Charlottesville, VA – December 5, 2024* – The Cherry Avenue Grocery: Community and Stakeholder Engagement Project is set to conclude the year with an impactful event, “Buy Back the Block 4: Voices in Action: Unveiling Survey Results & Shaping Our Future.” This community discussion will take place on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 5:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of Mount Zion First African Baptist Church, located at 105 Lankford Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Attendees will be treated to light refreshments and are encouraged to register in advance.

Attendees are asked to register at this link.

The event will feature a panel of distinguished speakers, including Jessica Harris, Community Research Program Manager at the UVA Equity Center; Deanna McDonald, Founder of RN HEARTwork-Health Education Coaching and Consulting and Project Manager of the Cherry Avenue Grocery Community Engagement Initiative; and Carmelita Wood, President of the Fifeville Neighborhood Association. The discussion will be moderated by Sarad Davenport, Founder & CEO of Davenport Strategic Innovation & Design.

In collaboration with the UVA Equity Center, the Cherry Avenue Grocery Community and Stakeholder Engagement Project team conducted a comprehensive survey to gather residents’ opinions on a proposed grocery store at 501 Cherry Avenue. The survey sought to address key questions such as the community’s priorities for a grocery store, potential interest in ownership or operation, and the possibility of forming a nonprofit or community-owned food co-op led by Black residents.

Jessica Harris will present the survey findings during the event, followed by an open forum for community members to discuss the data and provide input on the next steps for establishing a grocery store in Fifeville.

The Cherry Avenue Grocery Community and Stakeholder Engagement Project, spearheaded by Deanna McDonald in partnership with the Fifeville Neighborhood Association, aims to ensure that the development at 501 Cherry Avenue meets the community’s needs and aspirations. The site, formerly home to Estes IGA Grocery, was acquired by Woodard Properties in August 2022. Plans for the property include affordable housing units and space for a potential grocery store, though no ownership commitments have been made yet.

The project is funded by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation and supported by the UVA Equity Center’s expertise in survey research. Additional in-kind support has been provided by “Can I Talk to You, Cville?” an initiative of Vinegar Hill Magazine and In My Humble Opinion radio show.

For more information, media coverage, or to schedule an interview, please contact Deanna McDonald at RN HEARTwork-Health Education Coaching & Consulting LLC via phone at (434) 218-0740 or email at [email protected].