Askia Muhammad, dean of The Final Call editorial staff, dies at 76
Askia Muhammad, a renowned journalist, photographer, poet and columnist who served as an editor of The Final Call, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at his home in Washington, D.C. He was 76.
Dr. Paul Farmer, global humanitarian leader, dies at 62
Dr. Paul Farmer, a U.S. physician, humanitarian and author renowned for providing health care to millions of impoverished people worldwide and who co-founded the global nonprofit Partners in Health, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. He was 62.
Carol Swann-Daniels, a trailblazer integrating Richmond schools in 1960, dies at 73
Sixty-one years have passed since Carol Irene Swann, 12, and her friend, Gloria Jean Mead, 13, blasted an opening in the racially segregated schools of Richmond.
Ezell Royal Lee, ‘Fashion King of Hull Sreet, dies at 66
Hull Street became the runway where Ezell Royal Lee would display his personal clothing creations while walking his dog, Miss Cleo.
Black Muslim life honored in new online portrait exhibit
A new online exhibit featuring portraits of Black Muslims was launched earlier this month by Sapelo Square, a Black Muslim education and media collective.
James L. ‘Skippy’ Moss Jr., a member of Richmond Fire Department’s elite ‘Flying Squadron,’ dies at 74
James Lorenzo “Skippy” Moss Jr. helped break down racial barriers in the Richmond Fire Department during his 30-year career.
The Rev. Charles Williams Jr., director of the Office for Black Catholics, dies at 70
The Rev. Charles Williams Jr., who led the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office for Black Catholics for three years, has died.
Richmond attorney Rhonda K. Harmon, who challenged Nationwide's redlining policies, has died
Rhonda Michelle King Harmon, a former attorney who helped overturn racist insurance policies that prevented Black homeowners in Richmond and elsewhere from gaining standard coverage for their property, has died.
Southern Baptist Convention taps Willie McLaurin for top leadership role
Tennessee Pastor Willie McLaurin has been named interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, becoming the first African-American to lead one of the denomination’s ministry entities in its more than 175-year history.
Suicide takes Miss USA 2019
Cheslie Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide Jan. 30.
National president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority dies after recent illness
Cheryl A. Hickmon, national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and chair of its National Board of Directors, passed away peacefully last Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 at the age of 60, following a battle with a “recent illness,” …
Eunice M. Wilder, former city treasurer, dies at age 83
Eunice Montgomery Wilder, the former Richmond city treasurer who held the post for 25 years, has died after a brief illness, her family reported.
Milton A. Marriott, former choir leader and musician for local churches and VUU, dies at age 62
Jamaican-born church key- board artist and singer Milton Anthony Marriott, who led the music ministry and directed choirs at First Baptist Church of South Richmond for 32 years, has died.
Lusia Harris, the first woman drafted by NBA, dies at age 66
Lusia Harris, the only woman ever drafted by an NBA team, has died. Mrs. Harris was 66 and residing in Greenwood, Miss.
Rayford L. Harris Sr., longtime educator, policymaker, adviser and GOP activist, dies at 97
Rayford Lee Harris Sr., who touched the lives of untold thousands of Virginia students as an educator and policymaker, has died.
