El ignites passion, inspires VCU grads
“Go make the world a better place for people everywhere,” was the recurring message to the more than 5,000 graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University at commencement exercises last Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum. “This begins not only a new chapter in your life, but a new chapter for humanity,” said VCU President Michael Rao. In addition to congratulating the graduates, he thanked them for the opportunity to be a part of their educational lives. “What you’ve done here extends beyond our campus boundaries,” Dr. Rao continued. “Lives will be changed — not just courses completed.”
Yoga behind bars
Relaxation, meditation techniques can help heal inmates
Yoga and meditation are being offered at Richmond’s jail to help prepare inmates for positive re-entry into the community — and help keep them from returning to jail.
‘Celebrate Jackson Ward’ this weekend
The Richmond Symphony and a host of community arts groups will spend the weekend entertaining the public at a festival in Abner Clay Park called “Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future.”
First African-American student to attend Va. Tech finally gets degree
More than 60 years after Irving Linwood Peddrew III of Hampton broke the color barrier to become the first African-American student to attend Virginia Tech in rural Blacksburg, he finally received his degree. Mr. Peddrew, now 80, was awarded an honorary bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering during the university’s commencement Friday, May 13, at Lane Stadium.
Armstrong tennis players honing their game
At Richmond’s Armstrong High School, the only girls sport involving a net has been basketball. After Armstrong High School merged with and moved into the former John F. Kennedy High School building on Cool Lane in 2004, girls tennis practically vanished. The sport had little traction previously at either school.
For Toronto Raptors fans: Fast facts
Maybe it’s time for the National Basketball Association to shift its name to the International Basketball Association. With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors have reached the NBA Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.
3 of 9 quarterbacks chosen in NFL draft are black
A wave of talented African-American quarterbacks has emerged as NFL headliners in recent years. But what are the prospects for the next wave?
Few HBCU quarterbacks drafted by NFL
The last quarterback from a historically black college or university to be drafted by the NFL was Alabama State University’s Tarvaris Jackson in 2006. Virginia Union University’s Shawheem Dowdy would like to end that decade-long drought. There’s no faking the tape measure, scales or radar gun, and Dowdy has what the scouts generally covet — a large, durable frame and a howitzer for an arm.
MJBL registration open
Registration is under- way for the upper age groups of the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League.
BeBe Winans’ life story on stage
BeBe Winans, the seventh son of the famous gospel singing Winans family, owes much of his fame to 1980s televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Meeting called for May 23 to unite city
Uniting the City 2, a meeting called to bring Richmonders together, will be held 6 p.m. Monday, May 23, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St., in the West End.
World’s oldest person dies at 116 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world’s oldest person, has died in New York at age 116. Ms. Jones, who was affectionately known by family and neighbors as Miss Susie, died Thursday, May 12, 2016, at a public housing facility for seniors in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she had lived for more than three decades, according to Robert Young, a senior consultant for the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group.
Personality: Dr. Susan T. Gooden
Spotlight on president of American Society for Public Administration
Being in leadership is not always an easy thing. Leaders must tackle the tough decisions and issues for their organization. But Dr. Susan T. Gooden, professor of public administration and policy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, is up to the challenge.
Future of food
VSU Harding Street Urban Agriculture Center uses cutting-edge technology to grow fish, vegetables
A former recreation building in historic downtown Petersburg has been transformed by Virginia State University into an innovative center for urban food production.
Full-service grocery store planned for East End
A new full-service grocery store is headed to Church Hill, it was announced Tuesday. Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, and T.K. Somanath, executive director of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, issued a joint statement about the planned market that is expected to bring about 25 full-time and 22 to 30 part-time jobs to this employment-starved area of the city once it opens — likely a year or more from now.
Manchester Courthouse to be renamed for Marsh brothers on May 20
It took 16 months, but the long-awaited public ceremony to rename the Manchester Courthouse for Richmond’s first African-American mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his late brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr., will take place Friday, May 20. Mayor Dwight C. Jones, who proposed the renaming, will lead the 4 p.m. rededication of the building at 920 Hull St. in South Side.
Chocolate Chip: A radio treat for 40 years
Chocolate Chip is still spinning records as a Richmond radio disc jockey. Every Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m., he takes listeners on an R&B stroll down memory lane with his oldies show on WCLM-AM 1450.
Gordon to lead Office of Community Wealth Building
Reginald E. “Reggie” Gordon is leaving his leadership post with the American Red Cross to direct Richmond’s anti-poverty initiative.
Recycle old electronic equipment this Saturday
Richmond residents can recycle old and broken computers and other electronic equipment, as well have their sensitive documents shredded, in an E-Cycle event 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at 6807 Midlothian Turnpike, the parking lot of a former Kmart.
Gun used to kill Trayvon Martin auctioned; is bid real?
Online bidding for the gun used by George Zimmerman to kill unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., in 2012 ended on Wednesday, although it was not clear whether the final offer of $138,900 was legitimate.
