Sorority and South Side church to host voting information fair
Richmond voters have a new opportunity to learn and prepare for the upcoming general elections in November on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Lobs & Lesson youth program offers more than tennis
Tennis instructor Crystal Hernandez eyes 8-year-old Har’Mani Fleming’s technique as the Henry L. Marsh Elementary School third-grader bounces the ball during a tennis drill while her friend Emani Crockett, 8, also a Marsh third-grader prepares to serve. The girls are participants in an eight-
Emergency SNAP benefits extended
Recipients of Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue to get emergency benefits for the month of October.
Policy group’s awards event combines inspiration and celebration
Richmond Delegate Betsy B. Carr will be among the adult and student honorees whom the nonprofit Policy Pathways will salute during its fourth annual virtual Fall Celebration at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture offers citizenship preparation classes
Beginning this month, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will of- fer aspiring new citizens free citizenship preparation classes to help them prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test.
$1.45M grant to assist VSU students with child care costs
Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine have announced that Virginia State University will receive $1.45 million to assist student-parents (students who are also parents) with child care costs. The funds, which will be distributed over the next four years, will be used to offer student-parents access to affordable child care services both on and off campus.
New authority to oversee Henrico County’s sports and entertainment venues
Henrico County is being proactive about its plans for sports tourism with its new Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority that will oversee an increasing number of public-private facilities in the county.
Maymont’s annual Garden Glow promises to shine brighter than before
Dramatic and colorful lighting will once again transform portions of Maymont’s gardens and historic architecture after sunset beginning next Thursday, Oct. 13, and continuing through Saturday, Nov. 6, it has been announced.
Virginia’s Center for the Book names new director
Writer, educator and arts collaborator Kalela Williams is returning to Virginia as the new director of the Virginia Center for the Book.
Richmond Folk Festival kicks off this weekend
Sunny, cool weather is being forecast for this weekend when one of virginia’s largest free events returns: The Richmond Folk Festival.
VCU Libraries lecture will focus on racism in health care
Journalist, author and educator Linda Villarosa will be the inaugural speaker in a new Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries lecture series on social justice. Scheduled for Oct. 27, the talk will be based on Ms. Villarosa’s 2022 book, “Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.”
Monkeypox vaccine available to more people
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS, and anyone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the last three months are now eligible to apply for the vaccine, official say.
Project Yoga Richmond closes its doors
After 12 years, Project Yoga Richmond is closing its doors. The nonprofit hosted its last classes in September, including the final Saturday Salutations at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Sep. 24.
2nd Street Festival canceled
The Richmond Free Press has been informed that the 34th 2nd Street Festival scheduled Oct. 1-2 is canceled. The popular annual event celebrates the history of Jackson Ward and its heyday as the heart and soul of the Black community.
UR hopes to eliminate campus stigmas about mental health
The University of Rich- mond is joining the fight to improve mental health outreach and eliminate its stigma on college campuses, through a new partnership with Hilinski’s Hope Foundation ahead of its third annual College Football Mental Health Week. The partnership was an- nounced Monday, with UR’s involvement starting Oct. 1 and ending Oct. 8. UR joins over 115 colleges in the United States that have partnered with Hilinski’s Hope, a foundation started by Kym and Mark Hilinski in honor of their son, Tyler, a former Washington State University quarterback, who died by suicide. “We are incredibly honored that over 115 schools nation- wide will be participating in this year’s mental health week to fight stigma and increase resources on campuses,” said Kym Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope, in a statement. “While conversations around mental illness can be tough and at times uncomfortable, it is absolutely critical for the well-being of our student athletes.” As part of College Football Mental Health Week, UR plans to use at least one of Hilinski’s Hope’s programming options, from adding lime green ribbons to all their players’ helmets to honor those lost or suffering in silence. UR also will encourage solidarity among students, alumni, parents and fans or take an internal assessment to see how well the college is ad- dressing mental health in honor of those lost to or suffering from mental health issues as part of this partnership. “College Football Mental Health Week is an incredible way to destigmatize and sup- port student-athlete mental health,” said Rachel Turk, UR’s psychologist for athletics. “Every student-athlete should know that they are important and they are not alone.” More information is avail- able at www.hilinskishope.org/ cfb-mental-health-week.
Miss VSU adds title of Miss HBCU
Joy Watson, Miss Virginia State University, is now the queen of the historically Black colleges and universities.
Second Baptist Church receives award for health care outreach efforts
Second Baptist Church in South Side was recognized Monday for serving as a central hub for information, testing and vaccinations during the pandemic from the Richmond City Council.
VCU nursing school receives $13M for student scholarships
University says ‘funds will help support diversity in health care over the next five years’
Philanthropists Joanne and Bill Conway have given The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing its largest ever gift —$13 million—through its Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF.
Legislature will move to new building after 2023 session
Supply chain issues threaten successful move before session
The Virginia General Assembly has announced it will not hold its 2023 Regular Session in the new General Assembly Building (GAB) due to supply chain issues that threaten to prohibit completion of the building in time to prepare for a successful legislative session.
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.
If it’s June, it must be Black Music Month
While Juneteenth has been a primary focus for many Black Americans throughout June, another observance — Black Music Month — has also captured their attention.
Poor People’s campaign in Washington to highlight low-wage earners
Is the country in a moral, economic and political crisis for ignoring people living on the financial margin?
