
Tribute planned for civil rights leader Maggie L. Walker
The National Park Service will honor Maggie Lena Walker’s 160th birthday with a two-week celebration featuring events across Richmond highlighting the Black banking pioneer’s legacy.

Tribute planned for civil rights leader Maggie L. Walker
The National Park Service will honor Maggie Lena Walker’s 160th birthday with a two-week celebration featuring events across Richmond highlighting the Black banking pioneer’s legacy.

July 4 holiday closings
n observance of the Independence Day holiday on Thursday, July 4, please note the following:

Historic former hospital site of Community History Fair
A part of Richmond’s past returns next weekend as the site of the former Richmond Community Hospital hosts a Community History Fair to commemorate its 90th anniversary. The event, set for Sunday, July 7, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., aims to celebrate the institution’s history and raise awareness about its uncertain future.

Richmond Battlefield Park to shutter Tredegar Station, boost river programs
Richmond National Battlefield Park is set to close its visitor contact station at the historic Tredegar Iron Works on July 5. The National Park Service (NPS) has maintained a presence at Tredegar for several years, occupying a small leased space near the entrance to the American Civil War Museum. With the lease expiring this year, park officials are planning to expand their community outreach.

Survivors of Tulsa Race Massacre challenge Oklahoma high court decision
Attorneys for the last two remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Tuesday to reconsider the case they dismissed last month and called on the Biden administration to help the two women seek justice.

Black farmers’ association calls for Tractor Supply CEO’s resignation after company cuts DEI efforts
The National Black Farmers Association called on Tractor Supply’s president and CEO Tuesday to step down after the rural retailer announced that it would drop most of its corporate diversity and climate advocacy efforts.

Local BBQ restaurant crowned ‘Best Chef’ at Chicago barbecue competition
The Original Ronnie’s BBQ from Henrico County won the “Best Chef” title at the Six in the City Southern BBQ Experience event in Chicago last month. The competition featured pitmasters and chefs from six southern cities known for their barbecue.

Despite debate performance, support for Biden remains strong among Black leaders, by Tamil R. Harris
President Joe Biden and the first lady spent Sunday at Camp David with their grandchildren after his debate performance. At the same time, the media and a growing chorus of Democrats speculate on the 81-year-old leader’s future.

Environmental justice for Cumberland County, by Benjamin Chavis Jr.
Cumberland County stands on the edge of an environmental catastrophe. An hour west of Richmond, the historic town of Cumberland is set to become the site of the proposed Green Ridge Disposal and Recycling Facility. This 1,200 - acre mega-landfill plans to operate nearly 24/7, releasing harmful pollutants into the air, contaminating the community’s drinking water and depreciating the surrounding residential land value each day.

Richmond basketball bolsters staff: Dollar named assistant coach
Darian Dollar, who served as video coordinator for the University of Richmond’s men’s basketball program last season, has been promoted to assistant coach/director of basketball operations and recruiting, Head Coach Chris Mooney announced last week.

Colonial Downs prepares for 2024 racing season
Colonial Downs Racetrack is gearing up for its 2024 thoroughbred racing season, set to begin July 11. The track announced last week that more than 100 horses have already arrived, with approximately 700 expected during the nine-week season.

HBCU All-Stars complete historic first international tour in France
The 10-member HBCU All-Star basketball squad successfully completed its first-ever international tour in France last week after competing in the QUIA 54 International Tournament and a series of exhibition games.

Former Ram Owusu Sekyere returns to VCU
VCU Women’s Soccer Head Coach Lindsey Martin recently announced the hiring of Owusu Sekyere as assistant coach. Sekyere returns to VCU after spending the past season as an assistant coach at George Mason. He previously served as a volunteer assistant under Martin for two seasons from 2021-2022.

NFL Players Choir set for Essence festival performance
The Players Choir, a group composed of current and former NFL players, is scheduled to perform at the 30th Anniversary Essence Festival of Culture on Sunday, July 7.

Local drag performers crowned with ‘Virginia Pride’ titles
Drag royalty was celebrated at the annual Virginia Pride Pageant last Sunday.

Election to reshape Richmond School Board with nine seats up for grabs
Richmond’s highest education authority is set for a significant political shift with the upcoming general elections for the Richmond School Board in November. Sixteen candidates are seeking the public’s approval for the nine representative district seats of the Richmond Public Schools system, with four candidates running unopposed. The candidates bring a wide array of experiences and perspectives to the table, including educators, parents, business leaders and community activists.

West Virginia couple used adopted Black children as ‘slaves,’ judge says
A couple arrested after some of their adopted children were found locked in a shed at their West Virginia home are set for trial later this year on charges that a judge said involved their use as “slaves.”

Anti-war protesters sentenced to jail after blocking I-95
Almost all of those involved in the blocking of Interstate 95 months ago as part of a protest of the war in Gaza were sentenced to five days in jail earlier this week.

Extreme heat a wake-up call, by Ben Jealous
As I write these words, the mercury is soaring. The world is reeling from the deadly impact of extreme heat and weather events. This is climate change in action. We are living it. And the thermometer-busting temperatures are just the tip of the (melting) iceberg.