
Gates produces 4-hour PBS documentary on Reconstruction
Historian Henry Louis “Skip” Gates can trace the roots of his upcoming PBS documentary about Reconstruction to his days in school, when he would hear about the end of slavery during the Civil War, then virtually nothing about race relations until the Civil Rights Movement in the middle of the 20th century.

Smollett back performing; talks about attack
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was blunt, emotional and defiantly determined last Saturday night at a Southern California concert some urged him not to play, telling the crowd before singing a note that he had to go on with the show because he couldn’t let his attackers win.

Richmond Association of Black Social Workers host annual Black Family Ritual Feb. 9
The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers is hosting Umoja Karamu, its annual Black Family Ritual from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Six Points Innovation Center, 3001 Meadowbridge Road in Highland Park.

Exclusive Blacklist Wine and Jazz Weekend starts Feb. 7
The Exclusive Blacklist Wine and Jazz Weekend returns for a four-day celebration of African-Americans in winemaking.

Dynasty continues with Patriots’ 6th Super Bowl crown
No, the New England Patriots’ reign doesn’t really date to the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s Ride and the American Revolution. But it may seem like it to their weary opponents.

Gilmore rolls back to Richmond to boost VCU
Everything about Michael Gilmore is big — his height (6-foot-10), his wingspan (7-foot) and his shooting range (well beyond the 3-point arc). His basketball journey has been long, too.

Bennett College meets fundraising goal
Bennett College, a historically black all-women’s college in North Carolina that was facing loss of accreditation and possible closure because of financial problems, has exceeded its $5 million fundraising goal.

VUU to take on VSU Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall
Virginia Union University suffered a 88-73 basketball knockout on Jan. 19 in its last meeting with Virginia State University.

Blue chip freshman Deshawn Goodwyn helping raise George Wythe’s stock
When a special freshman arrives at Richmond’s George Wythe High School, basketball Coach Willard Coker isn’t shy about elevating him to the varsity — even into the starting lineup.

Pope Francis publicly acknowledges clergy’s sexual abuse of nuns
Pope Francis publicly acknowledged the scandal of priests and bishops sexually abusing nuns and vowed to do more to fight the problem, the latest sign that there is no end in sight to the Catholic Church’s abuse crisis — and that it now has a reckoning from the #MeToo movement.

John D. Williams, 90, longtime teacher and coach at Armstrong High School
John Davis “John D.” Williams, a former teacher, coach and athletic director at Armstrong High School, has died.

‘Y&R’ actor Kristoff St. John dies at 52
Kristoff St. John, who played the struggling alcoholic and ladies’ man Neil Winters for 27 years on “The Young and the Restless,” has died. He was 52.

Grammy winner James Ingram dies at 66
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Ingram, who launched multiple hits on the R&B and pop charts and earned two Oscar nominations for his songwriting, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2018, at his Los Angeles home from brain cancer. He was 66.

Community organizer and strategist Lillie A. Estes succumbs at 59
Lillie Ann Estes set the standard for community organizing in Richmond.

Personality: Martha E. Hancock-Carter
Spotlight on president of Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc.
Martha E. Hancock-Carter, president of the Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., is dedicated to preserving the vision and legacy of the national organization’s late founder, Mary McLeod Bethune.

RRHA still dealing with heating problems; assistance available
At least seven public housing units completely lost heat last week as a result of boiler problems, the Richmond Redevelopment and Authority reported Monday.

Richmond Police exploring options to build new stable
The Richmond Police Department is “going to explore other options” to try to get a new horse stable for the Mounted Unit, department spokesman Gene Lepley stated.

Public hearing, vote Feb. 11 on renaming Boulevard for Arthur Ashe
Will the third time be the charm? For the third time since 1993, Richmond City Council is poised to again debate renaming the Boulevard for the late Richmond-born tennis star and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr. at its next meeting on Monday, Feb. 11.

Richmond School Board starts rezoning process
After months of debate, Richmond Public Schools is revisiting rezoning. But this time, there is a plan and a timeline in place.

Possible funding increase for city schools?
Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration is hinting that it might propose a $5 million increase in support for Richmond Public Schools’ operations in the new 2020 budget it will present next month to Richmond City Council.