Black History Museum to host film screenings in honor of Brown v. Board
Marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will host a special event titled “Our Past, Our Present, Our Future.”
Richmond Folk Festival announces first artists
The Richmond Folk Festival returns to Brown’s Island September 27-29, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The initial lineup of artists for the 2024 Richmond Folk Festival includes go-go band Trouble Funk, jazz artist Lonnie Holley, bluegrass group Junior Sisk Band, among many others.
Council members host honorary street naming ceremonies
Richmond City Council members plan to honor two esteemed citizens this week with honorary street namings.
Riverrock brings music and sports Downtown
Dominion Energy Riverrock, an annual outdoor sports and music festival, returns this week with a new layout and an expanded footprint.
Coming Together Virginia hosts dinner talk on race and psychiatry
In a culmination of a three-part series exploring the intricate relationship between race and mental health, Coming Together Virginia presents its Tuesday Dinner Gathering on May 21 at 6 p.m. at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. This event features guest speaker Dr. Shawn Utsey, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
St. Catherine’s student awarded almost $2M in scholarships
After applying to over 30 colleges and universities, 17-year-old St. Catherine’s School student Ava Holloway was awarded over $1.98 million in scholarships.
Steadfast devotion
Faith Community’s Patricia Gould-Champ steps down from pulpit
After 28 years, Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ last January handed off the pastoral leadership of the church she founded, Faith Community Baptist Church in the East End.
Free concert series returns Main Street Station
Richmond’s Department of Public Works recently announced the return of Music at Main, a series of free music concerts featuring local musicians. The concerts will take place on select Thursdays in May from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the patio at Main Street Station.
‘Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design’ opens at Jamestown
he Jamestown Settlement is hosting an exhibition high-lighting the work of Ruth E. Carter, a distinguished figure in costume design and a recipient of two Academy Awards.
Free Press wins 9 awards in Virginia Press Association competition
The Richmond Free Press was recognized with nine awards, including two first place awards, at the annual Virginia Press Association competition in writing, photography, news presentation and advertising.
2 RPS high schools celebrate top honors
Two Richmond Public Schools high schools, Open High School and Richmond Community High School, recently garnered significant recognition. U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged them as standout institutions among Virginia’s educational community.
Virginia universities announce graduation dates, speakers
College graduations start throughout Virginia in the next two weeks, with thousands of students receiving their diplomas and taking their hard-earned knowledge out into the world.
State employees get free admission to VMFA’s ‘Samurai Armor’ exhibit
Commonwealth of Virginia employees and preschool and K–12 teachers (public and private schools) will receive free admission to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ new exhibition “Samurai Armor from the Collection of Ann & Gabriel Barbier-Mueller.” Active duty military personnel and their immediate families also will receive free admission to special exhibitions through the museum’s year-round participation in the Blue Star Museums program.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden plans $31M expansion
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is breaking ground on a two-year expansion project. Called “Thrive,” the $31 million project will nearly double the size of the existing Conservatory, add 7.5 acres of new gardens, and incorporate an additional lake into the Garden experience.
Herbs Galore descends on Maymont
Maymont’s Herbs Galore plant sale event on Saturday promises that herb lovers will find everything they need to freshen up their gardens. The fun occurs between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St.
Dale Farino appointed CEO of state ABC
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has appointed Dale Farino as the new CEO of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC), effective April 29.
Summer Academy offers students lessons in leadership, public service
Richmond high school and college students can gain political skills and knowledge during the upcoming Summer Academy for Policy Leadership and Public Service. The academy runs from Sunday, June 23, to Saturday, July 6, and is organized by Policy Pathways Inc. The program will be hosted in partnership with the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Fashion, fun and more
Richmond Fashion Week will celebrate the region’s thriving fashion and creative industries starting April 22-28.
Virginia NAACP files lawsuit against governor
The NAACP Virginia State Conference filed a lawsuit with the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond on Monday against Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Office for violating the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
Students to compete in History Day at VMHC
Virginia students in grades 4-12 are preparing to compete at the 50th annual Virginia History Day competition at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture April 27-28.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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/.
Gov. Youngkin is VCU commencement speaker
Gov. Glenn Youngkin will be Virginia Commonwealth University’s spring commencement speaker on May 11.
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.
Meet the new kids at Maymont
Maymont welcomed three baby Tennessee domestic goats to Maymont Farm just in time for spring.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
