Serious sisters
Washington’s MLK Jr. Library opens Black feminism exhibit
A new exhibit, “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” recently opened at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Science Museum’s spin on Earth Day
The Science Museum of Virginia appears to have a monopoly on Earth Day festivities in Richmond this year.
Connecting the past to present
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts will host a book talk and signing as part of its Isaac Julien Speaker Series.
Oakwood Arts to launch apprenticeship program
Virginians age 18 and older who want to get into the state’s movie and television industry have a new opportunity as Oakwood Arts is preparing to launch the first registered apprenticeships.
ICA at VCU to celebrate 5 years of art and community
The Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU will celebrate its fifth anniversary with an evening of casual conversation, music, performances, new works and more on Friday, April 21, starting at 5:30 p.m. Steven Holl, who designed the ICA building, along with project architect Dimitra Tsachrelia and ICA’s executive director Dominic Willsdon will lead a conversation about the institute. The 2022 Fall season’s program “Mis- read Unread Read Re-read Misread Un- read Re-read (MURRMUR) will launch newly commissioned works from Richmond residents Sam Taylor and nicole killian along with New York-based artist Riley Hooker. New works from artists in residency will be unveiled for the ICA’s ongoing exhibition “So it appears” — an intricate kaleidoscopic work by Australian born artist Tricky Walsh and an audio response to the exhibition by audio artist Sharon Mashihi. Another feature of the evening will be Richmond-based artist Vivian Chiu presenting some of her “sketches” created over the past decade. The evening is free. For more informa- tion or to RSVP to attend the anniversary celebration, visit https://icavcu.org/. The Institute of Contemporary Art at VCU is located at 601W. Broad St.
Music that’s beneficial
Nine performers will be featured at “The STEM ‘Mad Scientist’ Benefit Concert” that a Richmond group stages to raise money to increase Richmond youths’ access to science learning.
Sweet
Michael Jordan’s ‘Last Dance’ shoes sold for millions
Sotheby’s auction house announced April 11 that a pair of Air Jordans worn by Michael Jordan during his final championship run with the Chicago Bulls has sold at auction for $2.2 million, surpassing the record for the most valuable sneakers ever sold, reports CBS News.
Trinity Thomas vaults to her 28th perfect score
On a scale of one to 10, Trinity Thomas is about as close to a 10 as there is.
Virginia Tech’s Traylor and Soule WNBA bound
Two Virginia Tech women’s basketball stars are taking their talents to the WNBA.
Carter Aldrete’s promising start for Squirrels
From the same college that produced the likes of Reggie Jackson and Barry Bonds comes Carter Aldrete.
Crisis center opening at St. Joseph’s Villa
A regional center for youths suffering a mental health crisis is on the way.
Women veterans get new health center
Richmond’s women veterans will have access to a range of health services with the opening of the new Women Veterans Health Center in Building 520, 1201 Brock Road Blvd.
Fire Department mum about plans for training site
The Richmond Fire Department apparently will have to find another location for its planned fire training facility.
To be equal: ‘Tennessee Three’ fiasco, by Marc H. Morial
“We won’t be bent, we won’t be bowed, and we won’t be ordered to ignore the hearts and minds of the people who elected us, demanding commonsense gun safety in a state that has nearly none. The GOP of the Tennessee House of Representatives attempted to obstruct me and my colleagues from these goals and to shred our democracy. Instead, Republicans have only fanned the flames of hope that illuminate our movement, helping it to grow more powerful and glow more brightly.” – Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson
Community colleges are the gems of America’s higher education system, by Dr. Linnie S. Carter
I have been blessed to serve four community colleges – two in Virginia, one in North Carolina and now one in Pennsylvania.
Something in the water
Speaking of teaching, producer and singer Pharrell Williams is a shining example of a Black male role model who, despite his fame, fortune and talent, stays true to himself, his home and values.
Men can teach, too
Anyone who’s been inside a public school knows there aren’t large numbers of male teachers in classrooms. In fact, male minority teachers make up less than 5 percent of all educators in the country, according to recent data. In 2020, Richmond Public Schools created a program called RVA Men Teach to address this disparity, retain and recruit male minority teachers and highlight them as educational experts and eliminate barriers that keep them out of classrooms.
Credit Union tours city
The Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union, the largest Black-owned financial institution in the city, marks its 87th anniversary with a tour of the city to celebrate the expansion of its ATM network, it has been announced.
Swansboro Baptist partners with nonprofit to offer free meals
For Kevin Alston and dozens of other hungry South Side residents struggling with food costs, Swansboro Baptist Church is now the place to go for a free hot lunch.

