All results / Stories / Debora Timms
Virginians lend helping hand after Mississippi storms
When storms tore through Mississippi and the surrounding states of Texas and Alabama last month, the devastation made national news. At least 25 people were killed, and hundreds of homes and businesses were destroyed.
Chesterfield students to benefit from new outdoor classroom
Salem Church Middle School and Communities In Schools of Chesterfield (CIS) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 29 to launch the school’s new outdoor classroom. Initial funding for the collaborative project came from U.S. Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant which aims to address post-pandemic impacts on students — something especially important in a school where the majority of the students are low-income and Black and Brown, the same populations disproportionately negatively impacted by COVID and its long-term effects.
Legislating with power and purpose
Jennifer McClellan’s historic first year in Congress
March 7, 2024, marked one year since Jennifer L. McClellan made history, winning a special election to succeed the late A. Donald McEachin and become the first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia.
Maggie Walker’s 159th birthday comes to life
Richmond community members enjoyed a glimpse into the past during celebrations for Maggie L. Walker’s 159th Birthday at Third Street Bethel AME Church and her national historic site in Jackson Ward on July 15.
An hour can save a life
More diverse blood donors needed amid emergency shortage nationwide
National Blood Donor Month might have ended Jan. 31, but ongoing shortages in Virginia and nationally mean that the need for donors remains critical.
Celebrating community
Two churches step out from the past together
Two Dinwiddie County Baptist churches, Rocky Branch in Sutherland and Central in Church Road, both celebrated their 150-year anniversaries in October. To mark the occasion, the predominately white congregation of Central Baptist and the predominately Black congregation of Rocky Branch Baptist did something that would have been unthinkable all those years ago — they came together in worship and fellowship.
VSU’s legacy of musical excellence
Earlier this year it was announced that Virginia State University was awarded the prestigious All-Steinway School designation — a recognition of their commitment to providing only pianos from the Steinway & Sons company for students and faculty to use.
Richmond entrepreneur to host black dress event
With the word “reimagine” as a catalyst, spiritual coach, motivational speaker and author Rita Ricks’ “Little Black Dress Day Affair,” event last year enabled women to dress up and celebrate their spirit and each other.
No longer spinning their wheels
Richmond nonprofit uses circles to break cycles of poverty
For millions of Americans, living at or near the federal poverty line means barely getting by is a constant struggle. Census Bureau estimates show more than 20 percent of Richmond’s residents are living in poverty — a figure nearly 50 percent higher than the national average. Many of these residents work, and many feel as though they’ll never get ahead. Such was the case for Sherrell Thompson, 43, a resident of Churc Hill and Richmond native. Two years ago, the single mother and grandmother worked as a certified community health Wworker for Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Everyday she helped others in her job, but she also knew she needed help herself. “I really felt stuck where I was financially and I just didn’t know what steps to take next,” Ms. Thompson said by phone recently. One day, she took a deeper look at Circles RVA — a lo- cal organization she’d referred clients looking to better their financial circumstances to before. Ms. Thompson decided to put in her own application and was accepted to the program in August 2020. In that same cohort was Barbara Yates, 67, a mother, grand- mother and great-grandmother, who was born in Baltimore but moved to Richmond as a child. Both were drawn by Circles RVA’s vision “that everyone has enough money, meaning and friends to thrive.” In a recent phone interview, Circles RVA co-president Valena Dixon and coach Debbie Williams highlighted how the organiza- tion works alongside program participants — known as leaders — to help them realize that vision of financial stability, purpose and support in their lives. “Allies and volunteers create a circle of support around lead- ers and intentionally create relationships,” Ms. Dixon explained. “These relationships expand their networks and introduce them to resources that can reduce the barriers that hinder their rising out of poverty.” “You’re building communities by building intentional rela- tionships,” Ms. Williams added. “These relationships make all the difference and give leaders the support they need to move from surviving to thriving.” Circles RVA began with volunteers who were looking for ways to address Richmond’s poverty issue at the community level. It became a registered nonprofit in June 2017, modeled after Circles