Buzz4Good! Nonprofits + Marketing

We're buzzing about the Blue Ridge Jamboree: ON THE RISE showcase of up and coming musical talent on Nov. 2 at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Va. The event is being hosted by the nonprofit Friends of the Blue Ridge , and Buzz4Good is proud to be the presenting sponsor.  Today, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks to – and enjoys the music of – four of the acts: Addie Levy, a 21-year-old arti...

Today Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill taking a stroll down Straight Street with two leaders of the Roanoke nonprofit that ministers to teenagers who struggle with a variety of challenges, from broken families and disconnected parents to homelessness, even sex trafficking. Through a variety of ministries, the 25-year-old Straight Street nonprofit provides a positive Christian environment for at-...

One of the primary objectives today for NASA is sending American women to the Moon. The name of the mission is Artemis. Artemis was the Greek mythological twin sister of Apollo – the mission name for the original moon landings – and the goddess of the Moon. Here on Earth, we’re celebrating on today’s Buzz4Good a different Artemis, but one just as lofty and inspiring: the 45th anniversary of Artemi...

Name, Image, Likeness has transformed college sports into the Wild West. But for some passionate Hokie fans, NIL has been incorporated into Virginia Tech's motto of Ut Prosim , That I May Serve, creating one of the most unique platforms in the country: The Hokie Way . Over the last few weeks, Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill shared conversations with head football coach Brent Pry, head wome...

Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill introduces a new sponsor to BUZZ whose mission is one that impacts – or will impact – all of us: retirement and growing old. Since 1966, Friendship has provided a friendly, safe, and comfortable place for Roanoke Valley residents to live healthier, fuller lives. Michael talks to Friendship president and CEO Joe Hoff about Friendship’s history and mission in the R...

On today’s show Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill presents a treat for all sports fans and, in particular, for those who cheer on the Virginia Tech Hokies.  College football kicks off in a few weeks, but for nonprofits in Southwest Virginia there’s as much enthusiasm for what Virginia Tech’s football players have been doing off the field as they’re on the field achievements. That’s due to The Hok...

Nonprofits are often awarded grants for their work contributing to a community’s quality of life. But how about quality of death? Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill features Good Samaritan Hospice , which earlier this month received the largest grant ever given by Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia: $500,000 for the first hospice house in the region. “Hospice is not a scary thing,” says...

The American Disabilities Act ensures that people with disabilities have access to public facilities in our country.  But for our brothers and sisters with an intellectual disability – those on the autism spectrium, those with Down Syndrome, or a traumatic brain injury – when it comes to ensuring opportunities for meaningful employment, independent living, and a community of enriching relationship...

Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill celebrates Juneteenth with conversations with Kiana Price Marshall and Abby Hamilton with the United Way of the Roanoke Valley, who are participating in Juneteenth celebrations in Roanoke, Virginia.  And he chats with friend of BUZZ Bruce C. Bryan who, as a middle-aged white guy, talks about why his marketing agency 5Points Creative will be closed Monday in honor...

Here on Buzz4Good we often feature the nonprofit's mission. But today we focus as much on the life story – and world view – of one particular person who works for a nonprofit, Crystal Mello, a community organizer for Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights or POWHR, which has been one of the most influential opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill'...

Here on Memorial Day weekend Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill features four nonprofits that serve veterans:  Healing Strides of Virginia The Least of These homeless ministry Total Action for Progress Stop Soldier Suicide.  Michael praises the missions of these organizations, which work  each day to help veterans with housing, food, transportation and healing and, in the extreme, from harming the...

What does ballet have to do with big business? That’s the question Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill asks in our exploration of the role the Arts play in stimulating a city’s economic development efforts. He talks to Mike Friedlander who leads the Fralin Biomedical Research Intstitue at Virginia Tech; Olivia King, manager of Mast General in downtown Roanoke; Roanoke economic development director...

