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Personality: Michael R. Pearson Sr.
Spotlight on creator of nonprofit Friends Helping Friends
Michael Ray Pearson Sr. is on speed dial to help others in need. For the past eight years, his Richmond-based nonprofit — Friends Helping Friends — has put on a free summer basketball camp at Armstrong High School in the East End for underprivileged children. His group also has hosted a similar camp in Petersburg that is directed by former Virginia State University women’s basketball Coach Leon Bey.
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No jail
U.S. Supreme Court overturns corruption convictions of former Gov. McDonnell
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell insisted that he never sold his office in exchange for the $177,000 in loans and gifts that a businessman seeking to promote a dietary product showered on him and his family.
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Slavery museum in Liverpool aims to confront painful legacy
carlet shackles sit peacefully on display in front of a sad, gray backdrop. The now rusted leg irons once locked human ankles during 18th century voyages from Africa to some European port, then to the Americas. Who the shackles held remains a mystery. But as a citizen of the United States, I’ve likely broken bread with a descendant of the woman forced to wear this instrument. Maybe my uncle fought alongside her kin in a war. Or it’s possible one of her distant relatives is now my relative. These are the thoughts I entertain while recently walking through the reflective International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, England.
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Tom Joyner, the 'hardest working man in radio,' retires
The “fly jock” and “hardest working man in radio” has hung up his microphone.
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Mother, daughter reunited 50 years after adoption
Bonnie L. Davis grew up in an adoptive family, but always longed to find her biological mother. But the Richmond middle school English teacher, church musician and creative writer, found it nearly impossible, despite spending years seeking records in Louisville, Ky., where she was born.
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Personality: Jordan R. Pearson
Spotlight on young playwright who helps others
True or false: You have to be a grown-up to make a difference. That’s false, says 14-year-old Jordan Randolph Pearson. This poised youth with an easy smile and big personality is out to demonstrate how much a young person can do.
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Working at ground zero
VCU Medical center’s Jade Jones knows the joy and pain wrapped into caring for COVID-19 patients as a respiratory ICU nurse
Jade Jones is living her life’s dream — in the midst of a deadly national nightmare.
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Personality: Dr. Karen A. Faison
Spotlight on Virginia Nurses Association Nancy Vance Award winner
Dr. Karen Faison says she gains deep satisfaction as a professor in the Virginia State University Department of Nursing when “the light comes on” for her students “when information is mastered for patient-centered care.”
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Personality: Oludare Ogunde
Spotlight on founder of nonprofit Project Give Back to Community
Facing life outside of prison can be almost as daunting as surviving life behind bars. As an ex-offender, Oludare Ogunde knows about these challenges.
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Film producer talks about his ‘Breakthrough’ and more
Christian movie producer DeVon Franklin is preparing for his third film to hit theaters just before Easter weekend. (The film opens in Richmond area movie theaters Wednesday, April 17.)
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Personality: Rabbi Gary Creditor
Spotlight on the Va. Interfaith Center for Public Policy’s Richmond Chapter leader
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy is the unique place where people of different faiths and backgrounds come together to work on issues of social justice.
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Donnie McClurkin: 'I'm at a time now I sing when I want to'
Two decades ago, gospel singer and pastor Donnie McClurkin stepped on a London stage to record his second album. Now, he’s returning to the United Kingdom for 20th anniversary concerts on Oct. 18 and 19 to reprise the music of his “Live in London and More” CD that featured the songs “That’s What I Believe” and “We Fall Down.”
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Personality: Dr. Arcelia ‘CC’ Jackson
Spotlight on board president of Mental Health America of Virginia
Dr. Arcelia “CC” Jackson is bringing a caring, thoughtful approach to the issues and stigmas surrounding mental health in the Richmond community across her multiple disciplines and roles.
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Personality: W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D.
Spotlight on CultureWorks board chair
Jazz pianist and retired educator W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D., believes in freedom of expression through art.
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Personality: Tyee Davenport Mallory
Spotlight on Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women president
Tyee Davenport Mallory is helping to show the worth of women’s organizations. As president of the Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Ms. Mallory has worked to expand the nonprofit’s presence and mission through new partnerships and increased membership.
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Personality: Robert N. Barnette Jr.
Spotlight on board chairman of Virginia Alliance Against Mass Incarceration
Robert N. Barnette Jr. says he was inspired to accept the position as board chairman of the Richmond-based Virginia Alliance Against Mass Incarceration after reading “Billion Dollar Divide,” a report by the Justice Policy Institute in April 2014. “I wanted to lend my voice to a worthy cause,” he says.
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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: 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: Dr. M. Alex Wagaman
Spotlight on 2019 Peacemaker of the Year
Dr. M. Alex Wagaman, an assistant professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work, is Richmond’s 2019 Peacemaker of the Year.
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Personality: The Rev. Kevin L. Chandler
Spotlight on new state NAACP president
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
