaders who have brought Melrose Plaza to life.

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

This week BUZZ was privileged to shine a light on an aspiring nonprofit, Blacks In Technology of Southwest Virginia, as we broadcast live the art, history and promise of its Juneteenth Celebration.

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about two inspirational nonprofits that help people live better and die better. 

DePaul Community Resources works to improving the lives of children, families, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Meanwhile, Spirit’s Rest offers comfortable housing and around-the-clock compassionate care and support to hospice patients and their families during their end-of-life journey.

Here are Michael's conversations with Caroline Stanfill, founder and executive director of one of Spirit’s Rest, and Renee Brown, president and CEO of DePaul Community Resources.

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill isn't buzzing today in his adopted state of Virginia or his homestate of Alabama, but way out in Montana and Washington to highlight a special nonprofit that is connecting prison inmates with the outside world … through art. How they got connected with Buzz4Good way across the country – and more importantly the heart-breaking, soul-healing work they do – is the subject of our conversation with Cyrus Lee.

Cyrus already had a heart for prison ministry when his son was convicted of second degree murder and began serving a 20-year sentence in Washington State Penitentiary. Cyrus founded the nonprofit Bears ‘n Stuff, based in his hometown of Libby, Montana.

We're buzzing about an incredible and inspiring arts project opening June 1 at a new nonprofit arts space in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. It features portraits of 10 of the city’s most iconic citizens, from Dick & Dave of the Q99 Mornin’ Show to Mayor Joe Cobb and former Carilion Clinic CEO Nancy Agee. 

Today, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with the founders of the nonprofit arts space, Art on 1st, and shares the inspiration behind the exhibit from its creator, Whitney Brock.

We also share portions of our newest BUZZ that aired on public television this week starring the nonprofit Sav-A-Life, which helps women – and men – facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Reflecting on our newest shows highlighting nonprofits, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill has to ask:

1. If the Trump administration insists DEI be eradicated, why must it come at the expense of Black history, which is far more accurate than the mythology we've always been taught?
2. If we claim to be pro-life, why are politicians providing fewer and fewer resources and help for that life once it is born?
3. Why is Trump eliminating funding for nonprofits that are working tirelessly to provide the services that government won't provide? 

We discuss these thoughts and more in today's Buzz4Good as we share our recent work highlighting and helping such nonprofits as:

• Franklin County, Virginia chapter of the NAACP
• Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School
• Sav-A-Life, which works to help women facing unplanned pregnancies
• And Christian Service Mission, which serves thousands of low-income families with food, home repair, and other support

Today BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about a Blacksburg, Virginia nonprofit that provides hope to walk for thousands of amputees around the world. 

Appropriately named Hope to Walk, the nonprofit in May hopes to travel to Ukraine to provide prosthetic legs to some of the estimated 100,000 soldiers and civilians, women and children, who are now amputees because of the war. Listen to our recent BUZZ Live! that featured its cause and need for $15,000 to fund its trip.

We also share a clip from our newest BUZZ TV show that stars the nonprofit Masterpiece Alliance, which provides community and friendship for adults with intellectual disabilities.

In today's episode, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with Lisa Lietz about the upcoming SML Gives Day when 36 different nonprofits hope to raise $200,000 to better serve Bedford and Franklin counties in the Smith Mountain Lake area of Virginia. We also share a recent BUZZ Live talk show that features one of these Franklin County nonprofits, Healing Strides of Virginia, along with Apple Ridge Farm and the inspiring story of a cancer survivor turned internationally touring banjo player.

BUZZ is proud to present a new 30-minute talk show called BUZZ LIVE! that’s designed to be “The Tonight Show for Nonprofits!"

During the show – which we live-streamed to our Facebook and YouTube channels and later broadcast on Blue Ridge PBS – BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with the inspiring people who serve, and are served by, nonprofits in Roanoke, Virginia ... along with a musical guest affiliated with a local nonprofit!

February 6, 2025

Franklin County NAACP’s “Raising the Shade”
Musical Guest: Bryan “Harvest Blaque” Hancock
Masterpiece Alliance‘s Scott Habeeb

WATCH LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK

WATCH LIVESTREAM ON YOUTUBE

To kick off Black History Month, we are buzzing about Melrose Plaza in the historically African-American community of Northwest Roanoke. It's located in a once thriving Black neighborhood that was decimated in the 1950s and 1960s by discriminatory redlining and eminent domain.

Last time on our show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talked with E.B. Smith, the new executive director of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, which is considering a move from downtown Roanoke, Virginia, to Melrose Plaza.

Today Michael chats with Zenith Barrett, vice-president of advancement at Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, which is coordinating the $30 million Melrose Plaza project. Melrose Plaza will feature anchor facilities to create positive change and address the community’s most vital needs – affordable food, healthcare, education for adults, and financial independence. 