USA which sees circles, or the personal and professional networks each person has, as resources that can be shared. With Circles RVA, leaders undertake a 12-week educational program during which they are matched with allies and work to create SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) goals for themselves. Over the next 18 months, leaders and allies meet weekly to ensure that leaders continue to progress toward their goals. As Ms. Dixon puts is, “Plan the work, work the plan.” And plans are working. Circles RVA graduated its fourth cohort in June, and its latest newsletter highlights the achievements of its 15 leaders who so far have completed the program. Many show average increases of about $1,200 in monthly income and $2,000 in total assets. Ms. Thompson and Mrs. Yates graduated in the June 2022 cohort and have seen the benefits. With her allies’ help, Miss Thompson revamped her résumé and secured a new, higher paying job with her employer as a resident services coordinator. She has used the extra income to reduce her debt and boost her credit score by more than 100 points. “I never thought I’d be able to do that,” Ms. Thompson said. “Circles RVA helped me so much. I was so happy I just cried through my whole graduation.” Learning to better manage her budget also helped Mrs. Yates. “Before I was an Amazon addict, but not anymore,” Mrs. Yates said, noting that she frequently made purchases from the online retailer. “Writing (down) where all of (my) money was going made it easy to see where you could bring your expenses down.” Mrs. Yates has started saving some of what she used to spend. She has a “rainy day fund” and is continuing to save toward another goal — travel. “I really enjoyed the program. You are constantly learning something every week,” Mrs. Yates said. “My allies were very supportive and encouraging. Whenever I was struggling, they helped me think like that little train, ‘I think I can. I think I can.’” Mrs. Yates and Ms. Thompson plan to stay connected with the friends they made through Circles RVA. Ms. Thompson even wants to apply to rejoin the program — this time as an ally. “I have benefitted so much that I need to pass that on.” To learn more about Circles RVA and its next cohort of lead- ers, visit https://circlesrva.org/
Cicilia Koisenke visits Richmond to nurture her Maasai home
Nearly 14 years ago, Richmonder Suzanne Hall traveled to Southern Sudan as part of a St. James’s Episcopal Church medical mission to administer meningitis vaccinations to children in that region.
Shining a light on the ‘Rural Black Church’
Leonard L. Edloe, the founding pastor of Hartfield’s New Hope Fellowship Church, delves into the history and the legacy of the rural Black church in his recently self-published book, “Restoring the Glory: Breathing New Life into the Rural Black Church.”
Library of Virginia’s preservation of historic Jackson Ward’s ‘shining star’ collection that tells multiple stories
Library of Virginia administrators and staff were “over the moon” when asked to preserve the documents and memorabilia of the late Roland J. “Duke” Ealey, said John Metz, deputy director of collections and programs.
Marita Golden’s prescription for Black women and self-care
Author, educator and literary activist Marita Golden’s 20th book that will be released June 13 builds on her previous book, which pushed back against the idea that Black women have to be strong all the time.
National museum curator to discuss Black music’s dynamics
‘Music is about community ... we are all part of music’s story’
Dwandalyn Reece, associate director for curatorial affairs at the National Museum of African Americn History and Culture, will bring the story of Black music to Virginia Commonwealth University as the 2023 VCU Libraries Black History Month Lecturer.
Good medicine
New VCU pharmacy dean prepares students for a changing health care landscape
Now in its 125th year, the Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Pharmacy has seen countless number of graduates enter pharmacy careers and practices.
2024 State of the City
Mayor Levar Stoney points to Richmond’s bright future
Mayor Levar M. Stoney used his final State of the City address to reflect on his administration’s accomplishments over the past seven years, while also signaling Richmond’s bright future.
47 acres and a dream
Developer seeks to expand family’s legacy in Tappahannock with housing for seniors, workers
Business is in Shiree Monterio’s blood.
Researchers uncover their tangled roots
Lemon Project symposium to help connect the past
Virginia lawyer and retired public official Viola Baskerville has been intrigued by her family’s roots for more than 35 years.
Orange County celebrates culinary icon Edna Lewis
Virginia approves marker honoring former New York chef
For some, the name Edna Lewis is synonymous with Southern food. The chef and cookbook author often is referred to as “Grand Dame of Southern cooking.”
City to acquire 3 historic Black cemeteries
Richmond City Council voted unanimously to declare East End, Evergreen and Forest View cemeteries a public necessity.
