Richmonder returns to lead former Consolidated Bank
Darryl R. “Rick” Winston is once again leading the former Consolidated Bank. The 60-year-old Richmond native has been named regional president of the Consolidated Division of West Virginia-based Premier Bank.
VSU ending dual-enrollment program
Virginia State University is junking most of its dual-enrollment program that allowed hundreds of high school students to gain college credits from the four-year institution near Petersburg. Beginning this fall, VSU no longer will partner with high schools to offer college algebra, biology, technology and other science courses.
Schools to stay open during bike races
Richmond Public Schools is not going to shut down during the international bike races that will engulf much of the city next month. Assistant Superintendent Tommy Kranz told the School Board on Monday night that he is anticipating “business as usual” during the upcoming 2015 UCI Road World Championships, scheduled to run from Saturday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 27.
City’s ambassador of compassion is back
Alicia Rasin said Tuesday she is back after six months out of the limelight. Richmond’s volunteer “ambassador of compassion” said she plans to be more visible after spending six months “getting some rest.”
VUU starts season with quarterback options
Last year, Virginia Union University led the CIAA in passing. This year, the Panthers hope to be No. 1 in passing again. But the team also wants to rank first in a more significant category — wins.
Loss of a legend
Julian Bond, warrior in the struggle for equality, dies at 75
Through the relentless struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, Julian Bond always kept his sense of humor. His steady demeanor helped him persist despite the inevitable difficulties involved, his wife recalled. Mr. Bond “never took his eyes off the prize — and that was always racial equality,” his wife, Pamela Horowitz, said Sunday. “He always ... in that hard struggle kept a sense of humor, and I think that’s what allowed him to do that work for so long — his whole life really,” his wife added.
Why pay state lawmakers for work not done?
Gov. Terry McAuliffe says that last Monday’s special session of the General Assembly will cost $40,000. Most of that, I presume, is the per diem compensation and expenses going to General Assembly members for the day’s “work.”
Va. Legislative Black Caucus on ‘wrong side of history’
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) states, in part, that its mission is to “improve the economic, educational, political and social conditions of African-Americans and other underrepresented groups in the Commonwealth of Virginia.” Given this pointed self-description, the VLBC clearly appears to have betrayed its own mission in its decision to deny a Virginia Supreme Court judgeship to state Appeals Court Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr., an African-American.
The Donald’s trump card
The fate of the Republican Party’s presidential sweepstakes at the moment is being controlled by two political Frankensteins – both of them of the GOP’s own creation.
Bond’s legacy, spirit live on
There is an African proverb that says, “The spirit of a freedom warrior will never die in the enduring life of the village, yet that valued spirit will be passed on to future generations.” Julian Bond was a freedom fighter. He was a gallant leader-warrior for freedom, justice and equality. And his spirit will never die. The National Newspaper Publishers Association family pauses to mourn the passing of civil rights leader Julian Bond. But we also know that it is important to highlight those lasting lessons from Mr. Bond’s legacy that apply to today’s struggle for freedom.
Lest we forget
Did you know the first documented Africans in Virginia arrived on a British privateer? Strangers in a strange land, they came ashore after sailors on the ship traded their “20 and odd” captives for food. That was in August 1619.
Julian Bond and Black Lives Matter
We were saddened to learn of the untimely death of Julian Bond.
Alston debacle
We note with disgust the Virginia Senate’s handling — or mishandling — of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s interim appointment of Justice Jane Marum Roush to the Virginia Supreme Court and the GOP’s insistence on their own selection, Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr., an African-American.
Alston out
Surprise move blocks African-American judge from Va. Supreme Court
Surprise move blocks African-American judge from Va. Supreme Court
Vision to return Gilpin Court to beacon of black enterprise
The decrepit four-story building at 900 St. James St. has been vacant for decades. However, plans are afoot to transform this former beacon of black enterprise into a centerpiece of new development in Gilpin Court, an underserved, untapped section of the city that lies just north of Downtown, split off by the interstate highways that carve their way through the city.
Personality: Ke’Aja Jefferson
Spotlight on first place winner at 2015 Technology Student National Conference
Give Ke’Aja Jefferson an A-plus for determination. The rising Richmond Community High School senior, who has earned an amazing 4.7 GPA, excels in several areas. Her latest achievement: She finished first in the Transportation Modeling Contest at the 2015 Technology Student Association National Conference held June 28 through July 2 at The Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas.
Rogers C. Wright, 98, founder of the Wright Family Singers
Rogers C. Wright loved to sing, play the guitar and harmonica and perform in front of audiences. That’s why he and his singing wife, Alcie Taylor, formed the Jubilee Duet gospel group after they were married in 1941. As the couple welcomed three daughters — Sandra, Brenda and Gayle — into the fold, they founded the Wright Family Singers in 1945.
Cleo Hill Sr., 77, CIAA star, first-round NBA pick, dies
Cleo Hill Sr., one of the CIAA’s all-time basketball greats, has died. He was 77. Following a lengthy illness, Mr. Hill died Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, at his home in Orange, N.J.
VSU Gospel Chorale wins $10,000 in national competition
The highly acclaimed Virginia State University Gospel Chorale continues to win accolades. The latest honor: The choir, under the direction of Richmonder Perry Evans II, claimed first place in the 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Awards Gospel Choir Competition.
Million Man March organizing committee for commemoration hosts prayer luncheon
A prayer luncheon 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at the Baptist General Convention building, 1214 W. Graham Road on North Side, will discuss plans for participation in the 20th anniversary commemoration of the Million Man March.