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with E.B. Smith, the new executive director of the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture in Roanoke, Virginia. E.B. Smith just started the job at a moment of exciting transformation for the museum, which Is committed to promoting, showcasing, and celebrating the art and history of African Americans for Roanoke Valley citizens and visitors.

Today we're buzzing about Masterpiece Alliance, a Roanoke, Virginia nonprofit with a mission of building community for adults with intellectual disabilities. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill speaks with Scott Habeeb, who founded Masterpiece AlliancA in part to help people like his daughter who struggle to make friends and find social connections once they graduate from high school. One place where assume they can find community is the church. But as Scott shares, that’s often not the case for a variety of reasons, and his organization has created an upcoming conference designed to fix that.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! In this episode of Buzz4Good! creator Michael Hemphill shares the recent Christmas concert by the Smith River Singers of Martinsville, Virginia – an incredible nonprofit community choir that we featured this fall on an episode of BUZZ. 

On December 9, 2024, the Smith River Singers celebrated its 10th annual Christmas concert by performing "The Messiah" by George Frideric Handel. In celebration of the holiday season we present highlights of the concert, which began with three contemporary Christmas anthems performed by the Smith River Singers' small group, Still Water.

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about coffee in today's Buzz4Good! Specifically, coffee from a Roanoke, Virginia, establishment that is brewed and served by adults with intellectual disabilities. A few years ago, Beth Woodrum founded Chris’ Coffee and Custard to help individuals like her son, Chris, who has Down Syndrome, find meaningful employment and community. Beth recently announced an exciting new venture for Chris’ Coffee and Custard – and her nonprofit that operates it, LovABLE Services – and so on today’s show we share our inspiring conversation with Beth!

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Why would we spend an entire show talking about diapers? Because diapers represent a whole lot more than just keeping a baby dry. So much so that there’s a Roanoke, Virginia nonprofit called Huddle Up Moms that just received among the largest grants ever awarded by the Roanoke Women’s Foundation: $100,000 to create a diaper bank for low-income moms and child caregivers in Southwest Virginia. 

This cause is near and dear to the heart of BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill’s because one of the first BUZZ episodes produced in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, starred the nonprofit Bundles of Hope Diaper Bank. So today he talks with Kim Butterfield, Director of Education for Huddle Up Moms, about how the nonprofit landed the grant … and what comes next.

Today we're buzzing about the Blue Ridge Holler hurricane relief concert, held Nov. 24, 2024, in Roanoke, Virginia. Coordinated by the nonprofit Friends of the Blue Ridge, the concert featured 18 different artists who donated their time and talent to raise money for Blue Ridge communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. On today's show we share some of the music from the Blue Ridge Holler – bluegrass, classical, hiphop, Celtic and more!

On today's show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about the Blue Ridge Holler, a concert series coordinated by the nonprofit FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge to raise funds for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. We share details about the 10-day series and preview the music of some of the 18 different artists and bands who have generously agreed to donate their time and talent for the benefit concert on Nov. 24, 2024, at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Virginia.

On today's Buzz4Good, creator Michael Hemphill buzzes about a fantastic musical collaboration between two nonprofits: Friends of the Blue Ridge and the Glencoe Mason and Museum in Radford, Virginia.

Called "The Glencoe Sessions," this collaboration is the brainchild of Radford's own Addie Levy, a bluegrass phenom who now splits her time between her hometown and Nashville. The next Glencoe Session is Oct. 4 starring the youthful and exceptionally talented group, Pythagoras, out of Johnson City, Tennessee. 

Today we chat with Addie Levy about her vision for The Glencoe Sessions and preview some of Pythagoras' music!

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill checks in with a nonprofit that recently made a giant "leap" – pun intended – by opening a new market stocked with locally grown produce and foods in an underserved neighborhood in Roanoke, Virginia.

The mission of LEAP, or Local Environmental Agriculture Project, is to create an equitable food and farming system which prioritizes health and abundance by supporting community initiatives, markets, farms, and farmers.

LEAP's newest venture is a standalone market in Roanoke's West End community. Here to talk about the project is executive director Maureen McNamara Best.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Today we’re buzzing about the nonprofit No Bounds, which provides educational resources and workforce training for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with No Bounds' Aaron Hall, who shares the inspiring yet hard work they’re doing to give folks who suffer from autism, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy the collegiate training and motivation they need to fulfill their professional ambition.

