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Be counted in 2020 Census by Gaylene Kanoyton
Conversations about the importance of respecting human dignity often are centered around individual worth and the intrinsic value we each have as contribu- tors, in ways small and large, to the world around us.
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Accountability needed over owner of historic African American cemeteries
I’m not from Richmond, but I have kin in the ground at East End Cemetery, which is adjacent to Evergreen Cemetery. Henry Tunstall, instant son of my grandfather's sister, was buried there in 1913.
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Developer interest in Coliseum and Downtown persists despite claims
Developer interest in the vacant Richmond Coliseum and Downtown real estate near it appears to be alive and well.
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Dr. Levy M. Armwood Jr., retired pastor, music teacher, dies at 79
Dr. Levy Mack Armwood Jr., retired pastor of historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward and a 32-year music teacher for Richmond Public Schools, has died.
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Restaurateur, model B. Smith dies at 70 from early onset Alzheimer’s
Barbara “B.” Smith, one of the nation’s top African-American models who went on to open restaurants, launch a successful home products line and write cookbooks, has died at her Long Island home at age 70 after battling early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
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#ReclaimingYourVote by Marc H. Morial
“Voter suppression isn’t guns and hoses and bully clubs and Bull Connor. It’s administrative burdens that interfere with your right to vote. In the South, they try to stop you from getting on the rolls ... and to stay on the rolls ... and have your ballot be counted. We need our democracy to work, we need poverty to end, we need disenfranchisement to be a thing of the past, because when people are suppressed or oppressed it rages. It may be silent for some time but eventually it will come out.” – Stacey Abrams, former Georgia lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate
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According to the regional Girl Scouts organization, the cookie program teaches youth members key life skills as they raise money to support the operation and …
Published on February 21, 2020
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VCU to open STEM center to aid area public school students
Careers in science, technology, engineering and math are booming.
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Thelma M. Robinston, longtime Richmond educator, dies at 99
Fueled by a love of education, Thelma Mealy Robinson rose from teacher to principal to assistant superintendent during a career largely with Richmond Public Schools that spanned more than 40 years.
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Catholic Diocese of Richmond launches new victims compensation process
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond wants to ensure that people who were victims of sexual abuse by priests and deacons are compensated as part of its efforts “to assist in the healing.”
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Former MLB player Tony Fernandez dies at 57
Tony Fernandez, a brilliant shortstop who played 17 seasons in the major leagues, mostly with the Toronto Blue Jays, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Weston, Fla.
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2 plays examine periods in history during Black History Month
There’s nothing like live theater performances during Black History Month to illuminate unforgettable characters.
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Mural unveiling, African-American Read-In Feb. 27 at VMFA
A mixed-media mural of acrylic paint and photography will reflect the creative visions of Richmond Free Press photographers Sandra Sellars and Regina Boone and several others at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
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Raynell Reid shows off a tribute plaque to her late uncle, Richmond Fire Capt. Harvey S. Hicks II, during a ceremony last Sunday at Mosby …
Published on February 14, 2020
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Personality: Robert M. Lester
Spotlight on president of Club 533
An invitation from a friend and fraternity brother brought Robert M. Lester to Club 533 in 2012, offering him the opportunity to meet and listen to members from across decades. That night sparked Mr. Lester’s interest and desire to be a part of the club, now 64 years old, that still brings together men of accomplishment dedicated to improving the social and civic welfare of the community.
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National religious leaders, scholars expected for symposium Feb. 19-21
Scholars from across the country are expected to attend a national symposium in Richmond exploring the politics of black religion through the legacy of Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, a civil rights icon, theologian and key aide to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The symposium, “Wyatt Tee Walker and the Politics of Black Religion,” will be held Feb. 19 through 21 starting at the University of Virginia and then moving for the final two days to the University of Richmond. All sessions are free and open to the public.
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Events celebrating Black History continues
The celebration of Black History Month continues through February around the area.
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Hair discrimination alive and well by Julianne Malveaux
Andrew Johnson, a high school wrestler, was forced to submit to the humiliating act of having his dreadlocks shorn or have his New Jersey team forfeit their match to the opposing team. A gleeful white woman seemed too pleased to invade the young man’s person, and his team won, but at what price? When this happened in December 2018, there was a national outcry and the referee was suspended.
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RPS launches program to help dropouts get diploma or GED
Battling one of the highest dropout rates in Virginia, Richmond Public Schools is launching a Secondary Success Center to help students who have dropped out return to earn their high school diploma or a GED.
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Richmond's housing issues have long history
Richmond must do a lot of work to solve its eviction problem that gives it the second highest eviction rate per capita in the nation.