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Pulpit to politics, remembering Leonidas B. Young II
The Rev. Leonidas B. Young II rose from the pulpit of historic Fourth Baptist Church in the East End to the pinnacle of Richmond political power, serving as the city’s mayor from 1994 to 1996. Elected to Richmond City Council representing the East End’s 7th District from 1992 to 1999, he was considered a rising political star by many at the time.
Garfield F. Childs Jr., accountant, succumbs at 70
Garland Ford Childs Jr. loved crunching numbers. That’s why he opened Childs Business Services in the West End. He operated the accounting and tax preparation business for more than four decades.
NAACP ‘Journey for Justice’ to stop in Richmond
“I’m going to put on my tennis shoes and march.” That was Richmond NAACP President Lynetta Thompson’s enthusiastic declaration as “America’s Journey for Justice” march nears Richmond.
CBC head backs America’s College Promise Act
“Some people believe HBCUs are no longer needed and are irrelevant. They are under assault.” That was the sobering message U.S. Rep. George Kenneth “G. K.” Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, delivered on the state of historically black colleges and universities.
Washington training camp is a business flop
If success means attracting people, then the Washington NFL franchise’s training camp is a winner. But if success is measured by economic activity, the camp does not appear to make the cut.
Creativity runs in the family
Father-son artists share gifts with the community
Jerome W. Jones Jr. and his son, Jeromyah, share a deep passion for painting. Their works, many featuring portraits of noted people, provides uplift, education and motivation to untold thousands who have viewed them at exhibits and online.
‘War Room’ bridges racial divide
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is 11 o’clock on Sunday morning.” That truism also largely is the case for U.S. audiences that attend Christian-themed films. While Bishop T.D. Jakes’ series of films based on his “Woman Thou Art Loosed” novels and other Afro-centric Christian movies have been popular with African-American audiences, few white people of faith have supported them. Similarly, the compelling faith-based films from brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who are white, and Christian movies with mostly white casts have largely attracted white audiences.
Confederates to hold service at Downtown church
The executive director of the Historic Richmond Foundation is defending the organization’s decision to rent the historic church it owns and maintains in Downtown to a Richmond-based national group that glorifies the Confederacy.
Video ban raises concern
The African-American members of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors voiced frustration this week after Henrico school leaders apologized for showing a 4-minute video to students Feb. 4 at Glen Allen High School that portrayed the oppression and systematic racism in the United States that African-Americans have endured for centuries.
Police body cameras arrive
“We finally get the chance to tell our story from beginning to end,” Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham said at a news conference Tuesday announcing the initial deployment this week of 20 body cameras for officers. Flanked by Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Richmond NAACP President Lynetta Thompson and others, Chief Durham said 20 more body cameras will be issued when they arrive within the next few weeks.
VSU commencement
Building a better world is more than a motto
Virginia State University ended a tumultuous school year with a victorious exclamation mark at commencement Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum. More than 10,000 proud and beaming parents, friends and university members saluted as a record number of students — 764 — graduated.
On the cusp of Black History Month, area ministers reflect on community issues
Like many others, the Rev. Emory Berry of Fourth Baptist Church in the East End is on a reflective journey as the nation commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and nears the start of Black History Month. The self-examination comes amid an ongoing “national conversation” on searing social issues such as law enforcement’s fractured relationship with African-Americans, a widening economic gap and disparities in jobs and educational opportunities in communities of color.
First 100 days
Police chief reflects on good, bad, ugly
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham marked his 100th day in office last Sunday. It was not the kind of day he had hoped for or envisioned.
Faith leaders, elected officials call for calm, respect for Muslims
Imam Ammar Amonette said he and the 2,000 members of his congregation at the Islamic Center of Virginia in Bon Air have seen the ugly face of hate in the wake of the recent terror attacks by Muslim extremists in San Bernadino, Calif., and Paris.
Jonnie Williams admits he didn't get much
"the Tic Tac man"
April 7 opener
Flying Squirrels bringing their AA game
As the Richmond Flying Squirrels leave spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., later this week and fly to Richmond on Sunday to prepare for their new Eastern League baseball season, their roster will include two players who are former first round draft picks, a third flame-throwing closer who consistently throws 100 mph fastballs and a new manager who spent the past three seasons at the helm of the Diablos Rojos in the Mexican League, leading the team to the 2014 league championship.
Thornton, Nelson to lead Henrico Board of Supervisors
The Henrico Board of Supervisors made history Tuesday night when it elected two African-Americans to the county’s top elective leadership posts.
Song by local music minister up for Stellar Awards
James Johnson was aboard a plane last spring bound for a recording session with the Arkansas Gospel Mass Choir when inspiration struck. “I was looking out at the clouds, at his creation, and I was thinking about just how great God is,” he recalled. At that moment, Mr. Johnson, the minister of music at Richmond’s Cedar Street Baptist Church of God, wrote the verses and the end of the song, “You Alone.”
UR chooses Ronald A. Crutcher as next president
For the first time in the 185-year history of the University of Richmond, the new head of the private liberal arts college that borders Richmond and Henrico County will be an African-American. Dr. Ronald Andrew Crutcher has been named as the 10th president of the university. The announcement was made Monday at the institution founded in 1830.
