Social justice conference at Hampton U. on Sept.1
The Joseph Jenkins Roberts Center for African Diaspora Studies at Norfolk State University, in partnership with the Civil Rights Institute at Hampton University, is hosting a daylong conference called “1619: Making of America.”
Scott’s Funeral Home expanding with new chapel
Scott’s Funeral Home is developing a new chapel. The $1.5 million chapel is going up in the 100 block of East Brookland Park Boulevard, across the street from the Scott’s current facility.
Black Caucus hosts annual prayer breakfast Sept.19
National gospel recording artist VaShawn Mitchell and the Rev. Otis Moss III of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago will headline the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc.’s annual prayer breakfast.
They’re calling, making plays in the NFL
Robert Griffin III’s ongoing health struggles in Washington leaves the NFL with six African-American starting quarterbacks to kick off the season. Griffin, the former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draftee out of Baylor University, has been replaced by Kirk Cousins.
Flying Squirrels soar in attendance for Eastern League
The Richmond Flying Squirrels are Eastern League champions again — at the box office, that is. For the fourth time since arriving in Richmond in 2010, the Squirrels led the Eastern League in total attendance — 417,828 fans for 69 home dates — and per game attendance of 6,055.
VUU Panthers on the prowl for second victory
Freshmen Hakeem Holland and Lamar Webster are the dual dynamos that fueled Virginia Union University’s maroon and steel football engine last Saturday. Perhaps benefitting from the surprise factor, the fledgling Panthers’ running backs contributed mightily to a 35-21 opening victory over Brevard College of North Carolina before a crowd of 7,245 fans at Hovey Field.
VSU Trojans trying for first win in Tennessee
Virginia State University is 0-1 and facing a 405-mile bus ride to try and even the ledger. The Byron Thweatt football coaching era began last Saturday at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick with a 35-16 loss to California University of Pennsylvania, which is part of the tough Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
John Marshall has old luck despite new field
John Marshall High School has a new football field that it plans to take full advantage of this fall. Hoping to “bring the pride back” to the North Side, Justices Athletic Director Lamont Davis has scheduled six home games this season.
Personality: Julia Warren
Spotlight on founder of nonprofit celebrate! RVA
Julia Warren believes children in disadvantaged communities should be able to enjoy a big birthday bash in a safe and fun environment.
Pope Francis a stranger to the U.S. in many ways
New York When Pope Francis sets foot on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington on Sept. 22, it won’t just be his first time in the United States as pontiff. It will be his first time in the country — ever in his life.
Maya Angelou’s art collection up for auction
The art collection of celebrated writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou is heading to auction this month. Among the highlights of the Sept. 15 Swann Galleries sale is a painted story quilt that hung in Dr. Angelou’s home. It’s a work by African-American artist Faith Ringgold titled “Maya’s Quilt of Life” that was commissioned by Oprah Winfrey for Dr. Angelou’s 69th birthday in 1989. It depicts Dr. Angelou surrounded by flowers, along with excerpts from some of her writings. It’s an acrylic on canvas with pieced fabric border that could bring $150,000 to $250,000.
Serena beats Venus to move to semifinals
Serena Williams is now two wins away from completing an historic calendar year Grand Slam. She kept her bid alive by outslugging older sister Venus 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in a power-packed, 98-minute quarterfinal at the U.S. Open on Tuesday.
Richmond schools to close, modify schedule for bike races
Less than a month after announcing that Richmond schools would be open during the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, the district has backpedaled.
Morrissey pulls out of Senate race
Petersburg state Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance may have an easier road to victory on Election Day in November in her bid to win her first full four-year term representing the 16th Senate District, which includes most of Richmond’s East End. Her only opponent, independent candidate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, ended his campaign this week due to a medical issue, a paralyzed left diaphragm, which interferes with his breathing.
VSU, NSU have smallest freshman classes in years
Enrollment is continuing to retreat at Virginia’s two historically black public universities, Norfolk State and Virginia State. Both institutions apparently have admitted their smallest freshman classes in at least a decade, and total enrollment has declined to levels not seen in at least 15 years or longer.
General Assembly refusal to adjourn blocks governor
For at least the sixth time in the past 34 years, the House of Delegates is refusing to adjourn a special session. And that decision by the Republican-dominated body appears to throw a constitutional monkey wrench into Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to keep Justice Jane Marum Roush on the Virginia Supreme Court.
NAACP officials call for continued probe into Chesterfield woman’s death
Richmond private investigator Perry Hicks began probing the mysterious disappearance and death of Ogechi Sarah Uwasomba three months ago at the behest of the Richmond NAACP and other concerned parties.
$6.4M to Freddie Gray’s family
Baltimore agrees to pay before trials of police officers
Baltimore city officials on Wednesday approved a $6.4 million civil settlement to the family of Freddie Gray, whose death from an injury in police custody triggered protests and rioting.
NAACP ‘Journey for Justice’ to stop in Richmond
“I’m going to put on my tennis shoes and march.” That was Richmond NAACP President Lynetta Thompson’s enthusiastic declaration as “America’s Journey for Justice” march nears Richmond.
GRTC slowdown ends; drivers get back pay
GRTC bus drivers have received the back pay they were due and have ended an informal work action that slowed service dramatically on various routes last week. The drivers received the anticipated back pay last Friday, according to Frank Tunstall III, president and business agent for Local 1220 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents bus operators and mechanics for the Greater Richmond Transit Co.