Welcome home, Bobby
Robert “Bobby” L. Dandridge was a star long before the NBA made his name a household word. No one knew that better than Mr. Dandridge’s family, friends, fans and former teammates who were on hand for “The Bobby Dandridge Legacy Celebration” last Saturday at his alma mater, Maggie Walker High School (now the Maggie Walker Governor’s School) where he was a star in the late 1960s.
Six ‘Strong Men & Women’ recognized for leadership and lasting impact
A union leader who fought for Black railroad workers, a self-trained civil rights attorney, and an advocate for women in science and technology are among six African Americans whose work will be honored by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia on June 16 at the Richmond Marriott.
An occasion for his honor
S. Bernard Goodwyn is second African-American to serve as chief justice
The investiture of S. Bernard Goodwyn as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia took place Wednesday in the Chambers of the Supreme Court of Virginia before family, friends, colleagues and fellow Supreme Court of Virginia Justices at 100 N. 9th St.
Dance, jazz, theater and Prince highlight Festival of the Arts
Two popular local bands will launch Richmond’s largest lineup of free summer entertainment, including the annual Fourth of July festival and fireworks.
Juneteenth Concert is a ‘Celebration of Freedom’
Juneteenth (or Freedom Day) will be celebrated in its truest sense at St. James’s Episcopal Church at 5 p.m. June 19 at the church, 1205 W. Franklin St. This event features a spectacular “Freedom Day Organ Recital” performed by renowned organist Dr. Carl Haywood, playing music he composed just for the occasion.
2 artistic directors join Virginia Repertory Theatre
Todd D. Norris and Rick Hammerly will join Desirée Roots, a Richmond-based jazz singer and actress, as artistic directors for the Virginia Repertory Theatre.
VCU receives formal designation as minority-serving institution
Virginia Commonwealth University officially has joined the ranks of schools with a federal designation for serving minority students.
‘Something in the Water’ flows to D.C.
Entertainment superstar Pharrell L. Williams has found a new home for his huge music festival “Something in the Water.”
Rapper Young Prince Charles presented ceremonial key to city
Rapper Young Prince Charles has been given the ceremonial key to the City of Richmond in recognition of his career success.
Stacey Daniels-Fayson stepping down from RRHA
Stacey Daniels-Fayson has resigned from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority after serving more than a year as interim chief executive officer, the authority has confirmed.
New funding to add amenities, volleyball court and walking trail to Hillside Court playground
Another $150,000 is being poured into playground improvements at Hillside Court.
Artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, whose projections on the Lee monument gained national attention, receive grant for new works
Richmond lighting artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui drew national attention 18 months ago in projecting the faces of Black thinkers, activists and victims of police violence nightly on the pedestal of the Lee monument on Monument Avenue.
YMCA makes deal on Downtown building
The YMCA of Greater Richmond could become a model for nonprofits seeking to gain revenue from old buildings, while keeping them in operation.
Former Delegate Flora D. Crittenden of Newport News succumbs at 97
Former Delegate Flora D. Crittenden, a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus who represented Newport News in the House of Delegates from 1993 to 2004, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. She was 97.
Heytens confirmed for seat on 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
The lawyer who won the legal battle to bring down the giant state-owned statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue is on his way to the federal bench.
Teen gun ban remains intact
A federal ban on gun sales to young people who are old enough to vote but have not reached the drinking age of 21 is still the law—for now.
30 city employees face possible firing over COVID-19 vaccination mandate
With the City of Richmond just days away from the Oct. 1 deadline for all employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, all but 30 workers have gotten the vaccine or filed religious or medical exemptions to the city mandate.
Golden Nugget donates $1M to Virginia’s HBCUs
A $1 million donation to the five historically Black universities in Virginia.
RAA earns re-accreditation
The Richmond Ambulance Authority still ranks among the top ambulance companies in the country despite personnel shortages that have slowed its responses to emergency calls.
Premier Bank, which traces its history to Maggie L. Walker, sold to Ohio banking company
The bank that history-making business pioneer Maggie L. Walker founded and led in Richmond soon will be under new ownership.
VUU freshman football player collapses during practice and dies
Virginia Union University is mourning the death of freshman football player Quandarius Wilburn, who collapsed and died Sunday afternoon as the team worked out.
Educator, counselor Susie Banian succumbs at 82
Susie Ann Banian, a veteran Richmond teacher and guidance counselor who also sang in multiple church and community choirs, has died.
Secure health info profiles can help first responders in emergencies
Richmond residents can create a digital health profile that paramedics and other emergency personnel can access after a health emergency strikes, the city Department of Emergency Communications has announced.
Juneteenth celebrations planned around Metro Richmond
The first official Juneteenth celebration in Virginia will be recognized with a variety of events throughout the area sponsored by a range of organizations, groups and churches.
Polls open Tuesday, June 8, for Democratic primary
Voters are in the midst of choosing the Democratic standard bearers who will run for state and local offices in the fall election, with the nomina- tion contests to be settled by a primary election Tuesday, June 8.
Crusade for Voters announces Democratic primary endorsements
The Richmond Crusade for Voters plans to urge city voters to support incumbent Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin and incumbent Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving in the June 8 Democratic primary.
Actor Hill Harper to launch Black-owned digital wallet
Richmond will be a stop on a national tour seeking to pump up interest in a new Black-owned financial app for cell phones that is to go live June 1.
