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Department of Defense awards $9M to create research institute at VCU
A new research institute is coming to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering through a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to create and improve technologies for security, health and various other benefits.
Crusade for Voters endorses Sen. Kaine, other candidates
Incumbent U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine has received the endorsement of the Richmond Crusade for Voters, the city’s oldest and largest African-American political group.
Trump rally sinks under weights
Donald Trump was expected to pack the Richmond Coliseum when he visited the city last week. After all, he has packed arenas in other cities.
Library of Virginia, Virginia Folklife Program hosts ‘Celebration of Virginia Folklife’
The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities will present a free two-day celebration featuring documentary screenings, live music and more to highlight Virginia’s diverse and evolving folklife heritage. “A Celebration of Virginia Folklife” will take place July 7 and 8 at the library as part of its yearlong 200th anniversary celebration.
30 city employees face possible firing over COVID-19 vaccination mandate
With the City of Richmond just days away from the Oct. 1 deadline for all employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, all but 30 workers have gotten the vaccine or filed religious or medical exemptions to the city mandate.
VCU presents ‘Memories of Jan. 6’
Two years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, two Capitol police officers will reflect on their part in a discussion at Virginia Commonwealth University on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Chesterfield offering after-school snacks and supper
Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free afternoon snacks and supper at more than 30 schools for students in after-school activities, according to a news release from its media services unit.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to buy NFL team?
Could the “emperor of hip-hop” be preparing to inject some color into the whites-only ranks of NFL football team owners?
Serena ties the knot!
Glitter and glamour were served up at the fairy tale-inspired nuptials last week of tennis star Serena Williams and her new husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Fort Lee being assessed as site to house unaccompanied immigrant children
Fort Lee, which sits outside of Petersburg about 20 miles south of Richmond, might become a temporary holding center for unaccompanied minors who cross into the United States without legal status and are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Artist Paul Rucker awarded $2M from the Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund
The Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund have awarded multimedia visual artist, composer and musician Paul Rucker $2 million to create Cary Forward — a multidisciplinary arts space, interpretive center, artist/re- searcher residency and archival lending library, according to an announcement by Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ornithologist and wildlife ecologist J. Drew Lanham to address racism and the great outdoors
McArthur Fellow J. Drew Lanham, an ornithologist and wildlife ecology professor at Clemson University, will deliver VCU Libraries’ 2023 Social Justice Lecture to discuss “Coloring the Conservation Conversation.”
Putting women on the map
National Center of Women’s Innovations selects Dr. Gladys B. West as inaugural honoree
Dr. Gladys B. West, the African-American mathematician whose mapping of the world enabled Global Positioning System (GPS), was chosen by the newly launched National Center of Women’s Innovations (NCWI) as its inaugural “Forgotten Women Innovator.”
‘Black Panther’ continues to smash box office records
The box office hit “Black Panther” is now the top grossing superhero film of all time in the United States. The wildly popular Disney and Marvel release achieved the milestone on Saturday after surpassing fellow Marvel title “The Avengers.”
Calls grow to save site of oldest U.S. Black women’s benevolent society
Social justice and community advocates are calling for no taxes to be levied on a mansion that has served as the headquarters for the oldest Black women’s benevolent society in America for decades.
Mayor Stoney has COVID-19; state of city address postponed
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in a 14-day isolation after developing mild symptoms.
I-95 Express Lanes, Fredericksburg extension open
New road estimated to save drivers 35 minutes when coming from D.C. during rush hour
A new, 10-mile extension of the 95 Express Lanes to Fredericksburg opens to mainline traffic late on Aug. 17, according to the Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin administration.
VSU Marching Band named top divisional band by ESPN
Virginia State University’s Trojan Explosion Marching Band has been named the top Division II HBCU band in the country in 2023, according to ESPN the university has announced.
V.W. Henley, 85, former president of Consolidated Bank
Vernard William Henley presided over the highs and lows of Consolidated Bank & Trust Co. in Richmond, once the oldest independent black-owned bank in America.
Hampton president to step down after more than 40 years
After more than four decades at the helm, Hampton University President William R. Harvey announced Monday that he will step down in June 2022.
