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Internet privacy, like abortion rights, under siege, by Clarence Page
Having witnessed how much the world seemed to change after the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion nationwide, it has been stunning—although not too surprising—to see how much the world has tried to change back.
Q&A: Jordan Peele on the dreams and nightmares of ‘Nope’
There’s little in contemporary movies quite like the arrival of a new Jordan Peele film. They tend to descend ominously and mysteriously, a little like an unknown object from above that casts an expanding, darkening shadow the closer it comes.
NPS grant to help preserve historic elementary school
'This will allow us to dream ... it will allow restoration and interpretation’
A Cumberland County school that was part of a vibrant African-American community for nearly 50 years is getting help from the National Park Service to preserve its location.
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/
VSU graduate students offered free tuition in exchange for teaching in local schools
Virginia State University will offer a new grant-funded program to offer free tuition to graduate students who become full-time substitute teachers in the Richmond and Petersburg school systems.
Emmett Till’s house, Black sites to get landmark funds
Emmett Till left his mother’s house on Chicago’s South Side in 1955 to visit relatives in Mississippi, where the Black teenager was abducted and brutally slain for reportedly whistling at a white woman. A cultural preservation organization announced Tuesday that the house will receive a share of $3 million in grants being distributed to 33 sites and organizations nationwide that are important pieces of African-American history.
VUU Alumni Football Foundation to host Celebrity Golf Classic
Virginia Union University’s annual golf fundraiser will take place July 23 at The Crossings in Glen Allen, 800 Virginia Center Parkway.
‘Being underestimated ... that’s my superpower’
Democratic House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr. ready to energize base
These days Delegate Don L. Scott Jr. doesn’t spend as much time in the courtroom as he used to.
1955 warrant in Emmett Till case found, family seeks arrest
A team searching a Mississippi courthouse basement for evidence about the lynching of Emmett Till has found the unserved warrant charging a white woman in his 1955 kidnapping, and relatives of the victim want authorities to finally arrest her nearly 70 years later.
Personality: Joanna Heiskill
Spotlight on co-founder of Justice and Change for Victims of Nursing Facilities
When Joanna Heiskill’s mother died in August 2019, she was determined to find the cause of her death.
RVA East End Festival returns
The RVA East End Festival returns Saturday, Sept. 24, from 12 to 9 p.m. at Henry Marsh Elementary School, 813 N. 28th St. The free family event will feature performances by the Richmond Symphony, youth musicians, dancers and visual artists.
Vote now for the Library of Virginia’s 19th Annual People’s Choice Awards
The Library of Virginia has announced 14 finalists for the 19th Annual People’s Choice Awards.
Casting call for ‘Swagger’
AppleTV+ series’ second season being filmed in Richmond
Kendall Cooper Casting is seeking extras for the second season of “Swagger” starring O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Isaiah Hill.
Personality: Dr. Hollee Freeman
Spotlight on co-founder and co-curator of City Bees RVA
Dr. Hollee Freeman is helping to keep a vital community of workers buzzing — all 90,000 of them.
Jill Biden visits Henrico clinic to promote vaccine for children
First Lady Jill Biden joined state and local leaders at a Henrico County health clinic on July 1, where they encouraged parents to vaccinate children between the ages of six months to 5 years old.
Natural gas price hikes mean higher bills for area customers
Area residents who cook, heat, cool or otherwise rely on natural gas provided by Richmond are starting to see their bills jump – even though cold weather is still months away.
Postal rates increasing
Effective Sunday, July 10, the price of a stamp to mail a letter will increase to 60 cents, up 2 cents from the current price of 58 cents.
