Brooks among finalists for Black College Football Hall of Fame induction
The Black College Football Hall of Fame has announced 27 finalists for induction into its Class of 2025, selecting the group from over 150 nominees. Among the finalists is Larry Brooks, a standout defensive tackle from Virginia State University, who had an illustrious NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.
Jackson State crowned HBCU national champions
Jackson State University has been crowned the 2024 HBCU national football champions, following their dominant 31-16 win over South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl. This marks the Tigers’ first HBCU national title since 1986, when American Urban Radio Networks named them champions.
Drums, dance, and community unity take center stage at Kwanzaa
Drums will echo and vibrant traditions will take center stage as the Richmond Kwanzaa Kollective hosts its 18th Annual Kwanzaa Afrikan Heritage Celebration on Dec. 27 at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St.
Rise Richmond appoints Brittany Lopes as executive director
Rise Richmond has appointed Brittany Lopes as the organization’s new executive director.
VUU to pilot teacher residency program with federal grant support
Virginia Union University has received a $230,000 portion of a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality Partnership program to establish a Teacher Residency program. The funding, in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University, will support the development of innovative teacher internships and residency programs over the next three years.
New leadership team elected for Richmond Crusade for Voters
The Richmond Crusade for Voters announced its elected officers for the 2025-2026 term during its November meeting.
Hildreth ‘Hal’ Walker Jr., laser scientist, dies at 91
Hildreth “Hal” Walker Jr., a pioneering laser scientist and dedicated STEM advocate, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at 91 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Kwanzaa festival celebrates African American culture
The Elegba Folklore Society will host its annual Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Dec. 28, offering a daylong celebration of African American culture and heritage.
Movieland theater to undergo multimillion-dollar renovation
Movieland at Boulevard Square, Richmond’s only first-run movie theater within the city limits, is undergoing its most significant renovation since opening in 2009. The multimillion-dollar project will enhance the movie-going experience with new features and upgraded amenities.
Joyner-Kersee to headline RVA Sports Awards
Legendary Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee will headline the RVA Sports Awards on Feb. 8, bringing star power to the annual celebration of Richmond area athletic achievements.
GardenFest of Lights tops USA Today’s ranking with holiday display
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden has again topped USA Today’s ranking of botanical garden holiday light displays, drawing national recognition for its elaborate nighttime spectacle.
Chisholm posthumously awarded Congressional Gold Medal
On Monday, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) attended the signing of the Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act at the U.S. Capitol. This bipartisan legislation posthumously awards the Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to politics, activism and civil rights.
“Up the Ridge” screening to highlight Red Onion prison issues
The Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality will host a public meeting on Saturday, Dec. 7, to examine issues at Red Onion State Prison, a supermax facility in Virginia. The event, titled “Crisis at Red Onion Supermax: How You Can Help!” will take place at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1720 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Richmond’s East End.
Annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade returns
Richmond’s annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade returns Dec. 7, celebrating its 41st year with the theme “Christmas Wishes.”
UR’s Grant named finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
University of Richmond defensive end Jeremiah Grant has been named among the nation’s top defensive players as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, the award is presented yearly to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
VUU Gospel Choir performs on BET’s ‘HBCU Honors’
Virginia Union University’s Gospel Choir performed with Grammy-winning artist Fantasia and hip-hop legend MC Lyte at the HBCU Honors, a celebration of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The performance, led by VUU Gospel Choir Director Joel T. Lester, and airing on BET on Dec. 1, marked a milestone for the choir.
River City Sportsplex expands with four new fields
The River City Sportsplex just got bigger and better. Last week, the complex unveiled four additional lighted turf fields, pushing its total to an impressive 16 fields.
December leads as peak month for U.S. home fires
The holiday season’s decorations, festive meals, and traditions bring joy, but also heightened fire risks. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), December consistently sees a spike in home fires, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranking as the second- and third-leading days for home cooking fires in 2022.
Virginia Union makes history, advances to NCAA quarterfinals
Virginia Union University’s record-setting football season continued with a decisive 44-12 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday in the NCAA Division II Playoffs second round.
Virginia War Memorial to Host 83rd Annual Pearl Harbor Day
Virginia War Memorial will host a solemn and reflective gathering to honor the lives lost during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The 83rd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory - 20th Century, located at 621 South Belvidere St.
Leadership Metro Richmond seeks new president
Leadership Metro Richmond has launched a search for its next President and CEO, seeking a dynamic leader to advance its mission of fostering leadership and community connection in the greater Richmond region.
Henrico CASA swears in 11 new advocates to support children
Eleven community members were sworn in Nov. 20 as the newest Court Appointed Special Advocates in Henrico County, joining a critical mission to support children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Food Banks partner with local farmers to distribute thousands of pounds of apples
The Federation of Virginia Food Banks, in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is distributing thousands of pounds of fresh, locally grown apples to families across the Commonwealth this holiday season. With funding from the Federal Farms to Food Banks initiative, approximately 9,500 bushels of Virginia apples will be delivered to food-insecure households in November and December.
Jean Thompson Williams, leader in education and business, dies
Jean Thompson Williams, a former educator and community volunteer, died Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. She was 88. A native of Richmond, Williams had a distinguished career in both education and entrepreneurship.
Health officials urge vaccinations
With Thanksgiving approaching, health officials from the Richmond and Henrico health districts are urging residents to take precautions against respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, to ensure a safe holiday season.
Lost cemetery of Black veterans of World War restored in Kilmarnock
A once-forgotten cemetery honoring veterans of World Wars was rediscovered and restored by the Kilmarnock Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, culminating in a rededication ceremony Sunday, Nov. 17.
