Black clergy memorialize the dead; ask gov’t. to address disparities
The Rev. Frank Williams has been so busy leading two black churches in the New York borough of the Bronx that he hadn’t really considered the full extent of COVID-19’s impact on his congregation, his family and his community.
Rev. Frank Lomax Jr., minister of stewardship at Quioccasin Baptist Church, dies at 89
The Rev. Frank Lomax Jr. spent his working life as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. But after retiring, he found his way into the ministry.
Grammy-winning jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney dies
Award-winning jazz trumpeter Wallace Roney, who studied under and collaborated with the Miles Davis, Art Blakey and other jazz greats during his 40-year career, died Tuesday, March 31, 2020, of complications from COVID-19.
David C. Driskell, noted artist, art historian, curator and collector, dies at 88
David C. Driskell, one of the nation’s most influential African-American artists and a leading authority on black art, has died. He was 88.
As Ramadan nears, prisons urged to accommodate faith needs during pandemic
A coalition of 20 faith groups is pressing prison officials across the country to accommodate all prisoners’ religious needs during the outbreak of the coronavirus, particularly with Ramadan beginning this week.
Noted reggae musician Drummie Zeb returns to his Richmond roots
Inspired by the vibrations from the marching bands at the Richmond Christmas Parade, 10-year-old Ernest Myron Williams begged his mother for a set of drums. She scrimped and saved to provide one.
Personality: Shantell J. Chambliss
Spotlight on board president of the nonprofit Oakwood Arts Inc.
At the end of East Broad Street in the Oakwood neighborhood is Oakwood Arts Inc., a nonprofit focused on teaching creative skills to youths, building new career opportunities and increasing diversity across multiple fields. For the children of the neighborhood, Oakwood Arts is an avenue to learn and grow, even during a pandemic.
Weldon Edwards planted seeds as first black football player 50 years ago at UR
“Last August the University of Richmond signed its first Negro football player, Weldon Edwards,” so wrote Mark Holpe of The Collegian, UR’s campus newspaper, in 1970.
Think of groundbreaker George Taliaferro during NFL draft
George Taliaferro was a game changer regarding the NFL draft. He also took versatility to a higher level.
Former John Marshall player Isaiah Todd jumps from high school to pros
Petersburg native Moses Malone pioneered the term “Preps to Pros” in August 1974. Now former Richmonder Isaiah Todd is a pacesetter in a new option to bypass college basketball and fast break straight from high school to dunking for dollars.
Safety first in watching out for pedestrians
This is a request to skateboarders and electric scooter riders: Please slow down, watch out for pedestrians and give plenty of alert to people you are passing.
Suggestions to curb COVID-19 transmission at nursing homes
I have been a medical professional, having completed an internal medicine and pulmonary fellowship, and was one of the first hospitalists in Hampton Roads until 2004. Since then, I have been the medical director for long-term care, or LTC, facilities and a hospice organization, practicing medicine to ensure the well-being of our aging population. Unfortunately, this population is the most vulnerable for having fatal outcomes from the coronavirus.
Thoughts on identifying asymtomatic spread of COVID-19
In order to systematically detect the presence of an invisible asymptomatic pathogen like COVID-19, you must deploy a multilayered systematic approach to identifying the problem and eradicating it.
No time for Sisyphus leadership
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world much devastation, with a climbing death rate, grocery hoarding and lack of community closeness. However, it also has given us many heroes through their selfless acts.
Time to correct the disparities
It’s no exaggeration to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has upended Virginians’ lives. We’re practicing new routines — like social distancing, obsessive hand washing, preparing kids for a day of remote learning and sewing masks — while grappling with difficult, new economic realities and the constant fear of becoming sick during a time when health care resources are limited.
Money vs. lives
We hope Virginia officials won’t be swayed by the small, but noisy group of protesters pushing for a reopening of businesses, schools and other public and private facilities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 testing in Richmond’s high-risk communities
With data showing that COVID-19 is disproportionately infecting and killing African-Americans in Richmond and across the state, we were pleased to learn late last week that city health officials were going to step up efforts to provide testing in the city’s largely black, high-poverty areas.
Virus testing expands in state prisons with push from advocates
The Virginia Department of Corrections has ramped up testing of inmates and prison staff and stepped up parole consideration as state legislators and advocacy groups pressure authorities to stop the spread of COVID-19 inside state prisons.
Student learning continues via VA TV Classroom on public television stations
Richmond area students can tune into teacher-led classroom instruction on TV thanks to a new initiative by Virginia’s public media stations.
Area meal programs feed first responders, help restaurants
City Hall is planning to pump more than $500,000 over the next two months into Richmond-based restaurants that serve meals to Richmond police officers, firefighters and ambulance staff.
