State historic markers honor Black church, civil rights leader
When Rev. Charles Henry Johnson moved in 1890 from Richmond to Bristol, which served as a railroad town, he became the minister of a little wooden church started by 39 freed slaves. A few pastors had come through Lee Street …
Former Gov. A. Linwood Holton, a Republican whose actions helped break down racial barriers in the state, succumbs at 98
When a federal court in 1970 ordered Richmond students to be bused to integrate public schools, new Virginia Gov. A. Linwood “Lin” Holton Jr. showed his sup- port by enrolling his four children and having them attend majority- Black schools.
Catholic group pushes expedited sainthood for 6 African-Americans
BALTIMORE The process of recognizing saints in Catholicism is so arduous that it can take generations, even centuries, to complete, but even the usually slow-moving Catholic church can accelerate matters when it wants to. In the cases of Mother Teresa …
Families of 9 killed in Mother Emanuel AME Church massacre settle lawsuit over faulty gun background check
Families of the nine victims killed in the 2015 racist attack at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., have reached a settlement with the U.S. Justice Department over a faulty background check that allowed convicted shooter Dylann Roof to …
Rev. Herbert R. Plummer Sr., retired pastor of Swansboro Baptist Church, dies at 86
The Rev. Herbert Ralph Plummer Sr., who led Swansboro Baptist Church in South Side for 47 years, has died.
Historic Mount Olivet Cemetery in South Side to receive state funds for maintenance
A historic city-owned Black cemetery in South Side has received a state grant to assist with maintenance of 4,617 graves.
Memorial service set for wife of former Councilman Hilbert Nov. 3
A memorial service for Sheila Kavanagh Mandt, the late wife of former Richmond City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, will take place 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 815 E. Grace St., Mr. Hilbert has announced.
Tennessee city adds statue honoring Black Civil War soldiers
Four years ago, a deadly white supremacist riot in Charlottesville, Va., led pastors in the Tennessee city of Franklin to call for the removal of a Confederate monument in their town square. A lawsuit and political maneuverings made that impractical, …
Retired pediatrician Dr. Cynthia Charity succumbs at 73
Dr. Cynthia Anne McClennon Charity sought to keep a generation of Richmond children healthy.
Gang demands $17M ransom for 17 missionaries kidnapped in Haiti
A gang that kidnapped 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group has demanded a $17 million ransom for them, according to Haiti’s justice minister, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.
Archaeologists uncover remnants of one of nation’s first Black churches in Williamsburg
The brick foundation of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches has been unearthed at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that continues to reckon with its past storytelling about the country’s origins and the role of Black Americans.
Pat Robertson retiring at 91 from ‘The 700 Club’
Pat Robertson, who turned Christian TV into political power — and blew it up with wacky prophecy — announced last week his intention to retire as daily host of “The 700 Club.”
Religious groups call for commission on Indian boarding school policy
A number of Catholic groups and Protestant denominations are calling for the United States to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to reckon with the country’s history of boarding schools that separated thousands of Indigenous children from their families and …
Jazz saxophonist Carlton Ayles dies at 77
Richmond jazz icon Carlton Andrew Ayles has died.
David N. Smith, former banking executive and state official, dies at 66
David Nathaniel Smith wanted to be a journal- ist but found his road to success in commercial sales and banking.
