Upcoming Events
Rooted: A Celebration of Food, Place and People
Location: 17th Street Market
ROOTED is an outdoor tasting experience celebrating the food, stories, and people of Southern port cities and the connections that shape Richmond and beyond.
Gather for an evening featuring guest chefs, curated tastings, local beverages, storytelling, live music, and The Rooted Awards—honoring people whose work and impact reflect humanity, place, and collective progress.
Featured Experiences
Curated tastings prepared by guest chefs
Chef stories and introductions
Local beverage partners
Live music
The Rooted Awards
Schedule
5:00–6:00 PM | Collective Partner Social Hour + Chef Meet & Greet
6:00 PM | Welcome
6:30 PM | ROOTED Tasting Experience
7:30 PM | Chef Introductions + The Rooted Awards
Rooted in Humanity Award
Cynthia Henebry
Rooted in Richmond Award
Jean Boone + Regina Boone, Richmond Free Press
Rooted in Collective Impact Award
Declaration of Liberation Initiative
Dr. Ram Bhagat, Gary Flowers, Janine Bell + Ashley Williams Hillman
8:15 PM | Dessert + Closing Celebration
9:00 PM | Experience Concludes
Collective Partner Social Hour + Chef Meet & Greet
5:00–6:00 PM | Special Ticket Required
Begin your ROOTED experience with an intimate pre-event gathering for Collective Partners, sponsors, and special guests.
Enjoy early entry, wine and small bites, and the opportunity to meet the featured chefs before the evening’s tasting experience begins. Gather with partners, friends, and supporters of The Well Collective while getting an early introduction to the people and stories behind ROOTED.
Access is reserved for Collective Partners, sponsors, and select ticket holders.
The WELL Fest
DAY 1 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Experience Richmond through engaging conversations and immersive experiences led by historians, artists, and local leaders. Explore the intersections of history, healing, and humanity while discovering the people, places, and stories that continue to shape Richmond.
9:30–10:00 AM | Morning Coffee + Connect
Begin the day over coffee and conversation before our opening Featured Conversation.
10:00–11:30 AM | Featured Conversation
Behind the Declaration of Liberation
Go behind the Declaration of Liberation with the leaders who helped bring it to life.
Together, panelists will explore history, healing, and humanity while reflecting on civic trust, human connection, creativity, and our shared responsibility for shaping what comes next.
Featuring:
Ashley Williams Hillman
Dr. Ram Bhagat
Gary Flowers
Janine Bell
12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch
Enjoy lunch from local food vendors before heading into the afternoon experiences.
1:30–4:30 PM | Curated Richmond Experiences
See Richmond through a different lens.
Choose from three immersive experiences that bring the city's history, art, people, and evolving story to life. Led by local historians, artists, and leaders, each experience offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and experience Richmond beyond the surface.
Select one experience during registration. Space is limited for each experience.
EXPERIENCE 1
Uncovering Richmond History Trolley Tour
Led by Gary Flowers | Presented by ICON Commercial
Travel through Downtown Richmond and Jackson Ward while exploring stories of Black history, entrepreneurship, resilience, civil rights, property, and progress.
Led by Richmond historian Gary Flowers, this guided trolley experience connects the people and places of Richmond's past with the city we see today.
EXPERIENCE 2
Mending Walls Experience
Led by Hamilton Glass
Experience Richmond through public art, place, and storytelling.
Led by artist Hamilton Glass, this experience explores Mending Walls murals and the stories behind them—inviting participants to consider how art can create dialogue, deepen understanding, and support healing across differences.
EXPERIENCE 3
Expanding Freedom at the Shockoe Institute
Explore Richmond's history through the Expanding Freedom exhibition at the Shockoe Institute.
This immersive experience invites participants to examine the histories that shaped Richmond while considering how truth, memory, and place can inform how we move forward.
6:00–9:00 PM | THE WELL FEST SOCIAL
Hosted in partnership with No. 303
Close the day with an evening of conversation, music, food, and celebration.
The Well Fest Social brings together artists, entrepreneurs, educators, civic leaders, residents, and visitors for one of the weekend's signature gatherings.
Hosted by Kelli Lemon
Featured Conversation: What Do We Create?
A conversation exploring creativity, place, possibility, and the role we each play in shaping what comes next.
The Evening Includes:
🎧 Music by DJ Zairis
🍽️ Curated food + beverages
🤝 Conversation + connection
🎁 The Richmond Collection Raffle, benefiting The Well Collective's youth leadership, education, and engagement initiatives
DAY 2 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
8:30–10:30 AM | Rooftop Wellness Experience
Location: Dominion Energy Headquarters Rooftop Greenspace
Close The Well Fest overlooking the Richmond skyline.
The Rooftop Wellness Experience offers a restorative morning of movement, reflection, and connection—creating space to slow down, restore, and consider what we carry forward from the weekend.
