VMHC to offer free citizenship classes
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s “Becoming Citizens” program returns this spring, offering 100% free citizenship preparation classes to help prepare people for taking their citizenship test.
State NAACP serves governor’s office with intent to sue for violation of FOIA
The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP served Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office with a notice of intent to sue for violation of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“VFOIA”), Va. Code §§ 2.2-3700 et seq. The notice was accompanied by a copy of the lawsuit the Virginia NAACP intends to file detailing the governor’s failure to produce any records responsive to the group’s request for public information sent on August 31, 2023.
Chesterfield superintendent announces retirement
Superintendent Mervin B. Daugherty announced April 9 that he is retiring. June 30 will be his last day on the job. Dr. Daugherty has spent nearly 50 years in education.
Danny Avula, who coordinated state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, is running for mayor
Dr. Danny Avula, a longtime public health leader who coordinated vaccination efforts under Gov. Ralph Northam and also served as former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, has announced his bid to become mayor of Richmond.
VisArts hosts Richmond Poetry Fest
Richmond Poetry Fest, hosted by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts), will return for its second year April 12-13. The free two-day event will include workshops, vendors, readings and activities for poets and artists of all ages.
Pharrell Williams project to film in Virginia
An untitled Pharrell Williams feature film from Universal Pictures will film throughout Central and Coastal Virginia this spring and summer, according to Virginia’s governor’s office.
Award-winning Norfolk journalist Marvin 'M.L.' Lake remembered
As a career journalist, Marvin Leon Lake’s interests dated back to junior high school when he was a business manager for the Jacox Journal in 1959.
VSU hosts high school robotics championships
Virginia State University’s College of Engineering and Technology will host the 2024 FIRST Chesapeake District Robotics Competition Championship April 4-6.
U.S. House Office of Diversity and Inclusion dissolved
Nearly two years ago, Sesha Joi Moon, a Richmond native and co-founder of a Richmond-based nonprofit, was named the U.S. House of Representatives director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Branch Museum to host free open house
The Branch Museum will host a free open house Easter Sunday, March 31, from noon to 5 p.m. for the Monument Avenue Easter on Parade.
Mayor Stoney’s $2.9B budget
‘We are stronger than we’ve ever been’
In delivering his 2025 City of Richmond Budget speech yesterday, Mayor Levar M. Stoney praised his budget team for “working tirelessly year-round to ensure our financial house is in order.”
Gov. Youngkin is VCU commencement speaker
Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be Virginia Commonwealth University’s spring commencement speaker on May 11.
Black History Museum receives $300,000 grant
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia has received a two-year, $300,000 grant from The Anne Mullen Orrell Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee. The award is to support the BHMCC’s general operating expenses, enabling the museum to continue its mission to preserve and promote the rich history and cultural heritage of African-Americans in Virginia, according to a museum news release. “We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious grant from the Anne Mullen Orrell Charitable Trust, facilitated by Bank of America. This grant underscores the importance of the museum’s mission to collect, interpret, and celebrate the inspirational stories of Vir- ginia’s Black history & culture,” said Shakia Gullette Warren, BHMCC executive director. “Through education and storytelling, we demonstrate that Black history is part of our collective American story,” she added. “By providing support for the museum’s overall op- erations, the Trust allows us to continue our work through our exhibitions, educational and community programs, events, and other initiatives.” To learn more about the BHMCC, please visit https://blackh- istorymuseum.org/.
Meet the new kids at Maymont
Maymont welcomed three baby Tennessee domestic goats to Maymont Farm just in time for spring.
Maymont welcomes all for 2024 Dominion Energy Family Easter events
Maymont invites local families to celebrate spring at Dominion Energy Family Easter on Saturday, March 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All Henrico Reads features for ‘Wild’ memoir discussion
All Henrico Reads, Henrico County’s long-running literary event, will return Thursday, March 28, with bestselling and award-winning author Cheryl Strayed discussing her 2012 memoir “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.”
