
Shirley J. Logan, former RPS principal, succumbs at 81
Shirley Jefferson Logan was the kind of person who saw the best in everyone, her family said. Her positive approach was important to her work as a principal at the now-closed Clark Springs Elementary School and at Ginter Park Elementary in Richmond.

Minister Abdul Rahman Aquil Muhammad, former Southern Regional Representative for the Nation of Islam, dies at 87
A janazah prayer service for Minister Abdul Rahman Aquil Muhammad, a teacher, organizer and confidante of the late Nation of Islam leader Minister Elijah Muhammad and a longtime aide to his successor, Minister Louis Farrakhan, was held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the late Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy’s historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Rev. Cessar L. Scott Sr., longtime head of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, dies at 74
For three decades, the Rev. Cessar L. Scott Sr. ranked among the foremost African-American clerics in Virginia. When Rev. Scott spoke, people listened as he represented more than 1,000 congregations as executive minister of the Richmond-based Baptist General Convention of Virginia.

Personality: Natasha Freeman
Personality: Natasha Freeman
Natasha Freeman, president of Project Yoga Richmond’s board of directors, encourages the community to embrace yoga because the practice allows people “to be fully embodied while grounding and mending our body and spirit.”

What’s better: A Coliseum replacement or a facelift?
Here’s the choice: Spend $25 million to $35 million to revitalize the 13,500-seat Richmond Coliseum or spend $220 million to replace it with a brand new 17,500-seat facility and add another $20 million to $30 million to revamp East Clay and East Leigh streets.

New housing honcho
RRHA’s leader Damon Duncan outlines priorities that will impact city’s 10,000 public housing residents
The new chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is vowing that the agency will move “expeditiously” to redevelop the city’s decaying public housing.

Prayers for peace
Imam Irfan Ali Shah of the Islamic Center of Henrico offers prayers in remembrance of the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings at three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of more than 250 people and wounded 500 others.

Salvation Army looks to relocate from Downtown to North Side
People needing temporary housing and a helping hand might soon have to walk a bit farther to reach the Salvation Army’s combination headquarters and emergency shelter.

Homes for the homeless
The expanded New Clay House, seen here, is one of the largest residential developments in the city for people experiencing homelessness. Originally opened 27 years ago with 47 tiny rooms, Virginia Supportive Housing, which owns the complex, has spent the past year overhauling the interior of the units at Clay and Harrison streets. The New Clay House now has 80 studio apartments, including 67 units for the formerly homeless and 13 affordable apartments for low-income people. Cost: $19 million.

Real estate tax hike proposal and duplicity
Some public officials with admirable objectives are being less than straight with this town as it relates to the proposed real estate tax increase. They are pretending that if residents agree to this tax increase, we are in the clear.

‘Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson’
Letters to the Editor
Kudos to Rodney A. Robinson, the teacher at Virgie Binford Education Center located inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, for being named the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. He is the first Richmond Public Schools teacher to obtain this honor.

Wisdom from ancestral warriors
In 1619, 400 years ago, the first African captives were brought to what is now Virginia. Since that time, many of our courageous ancestral warriors — men and women — have fought against the physical and psychological terrorism inflicted by the proponents of white supremacy and racism.

Eliminate demeanment
Black women in Houston and across the nation began preparing to use our political power during a recent event held at Texas Southern University. Presidential candidates attended to begin a conversation with black women regarding what’s important to us and what we’re looking for from candidates in 2020.

The ‘next big thing’
We congratulate singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose creative genius, perseverance and open spirit led to the successful “Something in the Water” festival last weekend in Virginia Beach.

City budget, the high road
We are anxious to read the details of Richmond City Council’s proposed $746 million budget plan for 2019-2020, which is up for a final vote on Monday, May 13.

2019 commencement speakers announced
It’s graduation season for Virginia’s colleges and universities. This is a time for inspiring commencement speeches, proud parents and cheering graduates. Politicians, celebrities and outstanding students are scheduled as speakers to motivate the Class of 2019.

HU Marching Force invited to 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Forget the floats and the cartoon character balloons. The Hampton University Marching Force will perform in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The surprise announcement was made Monday to an excited group of student band members on the waterfront campus.

Local designer ties down sneaker line
Sneakers have gone from the basketball court to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Forget paying $75 to $130 for a pair bearing Michael Jordan’s name. Think, instead, of shelling out $500 to $1,200 for a pair of sneakers from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace or other renowned fashion houses.

America’s ‘national pastime’ forges bonds, records between fathers and sons
Baseball has been said to be a “daddy’s game.” Find a talented player and, more often than not, you’ll find a father or strong father figure closely linked to the youngster’s success.

Toronto Raptors ready to claw victory from the 76ers
With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors threaten to change the NBA’s initials to the IBA — International Basketball Association. The league’s lone Canadian franchise had the NBA’s second best regular season record this season (58-24), behind the Milwaukee Bucs, and is tops overall over the last two seasons (117-47).