Story
From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times
When Barksdale “Barky” Haggins opened Barky’s Record Shop in 1956 in Downtown, some people were determined to see he didn’t stay in business for long. “White record distributors in Richmond wouldn’t sell me records to stock the store,” the affable entrepreneur recalls. Undeterred, Mr. Haggins traveled by car to Washington or New York City once a month with about $400 and purchased as many records as possible to sell in his store, located at the time at 407 N. 1st St. “Records cost about 59 cents back then and albums ranged from $1.98 to $3.98 for the most popular ones,” Mr. Haggins said.
Story
Dominion, Library of Virginia honor ‘extraordinary people during challenging times’
A Roanoke pastor and civil rights leader, the first Black woman nuclear engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the first Black NASCAR race winner were among the six African-Americans honored during the 11th annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program June 15 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa. The annual awards ceremony recognizes the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times, according to the event sponsors.
Story
City Council signals support for plans for American Rescue Plan money
As Mayor Levar M. Stoney proposed, four community recreation centers will get a major chunk of the $155 million flowing into Richmond’s treasury from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Photo
Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus offer details Wednesday on their legislative priorities for the 2022 session of the General Assembly just hours before …
Published on January 13, 2022
Story
VSU, NSU to play charity baseball
Time for the “old-timers” to loosen up their arms and rub a little oil into their fielding gloves.
Story
Richmond Symphony meets the ‘Black Panther’
Richmonders are invited to take a special trip to Wakanda on Saturday, April 13, when the “Black Panther in Concert” comes to the Richmond Symphony in the Altria Theater at 6 N. Laurel St. as part of their Pops Series.
Story
Say her name
City of Louisville to pay the family of Breonna Taylor $12M to settle the wrongful death lawsuit filed after she was shot to death by police during a late-night raid of her home
Months after the police killing of Breonna Taylor thrust her name to the forefront of a national reckoning on race, the City of Louisville agreed to pay the Black woman’s family $12 million and reform police practices as part of a settlement announced Tuesday.
Story
Anger grows in Virginia city where first-grader shot teacher
When a 6-year-old shot and wounded his first grade teacher in this shipbuilding city near Virginia’s coast, the community reacted with collective shock.
Story
VUU to take on VSU Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall
Virginia Union University suffered a 88-73 basketball knockout on Jan. 19 in its last meeting with Virginia State University.
Story
Agency questions city’s plan to destroy historic warehouse
The fate of a landmark warehouse in the East End that was supposed to be transformed into Stone Brewing’s destination bistro and beer garden remains in limbo.
Story
Ezibu Muntu to host 4th annual fundraising gala May 4
Richmond’s longest running African dance company is shortening its name as it prepares to mark its 46th year with its fourth annual fundraising dinner-dance on Saturday, May 4, it has been announced.
Story
The politics of courage
If Donald Trump can thrive politically by throwing meat to the American id, what else is possible? How about the opposite? Mr. Trump’s most recent attempt to reclaim poll supremacy — his call for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our representatives can figure out what’s going on” — is not simply reckless and dangerous, but also starkly clarifying. America’s bully billionaire is channeling old-time American racism, as mean and ugly and self-righteous as it has ever been. Jim Crow is still with us. “The only good Indian is a dead Indian” is still with us. Americans — at least a certain percentage of them — like their racism straight up, untampered with code language, unmodified by counter-values. Come on! An enemy’s an enemy. A scapegoat’s a scapegoat. Don’t we have the freedom in this country to dehumanize and persecute whomever we want?
Story
A child shall lead them
We are transfixed by the passion and activism of the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Fla.
Story
Make it count
It looks like 2016 all over again in the Democratic primary as voters prepare to decide whether Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam or former Congressman Tom S. Perriello will carry the party’s banner into the November race for governor. Last year, Hillary Clinton, with the backing of the Democratic establishment, battled Bernie Sanders, the darling of the party’s left wing, for the presidential nomination. This time, Virginia’s Democratic Party establishment is backing Lt. Gov. Northam, 57, while the Sanders camp is pushing Mr.
Story
Fulton oral histories to be accessible on the Internet
Stone Brewery is unwittingly giving a helping hand to people who want to call attention to historic Fulton. The brewery’s decision to locate its East Coast home in Fulton is focusing public attention on the area and potentially raising interest in the once African-American community that was bulldozed into oblivion nearly 45 years ago in the name of urban renewal. That’s good news for those who are now engaged in posting on the Internet interviews with people who knew the area before the community was razed. The interviews with former residents are being digitized and soon will go online with help from the Valentine Richmond History Center and Virginia Commonwealth University’s library system, according to Spencer E. Jones III, chair of the Legacy Committee of Greater Fulton’s Future.
Story
Story
COVID-19 scams on the rise, by Nina Mohan
Scammers are taking advantage of the confusion surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution and using it as an opportunity to prey on consumers anxious to get their shots.
Story
Girls gain valuable lessons in selling their own products
The Camp Diva Leadership Academy will host its annual Market Day featuring Camp Diva Leadership Academy partici- pants who make and sell their own products. This year’s Market Day takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, July 29, at the Girls For A Change center, 100 Buford Road. For four hours, the community is invited to visit the market to shop, interact with the girls, and enjoy live entertainment. “Market Day is an important part of Camp Diva because it helps the girls develop public speaking skills as they interact with shoppers, and teaches them pricing and marketing skills, says Angela Patton, founder of Camp Diva Leadership Academy and CEO of Girls For A Change. “They also gain networking skills as they interact with the community and learn about en- trepreneurship.” This year’s Market Day also will include participants of a newly launched Girls For A Change Budding Black Girl Incuba- tor program. The incubator offers an immersive experience for girls who are interested in starting and growing a retail-based business, according to a news release. In addition to shopping and supporting Camp Diva and Immer- sion Lab participants, attendees may shop the Diva Bag Pop-Up Shop. GFAC recently hosted a Diva Bag Auction to raise money for its One Million Reasons to Build Campaign. As part of the Diva Bag Auction, GFAC has a number of gently-used designer bags from which to shop. For more details, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-diva-market-day- 2022-tickets-366053514917
Story
Better Housing Coalition to develop affordable apartment complex in Jackson Ward
Another piece of a grand 30-year-old urban renewal plan for Jackson Ward is moving closer to development.
Story
Richmond Outreach Center sheds properties
The Richmond Outreach Center continues to try and shed high-priced properties in the wake of the sex scandal involving its former senior pastor, Geronimo “Pastor G” Aguilar. The South Side church has had its former School of Urban Ministry at 3000 Chamberlayne Ave. on North Side for sale since October.
