Communications and Media Relations

  1. Communications
  2. Community Engagement

As part of the Office of Community Engagement, communications staff delivers public information through the organization's communication channels including news releases, MyRoanoke email notifications, the Roanoke Recap blog, the City's website, and Roanoke Valley Television - Cox Channel 3, with the goal of keeping citizens well-informed of City-related news. Staff oversees media relations and is also involved in event planning and communications campaigns. Staff is responsible for internal communications as well, and serves as an advertising and marketing resource to City departments. 

Media Inquiries

All inquiries from the media should be directed to the Office of Community Engagement at 540-853-2333 or by email for response. The City's Media Policy states that the most knowledgeable and informed employee on a particular issue is the best City spokesperson. The Office of Community Engagement works with City staff to determine the best person to address the subject of the inquiry and assists in arranging contacts and interviews for staff with the media.  

News Notifications

Staff regularly sends out MyRoanoke email notifications about City news, events, and initiatives. Read our latest notifications. To receive MyRoanoke notifications by e-mail, click here. After providing your email address at the top of the screen, scroll down to the MyRoanoke News category and select the "Roanoke News." You may also receive notifications for the "Roanoke Recap" blog by sending an email to the Communications staff.

Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV3)

The Office of Community Engagement elects a staff member to serve as a member of the Roanoke Valley Television Cable Committee. Roanoke Valley Television is a Government and Educational Access Station, serving the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, the Town of Vinton, and their respective school systems.

Language Assistance

If you do not speak, read, or write English well, the City will provide an interpreter at no cost to you!  This is available for all services and programs the City offers.  For language assistance, please call 540-329-3230.

Asistencia Lingüística

Si usted no habla, lee, o escribe el inglés bien, ¡la Ciudad proporcionará un intérprete sin costo a usted!  La interpretación está disponible por todos servicios y programas que ofrece la Ciudad.   Para obtener asistencia lingüística, por favor llame a 540-329-3230.

Roanoke Innovation Corridor
iroanoke
Welcoming Roanoke Welcoming Week Campaign
Plan Roanoke Comprehensive Plan
Roanoke Street safe
Social Media in Roanoke Virginia

What is the Office of Community Engagement?

Leading the Office of Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Manager  is a communications and marketing professional who focuses on building trusting relationships between government and Roanoke's community. The Community Engagement Manager reports to the City Manager and leads the City’s communications efforts in several areas, including working with the media, digital marketing, public consultation, social media management, design, web development, videography, research, strategic communications, issues management, crisis communications, event planning, and campaign development.

Communications, Neighborhood Services, and Language Services also fall under the umbrella of Community Engagement.

As of Oct. 2018, the City of Roanoke is a proud member of the international Cities of Service Coalition, and the 2019 Gateways for Growth Challenge to welcome and integrate the city's international community. 


Recent Community Engagement Reports & Campaigns