Welcome in advance to RVA!

Generally, the city and suburbs are safe. You likely won't be staying or visiting places where crime is typically concentrated, e.g., public housing or the edges of the city/suburbia where things are more challenging for residents. You probably won't be visiting suburban-rural areas where folk don't often see much diversity (if at all), either. As long as you're in/around the VCU campus and student housing, you should be OK!

Just know that Richmond and the RVA region is a pretty large place—there are 1.3 million people in the metropolitan area. We have some racist folk and we have crime, just like any other city and state in the country, but that definitely doesn't make up a majority of the folk here.

Your perspective is (understandably) focused when you come to one single place (like this subreddit) and read scaremongering stories in a single, concentrated feed in such a short time.

Good luck and safe travels!