Rev. Barber’s new book demystifies poverty: Black people are not the problem
When Tim Tyson first invited the Rev. William Barber II to meet with a group of white residents of Mitchell County, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Barber half jokingly replied, “I knew you were gonna get me killed.”
Unseated: Bench for Confederate marker removed
Without prior notice or announcement, a bench adjacent to the Confederate marker near the Department of Public Utilities substation on Wise Street was removed. Only the four bolts that anchored the bench remain, stuck in the concrete on the spot where it was installed in 2023.
Black students sue Shenandoah School Board for restoring Confederate names
Attorneys for School Board ask court to dismiss case
After the Shenandoah County school district made headlines around the world for rebranding two schools with Confederate leaders’ names, two rising seniors at one of the schools are leading community opposition to that decision.
Chesterfield opens government to citizens through academy
Could you do a better job than your local politicians? Are you interested in politics but need help knowing where to start? Have you ever wanted to learn more about your local government?
Richmond Crusade for Voters organizes forums for mayoral and council candidates
The Richmond Crusade for Voters, the city’s oldest political organization, has announced a series of public forums to be held in August, giving voters the opportunity to hear directly from candidates for mayor, City Council and the School Board.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending on Saturday, July 20, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia rose 24.8% from the previous week, though new admissions remain low. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported statewide during that timeframe. COVID-19 wastewater levels in the Greater Richmond area last week, on average, have plateaued.
Landmark African American architect’s home to be restored at VSU
Virginia State University has received a $150,000 grant to preserve Azurest South, a historic home designed by one of the first documented female African American architects.
Science Museum lauded for accessibility efforts
The Science Museum of Virginia was recently recognized for its efforts to increase accessibility and inclusiveness during Disability Pride Month.
Inviting disrespect
When word got around that the National Association of Black Journalists had invited the Republican Party’s presidential nominee to its annual convention, things got bad for the 48-year-old organization pretty fast. Some members refused to attend, others dropped out of roles on panel discussions and the convention’s co-chair resigned. On social media, African American journalists expressed their outrage and disdain.
No sitting zone
Sometime last week, the chair was pulled out from beneath Confederate sympathizers. A bench that was placed, at taxpayers expense, in front of a stone marker in the 2400 block of Wise Street in South Side, is gone now. As it should be.
Russian trolls back to disrupt U.S. elections, by Marc H. Morial
“Russia remains the most active foreign threat to our elections. The Russian governments goals in such influence operations tend to include eroding trust in U.S. democratic institutions, exacerbating sociopolitical divisions in the United States, and degrading Western support to Ukraine. Russia relies on a vast multimedia influence apparatus, which consists of its intelligence services, cyber actors, state media, proxies, and social media trolls. Moscow most likely views such operations as a means to tear down the United States as its perceived primary adversary, enabling Russia to promote itself as a great power.” — U.S. Director of National Intelligence
Juicy fun awaits at Watermelon Festival
The 42nd Annual Carytown Watermelon Festival, presented by Publix, returns to Richmond on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Middlesex church to dedicate state historical marker
Antioch Baptist Church of Saluda will dedicate a state historical highway marker on Saturday, August 3, at noon. The ceremony will take place at the church, 159 Oakes Landing Road in Saluda.
SAU retains accreditation as football program suspended for 2024-25
Saint Augustine’s University, the nation’s oldest historically Black Episcopal university, will retain its accreditation following a unanimous decision by an arbitration panel to reverse a previous ruling, school officials announced recently.
VUU track stars Hinton, Jones earn VaSID All-State honors
In a testament to their outstanding perfor- mances this season, Virginia Union University’s track and field program has seen two of its athletes named to the 2024 VaSID All-State Indoor Track & Field Team. Junior sprinter and hurdler Jalen Hinton, hailing from Chesapeake, secured a spot on the First Team, showcasing his exceptional speed and technique. Freshman Zachary Jones from Chester, made his mark in the throws category, earning a place on the Second Team. VUU Track & Field Coach Franck Charles expressed his pride in the athletes’ achievements. “I am very proud of both guys for getting rec- ognition,” Charles stated. “They truly deserve it, as they have worked very hard and overcome a lot this past season.” The Virginia Sports Information Directors selects these prestigious teams annually, rec- ognizing top performers across 44 All-State teams in 23 sports. The organization, open to media relations professionals from universi- ties and conferences throughout Virginia, also names an Academic All-State squad and crowns All-Sports champions in both University and College Divisions. Hinton and Jones’ selections not only high- light their individual talents but also underscore the strength of VUU’s track and field program. All eyes will be on these rising stars to see how they build on this recognition in future competitions.
Florida A&M tops Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
The Florida A&M Rattlers, the defending HBCU national champions, will enter the 2024 season as the top-ranked team in the Preseason HBCU FCS Coaches Poll, released Thursday by Boxtorow.
Coco Gauff, LeBron James flag bearers for team USA at Olympics ceremony
Tennis star Coco Gauff will join LeBron James as a flag bearer for the U.S. Olympic team at Friday’s opening ceremony.
Congressional symposium precedes MJBL Baseball Classic
The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League will host its 33rd Annual Inner City Classic and Black World Series on July 30 in Washington, D.C. The event starts 6 p.m. at Maury Wills Field, following the 20th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Symposium at the Congressional Auditorium on Capitol Hill.
CIAA unveils 2024 football broadcast schedule
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announces its broadcast lineup for the upcoming 2024 football season, featuring games on HBCU GO, a streaming service dedicated to Historically black colleges and universities, and the conference’s own CIAA Sports Network.
Council sells site to Planned Parenthood, sounds off on noise policy
A wide range of changes to health care, business, eviction prevention and noise control in Richmond are in the works following the latest City Council meeting Monday evening.