We also share a sneak listen to our next new BUZZ television show starring the nonprofit Mountain View Humane, which provides high quality and low cost veterinary services for pet-loving families. The nonprofit is working to reduce the number of stray and unwanted animals, and recently celebrated its 100,000th spay and neuter. This episode – our 51st episode by the way – kicks off our 5th season on Blue Ridge PBS. 

And to celebrate the start of Virginia Tech football season, we revisit our 2023 episode starring The Hokie Way, which provides athletes the opportunity to use their name, image and likeness to help nonprofits. We’ll replay our interviews with head coach Brent Pry and a couple of his players.

We get artsy on today's Buzz4Good as BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill features a couple of major upcoming events: an new and exciting Hispanic music and cultural series, and the release of a local literary journal that has international reach and includes work by our country’s past poet laureate.

Listen as we share our conversations with The Spot on Kirk's Kat Pascal and John Pence as they discuss "Musica y Cultura" that kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month. And we celebrate the 31st edition of The Artemis Journal by chatting with founder and editor-in-chief Jeri Rodgers.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Since 1974 the nonprofit RADAR has been providing the Roanoke Valley of Virginia with public transportation for folks who might otherwise be homebound due to disability or inability to own a vehicle.

Today BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill chats with executive director Nathan Sanford on the eve of RADAR's 50th anniversary! His first question: what the heck does RADAR stand for?

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Most local governments appreciate nonprofits' work, but keep them at arms' length when it comes to fundraising. Not so in Bedford County, Virginia, where its Parks & Recreation Department creates fantastic community events that directly benefit its nonprofit community.

On today's Buzz4Good, host Michael Hemphill talks with Lee Wittekind, Bedford County's Outdoor Events and Outreach Coordinator. On August 3, Wittekind is coordinating the inaugural Hairy Roubaix bicycle race to benefit Friends of the Bedford County Animal Shelter. He's also the driving force behind the Blue Ridge Bee Festival on September 14 in partnership with the YMCA of Bedford County.

As impressive as these events is Wittekind's willingness to partner with, and help, Bedford County's nonprofits.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Today we are buzzing about nonprofit champion Bryan "Harvest Blaque" Hancock: spoken word artist phenom; hip hop musician extraordinaire; artist-in-residence at Carilion Clinic; youth development leader at Boys and Girls Clubs; writer/producer/director at the Hip Hop Lab at Jefferson Center; church deacon, DJ, and self-proclaimed supergeek.

Bryan has starred in three episodes of BUZZ. Most famously he co-wrote and performed the song “It’s Here” that highlights Roanoke’s vibrant arts and culture scene and its importance in attracting new business to the region.

On today's episode, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill revisits Bryan's work in those shows while also chatting about his upcoming sophomore album, The Care Package. We’ll play a couple of tracks from that album and find out what makes Bryan ... buzz!

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Today we’re buzzing about three wildly different capital campaigns that received a lot of buzz this week: a new Y that is being built inside shopping mall ... a restoration project in a historic African American cemetery ... and a new shelter to better serve the homeless. 

What do all three of these projects have in common? There’s all run by nonprofits!

On today’s show BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with the leaders of these three nonprofits: Mark Johnson of the YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge; Ellen Forbes Stick of Friends of Old Lick Cemetery; and Melissa Woodson of RAM House.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Today we’re buzzing about cats and caps:

Cats as in the overpopulation of feral cats. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks to a Salem, Virginia, nonprofit that works to trap and neuter feral cats and then find homes where their rodent control expertise can be put to good use.

And caps as in those worn by high school graduates. Helping them afford the next step in their education journey is a New River Valley nonprofit that provides free community college in exchange for community service. We'll share our conversations with the inspiring folks we're featuring in our newest episode of our TV show BUZZ.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill introduces perhaps the most famous Roanoke, Virginia, citizen you’ve never heard of: Edward Dudley, a pioneering civil rights lawyer who became the first African-American ambassador in United States history. So unknown is Ambassador Dudley’s remarkable life that even Roanoke’s preeminent historian, former mayor Nelson Harris, wasn’t aware of it until he began researching an unrelated book about Roanoke in the 1940s. Here's Michael's conversation with Harris about Edward Dudley’s incredible legacy.

Later on the show, we reminisce about our recent BUZZ concert featuring the phenomenal jazz and bluegrass Nashville-based trio, Domino, starring Southwest Virginia’s very own bluegrass sensation Addie Levy. We'll share a song from the performance, and invite you to watch and listen to their concert on our YouTube channel.

And we introduce you to a remarkable woman whom we’re featuring in a new BUZZ episode starring Mountain View Humane Society, which provide high quality and low cost spay and neuter services throughout Southwest Virginia. Robin Toney is one of Mountain View’s volunteers who traps feral cats so they can be spayed or neutered. Hopefully her inspiring story will inspire you.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

In addition to BUZZ, creator Michael Hemphill also works for the nonprofit Friends of the Blue Ridge, which recently introduced him to the multi-talented Addie Levy.