Experience Includes
☕ Tea by The Te' Spot
🧘 Guided movement with Sam Reed
🍹 Fresh juices from The Beet Box
🌿 Guided reflection overlooking Downtown Richmond
Every Ticket Makes an Impact
Proceeds from The Well Fest directly support The Well Collective's youth leadership, adult education, restorative leadership development, and engagement initiatives.
Join us September 3–5 as we gather to celebrate Richmond, deepen connections, and imagine what's possible when we invest in people and place.
7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series
Registration opens September 1, 2026.
After listening closely to your requests for more virtual opportunities to connect and grow together, we are introducing the 7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series.
This guided experience will take place daily from 7:00–7:30 AM, offering a steady rhythm of reflection, grounding, and shared presence to begin your day with intention. Each morning creates space to strengthen awareness, build emotional capacity, and move forward alongside others across generations and cultures.
Whether you are continuing your practice or joining for the first time, this series offers approachable pathways for learning, renewal, and meaningful connection.
The Well Block Party
The Well Block Party is back and we’ve let it evolve into something incredibly intentional to support our students, teachers, and families as we head back to school!
For the fourth year, we are gathering to curate an afternoon filled with music, art, movement, and genuine connection for all generations. this event is FREE and everyone is welcome.
This year, we’re stepping into the space with even deeper intention. Come ready to immerse yourself in:
🎨 Hands-on creative workshops to spark your imagination
🎶 Live musical performances and youth-led activations
🌿 Gentle self-care and grounding practices rooted in the well-being of Richmond’s East End
Whether you’re showing up on your own, with family, or alongside the young people in your life, there is a space held just for you.
No registration needed. Just bring your energy and your presence.
7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series
Registration opens June 1, 2026.
After listening closely to your requests for more virtual opportunities to connect and grow together, we are introducing the 7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series.
This guided experience will take place daily from 7:00–7:30 AM, offering a steady rhythm of reflection, grounding, and shared presence to begin your day with intention. Each morning creates space to strengthen awareness, build emotional capacity, and move forward alongside others across generations and cultures.
Whether you are continuing your practice or joining for the first time, this series offers approachable pathways for learning, renewal, and meaningful connection.
Lecture + Social: "What Do We Carry? The Living Impact of History on the Body, Mind, and the Collective"
Join The Well Collective and The Valentine Museum for an evening of conversation, contemplation , and connection. Part of our 2026 Intersecting History, Healing & Humanity lecture series, this thought-provoking dialogue explores how history continues to shape our lives, relationships, communities, and collective future.
Together, we'll examine the stories, memories, traditions, and experiences we inherit—and what they ask of us today.
Featured Speakers
Moderator: Josh Epperson
Panelists:
• Dr. Lauranett Lee, Historian
• Amanda Lynch, Restorative Leader
• Hamilton Glass, Artist
Event Schedule
5:30–6:30 PM | Garden Social (food + beverages)
6:30–8:00 PM | Lecture + Program
Event is free. Registration is encouraged.
Mark your calendar for upcoming lectures: September 4 and October 23.
Volunteer Social and Orientation
6:00 p, Doors Open + Social
6:30 p, Volunteer Orientation
7:30 p, Wrap-Up, Questions, Sign Ups
RSVP HERE:
7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series
Registration opens March 1, 2026.
After listening closely to your requests for more virtual opportunities to connect and grow together, we are introducing the 7-Day Virtual Contemplative Practice Series.
This guided experience will take place daily from 7:00–7:30 AM, offering a steady rhythm of reflection, grounding, and shared presence to begin your day with intention. Each morning creates space to strengthen awareness, build emotional capacity, and move forward alongside others across generations and cultures.
Whether you are continuing your practice or joining for the first time, this series offers approachable pathways for learning, renewal, and meaningful connection.
Closing Night + Celebration
The 21-day Collective Ritual + Exhibit concludes with our annual Winter Solstice celebration through art, reflection and connection.
Artist Talk with Carl Studna
Visit the open exhibit and engage directly with featured artist and world-renowned photographer, videographer, and author Carl Studna.
Collective Meet + Greet Luncheon
Take a moment to gather for a Collective Meet and Greet Luncheon with artist talk from Carl Studna, and learn more about the collective exhibit curated by The Well Collective and The Art Seen.
Opening Night of Art Exhibit + Artist Talk
The exhibit and the 21-Day Collective Ritual open with an evening designed to inspire reflection, compassion, and connection.
Annual Collective Ritual: 21-Day Commitment
A 21-day journey of reflection, creativity, and connection.
The Well Collective Celebrates 4 Years
We’re turning 4! Join us as we celebrate four incredible years of community, growth, and transformation.
Anniversary Week + Campaign
We invite you to join us for Gratitude Giveback Week, a time to honor community, healing, and shared purpose.