Registration opens for HCPS Summer Academy
Registration opens this month for Henrico County Public Schools’ Summer Academy. According to HCPS, the program gives elementary, middle and high school students opportunities for enrichment, remediation and career exploration.
AMMD Pine Grove prepares to stabilize building, debut film ‘More than a School'
The past and future of the historic Pine Grove School will be the focus of two events hosted by the AMMD Pine Grove Project during the last week of March and the first week of April.
Dr. Dorothy Height celebrated
The Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women will host the annual Dorothy Height Day celebration on Friday, March 22, at 10:45 a.m. The event will be at the historical markers at Hull Street Library, 1400 Hull St.
Richmond Continentals host free financial workshop
The Richmond Continental Societies will host a free financial literacy workshop for high school students and parents Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at Armstrong High School, 2300 Cool Lane.
Lydia Thompson, NCECA works featured at BHMCC
The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will host an exhibition opening reception for two new exhibits from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 22.
Elegba Folklore Society welcomes Kenyan delegation
The public is invited to Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center on Tuesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. to “Meet the Maasai.” Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko, Cicilia Seleyian and Kilenyi John Parsitau are visiting Richmond from Maasailand in Kenya, and they will share with attendees the indigenous history of the Maasai along with their evolving stories split between Kenya and Tanzania as a result of both British and German colonization.
Dominion Foundation announces spring grant cycle
Nonprofit and educational organizations focused on human needs, the environment, education and their community but in need of financial support have a new opportunity courtesy of Dominion Energy.
Morehouse School of Medicine receives cancer grant
A researcher at the Morehouse School of Medicine has been awarded a historic $25 million grant for her team’s efforts in studying inequities in cancer outcomes for people and communities of African descent.
Henrico CARES aims to strengthen youth mental health services
Henrico County and Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) are implementing the Henrico CARES plan with the goal to increase availability of mental health services in schools and to expand efforts of prevention, support, and early and intensive intervention for youth mental health, substance abuse and violence.
Dominion recognizes African-American leaders, students
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation and the Library of Virginia recently recognized four Strong Men & Women in Virginia History honorees and Student Creative Expressions Contest finalists during its annual program that recognizes notable African-American business and community leaders.
Former employee files lawsuit against City of Richmond
The City of Richmond’s former FOIA officer has filed a $250,000 lawsuit against the city alleging she was fired in retaliation for refusing to violate state law, according to various news reports. The suit, filed by Connie Clay, alleges that city officials attempted to withhold information that should be public by delaying or ignoring requests, and sometimes quoting exorbitant fees to deter the requester.
The 2024 Virginia General Assembly begins and ends with record number of Black legislators
History was made last November with the election of a record number of Black candidates to the Virginia General Assembly.
John Warren Jones III, owner of Church Hill Cleaners, remembered
Following the legacy of his grandfather and father, John Warren “John John”Jones III began working at the family-owned business, Church Hill Cleaners, as a youngster.
Spring Creek Baptist receives $1.25M grant
Spring Creek Baptist Church in Moseley has been awarded a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help strengthen families through Christian home visitation. The project is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Christian Parenting and Caregiving Initiative. The aim of the initiative is to help parents and caregivers share their faith and values with their children.
Joseph Lowery is City’s first manager of new Richmond Civilian Review Board
Richmond City Council has announced the appointment of Joseph Lowery as the first manager of the new Richmond Civilian Review Board.
Henrico bans firearms, ammunition from its buildings, effective immediately
Henrico County officials have announced a ban on the possession of firearms and ammunition in its government buildings, including libraries and recreation centers, effective immediately.
City officials unveil ‘The Shockoe Project’
10-acre site to tell ‘a more complete story of Richmond’s history’
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, members of the Richmond City Council and representatives from the Shockoe Institute yesterday unveiled “The Shockoe Project,” a 10-acre site in Shockoe Valley that they say is “dedicated to telling the full history of the Richmond slave trade and its national and global significance to the growth of our country.”
Registrar offers options for voting amid snail mail issues
Richmond’s General Registrar Keith Balmer said at a recent meeting that he was offering practical solutions to ensure eligible voters in Richmond can cast ballots without hindrance in next week’s presidential primary, according to The Washington Post and other news outlets.
