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Real issue behind mental illness is lack of support
During the past couple of years, there have been way too many celebrities, such as Naomi Judd, who have succumbed to mental illness. Having to see the accolades of those celebs who fought but lost the battle to their mental health complications is somber indeed.
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Perseverance and legacy were themes of VUU’s commencement
Six different classes of Virginia Union University graduates, some stretching as far back as five decades, were recognized for their academic accomplishment last Saturday during the first in-person commencement ceremony in two years.
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Retiring HU president offers advice to graduates
Hampton University’s 152nd annual commencement celebrated graduates as well as the 44-year tenure of HU President William R. “Bill” Harvey, who is retiring on June 30. Dr. Harvey, 81, served as the keynote speaker for the commencement, which was held on Mother’s Day at the Hampton University Convocation Center on campus. Dr. Harvey highlighted a long list of accomplishments made by the university under his stewardship, such as the creation of the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute to treat cancer and increasing the university’s endowment from $29 million to more than $400 million today. Dr. Harvey told the graduates, “Don’t settle with being the employee; I want you to be the employer. Don’t settle with representing the firm or corporation; I want you to own the firm or corporation. See the horizon as not a limit, but an invitation….” He offered grandfatherly advice to graduates, ranging from the financial -- “Pay yourself first. Save something from every single paycheck. Buy some property”– to the social – “Stay away from drugs and drug dealers. They will destroy your life or make it miserable.” Dr. Harvey went on to tell graduates to “fight racism every time it arises” and to “be positive role models. Be somebody.” He closed out his address by telling graduates to support Hampton University with their money. During the ceremony, Rashida Jones, who became the first Black woman to lead a cable news network when she was named president of MSNBC in February 2021, received the Outstanding 20-Year Alumna Award. The Henrico High School graduate earned a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts from Hampton University in 2002. Earlier this year, she launched the Rashida Jones Scholarship Fund for journalism students at the university. Thomas Hasty III, senior executive vice president and chief regulatory risk officer of TowneBank, received the Outstanding Alumnus-at-Large Award. He graduated from HU in 1977 with a degree in business. Honorary degrees were awarded to former Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas, who was the first Black named to the state’s highest court in 1983, and Christopher Newport University President Paul S. Trible Jr., who represented Virginia in the U.S. Senate from 1983 to 1989.
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Surgical tech-turned-artist Melanie Taliaferro of Chesterfield County shows off her handmade necklaces, earrings and other jewelry as customers weave in and out of her tent. …
Published on May 5, 2022
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Judith Hopkins, left, and Grace Parker, both of Richmond, look at the variety of animals painted by artist Deborah Butts of Gettysburg, Penn. The friends …
Published on May 5, 2022
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’Intertwined history’
Descendants of the enslaved and their owners on a noted Caroline County plantation are working together to preserve remnants of their shared history that remain on the land
For years, Mike Mines has been fiercely determined to ensure that his two children know what he had not known much of his life — his family’s history.
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Abortion battle erupts with leaded U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion
America’s decades-old battle over abortion rights exploded anew on Tuesday as the U.S. Supreme Court authenticated a draft opinion leaked to the news outlet Politico that signaled the court will soon overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide.
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Personality: LeTeisha Gordon
Spotlight on founder and program director of A Better Day Than Yesterday Initiative Program
“Ms. Gordon, how would you rebuild a relationship with someone that was released from prison?”
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Artist William R. ‘Junie Red’ Johnson Jr. succumbs at 70
“Junie Red” cut steel for a living. But in his free time, the Richmond native let his creative juices flow in transforming metal pieces into abstract sculptures and painting a variety of subjects, most notably imagined landscapes of other worlds.
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Rev. Marlene E. Forrest to be installed as rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
The Rev. Marlene E. Forrest will be installed as the 23rd rector of historic St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in North Side on Saturday, May 14.
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Players’ fortunes rise with the NFL draft; others seeking free agent contract
If Jahan Dotson does in the NFL what he did in college, the Washington Commanders’ first season could have fans dancing in the aisles at FedEx Field.
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Activist, therapist, author, designer and prosecutor among this year’s commencement speakers
Area colleges and universities are returning to in-person commencements this year after two years of relying on virtual ceremonies because of COVID-19.
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Former city worker and union advocate: ‘I had no one to go to bat for me’
Andrew Thomas hoped to build a career in the Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Instead, the 49-year-old Jamaica native has quit the department after seven years.
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School Board reverses course, approves River City Middle rezoning
The Richmond School Board approved a rezoning plan for River City Middle School that will alleviate the overcrowding that has occurred in the first year of the school’s opening for in-person learning.
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Proposed city budget includes help for aging mobile homes and examination of real estate taxes
For the first time, Richmond will help pay for fixing up aging trailers and mobile homes.
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City officials tout efforts, framework to prevent gun violence
Richmond officials have recommended investing more than $140 million in federal and local funds for a multi-pronged approach to intervening in the lives of those affected by gun violence, tackling the root causes behind the violence and preventing further injury and death.
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City offers amnesty for past-due parking ticket penalties
Good news for people with old, unpaid Richmond parking tickets: City Hall will waive the penalties if the tickets are paid by Monday, Sept. 12.
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Rev. Wilbert D. Talley reaches 50th anniversary milestone at King William church
“I never expected to reach this kind of milestone.”
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Ashton Pratt signs to join the VUU Panthers next season; JV basketball team also in the works
Virginia Union University has received a commitment from one of the best players from arguably the state’s best high school basketball team.
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Spartans snag George Beale, Region 4A Player of the Year
Norfolk State University will lose some key players from last season’s championship basketball team, but help is on the way.
