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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: Dr. Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs
Spotlight on volunteer chair of Henrico NAACP’s Health Committee
Dr. Pamela Hamilton-Stubbs specializes in integrative sleep medicine, the medical practice of investigating problems and resolutions for sleep issues. She is a frequent presenter who has authored numerous publications on the subject.
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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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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: 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.
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Personality: Linda S. Jordan
Spotlight on founder of Coalition Against Violence
Linda S. Jordan knows that pain comes in all forms. A domestic violence survivor and 16-year breast cancer survivor, Ms. Jordan admits that there is no pain like that she experienced 26 years ago when she buried her teenage son, William Jordan III.
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Personality: Elliott Eddie
Spotlight on Toastmasters International Top 10 public speaker
Ever since Elliott Eddie was a child, he could run his mouth like a steam engine, his cousin says. Mr. Eddie’s oratorical skills, refined through the years and sprinkled with inspiration, have earned him a top international award.
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Personality: Gracetta Washington-Young
Spotlight on the new president of the Central Virginia Business and Construction Association
Gracetta Washington-Young believes Richmond’s African-American and minority-owned businesses should have a greater voice in their own development.
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Personality: Rodney A. Robinson
Spotlight on RPS 2018 Teacher of the Year
History, dedication, duty and fulfilling the dream of his mother paved the way for Rodney A. Robinson to become Richmond Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year.
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Personality: Reginald E. Gordon
Spotlight on Richmond Memorial Health Foundation board chairman
Inside and outside the walls of City Hall, Reginald E. (for Equilla) Gordon is working to build a more equitable, racially inclusive Richmond.
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Personality: Dr. Cyrillene ‘C.C.’ Clark
Spotlight on board chair of Voices for Virginia’s Children
With school about to begin for many of Virginia’s youths, and the COVID-19 pandemic still posing a danger to public health, the work of Voices for Virginia’s Children and its board chair, Dr. Cyrillene “C.C.” Clark, is more important than ever.
