STORYTELLER SERIES

Pull up a chair

These storytellers talk about how the river has impacted and shaped their lives in interviews initially developed by a partnership between JRA and VCU students and professors.

James River Poetry Contest

JRA is thrilled to partner with VPM News to bring Stories by the James to the public. Click here to listen to exclusive cuts of storyteller interviews.

Our sincere thanks to Troutman Pepper, The Tomato Fund, Boostie & Jim Rogers, and VPM for the opportunity to bring Stories by the James to listeners across Virginia. 

Season 2 (2023) Storytellers

Almeta Ingram-Miller

Holy River

The James is Høly River’s inspiration for songwriting, advocacy, and being one with nature.

Cheryl Groce-Wright

Cheryl Groce-Wright is a river enthusiast for many reasons, including her passion for running in Richmond.

Mark Campbell
Almeta Ingram-Miller

Sally Wetzler

An avid kayaker and advocate for river accessibility, Sally Wetzler calls the James “her place” and highlights her love for the river.

Matt Lively

Richmond-based artist Matt Lively first connected with the James as a teenager and continues to enjoy the river as inspiration for his work.

Mark Campbell

Charles Johnson

Much like a river, Charles Johnson’s passion for the James and his journey to environmental education has taken some exciting turns.

Mark Campbell
Almeta Ingram-Miller

Genevieve Wall

Genevieve Wall has experienced the James in very unique ways, both as an environmental educator as well as a nature lover.

Almeta Ingram-Miller

Maeve Jones

As Executive Director for The Poe Museum, Maeve Jones regales us with tales of Poe’s many connections with the James.

Season 1 (2022) Storytellers

Almeta Ingram-Miller

Almeta Ingram-Miller

Mark Campbell

Mark Campbell

Partnership with VCU

In the fall of 2020, JRA was very fortunate to join forces with students and professors from VCU’s Advanced Media Production Technology (or AMPT) Program to develop and craft our Stories by the James project into what you see today.

Students have had the opportunity to provide creative direction with JRA and receive hands-on experience during various stages of media production. They have created compelling full-length audio recordings, with complementary video and photos.

Special Thanks!

JRA extends our sincere gratitude to our Storytelling Series partners.

VCU Executive Producers Julian Pozzi, Carlos Chafin, Bob Tyskowski
Associate Executive Producer & Editor Annie Lacey
Producer, Director, and Editor Jordan Joseph

VCU’s Advanced Media Technology Production program

  • 2021-2022 Cohort:
    Producer Amaya Fuentes; Production Team Tony Beres, Clevon Hall, Brendan Hamilton, Jordan Reinecke
  • 2020-2021 Cohort:
    Producers Zack Forbes and Fiona Walkington; Editor Marcus Emmanuel; Production Team Joe Fitzpatrick, Tina Harding, Meg Sheehy

Special additional thanks to VCU’s AMPT program, In Your Ear Studios, Audio Editor Daniel Davis, Drone Operator Crixelle Matthews, Voice-over Artist Erin Frye, Editor Greg Elgin, Berkeley Darr, Jen Pike, and Craig Rolan Martin