Deidra Johnson, a children’s book illustrator and author, participates in the African-American Book Festival with her son, Josiah Johnson, 13, who was on hand to assist her. The April 15 festival was presented by the Virginia Business Expo at Richmond Diversity Center, 1407 Sherwood Ave.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney stands with Amber Coleman of York County, center, who is a nurse anesthetist at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, during the African-American Book Festival at Richmond Diversity Center on Saturday, April 15. Ms. Coleman is the author of a children’s book, “Amber Dreams of Anesthesia,” which is about how she became a nurse anesthetist. The author’s children are children Dilan, 8, left, and Chole Coleman, 10. During the event, Mayor Stoney shared his relationship with reading, and how his grandmother and father were instrumental in making sure that he became a stronger reader.

William Davis, a poet based in Grand Rapids, Mich., reads a poem for Andrea Byrd of Richmond during the African-American Book Festival presented by the Virginia Business Expo at Richmond Diversity Center Saturday on April 15.

A member of the Nation of Islam sells newspapers at the intersection of Chamberlayne Avenue and Brookland Park Blvd. in Richmond’s North Side. Not only is the intersection a fixture in Richmond, it is a major corridor for all sorts of vehicles traveling north, east, south or west. But if your intention is to explore the diversity of people and places in Richmond’s North Side, you will discover a hub of small businesses, mixed-use housing, churches, community centers, libraries, schools and institutions of higher learning. Consider just a few of North Side’s neighborhoods and historic landmarks: Ginter Park, Washington Park, John Marshall High School, Bellevue, Laburnum Park, Pine Camp, Edgewood, Virginia Union University and the VUU Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Scott’s Funeral Home, McClenny and Watkins Funeral Home, the Northside Family YMCA, Hotchkiss Park, Cannon Creek Bike Trail, 3rd Avenue Park, and two branches of the Richmond Public Library.

Dogwood delights in West End

The unveiling of the Dr. Paul Nichols Way sign took place April 14 in front of Good Shepherd Baptist Church at 1127 N. 28th St. in honor of Dr. Nichols, who was the church’s pastor for 29 years before his death in 1990. Dr. Nichols also served as dean of Virginia Union University’s School of Theology, among other positions. The ceremony was sponsored by the Nichols Family and Richmond City Council.