If white supremacy is poison, ethnic studies is the antidote, by Julianne Malveaux
President Biden was uncharacteristically, but appropriately, angry and firm when he described white supremacy as “poison.” He spoke from Buffalo days after a putrid young white man, Payton S. Gendron, shot 13 people, killing ten. All but two of those he shot were Black, and all of those massacred were Black.
Supreme Court wasn’t always a threat, by Ben Jealous
Almost 70 years ago this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, one of the most important in our history. It was unanimous. And it was a glorious moment. Our highest court affirmed the constitutional promise of equality. In Brown, the court rejected the “separate but equal” doctrine that some states used to justify legally enforced racial segregation in public schools.
Racial disparities in abortion rates, by Clarence Page
Remember the old days when President Bill Clinton brought a temporary calm to the raging abortion debate by declaring the ultracontroversial procedure should be “safe, legal and rare?”
Children left behind
In 2002, only about half of students in Richmond Public Schools rated as proficient in reading and math.
VCU graduates praised for their resolve to not lose focus during pandemic
With graduates hailing from 43 countries and diverse cultural backgrounds, the sheer scale of accomplishment was immense during Virginia Commonwealth University’s graduation ceremony last Saturday.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture reopens May 14 after $30M renovation
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture will reopen this weekend after a two-year, $30 million renovation with a celebration featuring new exhibits, rich family stories, entertainment, activities and food trucks.
VUU Panthers to kick off 2022-23 football season on a Thursday night
Virginia Union University is doing something a little unusual for the upcoming football season.
Black Catholic nuns: A compelling, long-overlooked history
Even as a young adult, Shannen Dee Williams – who grew up Black and Catholic in Memphis, Tenn.,–knew of only one Black nun, and a fake one at that: Sister Mary Clarence, as played by Whoopi Goldberg in the comic film “Sister Act.”
Arthur D. ‘Art’ Toth Jr., owner of the former La Grande Dame, dies at 65
For nearly 30 years, Arthur David “Art” Toth Jr. was the go-to person in Richmond for full-figured women who wanted to dress well.
Personality: Dr. Kate Hoof
Spotlight on board president of Richmond Cycling Corps
Dr. Kate Hoof is helping Richmond kids put the pedal to the metal.
True calling
Kiara S. Thompson, Richmond’s Teacher of the Year, followed her heart and turned to teaching more than six years ago
Kiara Shenae Thompson was on her way to becoming a biologist and health care worker when she volunteered at a community center tutoring elementary and middle school students in science concepts and found what she considers her true calling — teaching.
VP Harris urges grads to tackle problems in unsettled world
Vice President Kamala Harris urged graduates of Tennessee State University on Saturday to apply their leadership skills to help tackle the multitude of challenges posed by an unsettled world.
Retiring HU president offers advice to graduates
Hampton University’s 152nd annual commencement celebrated graduates as well as the 44-year tenure of HU President William R. “Bill” Harvey, who is retiring on June 30. Dr. Harvey, 81, served as the keynote speaker for the commencement, which was held on Mother’s Day at the Hampton University Convocation Center on campus. Dr. Harvey highlighted a long list of accomplishments made by the university under his stewardship, such as the creation of the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute to treat cancer and increasing the university’s endowment from $29 million to more than $400 million today. Dr. Harvey told the graduates, “Don’t settle with being the employee; I want you to be the employer. Don’t settle with representing the firm or corporation; I want you to own the firm or corporation. See the horizon as not a limit, but an invitation….” He offered grandfatherly advice to graduates, ranging from the financial -- “Pay yourself first. Save something from every single paycheck. Buy some property”– to the social – “Stay away from drugs and drug dealers. They will destroy your life or make it miserable.” Dr. Harvey went on to tell graduates to “fight racism every time it arises” and to “be positive role models. Be somebody.” He closed out his address by telling graduates to support Hampton University with their money. During the ceremony, Rashida Jones, who became the first Black woman to lead a cable news network when she was named president of MSNBC in February 2021, received the Outstanding 20-Year Alumna Award. The Henrico High School graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts from Hampton University in 2002. Earlier this year, she launched the Rashida Jones Scholarship Fund for journalism students at the university. Thomas Hasty III, senior executive vice president and chief regulatory risk officer of TowneBank, received the Outstanding Alumnus-at-Large Award. He graduated from HU in 1977 with a degree in business. Honorary degrees were awarded to former Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas, who was the first Black named to the state’s highest court in 1983, and Christopher Newport University President Paul S. Trible Jr., who represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 1983 to 1989.
Actor Keith David challenges NSU graduates to be, do and give back
Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David reminded Norfolk State University graduates that they stand on the shoulders of giants, including their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and civil rights pioneers, in earning their degrees.
Perseverance and legacy were themes of VUU’s commencement
Six different classes of Virginia Union University graduates, some stretching as far back as five decades, were recognized for their academic accomplishment last Saturday during the first in-person commencement ceremony in two years.
Real issue behind mental illness is lack of support
During the past couple of years, there have been way too many celebrities, such as Naomi Judd, who have succumbed to mental illness. Having to see the accolades of those celebs who fought but lost the battle to their mental health complications is somber indeed.
State employee excoriates Virginia’s new return-to-the-workplace policy
I am underpaid, I am tired and I am frustrated.
‘The government should not butt in’ on abortions
I am a 59-year-old woman who believes in life. I am against abortion, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a good reason for a woman to get an abortion.
Black History Museum saving Confederate statues: Let’s talk about it, by Sa’ad El-Amin
On Jan. 24, a resolution to transfer the title and ownership to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia of the five Confederate statues that were removed from Monument Avenue—including four of which the City of Richmond has owned for more than 100 years — was approved by a unanimous vote of Richmond City Council.
Roe v. Wade and the far right’s extreme plans, by Ben Jealous
Things are about to get worse for millions of vulnerable people in our country.