Touchdown Club of Richmond honors Bernard Rucker with Ray Tate Award
Bernard Rucker, a 54-year veteran of Virginia Union University’s football program, will receive the 2024 Ray Tate Memorial Award from the Touchdown Club of Richmond.
More than 900 boxers to compete in national championships here
Over 900 boxers from nearly every state will compete in the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships, beginning Monday, Dec. 16, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
VCU to retire Briante Weber’s No. 2 jersey
Virginia Commonwealth University will retire the No. 2 jersey of former men’s basketball standout Briante Weber on Dec. 22, when the Rams host William & Mary at the Siegel Center.
CIAA announces 2024 Football All-Conference Teams and top honors
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has revealed its 2024 Football All-Conference selections and annual superlative awards, celebrating standout performances from the season. The honors highlight six individual players and one coach whose achievements defined the year.
Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy Weekend returns
The 4th Annual Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy Project Weekend celebrates the historic rivalry between Armstrong and Maggie L. Walker high schools with events from Nov. 29 through 30. The weekend honors the football game that drew as many as 40,000 fans annually between 1938 and 1978.
VCU alum and restaurateur Chris Tsui named commencement speaker
Founder of Eat Restaurant Partners will address graduates in December
Chris Tsui, founder and president of Eat Restaurant Partners, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University’s December commencement.
Salisbury Presbyterian Church hosts ‘Singin’ to the World’ concert
Joyful Voices Chorus, a Richmond area choir for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers, will play its fall concert, “Singin’ to the World,” on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Salisbury Presbyterian Church.
VCU Women’s Basketball adds Daija Preston
The Rams just got a major boost. VCU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Beth O’Boyle has officially signed Daija Preston, a dynamic 5-foot-9 guard from Douglasville, Ga., who’s set to make an impact.
National anglers set sights on Richmond in 2025
Anglers across the country will have their sights set on Richmond in April when the James River serves as the third stop of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance.
Homeownership dream becomes reality with Richmond Habitat
For Najiyyah Abdullah, a child development services specialist and mother of five, owning a home has always been a dream.
Virginia Union wins CIAA Football Championship, advances to NCAA Playoffs
Virginia Union University clinched its second consecutive CIAA Football Championship with a thrilling 17-13 victory over Virginia State University on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Salem.
Virginia Housing launches $75M workforce housing program
Virginia Housing has announced a new $75 million Workforce Housing Investment Program to expand housing options for middle income workers in areas experiencing job growth.
Johnson named interim AD at Va. State
Felicia Johnson has been appointed interim athletic director at Virginia State University, officials announced. Johnson, who has been with the university since 2021, previously served as senior associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator.
Valentine Museum exhibition wins 4 top design awards
The Valentine museum and Studio Joseph have won four prestigious design awards for their exhibition “Sculpting History at the Valentine Studio: Art, Power and the ‘Lost Cause’ American Myth,” which opened in January.
Craft + Design show marks 60 years of celebrating contemporary craft
Craft + Design, a premier contemporary craft show, is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary this weekend at Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. The event, which runs Nov. 22-24, will feature the work of more than 160 artists from across the country, offering shoppers a chance to explore and purchase museum-quality crafts.
Richmond Kickers’ Sawatzky nominated for Coach of the Year
USL League One recently announced that Richmond Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky was nominated for the league’s Coach of the Year award.
Papa Johns awards $15,000 to city organizations
Three local Richmond organizations have been awarded $15,000 in grants to support their efforts in youth leadership and entrepreneurship. The funding, provided by the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community, will help advance programs that aim to strengthen the community.
Hanover County to host free Caregiver Expo
Hanover County will host its third annual Caregiver Expo on Thursday, Nov. 14, in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. The free event to provide resources and support for caregivers of older adults will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Recreation Center and Library, 15302 Clazemont Road.
Visual Arts Center hosts ‘The Shape of Water’ exhibition
The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, in partnership with the nonprofit Crafting the Future, hosts “The Shape of Water,” a group exhibition exploring themes of human embodiment, land connection and lasting impressions. The exhibition continues through Jan. 12.
City prepares for 47th annual Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon
The Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon is set to celebrate its 47th edition Nov. 16. Known as “America’s Friendliest Marathon,” the event will feature over 20,000 participants across the marathon, half marathon and 8K races.
CIAA announces 2024-25 All-CIAA preseason women’s bowling team
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the 2024-25 All-CIAA Preseason Women’s Bowling Team and Predicted Order of Finish, as voted on by the Sports Information Directors Association. This year’s preseason team is composed entirely of returners from the 2023-2024 All-CIAA team, showcasing the depth of talent in the conference.
Virginia State defeats Virginia Union, setting up championship rematch
In a battle of two of the top teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Virginia State University defeated Virginia Union University 35-28 on Nov. 9 in Ettrick. The win sets up a rematch between the two teams in the CIAA Championship Game on Nov. 16 in Salem, Va.
Virginia Union ties record with 91-0 victory over Bluefield State
Virginia Union University’s football team made history Saturday, Nov. 2, tying a 108-year-old record by defeating Bluefield State University 91-0 at Hovey Stadium. This impressive victory not only matched the largest margin of victory in school history but also equaled the 1916 team’s 91-0 win over Saint Paul’s College.
Grant earns CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors
University of Richmond redshirt senior defensive end Jeremiah Grant was named the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week after playing a pivotal role in Richmond’s 35-24 win over Towson on Nov. 2.
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