Roe v. Wade impacts Black women, by Glynda Carr
The Supreme Court just dealt a devastating blow to reproductive rights. With its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, five Re- publican-appointed Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court swept away half a century of progress and eviscerated women’s rights and equality. After last month’s leaked opinion, we knew this moment could come, but that doesn’t make the news any easier to digest.
‘America reigns without a rival’
As we approach America’s celebration of its independence on July 4, many of us do so with sadness, trepidation and outright anger. And with good reason.
Former RRHA manager James W. ‘Dick’ Harris Sr. dies
For more than three decades, James Willard “Dick” Harris Sr. was a familiar face to public housing residents in Richmond.
‘Blessing of Elders’ lauds 7 Black Christian luminaries at Museum of the Bible
Well-known names from the world of gospel music and the Black church gathered at the Museum of the Bible to hail the contributions of African-American churches and to call for continued efforts toward building unity and bridging divides.
Caleb Swanigan dies at age 25
Caleb Swanigan’s basketball star shined bright but not nearly long enough.
Britton Wilson finishes second at USATF Championships
It took a world-record performance to prevent Britton Wilson from being the U.S. 400-meter hurdles champion.
Pro basketball is all in the family for many NBA draftees
After being selected with the fifth overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the NBA draft June 23, Jaden Ivey celebrated with his family and quickly went to the stage to shake Commissioner Adam Silver’s hand. As he proceeded to walk off stage, he was overcome with emotion, and tears continued to stream down his face as he spoke with ESPN’s Monica McNutt. Ivey’s mother, Niele Ivey, was right by his side.
R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in sex trafficking case
Disgraced R&B superstar R. Kelly was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison for using his fame to sexually abuse young fans, including some who were just children, in a systematic scheme that went on for decades.
Architects for future George Wythe High gather comments, ideas from public
The idea of a new George Wythe High School is beginning to take shape, but a rendering shared with an audience of about 60 in the school’s auditorium Tuesday night is only a starting point said RRMM Architect’s president and CEO Duane Harver.
Dogwood Dell Fourth of July festivities
Independence Day activities return to the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater with a celebration hosted by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, as part of the 65th annual Festival of Arts.
Citizenship ceremony Monday at Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Along with fireworks and other festivities, Richmond will mark Independence Day with a ceremony at which more than 50 people from around the globe will be sworn in as citizens of this country.
Meadow Farm hosts lights celebration on July 4
Henrico County will present its annual Red, White and Lights community celebration of Independence Day on Monday, July 4 at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road.
Sesha Joi Moon to oversee diversity and inclusion on Capitol Hill
Sesha Joi Moon, a Richmond native and co-founder of a Richmond-based nonprofit, has been named the director of the House of Representatives Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
July 4 holiday closings
In observance of the Fourth of July holiday on Monday, July 4, please note the following:
Henrico homeowner disturbed by N.C. firm’s shoddy work on her property
Brenda F. Peters was certain that she owned every bit of the property on which the brick bungalow she bought 10 years ago stands in Eastern Henrico County.
Enrichmond Foundation’s status is unclear
The nonprofit has been an umbrella for some 85 volunteer organizations
A 32-year-old foundation that was created to support the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and that is now the owner of two historic Black cemeteries may have collapsed.
City’s Legendary Ingramettes earn NEA award
The Legendary Ingramettes, a gospel group that has performed more than 60 years, has received a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. They are the first group from Richmond to earn the distinction, and one of 10 recipients in 2022 who will receive a $25,000 monetary award, according to the NEA. The NEA started the award in 1982 to recognize “recipients’artistic excellence and support their continuing contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage.” The world-famous group performed at the unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington and in 2019, trav- eled to Bulgaria and Serbia to perform. Maggie Ingram started the group to sup- port herself and her five children when her husband abandoned them — she played music and her children sang. She drove the family from Florida to Richmond in 1961, arriving on Christmas Eve. Once in Richmond, she started work- ing for civil rights icon Oliver Hill Sr. and later owned a child care business. Maggie Ingram and The Ingramettes debuted in Richmond at the Hood Temple AME Zion Church. Ms. Ingram died in 2015. Today, Rev. Almeta Ingram-Miller, Maggie Ingram’s daughter, is the only original member of the group, but the singers are related to one another. “Take A Look In The Book” is the group’s first album without the family matriarch and was recorded in Richmond over three days. Rev. Ingram-Miller now leads the group. Produced by Jon Lohman, the recordings are part of the Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Humanities and include traditional spirituals and “new Appalachian sources like Ola Belle Reed and Bill Withers.” The group will perform a virtual concert Sept. 22. Information about the upcoming performance and the group can be found on their website: https://legendaryingramettes.com/.
Collective bargaining vote delayed again
There will be a City Council vote to settle whether to allow city workers to engage in collective bargaining. The only mystery is when it will happen.
More than 3 dozen groups nominated for city’s health equity partners
The City of Richmond’s latest COVID-19 relief effort is underway, with three local groups working to help neighborhoods that face the biggest health disparities as part of the city’s new Health Equity Fund.
