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Personality: Keith W. Hicks
Spotlight on the 2015 Astorian of the Year
“To inspire men to a higher moral, intellectual, civic and social standing” through activities that build a better community and promote racial equality.
Personality: AnnMarie Gilbert
Spotlight on the Big House Gaines Coach of the Year
Virginia Union University women’s basketball Coach AnnMarie Gilbert continues to add hardware to her already crowded trophy case following a record-breaking season on Lombardy Street. The first-year Lady Panthers head coach, who guided the team to a historic 28-win season and a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament’s Elite Eight, just received the latest acknowledgment for her coaching excellence. On Monday, Coach Gilbert was named the 2015-16 Big House Gaines College Basketball Coach of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. “We are pleased to recognize Coach Gilbert for the outstanding job she did this season,” stated NSMA Executive Director Dave Goren in a news release. “Her team had a historic season and (she) truly deserves this award.”
Wahoo fever!
U.Va. reaches NCAA Final Four for first time since 1984
The University of Virginia has one of the nation’s best all-round athletic programs, but there is something missing: A national basketball title. The Cavaliers, with 25 NCAA crowns to their credit in a wide variety of sports, will try and check the elusive hoops box in the next few days when the team heads to the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four in Minneapolis.
Personality: George P. Braxton
Spotlight on national president of National Negro Golf Association
“8-0-FORE!”If you’re familiar with this play on Richmond’s area code, you’ll know it as the nickname of the Richmond chapter of the National Negro Golf Association.
Gold rush
Urban One wins nod to operate a casino-resort in South Richmond with a contract based on high expectations and promises of payouts
As the Virginia General Assembly considered legislation in winter 2020 to authorize casino gambling in Richmond and four other cities, Alfred C. Liggins III spent time buttonholing House and Senate members.
Personality: Dr. Harold C. Sayles
Spotlight on the Veterans of Foreign Wars national chaplain
Thursday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, a time when the nation pauses to honor those who have served the nation. Dr. Harold C. Sayles, who was elected during the summer as the 122nd national chaplain of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, plans to commemorate the day by attending the 65th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial at 621 S. Belvidere St. in Downtown.
Personality: Zarina Fazaldin
Spotlight on Richmond Folk Festival Programming Committee Chair
Zarina Fazaldin left her family in Tanzania to complete high school and earn her bachelor’s degree in India before coming to Richmond to pursue post graduate studies. Back then, her dream job was to work at the United Nations. More than 30 years later, Ms. Fazaldin still lives in Richmond, a city that she loves and considers her own. Her friends in Richmond have become family, she says.
Personality: Lamar Antoine Greene
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools’ highest achieving student
Lamar Antoine Greene draws his inspiration to be a classroom standout from his mother, Kimberly Greene, who is a dental assistant. “I am motivated to study because I have seen how hard my mother works to provide for me and it has made me so humble and independent,” he says. “I want to make a decent living for myself while utilizing my skills and talents to help others.” The goal-driven young man says he set his focus on being the top student in his class academically at Richmond Community High School on North Side “since my freshman year.”
Personality: Wanda S. Hunt
Spotlight on founder and coordinator of ‘Purple Sunday’ Alzheimer’s awareness program
During the months of June, July and August, Alzheimer’s disease education will be part of church services at congregations around the state.
Personality: Adolph White
Spotlight on volunteer caretaker for purple martin nesting at Bryan Park
Every spring, there is a great migration that one Bryan Park volunteer anticipates and anxiously looks forward to.
Personality: Reginald E. Gordon
Spotlight on Richmond Memorial Health Foundation board chairman
Inside and outside the walls of City Hall, Reginald E. (for Equilla) Gordon is working to build a more equitable, racially inclusive Richmond.
Frustration growing
City Council offers amendments to add millions of dollars to RPS while School Board approves cost-cutting measures
Community members are becoming increasingly angry and concerned about the future of Richmond Public Schools, especially after the Richmond School Board voted Monday to cut costs by shutting down two North Side buildings and implementing a new bus transportation system in the fall of 2016 that will make it more difficult for some students to get to their schools.
‘Our ballots will stop bullets’
Thousands take to streets in Richmond, D.C. and across the nation to demand gun control and school safety
Chanting “Enough is enough” and “Never again,” more than 5,000 students and other demonstrators marched through Richmond last Saturday as part of a nationwide protest against mass school shootings and gun violence.
Personality: Dr. Faith B. Harris
Spotlight on chair of Virginia Interfaith Power & Light environmental advocacy organization
Dr. Faith B. Harris is a 21st century example of “hands-on earthly faith.”
Personality: giovanni singleton
Spotlight on winner of the 2018 Stephen E. Henderson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry
Inspired by African-American spirit writing, jazz and gospel music and the support of family, a locally grown poet’s discovery and love of writing and the arts led to a prestigious national literary award.
President Obama’s farewell speech
It’s good to be home. My fellow Americans, Michelle and I have been so touched by all the well-wishes we’ve received over the past few weeks. But tonight it’s my turn to say thanks. Whether we’ve seen eye to eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people — in living rooms and schools; at farms and on factory floors; at diners and on distant outposts — are what have kept me honest, kept me inspired, and kept me going. Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better president, and you made me a better man.
Events celebrating Black History continues
The celebration of Black History Month continues through February around the area.
‘Racists go home!’
Members of Tenn.-based neo-Confederate group met by hundreds of chanting counterprotesters at Saturday’s Monument Avenue rally
A potentially volatile “Heritage Not Hate” rally led by a neo-Confederate group turned into a war of words Saturday as the small, but armed band found itself outnumbered by hundreds on Richmond’s Monument Avenue. The Tennessee-based group, CSA II: The New Confederate States of America, called the rally to show their support for the statue of Confederate Robert E. Lee as city leaders wrestle with whether the Confederate monuments on the tree-lined street should be removed or left up “with context.”
Personality: Janis Allen
Spotlight on the board president of Historic Jackson Ward Association
In a time of increased attention, discussion and potential change for Jackson Ward, Janis Allen is doing her part to make sure its history and legacy are preserved. As the newest board president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association, she is tasked with a mission that is both culturally important and deeply personal.