Addie headlined Friends of the Blue Ridge’s’ ON THE RISE concerts featuring up-and-coming Bluegrass sensations. After one concert, Addie shared that she’d formed a Nashville-based trio called Domino, and hoped to find a place to perform in Roanoke, Va., on April 14.

Well, Michael couldn’t pass up the opportunity to provide some buzz so he reached out to the Taubman Museum of Art, which graciously agreed to host a free concert on Sunday, April 14, 2 p.m. 

Enjoy this conversation with — and some music by — Addie Levy, Cole Ritter and Luca Chiappara who make up the trio Domino.

 Click here for more info about this free concert. 

There’s a lot of debate surrounding the legacy of slavery and segregation. Some may even question whether there’s still active racism.

But if you happen to buzz down to Roanoke’s Taubman Museum of Art or Harrison Museum of African American Culture, you can see how discriminatory real estate practices from the past continue to impact Black Americans today. And that is due to a remarkable exhibit that both nonprofit museums are co-hosting: David Ramey: Gainsboro Road and Beyond.

Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill chats with the curators of the exhibit, and the artist's son who has dedicated his life to sharing his father's legacy.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

We’re often told that time is money. And in our economy, we value some people’s time more than others. Try paying an attorney or pro athlete the same as a teacher or artist.

But in the New River Valley of Virginia, there’s a nonprofit that values everyone’s time equally, regardless of their skills or education or expertise, as a way of building community and fostering human connection. The hour it takes John Smith to chop up a tree can earn him a hour of social media training from Julia Thomas ... or an hour-long bourbon tasting from Jack Wilson.

How – and why – does this all work? On today’s show, Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill shares some time with Lisa Garcia of the New River Valley Time Bank.

Michael also shares stories from the newest BUZZ television episode starring Salem Area Ecumenical Ministries and promotes the nonprofit fundraiser Shamrock Hill Run.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

For Roanoke, Virginia entrepreneur and philanthropist Ed Walker, economic development is as much about building community as it is building business.

Walker's latest project is his most ambitious ... and the most transformative in Roanoke's recent history: revitalizing an old 100-acre site comprising 20+ buildings totaling a million square feet just 1.5 miles from downtown into Riverdale.

On today's Buzz4Good, creator Michael Hemphill talks to Amy McGinnis, who is part of Walker's team working to redevelop Riverdale. Part of her work involves recruiting the Minneapolis-based nonprofit ArtSpace to transform part of the property into affordable housing and studios for arts-friendly businesses.

Her team hopes ArtSpace will select Riverdale as its first location in Virginia.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

"It's always been like a slap in the face," says Glenna Moore about the Confederate soldier statue in front of the Franklin County, Virginia courthouse.

In honor of Black History Month, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with Moore and Cathie Cummins of the local NAACP, who have fought county officials in vain for years to remove the statue.

Now they've changed battlefield tactics and are applying for funding from a "Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia" grant that Virginia Tech is coordinating with money from the Mellon Foundation. If successful, the NAACP chapter will create new monuments to honor the 70 African-Americans born in Franklin County who served in the Union Army during the Civil War ... soldiers fighting not just for their country but for their freedom.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

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FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.

We're starting to celebrate the holiday season! Listen as Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill chats with two arts nonprofit leaders about the importance of Christmas performances for their annual budget: Ginger Poole of Mill Mountain Theatre, and Kim Davidson of the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir.

Also, we're buzzing about bringing our TV show BUZZ to Alabama Public Television! In preparation for its premier December 15, 2023, get a "sneak listen" to part of the first episode starring the nonprofit COSPO, or Children of Slain Police Officers, which funds all college expenses for children who had a parent killed while serving the Birmingham Police Department.

Are you a nonprofit with an event that we could help promote? Or a marketing problem we could help fix? Contact us and we’ll share on an upcoming episode.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
FOLLOW US:

F A C E B O O K ➜ http://facebook.com/buzz4good​​
I N S T A G R A M ➜ http://instagram.com/buzz4good​​
L I N K E D I N ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/buzz4good
Y O U T U B E ➜ http://youtube.com/c/buzz4good
W E B S I T E ➜ http://buzz4good.com​​
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The United States has more than 1.5 million nonprofits — from homeless shelters, food banks and rescue squads to children’s choirs, science museums and animal refuges — that employ one out of every 10 Americans. Like any company, nonprofits have salaries and bills to pay, a budget to balance. They require money. And if enough people don’t know about them, don’t believe in them, don’t support them — in short, if they lack BUZZ — they suffer and die.