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Personality: Shawna Chapman
Spotlight on America’s United States Mrs. Mid-Atlantic 2024
Growing up in Petersburg, Shawna Chapman never believed pageants were open to women like her, whose background includes dropping out of high school and experiencing periods of homelessness.
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Richmond celebrates 150 years of emancipation
In the midst of the city that once served as a merciless marketplace for hundreds of thousands of enslaved black people, a diverse audience of thousands gathered Saturday at the State Capitol to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the liberation of Richmond from the slave-holding Confederacy. The ceremony was marked by re-enactors in period dress and uniforms, uplifting music and speeches looking toward the future.
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‘They kilt us, but they ain’t whupped us yet’
Democrat Hillary Clinton defeated in one of nation’s most stunning political upsets in history
Emboldened Republicans claimed a mandate Wednesday for Donald Trump after his stunning election as the 45th president of the United States.
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Personality: Samantha Ayres
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools’ highest achieving student
When Samantha Lynn Ayres began her sophomore year at Richmond Community High School, she found out that she was third academically in her class of 53 students. Knowing she was so close to being at the top of her class, her competitive spirit kicked in. That’s when she says she decided to put in some extra effort.
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Personality: Connie McGowan
Spotlight on organizer of RVA Community Unity
Connie McGowan was devastated after the shooting deaths by police of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minn. She also was disturbed by the shooting deaths of five police officers in Dallas a day later by an Army veteran. But not for long.
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Personality: Dr. Ram Bhagat
Spotlight on 2016 Peacemaker of the Year
Dr. Ram Bhagat is all too familiar with gun violence. After losing his younger brother at the hands of a gun in 1981, Dr. Bhagat vowed to fight gun violence through his love for drumming.
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Multiracial churches growing, but challenging for clergy of color
For four hours at a megachurch outside of Dallas, pastors of color shared their personal stories of leading a multiethnic church.
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Personality: Savon Shelton Sampson
Spotlight on president of the Junior League of Richmond
As 2020 begins, Savon Shelton Sampson is readying for an “exciting” new year serving as president of the Junior League of Richmond.
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Henrico commonwealth’s attorney’s race hit with allegation of special treatment
The case of John J. Trak, who has been convicted of two felony drug possession charges and two other felonies since 2011, is roiling the election contest for Henrico County commonwealth’s attorney as the Nov. 5 election approaches.
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Personality: Dr. Jacqueline Johnson-Curl
Spotlight on honorary chair of VHEF’s Jazz InsideOut benefit
Dr. Jacqueline Johnson-Curl, a Richmond dentist, believes in helping children achieve their dreams. She is the honorary chair of the 7th Annual Jazz InsideOut, a night of jazz, comedy and good food to benefit scholarships and emergency student aid provided by the Virginia Higher Education Fund.
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Personality: Gilbert W. Wilkerson Sr.
Spotlight on president of Coalition Against Urban Violence
Christmas is a time for faith, family and counting blessings. But for someone who has had a loved one tragically taken from them through violence, the season can be full of pain and sorrow.
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Personality: Ashley A. Morgan
Spotlight on Richmond’s 2019 Teacher of the Year
A William Fox Elementary School teacher’s youthful dream paved the way to Richmond’s highest teaching honor. Ashley A. Morgan, 28, a first-grade teacher at the Hanover Avenue school in The Fan, was named the 2019 Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year last week during the school district’s annual ceremony. She wins $1,000.
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Personality: Jessica N. Thomas
Spotlight on chair of Alzheimer’s Association 2018 Walk to End Alzheimers
On the first Saturday in November, 3,000 people are expected to gather in the river city to take a stand – and a walk – against Alzheimer’s disease. That day is empowering, emotional and uplifting. It celebrates families and professional caregivers who are fighting to end Alzheimer’s.
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Personality: Marjie Patterson
Conflicts around the world have forced thousands of families to flee their homelands and seek refuge in other nations. ReEstablish Richmond helps refugees and their families rebuild their lives in Metro Richmond and become self-sufficient.
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Personality: David O. Harris Jr.
Spotlight on advocate who spearheaded effort to honor Arthur Ashe Jr.
David O. Harris Jr. is the driving force behind renaming the Boulevard in Richmond for Arthur Ashe Jr., the late Richmond native who made his mark on the tennis court and on the world stage as a civil and human rights advocate and philanthropist.
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Personality: Rev. Lacette R. Cross
Spotlight on a founder of Black Pride RVA
The return of Black Pride RVA, Virginia’s first Black Pride festival, is almost here. And for the Rev. Lacette R. Cross, a founder of the festival and co-organizer of this year’s event, the anticipation comes with mixed emotions.
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Personality: Floyd Lee Brown Jr.
Spotlight on the Black History Museum’s holiday tradition, Soul Santa
Nothing can stop Soul Santa, not even COVID-19.
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Personality: Darrick Hanks-Harris
Spotlight on founder of The Black Village of RVA
In early December, Darrick Hanks-Harris began a new initiative to aid Black-owned businesses struggling in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Cherished Holiday Memories
Holiday memories are created by family — whether it is the family in which we are born or the family we create through church, work or social interactions.
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Personality: Lok Lam
Spotlight on Neighborhood Resource Center’s board president
Lok Lam’s passion for a community’s welfare is clear from her work with the Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton since she became board president last October.
