GCCR announced today the appointment of Bill Harrison as the organization’s interim CEO. A freelance writer and nonprofit consultant, Harrison retired last March from the American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Region, as the Regional Director of Public and Government Affairs. He had served with the Red Cross for fifteen years. Prior to that, he was the first public information officer for the Virginia Department of Health’s Bureau of STD/AIDS. He also worked for several years with the Fan Free Clinic in development and community affairs.
“We are elated that we could snag Bill,” stated Beth Marschak, incoming GCCR Board Chair. “He is so well respected, has a wealth of nonprofit experience, is a bridge-builder and people person. His commitment to the community’s causes has been proven many times.”
“I was very humbled, but a bit conflicted when they approached me,” stated Harrison. “I took early retirement last spring and have loved my new life of writing. It is a decision I took very seriously as I wanted to make sure I could deliver what is needed as we strategize the Center’s future.”
“I had my questions, my concerns, and the board addressed all of them. We had very honest, direct conversations. I have complete confidence in their support and can’t wait to get to work,” he said.
Harrison’s affiliations include serving as Board Chair for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities; Public Relations Society of America, Richmond Chapter; past board chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and past board member of the Virginia ACLU.
Saturday, February 11 | 7 – 11 pm | Event Hall | $10 for Adults, $5 for Students with ID
Come out to GCCR and dance the night away on Saturday February 11 at our 3rd Annual Love Equality Style Dance. Although it’s happening right before Valentine’s Day this is not just for people with a sweetheart or significant other – singles and couples of all ages are welcome. We encourage singles to come and join the fun. There will be a DJ and light refreshments provided.
You can dedicate a song to that special someone or possibly meet someone new to dance with. If you have requests for specific songs, email Stephanie at Stephanie.Smilth@LGBTRichmond.net.
Saturday, February 11, from 7 – 11 pm in the GCCR Event Hall. $10 for Adults, $5 for students with ID. More information will follow soon.
Every other Thursday | GCCR Lounge | 7 – 8:30 pm | $95
GCCR announces the second installment of Reading and Writing LGBT Lives, our ongoing series of writing workshops. This course, set to meet every other Thursday starting February 2nd, will showcase the work of two Black artists whose unique insights and sensibilities have expanded the boundaries of our common humanity. The course is taught by Randy Marshall.
Randall Kenan is an American author of fiction and nonfiction. Raised in a rural community in North Carolina, Kenan has focused his fiction on what it means to be black and gay in the southern United States.
His stories, at once uplifting and troubling, explore the grey areas where individual passion and personal history get tangled up in the grape-vine of a made-up town, in its gossip and its gospel. But the love and loneliness and longing for redemption that Kenan’s characters share are as real as it gets. Read More…
The OWLS Discussion Group returns for 2012!
2011 was a growing year for us, and a common theme we heard was desire to learn more and get to know others better in the new year. Please come out and join in some great discussions in 2012. OWLS stands for “Older, Wiser Lesbians,” although all are welcome.
Topics for the 1st Quarter Include:
Jan 16th – Who In Your Life Inspired you? Read More…
Sunday, February 19th | 8 pm | GCCR Event Hall | $12 in advance
GCCR welcomes SONiA and disappear fear back to Richmond. This is a rare appearance of SONiA and the band, including one of Richmond’s favorite drummers, Debbie Flood. Come support GCCR’s music program and hear a fantastic one of a kind artist and activist!
“There is only one SONiA and disappear fear … SONiA is a singer-songwriter, an activist, an artist. She writes in the styles of folk, blues, rock and country, of course that depends on what country; she sings in Spanish, Hebrew and Arabic as well as her native American English. SONiA is known as a protest singer though her songs are mostly about love and understanding. Her lyrics and melodies reflect her simple truth – when you disappear fear between people what you have is LOVE. Her songs are strong but not angry.” Read More…
Tuesday afternoons, Feb 7 – Mar 13 | 2 – 4:30 pm | GCCR Classroom | Free
You Can! Live Well, Virginia! is a 6 week program designed to help you take control and feel more in control of your health. It is primarily focused toward people with chronic conditions: chronic pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, etc., and their families, friends and caregivers. It can give everyone a better understanding of their own health and better strategies to deal with chronic conditions. This program is a great way to start making 2012 a healthier year!
SAGE Central Virginia is partnering with Senior Connections, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Aging to offer this free program developed at Stanford University here at GCCR. Read More…
Monday, February 13th | 6:30 pm | GCCR Lounge | Free
GCCR is forming a new Inspirational/Spiritual Book Discussion Group! Our hope for this book group is to provide each person with an atmosphere that will give us an opportunity to encourage and experience personal growth through the reading and discussion of inspirational/spiritual books. To start off 2012 the Group will be reading and discussing “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Each group will have a leader and will consist of thought provoking questions which will be discussed during each group. This is a safe group, encouraging open sharing and listening respectfully of one another. Confidentiality will be part of the group requirements.
The group will meet every other Monday for 6 weeks beginning February 13th. The group will meet on from 6:30-8:00PM in the GCCR Lounge. The group is free and open to all – men, women, the religious as well as non-believers. Read More…
Saturday, March 3rd | 8 pm | Small Event Hall | $10 in advance
Gina DeLuca will be headlining this year at Cindy Bray’s Second Annual Birthday Blues Bash. Cindy can’t figure out a way she would rather celebrate her birthday than to have a blues concert and to raise money for GCCR and SAGE. The concert is Saturday, March 3rd at 8 pm here at GCCR in the Small Event Hall, unless the response is so overwhelming that we have to move it to the big hall (wouldn’t that be wonderful!?).
Advance Tickets are $10 or $15 at the door – remember folks, you’re supporting a great cause as well as having a great time celebrating. There will be finger foods and, of course, cake provided. Beverages will be available for a donation. Proceeds will be split between GCCR and SAGE Central Virginia. If you like the blues, you’ll love Gina! Listening to great blues is a great way to chase away those birthday blues. Read More…
