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Loss, civility and compassion
Letters to the editor
A couple of days ago, my 95-year-old mother passed away suddenly. She was doing well one day, and a day or two later, she was gone. The one good thing was that she didn’t suffer.
Personality: Shelby Brown McDowney
Spotlight on founder of Mission From The Heart Foundation
When a letter arrived from the Internal Revenue Service confirming that Shelby Brown McDowney’s newly formed organization, Mission From The Heart Foundation, received its nonprofit classification, it was like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. “When I opened the mailbox and saw the letter, I started jumping up and down and dancing in the rain,” Ms. McDowney says. “I’ll never forget the day.”
Are we worthy of the sacrifice? by A. Peter Bailey
Recently, while delivering a lecture on my extensive, overwhelmingly black magazine collection, I showed students the June 28, 1963, issue of Life Magazine, the cover of which showed a grieving Myrlie Evers consoling her young son at funeral services for her husband, the great warrior Medgar Evers.
Conservative groups don’t speak for all moms, by Svante Myrick
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, I’ve been thinking about moms and honoring motherhood. I’ve written before about how my mom instilled values in me, including respect for everyone’s rights – not just my own. Mom also worked multiple jobs to support our family through some very hard times. She represents my ideal of what a mother should be, without a doubt.
Fight for reproductive freedom, by Ben Jealous
It matters deeply that America has a woman as our vice president. That has never been truer than at this moment.
When making exceptions for Ramadan is no longer the exception, by Dilshad D. Ali
Scrolling Twitter on the first evening of Ramadan 2023, I was greeted (well, as all Muslims were) by Elmo. “Ramadan Mubarak to all of Elmo’s friends!” the red toddler Muppet said. “Elmo loves you!”
Personality: Debra Sue Sims Fleisher
Spotlight on chair of 2015 Active Aging Week
Debra Sue Sims Fleisher has had a passion for exercising ever since she was a child. “My mother says that, as a little girl, I would dance to the sound of the washing machine. And I do remember dancing with a doorknob as my partner,” she recalls.
Personality: Miasia Keana Scruggs
Spotlight on Metro Boys & Girls Clubs 2015 Youth of the Year
When Miasia K. Scruggs joined the Fairfield Court Club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond as an elementary school student, she had no idea it would be a life-changing move.
Personality: Dr. Renata A. Hedrington Jones
Spotlight on Black Social Workers’ NIA Lifetime Achievement winner
Growing up in a strong, close-knit family with a hard-working, disciplined, kind and unconditionally loving mother and aunt are the ingredients that produced Dr. Renata A. Hedrington Jones, winner of the National Association of Black Social Workers’ most coveted award.
Personality: Ngoma Hill
Spotlight on New Generation Beat Poet Laureate
From Alexandria to Richmond to Vietnam and Harlem, Ngoma Hill has built an impressive artistic career. He is now being recognized for his work on another level.
Personality: Sheila E. Battle
Spotlight on board president of The Innerwork Center
At a time of reassessment for individuals, systems in Richmond and the world at large, Sheila E. Battle is at the forefront of a group fostering change through a unique method – inner work.
Personality: Samantha Ayres
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools’ highest achieving student
When Samantha Lynn Ayres began her sophomore year at Richmond Community High School, she found out that she was third academically in her class of 53 students. Knowing she was so close to being at the top of her class, her competitive spirit kicked in. That’s when she says she decided to put in some extra effort.
Personality: Ashley A. Morgan
Spotlight on Richmond’s 2019 Teacher of the Year
A William Fox Elementary School teacher’s youthful dream paved the way to Richmond’s highest teaching honor. Ashley A. Morgan, 28, a first-grade teacher at the Hanover Avenue school in The Fan, was named the 2019 Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year last week during the school district’s annual ceremony. She wins $1,000.
Candidate wants to dismantle ‘cradle-to-prison pipeline’
I was raised in Church Hill and am a 1965 graduate of Richmond’s Armstrong High School. My late parents, Helen and David Temple Sr., instilled in me the values of Christian faith and a deep commitment to public service. My father wrote the “Church Hill Spotlight” column for the former Richmond Afro-American newspaper.
Personality: Ashley S. Bland
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year
Ashley S. Bland has received a coveted award that could set off a journey to additional state and national education awards. The 30-year-old Ms. Bland was named Richmond Public Schools 2021 Teacher of the Year.
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.”
Kudos to committed Dominion workers
During the latest episode of storms, we had plenty of lightning, high winds and rain that caused power outages in many areas. Many of the trees and power lines had fallen, which caused a dangerous situation. Many of the Dominion workers worked double shifts around the clock until this situation was resolved. You could see Dominion employees working morning, noon and night.
‘Do empty seats in schools mean no property upkeep?’
Re “Saving Armstrong High priority for hundreds,” April 21-23 edition: I am a fifth-generation graduate of Armstrong High School and currently a social science major at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Not only did I graduate from Armstrong, I was the only female chosen to represent the city in the All-Virginia Choir.
Only $21M to rename military bases?
I’m glad that no one saw my stunned deer-in-headlight face after I recently read an editorial regarding the quoted sticker-price of $21M for renaming our military bases, but believe it or not, I do have a suggestion!
Dr. Shirlene Obuobi prescribes comedy for health and healing
Dr. Shirlene Obuobi, a third-year general cardiology fellow at the University of Chicago, uses creativity to process what she sees and learns while pursuing a medical career.