BHMCCV receives 2024 Commonwealth History Fund Grant
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia (BHMVA) it is one of 14 organizations selected to receive a grant from the Virginia Museum History & Culture’s (VMHC) Commonwealth History Fund.
Maymont’s new otter needs a name
Louis the otter has a new friend at The Robins Nature Center at Maymont. A three-year-old female otter is expected to make her debut in March and Maymont wants the public’s help selecting her name.
YWCA Richmond announces 2024 Class of Outstanding Women Awards honorees
Free Press Managing Editor Bonnie Newman Davis among this year’s recipients
For more than 40 years, YWCA Richmond has recognized accomplished women leaders in the Richmond community who one LinkedIn article described as “modeling resilience, empowering their teams to embrace change, learning from failures and persisting in the face of adversity.”
Youngkins’ announce high school essay contest
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and the Virginia Council on Women have announced the 13th Annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Healthcare (STEAM-H) essay contest. The contest is open to female high school seniors who plan to pursue a STEAM-H career at a community college, four-year college or university, trade or technical school, online or through certificated STEAM-H courses.
VSU, NSU bands featured in documentary
In honor of Black History Month, the Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) announced the debut of “The Legacy of HBCU Marching Bands,” a documentary film that pays tribute to the heritage and legacy of marching bands at historically black colleges and universities. The film will air on WTVR CBS6 at 9 p.m.,Sunday, Feb. 18.
FeedMore hosts food drive
A canned food drive to benefit Feed More will be held in the Henrico Sports & Events Center starting Saturday, Feb. 10 through Friday, March 1, with free tickets to the upcoming Atlantic 10 Conference Women’s Basketball Championship for those who contribute.
VSU students providing free tax assistance
Virginia State University’s Accounting students are collaborating with the IRS for the 37th year to provide free income tax preparation and filing assistance to Tri-City area residents with an income of $73,000 or below.
The Holy Eucharist commemorates Rev. Barbara Harris
The Diocese of Virginia announces the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist commemorating the consecration of the Right Reverend Barbara Clementine Harris, the first woman Bishop in the Anglican Communion, and celebrating the life and witness of the Reverend Absalom Jones, the first African-American priest in The Episcopal Church.
DPU struggling with customer service
April Bingham is proud of the progress the Richmond Department of Public Utilities has made in clearing a backlog of customer service issues.
Friends and loved ones to pay tribute to prominent musician Nathaniel ‘Nat’ Lee
Nathaniel “Nat” Bess Lee — a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger who worked with nationally known musicals acts in his career — died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, after an extended illness. He was 69.
Meals tax concerns continue
Andreas D. Addison is calling on City Hall to refund all of the money in taxes, penalties, and fees that restaurants and other businesses have been forced to pay because of the city’s “bad customer service.”
Brian McGill is Chesterfield County’s Teacher of the Year
Brian McGill, an English teacher at Tomahawk Creek Middle School since 2020, has been selected as the 2024 Teacher of the Year and Middle School Teacher of the Year for Chesterfield County. Mr. McGill has taught in Chesterfield County Public Schools since 2008 and previously taught in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
‘Kemba’ trailer and release date announced
On Thursday, Feb. 22, the MPI Original and BET Original feature film “Kemba” will premiere on the BET+ streaming platform and will air on BET, BETHer, and BET International.
VMFA announces RVA Community Makers, events
For the sixth year, RVA Community Makers will honor African-American leaders from various fields. The annual community-activated art project will be unveiled by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, and will remain on display until March 16.
Elegba Folklore Society explores the origin of civilization
Artifacts, photographs and material culture from Egypt, known in antiquity as Kemet, will go on display at the Elegba Folklore Society’s Cultural Center, beginning Friday, Feb. 2, with an opening reception from 5 to 9 p.m.
Virginia primaries begin in May
In-person voting for statewide candidates in Virginia’s primary elections will kick off Friday, May 3, at local registrar’s offices.
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