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Free oral history workshop at Black History Museum
Historian Lauranett L. Lee has devoted her life to uncovering the lost stories of African-American women and men to help spotlight their contributions both locally and nationally. Now Dr. Lee wants to inspire people to preserve their own family histories to expand appreciation and knowledge of where they come from.
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Safe voting during the pandemic
As a young political activist, my 18th birthday was monumental because I would be able vote. However, I turned 18 on Nov. 24, 2016, and missed the opportunity that year to participate in one of the most significant and historical presidential elections that will happen in my lifetime.
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Replicas of Terracotta Warriors up for auction
They were life-size terracotta depictions of soldiers protecting Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, and buried with him in Xi’an in 210 BCE to protect him in the afterlife.
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Falwell apologies for tweet with racist photo
Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. apologized Monday for a tweet that included a racist photo that appeared on Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s medical school yearbook page decades ago.
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New type of renter’s insurance covers security deposit
When it comes to renting an apartment, one problem people face is the big outlay.
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Kaepernick, Reid reach settlement with NFL
In what amounts to a secret agreement, Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid last week resolved their grievances with the NFL. They will receive an undisclosed settlement based on claims that NFL owners colluded against them as retaliation for kneeling during the playing of the national anthem.
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Equifax settles in security breach that affected more than 4M Virginians
Consumer credit information giant Equifax has agreed to pay up to $700 million for allowing hackers to breach its computers and grab the personal information of nearly 150 million people.
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4th Annual Afrikana Independent Film Festival starts Thursday
Raymond Santana, who was 14 when he and four other youths were wrongly charged with the attack and rape of a female jogger in New York City’s Central Park in 1989, will moderate a discussion about the now Exonerated Five case following a documentary film screening at the 4th Annual Afrikana Independent Film Festival this weekend in Richmond.
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Personality: Emilie G. Webb
Spotlight on nonprofit Assisting Families of Inmates Silent Auction chair
Every week, dozens of individuals and families with incarcerated loved ones benefit from Emilie Webb’s decision to pursue a career in nursing instead of art.
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Regional computer programming school proposed
Ten school districts, including Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico, are embarking on a bold educational experiment aimed at overhauling career training for area high school students, particularly those struggling in traditional classes. The first step: Creation of a regional school that would give students the skills to become computer programmers and open doors to careers in engineering, computer science and other technology fields, according to a grant application the alliance of schools submitted to the state Department of Education.
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Reinstate Cornell Brooks
Black people have fared best when our collective interests and goals are held paramount. We’ve made the greatest headway when our assumed leaders are guided by principles of self-sacrifice above self-aggrandizement. I pray that we have the wisdom to remember and embrace these lessons learned “over a way that with tears has been watered ... through the blood of the slaughtered.” Since 1909, the NAACP has been the most recognized and venerated civil rights organization in the United States. Most Americans respect and admire the NAACP. Those of us 50 years old and older remember that, when intervening in civil rights matters, the NAACP often mitigated outcomes of interracial conflict to the benefit of often maligned African-American victims. It’s said, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” A lapse of time often adds to that contempt. Outside of “the faithful,” the NAACP’s reputation as a relevant player in the civil rights arena had diminished. This perception was especially true among youths who were more likely to ask the question, “What have you done for me lately?” While I am an NAACP life member and I’ve always seen its relevance, many people thought the organization had moved close to being irrelevant. Several episodes of questionable leadership did little to rehabilitate its reputation. For many, that changed in May 2014 with the selection of the Rev. Cornell William Brooks as national NAACP president and CEO. Lacking the bravado and ostentatiousness of many leaders of our community, Rev. Brooks came to the job as an experienced civil rights professional. A fourth generation A.M.E. minister and Yale-trained civil rights lawyer, Rev. Brooks was eminently qualified and well focused on directing the activities of the NAACP to meet contemporary imperatives. Three years ago, he inherited a staff demoralized by layoffs and uncertain funding. Now, fundraising is up and he had begun hiring additional staff to conduct the organization’s business. In nearly three years, Rev. Brooks has led the NAACP with purpose, dignity and skillful determination. His “hands-on, lead by example” approach to activism has inspired a new generation of youths to pick up the mantle of the NAACP. We have seen substantial participation and the increased membership of young people. Young people were constantly seen with Rev. Brooks demonstrating consistent, targeted action and participation in activities that gave renewed meaning to the concept of peaceful and intelligent resistance to injustice. Rev. Brooks is not a lip service leader. With the exception of being called away for related obligations, he walked every step of the two marches he organized between Ferguson and Jefferson City, Mo., and Selma, Ala., and Washington. The marchers and he became targets of racist snipers in Missouri and he remains under threat by domestic terrorists who would love nothing more than to stop his work. Rev. Brooks’ testimony against the confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general was topped only by his sit-in and arrest in the Birmingham offices of Mr. Sessions. He gave national attention to the fact that the NAACP was once again a genuine player in the fight against injustice. This revitalized NAACP attracted a new following and, accordingly, online memberships increased significantly. For individuals and institutions alike, longevity can mistakenly be assumed to be the same as indispensability. Logic should inform that the only foundation of indispensability is in the sustainment of relevance. Under Rev. Brooks, the NAACP escaped the image of doing little and existing in outdated ineptitude to a state of true relevance. Sadly, the NAACP executive board has chosen to take a step backward by not renewing Rev. Brooks’ contract. I pray that decision will be reversed. Rev. Brooks was the right leader when he was chosen and remains the right leader for our challenging times. The board should reverse its ill-advised decision. The writer is president of the National Congress of Black Women.
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Personality: Dr. Kimberly Williams Sanford
Spotlight on volunteer board chair of the American Red Cross Capital Chapter
With 2 million positive cases of COVID-19 in the United States and a hurricane season that started on June 1, the American Red Cross, the nation’s premier emergency response organization, likely will have its hands full into 2021.
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Cultural traditions and world music highlight Down Home Family Reunion
African and African-American folklife will be celebrated and explored during the 31st Down Home Family Reunion on Saturday, Aug. 20, in Jackson Ward’s Abner Clay Park.
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Walk-up monkeypox vaccines available
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are now offering walk-up monkeypox vaccination clinics for residents who qualify.
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Powhatan County Fair opens May 14 for 3-day run
Helicopter rides, an antique photography display, live music, carnival rides and games and a gospel jubilee are among the highlights of the 102nd Annual Powhatan County Fair taking place Friday, May 14, through Sunday, May 16.
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Kwanzaa Festival 2023
Elegba Folklore Society’s 2022 celebration of Richmond’s Capital City Kwanzaa Festival took place with hundreds in attendance at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022.
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McClellan announces photo competition
Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan is inviting residents of Virginia’s 4th Congressional District to share their vision of the area and its community with her and, potentially, the nation at large.
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Richmond International Film Festival returns
Filmmaking and musical guests from around the world will be in Richmond for the 12th Annual Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF). The six-day festival will kick off on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with film premieres, live music performances, panel discussions and more.
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MBL presents ‘Women Who Mean Business Summit’
The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) will host its “Women Who Mean Business Summit” on Friday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St.
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UPAL hosts dinner and gala
United Parents Against Lead will host a “Black Excellence Dinner and Gala” at its Peters- burg Community Resiliency Hub on March 4, from 5 to 9 p.m., 464 Byrne St.
