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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Miss VSU adds title of Miss HBCU
Joy Watson, Miss Virginia State University, is now the queen of the historically Black colleges and universities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Golden Nugget donates $1M to Virginia’s HBCUs
A $1 million donation to the five historically Black universities in Virginia.
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.
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.
Hanover Branch NAACP, others file legal challenge to planned Wegmans distribution center
The battle over a proposed $175 million distribution center that Wegmans Food Markets Inc. wants to build in Hanover County is headed to court.
Early voting begins April 23 for Democratic primary
Early voting for the June 8 Democratic primary will get underway this Friday, April 23 – 45 days ahead of primary day.
New business investments to add more than 1,200 jobs
More than 1,200 new jobs are headed to the Richmond area as the result of new business investments.
Mustang Club revs engines to mark classic car’s 57th birthday, service award
Thomas Victory and the Victory 7 Mustang Club are celebrating a birthday on April 17 — the 57th birthday of the Ford Mustang.
Neil S. Kessler is new chair of RRHA board
As anticipated, the board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a new chair – Neil S. Kessler.
Fort Lee being assessed as site to house unaccompanied immigrant children
Fort Lee, which sits outside of Petersburg about 20 miles south of Richmond, might become a temporary holding center for unaccompanied minors who cross into the United States without legal status and are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Electronic system allows voters to sign petitions for candidates to get on Democratic primary ballot
Signing a statewide candidate’s petition to get on the June 8 Democratic primary ballot just got extremely easy for registered voters.
General Assembly wraps up session ushering in changes
The death penalty was abolished, a new state Voting Rights Act was approved to ensure voter suppression does not happen and racial bigotry was a labeled a public health crisis.
Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s star to shine on Hollywood Walk of Fame
A dream of most people in the movie business is to get a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ruth E. Carter is getting hers this week.
More federal money available for rental relief in the state
Virginia is pumping an additional $160 million into its rental relief program aimed at helping tenants and landlords avoid eviction proceedings, Gov. Ralph S. Northam announced Tuesday.