THE WELL Fest
Inaugural well-being and culture fest hosted by The Well Collective in Richmond, VA
Rooted in Richmond: A Social + Cultural Conversation to Launch THE WELL Fest
Rooted in Richmond is an evening designed to bring together community leaders, artists, and changemakers for intentional dialogue, soulful connection, and cultural celebration. Featuring a live panel in partnership with Conversations Unearthed, this gathering offers a curated raffle and a powerful space to honor the intersection of arts, economic access, history and wellness as pillars for well-being. Learn where we’ve been—and where we’re growing with well-being at the center!
Rooted: A Taste of Culture Through Jazz and Culinary Art
Meet us for the official opening to The Well Fest, an inaugural weekend curated by The Well Collective. This signature event blends the richness of live jazz with a gourmet culinary experience curated by some of Richmond’s most visionary chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists.
From the first pour to the final note, guests will be immersed in a soulful, multisensory journey through sound, flavor, and storytelling—all set in the historic and beautifully resonant space of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center.
Reserve your ticket on Eventbrite. All proceeds benefit The Well Collective initiatives.
THE WELL Block Party
Meet us for our annual Block Party on Wednesday, August 14th, 2025! This free, community-driven event celebrates the strength of youth, culture, and collective well-being. Whether you’re an individual, family, or youth, there’s something for everyone. Come experience art, music, wellness, and empowerment in the heart of our community!
The Well Block Party is designed to engage the community with hands-on, creative workshops, musical performances, self-care practices, and youth-led activations. The event highlights the power of coming together, supporting each other, and celebrating what makes our community vibrant.
RSVP on Eventbrite to let us know that you are attending.
Integration Month (July 7 to July 31)
The Well Collective's Operations Team is observing our bi-annual Integration Period from July 7 to July 31 to support internal capacity building, strategic planning, creativity and rest. Please be mindful that there is limited program operation and communication.
Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation
There are eight limbs of yoga, and this offering introduces asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), and dhyana (meditation) to anchor into the present moment of the self-mind, body, heart, energy and intellect. Formal mindfulness techniques will be invited into the class from breath awareness, movement, sensory engagement, and stillness.
Monday Morning Meditation
Join The Well for a virtual meditation series every Monday morning in February and March from 7:00 to 7:30. Our experienced meditation leaders will guide you in a group sit to help you begin your week from a position of grounding and peace.
Sit + Knit
"Sit + Knit" is a welcoming and donation-based gathering that weaves together community, culture, and the therapeutic benefits of knitting. Grounded in the traditions of communal crafting, this practice honors the rich cultural heritage of fiber arts as a form of storytelling, resilience, and connection.
Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation
There are eight limbs of yoga, and this offering introduces asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), and dhyana (meditation) to anchor into the present moment of the self-mind, body, heart, energy and intellect. Formal mindfulness techniques will be invited into the class from breath awareness, movement, sensory engagement, and stillness.
Monday Morning Meditation
Join The Well for a virtual meditation series every Monday morning in February and March from 7:00 to 7:30. Our experienced meditation leaders will guide you in a group sit to help you begin your week from a position of grounding and peace.
Asana, Pranayama, and Meditation
There are eight limbs of yoga, and this offering introduces asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), and dhyana (meditation) to anchor into the present moment of the self-mind, body, heart, energy and intellect. Formal mindfulness techniques will be invited into the class from breath awareness, movement, sensory engagement, and stillness.
Retreat at The Well
Retreat at The Well is an open space for community members to gather, reflect, and engage in mindful practices at their own pace. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to read in the book nook, a peaceful environment to work, a dedicated space for self-guided movement in our studios, or a moment of stillness in the zen den, our doors are open.
Community Building Circle
Community and freedom both require action. Join us to practice freedom in community. Our Community Building Circles are spaces for connection, reflection, and action, where we come together to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding, and cultivate collective care.
Building Tour & Social - June 4th 6pm
You are joyfully invited to a pre-renovation tour and gathering at The Well-Center for Healing and Humanity at the Historic Branch Building. Explore the building, take a glance at the upcoming design plans co-created with Fultz & Singh, and discover what’s next.
Building Tour - June 4th 11am
You are joyfully invited to a pre-renovation tour and gathering at The Well-Center for Healing and Humanity at the Historic Branch Building. Explore the building, take a glance at the upcoming design plans co-created with Fultz & Singh, and discover what’s next.
Signature Events
Our signature events are recurring gatherings designed to inspire, connect, and empower our community through wellness, education, and collective action.
Community Socials
Thoughtfully curated to foster deeper relationships, meaningful connections, and a sense of belonging with both oneself and others.
Nourish Dinner
Need space to restore and rejuvenate? Gather as a group of 10 over a 3-course meal curated by a local chef, an intimate setting and dialogue that taps into the senses of the whole self.
Collective Field Trip
Field trips to cultural landmarks, arts events, educational programs, and natural settings to deepen our connection with the environment and its people.