
Where are the parents, aunties and uncles?, by David Marshall
The shooting of Ralph Yarl is a story that is still relatively fresh in today’s news cycle. While the shooting of the Black 16-year-old in Kansas City, Mo., was senseless and avoidable, it represents how much of a violent nation the United States has become. Far too many people feel emboldened to shoot first, ask questions later, and then claim self-defense.

Systemic inequities hinder kinship foster care
In the most recent 2023 General Assembly session, Senate Bill 1219 was tabled in the House and left with the Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee for further analysis.

UPAL’s garden
Anew community garden shaped as a labyrinth with circular walking paths will be dedicated at noon Saturday, May 6, on the grounds of 4809 Warwick Road in South Side, it has been announced.

VCU’s Mathis is a marquee attraction
A.J. Mathis is both the leadoff man and the leading man for VCU baseball.

VUU has reinforcements in the house
There were two groups of basketball players at Virginia Union University this past season – the ones you saw and the ones you didn’t see.

VSU’s Hagans becomes free agent for Indianapolis Colts
Darius Hagans hopes to wear a white helmet with a blue horseshoe on the sides this coming football season.

New uniform fails to rattle Bones
Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland changed wardrobes this season with no malfunction to his shooting touch.

Commanders choose all-time ‘pick-six’ leader
Emmanuel Forbes will be among the NFL’s lightest players. Washington hopes he’ll be among the most exciting.

NFL honors fallen Cavaliers
Prior to the NFL Draft, a tribute was paid to the University of Virginia football players who were killed last November.

Brotherhood, sisterhood and service
In his 2001 book, “The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and So- rorities,” author Lawrence C. Ross Jr. explains “the vital role of America’s Black fraternities and sororities,” which includes providing young black achievers with opportunities to support each other while they serve their communities and the nation.

Moon family establishes scholarships
Sisters Enjoli and Sesha Moon are already making an impact on Richmond.

Places To Go, People To See
Looking for something to do or new experiences in the months ahead? Here are just a few of the upcoming fun events and adventures:

It’s Met Gala time again — here’s what we know so far
Last year, it took 275,000 bright pink roses to adorn the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Met Gala, the biggest night in fashion and one of the biggest concentrations of star power anywhere.

Sheriff Irving continues to lose deputies amid reports of recent inmate stabbing
‘We don’t know what else we can do,’ says councilwoman
The issue of inmate and staff safety inside the Richmond City Justice Center continues to bubble as Sheriff Antionette V. Irving’s roster of deputies keeps shrinking.

William U. Booker Sr., entrepreneur, civic and spiritual leader, dies at age 95
Hard-working, honest, wise, industrious, caring’ were his trademarks
William Ulysses Booker Sr. sought to seize the opportunities that came his way.

It’s a deal
City and RVA Diamond Partners finalize $2.44B agreement; council vote comes next
The Diamond District – Richmond’s biggest ever development – is now at the starting gate after seven months of negotiations between the city and RVA Diamond Partners LLC (RVADP), the private developer.

Biden bats away questions about age, polls; launches 2024 campaign ad
President Biden rolled out the first ad of his 2024 reelection campaign on Wednesday, casting himself as a warrior in defense of freedom, but immediately found himself grappling with questions about his advanced age and droopy poll numbers.

Personality: Sonja Branch-Wilson
Spotlight on AMMD Pine Grove Project president
Sonja Branch-Wilson’s interest in learning about community and the importance of preserving one’s history began as a child.