
Legend of screen and television Cicely Tyson dies at 96
Actress Cicely Tyson, whose legendary roles portraying the history and humanity of Black people won awards and touched hearts, has died.

Super performances expected from Devin White and Tyrann Mathieu in Super Bowl LV
If Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes are the rocket launchers for Super Bowl LV, then Devin White and Tyrann Mathieu represent the anti-aircraft.

Faith leaders issue BHM book challenge to Richmond area residents
Challenge to Richmond area residents: Spend February reading award-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson’s widely praised book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” then participate in a Zoom discussion of the book 7 p.m. Monday, March 1.

Personality: Douglas Powell aka ‘Roscoe Burnems’
Spotlight on Richmond’s first poet laureate
Douglas Powell is many things — a poet, author and spoken word artist who performs under the alias Roscoe Burnems. He is a National Poetry Slam champion, a former TEDx speaker, a husband, father and teacher who has contributed to a number of creative endeavors in Richmond. And now, Mr. Powell has been selected to serve as the city’s first poet laureate.

3 ousted in Richmond Police shakeup
Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith overhauled his command staff this week in his first big personnel shakeup since taking office seven months ago.

Fired
Kirk Showalter, Richmond’s voter registrar, is dismissed by the Richmond Electoral Board after multiple complaints surrounding the Nov. 3 general election
J. Kirk Showalter’s 25-year reign as Richmond’s voter registrar is over.

Equity issues surround COVID-19 vaccinations
Is there inequitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to people of color?

President Biden begins work on unfinished business of Trump administration
President Biden’s launch this month of a series of ambitious goals focused on resetting the nation’s agenda is being steadily packed with suggestions he include the endless list of unresolved issues left on the table by the last president.

Parents say 4-year contract for Kamras would provide stability
For decades, Richmond Public Schools has struggled to keep a superintendent and administration in place for more than five years.

Crusade supports 2-year contract for Kamras with benchmarks
The Richmond Crusade for Voters recently considered the matter before the Richmond School Board regarding contract negotiations with Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras.

Healing a divided America, by Dr. Keith Magee
A white man strolled into an office, settled down in a leather chair and casually put his dirty boots on the desk in front of him.

Two more years
We add our voice to those who believe Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras should have no more than a two-year contract extension.

Fredericksburg man carries on legacy of James Farmer
Christopher Williams works daily to carry on the legacy of the late civil rights leader James Farmer.

VCU names fine arts building after late dean Murry N. DePillars
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts has dedicated its fine arts building to its late dean, Dr. Murry N. DePillars.

Former Virginia Squires and NBA player George Carter succumbs at 76
George Carter, a former ABA All-Star with the Virginia Squires, died Nov. 18, 2020.

NY Jets’ Robert Saleh first Muslim head coach in NFL
Robert Saleh is the first Muslim to become a head coach in the NFL.

HU’s Davion Warren among the state’s Division I top scorers
If one can imagine basketball as a track relay, Jermaine Marrow has handed the baton to Davion Warren at Hampton University.

Former Lady Panthers coach accused of abuse by Detroit Mercy players
Coach Ann Marie Gilbert, who took the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers to the NCAA Division II championship game in 2017 before leaving last April for the University of Detroit Mercy, has run into major problems.