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Kwanzaa, a balm in Gilead
The sickening sight of smug sycophantic Republicans celebrating the passage of their tax bill on the White House lawn was the Scrooge-like move to drop a lump of coal into the stockings of the 13 million Americans likely to lose health insurance coverage thanks to the move. Of course, corporations are so ecstatic that some — AT&T and Comcast among them — are offering employee bonuses because they will benefit so much from the tax plan.
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Personality: Dawn-Marie Bey
Spotlight on leader of nonprofit that provides free feminine hygiene products to homeless
Stories on the plight of the homeless and marginalized can inspire feelings of sadness, empathy and solidarity. For attorney Dawn-Marie Bey, an article she read on social media sparked her to create Period Patch in 2015, an organization that provides feminine hygiene products to the homeless and displaced “to get them through those monthly rough patches with dignity.”
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NFL Conference finals players always have had flair
For Sunday’s NFL Conference finals, expect a steady diet of orchestrated end zone celebrations and other zany sideshows, minus the fear of penalty. It wasn’t always that way.
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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Fifty years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, the world honors his legacy and leadership in civil rights activism to bring freedom, equality and justice to all people.
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Two-night MLK symposium to feature community leaders panel
A two-night, virtual public symposium on the topic “Strength- ening the Black Community: Where Do We Go From Here?” will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, and Tuesday, Jan. 26, it has been announced.
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Deadline to Register to vote in Nov. Election:
Monday Oct 17
Less than a month remains before Election Day. To vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8, for president, congressional representatives, Richmond mayor, City Council and School Board, you must be registered.
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Henrico schools hosts Family Learning series summit April 28
Henrico County Public Schools is hosting a Family Learning Series Summit, featuring workshops and activities on topics such as parenting, literacy, diversity, study skills, mental health and exceptional education. The summit is free and will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road.
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City Democratic Committee to hold reorganizing caucus July 20
The Virginia Democratic Party apparently is seeking to limit participation as it begins the process of reorganizing the Richmond City Democratic Committee.
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Deadline to Register to Vote in June Primary Elections
Monday, May 20
The deadline to register to vote in Virginia’s June 11 primary elections is Monday, May 20.
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BLCK Street sessions inspire entrepreneurs
A common thread throughout the inaugural BLCK Street Conference earlier this week was encouragement and advice on everything from organizing finances to mentoring.
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No charges for officer who pepper-sprayed Army lieutenant
A former police officer in Virginia should not be criminally charged but should be investigated for potential civil rights violations after he pepper-sprayed, struck and handcuffed a Black U.S. Army lieutenant during a 2020 traffic stop, a special prosecutor has determined.
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Suggestions welcomed until Nov. 27 for replacement of Lee statue in U.S. Capitol
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson; John Mercer Langston, a law professor and Virginia’s first African- American representative in Congress; and Ona Judge, a woman enslaved by George and Martha Washington who escaped to freedom in 1796 are among the latest nominations to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in the U.S. Capitol.
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’Breathing Places’ exhibit opens May 5 at The Valentine
Did you know that Capitol Square, the popular green space that surrounds the State Capitol building, was developed by the City of Richmond in 1804 as its first park?
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Mayor saves tree at planned Walker monument site
Yes, Richmond, that iconic Downtown tree is going to survive. That’s the word from Mayor Dwight C. Jones. He disclosed Wednesday that he is committed to saving the green-leafed live oak tree that dominates the triangular site earmarked for a proposed statue of renowned Richmonder Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to establish and operate a bank.
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New RPS HR director comes from system with similar challenges
Sandra Lee has her work cut out for her.
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Black tech consumers, but not employees
A nationwide assessment of the digital economy has found that black Americans are overrepresented as tech consumers, but drastically underrepresented as tech employees, according to the 2018 State of Black America.
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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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George Wythe alum Jerome Jeter returns to coach football
Jerome Jeter played football for George Wythe High School when the Bulldogs were an area powerhouse. He was in the Class of 2000.
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Study finds info on students’ emotional and physical disabilities left off referrals to cops, courts
Richmond area school divisions appear to be flouting federal and state regulations by withholding critical information when they refer special education students to law enforcement departments and the courts for serious misconduct, according to a new study.
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PLACES TO GO, PEOPLE TO SEE
Whether it’s art and poetry or films and music, Richmond and surrounding communities offer a lot to everyone in the coming weeks.