Obama names 3 national monuments honoring civil rights
The Obama administration has designated three new national monuments honoring civil rights history. The designations were announced Thursday, Jan. 12, just eight days before the nation’s first African-American president leaves office.
Face of Lady Liberty is African-American for first time on U.S. coin
The U.S. Mint has unveiled a $100 gold coin featuring an African-American woman as the face of Lady Liberty for the first time in the history of U.S. currency.
VSU beats VUU in Freedom Classic
It seems fitting that in the 22nd Annual Freedom Classic, Trey Brown wiggled free from second fiddle status. The 6-foot-3 Virginia State University back-up junior guard began the Sunday, Jan. 15, Freedom Classic as the Trojans’ sixth-leading scorer, just another back-up sound in the orchestra.
CIAA Hall of Fame taps VUU, VSU standouts for 2017
Virginia Union University’s Terry Davis and Derrick Johnson, and Virginia State University’s Dr. DeWayne Jeter are among those named to the John McLendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame.
George Wythe Bulldogs lining up for repeat championship
The George Wythe High School Bulldogs might be nicknamed “The Quintuplets” this season. All five starters on the Richmond school’s basketball team are nearly the same height — not too short, not too tall — with similar skill sets.
Standout Justin Tillman chose VCU twice
Among the most talented basketball players recruited to Virginia Commonwealth University by former Coach Shaka Smart was Justin Tillman.
Controversial Bishop Eddie L. Long dies at 63
During a 30-year tenure, Bishop Eddie Lee Long transformed the once tiny New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta into a megachurch that peaked at 25,000 members before he became embroiled in a sex scandal. A controversial figure who lived a lavish lifestyle and earned millions of dollars from real estate investments and book royalties while pastor, Bishop Long died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017. His church attributed his death to an aggressive form of cancer.
Clarence L. Townes Jr., longtime business, civic leader, dies at 88
Clarence Lee Townes Jr. left his fingerprints on Richmond over the course of six decades of involvement in civic affairs. A bulldog of a man, with a gruff voice and a penchant for straight talk, he was a key player in creating landmarks that people take for granted — from the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel to the Canal Walk by the riverfront.
State office building to be named for Barbara Johns
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is naming the newly renovated state office building at 9th and Grace streets for civil rights trailblazer Barbara Johns, who as a teenager led the 1950s attack on government-enforced racial segregation of public schools in Virginia.
City attorney rules $226,000 in severance payments legal
The controversial award of $226,000 in severance packages to four people who worked for former Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones was legal, according to City Attorney Allen L. Jackson.
GRTC plans speedier service
Plans for speedier GRTC bus service that would slash 15 to 30 minutes from trips Downtown and other parts of the city were introduced to passengers and the public this week.
Va. NAACP supports GOP-sponsored student suspension reform
The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP announced its legislative priorities for the 2017 General Assembly session on Tuesday. The list of bills the civil rights group is supporting includes six Republican-sponsored measures that deal with student discipline policies.
Richmond protest planned Friday
A Richmond group is planning to hold a local protest Friday, Jan. 20, against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Sen. McClellan sworn in; election for House seat Feb. 7
Jennifer L. McClellan has donned a new title — state senator. The 44-year-old Richmond Democrat and corporate lawyer was sworn in last Friday as one of 40 members of the upper chamber just three days after voters elected her to the 9th Senate District seat.
Delegation of Richmond area black conservatives headed to inauguration
The Rev. Joe Ellison Jr. was an outspoken supporter of Republican candidate Donald Trump before the November presidential election. Now he’s heading to Washington to take part in the inauguration of the next president. However, Rev. Ellison and other area African-American conservatives have more on their minds than cheering the new American leader.
House Democrats set to boycott Trump inauguration on Friday
Donald Trump made his name with opulent hotels and a dramatic reality TV show. But his inauguration on Friday, Jan. 20, as the nation’s 45th president is shaping up as a more understated affair, with big names in entertainment staying away. Also staying away are more than 50 Congressional Democrats who plan to boycott in protest of the New York
Obama era ends
President’s legacy inarguable despite GOP aim to erase it
With President Obama poised to leave office after two terms, advocates and supporters are concerned about the durability of his legacy after eight years of intense and sustained opposition from Republicans and the promise by his Republican successor to erase any semblance of the Obama presidency.
City Council approves CARITAS treatment center
In its first meeting of the new term, Richmond City Council cleared the way for faith-based CARITAS to develop a headquarters in South Side that is to include a treatment center for women addicted to drugs and alcohol. The decision came during a speedy 1 hour, 7 minute meeting Monday night when the council, with four new members, hit the pause button on a series of proposals so members could have a fresh review in committee.
Bourne to run
Richmond School Board member Jeff M. Bourne is no longer playing coy about running for the Richmond House of Delegates seat that Jennifer L. McClellan is about to vacate.