College can inspire in its students an idealism and desire to “make a difference in the world.” But here in commencement season, as graduates prepare to walk the stage to receive their diplomas, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill wonders if they will also take with them the passion and inspiration they found on campus to continue serving, creating and being a change for good? And so today we talk with...

On today’s show  BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks Name, Image and Likeness or NIL, which allows college athletes to earn what is estimated to be more than $1 billion in 2023. NIL has transformed college athletics and created a new world rife with cynicism and greed. But not at Virginia Tech … if The Hokie Way nonprofit has a say. What is The Hokie Way? Listen as Virginia Tech alumnus and superf...

Today’s show features the richness of diversity of nonprofits in action. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill  talks to the leaders behind a creative “Painted Violins” fundraiser for Roanoke Symphony’s youth programs: a child abuse prevention event;  and a rock-and-roll festival helping brain injury survivors.  We also provide a sneak listen of our newest BUZZ television show starring Literacy Volunteers...

We often relegate nonprofits and our charitable giving to the Christmas season when, perhaps, we ourselves feel more charitable. But the work of nonprofits isn’t confined to just the month of December. It’s year-round. On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill features two upcoming days when you can learn about — and hopefully support — hundreds of nonprofit organizations that are working dai...

We continue to celebrate Women’s History Month today by featuring the Alma Ensemble , a nonprofit musical group created by three women whose mission is to perform and promote music by women who have often been underrepresented in the arts.  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. - -...

Our last Buzz4Good, “Why Women Lead Nonprofits,” was our most popular yet, garnering twice as many downloads as our previous high. On today’s show, BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill digs deeper to explore not only what makes women good nonprofit leaders but, in some cases, what makes them more effective than men. We feature conversations with: Dawn Sandoval, executive director of The Least of These Mi...

Last time on Buzz4Good we celebrated Women’s History Month by talking with leaders of two giving circles — the Roanoke Women’s Foundation and 100+ Women Who Care NRV — about “Why Women Give.” Today we continue this conversation by talking to women who lead nonprofits to find out about the nature and nurture that inspired their work. BUZZ creator Michael Hemphill talks with: Carol Young of Healing...

March is Women’s History Month and so on today’s show Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill features the work of two women’s philanthropies in Southwest Virginia – the Roanoke Women’s Foundation  and 100+ Women Who Care New River Valley. Collectively, through what are known as giving circles, these two organizations are arguably having the biggest impact on nonprofits in the region. One question in p...

Here in the midst of Black History Month, Buzz4Good creator Michael Hemphill revisits nonprofit conversations that highlight three distinct yet common experiences involving Black Americans that tells more than just Black history but the history of all Americans in our United States. From the Christiansburg Institute founded in the aftermath of the Civil War to World War II and the famed Tuskegee A...

Deanna Cox learned too well the financial burden of our country’s correctional system out of her son’s anguished personal story. From $4/minute phone calls, pricey food, snacks and toiletries, the bills rack up quickly for families who want to stay connected, and help, their incarcerated relatives. On today’s Buzz4Good, creator Michael Hemphill shares Deanna’s commitment to helping other families...

January is both National Blood Donor Month and when we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. So on today’s Buzz4Good, creator Michael Hemphill features nonprofit organizations celebrating both causes. He chats with the American Red Cross of Southwest Virginia in hopes you’ll be inspired to give the gift of life with the gift of blood. And he buzzes about an upcoming event in February celebrating the Ch...

On the last Monday Night Football, millions across the country witnessed the horrifying spectacle of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffer cardiac arrest. Saving his life was the quick response of medical professionals on the field who performed CPR and used a defibrillator to shock his heart back into rhythm. On today's Buzz4Good, host Michael Hemphill reshares his conversation with Dr. K...

A found $5 bill in an Iowa field paid for Luther Smith’s first plane ride in the 1930s – a life-changing moment for the Black American teenager that led him to joining the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. His service inspired his son Gordon Smith to become an expert on the fighter group and speak around the U.S. On today's Buzz4Good, host Michael Hemphill talks with Gordon Smith about his...