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RPS students show minimal progress with math, reading scores
Richmond public school students in the third to eighth grades continue to struggle with reading comprehension and with understanding math concepts, according to results from the state-mandated Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA).
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Tyre Nichols’ family sues Memphis Police over beating, death
The family of Tyre Nichols, who died after a brutal beating by five Memphis police officers, sued the officers and the city of Memphis on Wednesday, blaming them for his death and accusing officials of allowing a special unit’s aggressive tactics to go unchecked despite warning signs.
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Men can teach, too
Anyone who’s been inside a public school knows there aren’t large numbers of male teachers in classrooms. In fact, male minority teachers make up less than 5 percent of all educators in the country, according to recent data. In 2020, Richmond Public Schools created a program called RVA Men Teach to address this disparity, retain and recruit male minority teachers and highlight them as educational experts and eliminate barriers that keep them out of classrooms.
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Something in the water
Speaking of teaching, producer and singer Pharrell Williams is a shining example of a Black male role model who, despite his fame, fortune and talent, stays true to himself, his home and values.
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Community colleges are the gems of America’s higher education system, by Dr. Linnie S. Carter
I have been blessed to serve four community colleges – two in Virginia, one in North Carolina and now one in Pennsylvania.
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To be equal: ‘Tennessee Three’ fiasco, by Marc H. Morial
“We won’t be bent, we won’t be bowed, and we won’t be ordered to ignore the hearts and minds of the people who elected us, demanding commonsense gun safety in a state that has nearly none. The GOP of the Tennessee House of Representatives attempted to obstruct me and my colleagues from these goals and to shred our democracy. Instead, Republicans have only fanned the flames of hope that illuminate our movement, helping it to grow more powerful and glow more brightly.” – Tennessee State Rep. Justin J. Pearson
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Damar Hamlin cleared to play 4 months after cardiac arrest
Having spent the past several months meeting President Biden, raising millions of dollars for his charitable foundation and promoting the benefits of CPR training, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin can focus now on the next big objective in his life: returning to football.
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Personality: Sharon Parham Blount
Spotlight on Shalom Farms board chair
Sharon Parham Blount is bringing a new kind of peace to Richmond’s hungriest residents.
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Jeffrey Osborne keeps holding on, flying high
Blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in modern R&B, it didn’t take Jeffrey Osborne long to establish a solo career after departing the funk band L.T.D. (Love, Togetherness and Devotion) in the early 1980s. After years of playing drums in the group known for the hits “Holding On (When Love Is Gone)” and “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again, he stepped out front with his self-titled debut in 1982, produced by George Duke.
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“My life is a sermon that I get to preach on Sunday and embody and make come alive in my work in the Senate,” said …
Published on April 6, 2023
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Personality: Ryan Andrew Dickinson
Spotlight on Miss Gay United States challenging perceptions of drag performers
“Shocked, and overwhelmingly crippled.” That was the reaction of Ryan Andrew Dickinson, aka Bianca Blake Starr, to his victory in the 2023 Miss Gay United States Pageant last Sunday. As the 18th drag performer to win the title, Mr. Dickinson’s new role comes with a large platform and several responsibilities.
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‘It’s been a long time coming’
VSU hopes its All-Steinway School designation will attract ‘high caliber’ piano players
After 20 years, more than $1 million, and nearly 40 pianos, Virginia State University has elevated its approach to music education. The university has replaced many of its old pianos with new instruments from the Steinway & Sons piano company.
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From Senate subcommittee to Easter sermon: Raphael Warnock on life as a pastor-politician
Raphael Warnock, U.S. senator and Baptist pastor, was wrapping up his time on Capitol Hill before heading back to his native Georgia in time for what is perhaps the busiest week of the year for Christian clergy.
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When making exceptions for Ramadan is no longer the exception, by Dilshad D. Ali
Scrolling Twitter on the first evening of Ramadan 2023, I was greeted (well, as all Muslims were) by Elmo. “Ramadan Mubarak to all of Elmo’s friends!” the red toddler Muppet said. “Elmo loves you!”
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‘We will stand for you’
Remembrances, calls for reform at funeral for Irvo Otieno
Family, friends and other mourners gathered Wednesday at a Virginia church to remember Irvo Otieno at a funeral service, celebrating his life and calling for mental health care and policing reforms after the 28-year-old Black man’s death earlier this month while in custody at a state psychiatric hospital.
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Personality: Shirley H. Scarborough
Spotlight on Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up founder
For the past two years Shirley H. Scarborough has worked, in her own words, to create “Beauty for Ashe,” through her organization Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up.
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Pine Camp theater program enhances students’ confidence, world view
A program at Richmond’s Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center is helping students learn job readiness skills by using theater as a backdrop to encourage creativity and self
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University of Richmond has new provost
Joan Saab will become executive vice president for academic affairs and provost for the University of Richmond effective July 1.
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Local entrepreneurs recognized at awards gala
In a “Roaring ‘20s” themed event, the Metropolitan Business League recognized area entrepreneurs at the 33rd Annual MBL Awards Dinner & Reception. Nearly 500 guests attended the March 10 affair at the Altria Theater.
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The battle for parental rights and government oversight remains alive
Huguenot High School’s library functions as a type of escape from the pressures of student life, a place where students can come and “chill out,” as librarian Kevin Murray puts it. He doesn’t give out grades or assign homework, so it makes sense why so many students like spending their time there, a serene space away from the bustling halls of high school.
