
Renowned jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis dies at 87
Renowned jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, whose music entertained fans over a more than 60-year career that began with the Ramsey Lewis Trio and made him one of the country’s most successful jazz musicians, has died. He was 87.

Culinary historian Michael W. Twitty is LVA’s literary awards speaker
James Beard award-winning author and cu- linary historian Michael W. Twitty will be the featured speaker during the Library of Virginia’s 25th Annual Literary Awards Celebration on Oct. 15.

VMHC announces second grant cycle for history projects
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture will begin accepting applications Oct. 1 from state historical organizations for its second annual Commonwealth History Fund grant cycle. VMHC will again award approximately $400,000 to meet its pledge to distribute some $2 million over five years from the fund.

VCU professor’s documentary sheds light on Central State’s darkness
A new Richmond-made documentary will premiere this weekend with a view of the good, the bad and the ugly of mental health treatment for Black people in Virginia.

Boxing legend Earnie Shavers dies at 78
Earnie Shavers, among the hardest punch- ers in heavyweight boxing history, died Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at the home of one of his daughters in Virginia. He was 78. Known as the “Black Destroyer,” Mr. Shavers posted a career record of 74-14-1 between 1969 and 1995. His worksheet included 68 knockouts with 23 coming in the first round. The Alabama native won 44 of his first 47 bouts via knockout. Twice he fought for the world title, los- ing to Muhammad Ali in 1977 and Larry Holmes in 1979. Mr. Shavers left an indelible impression on Ali. “Earnie hit me so hard, it shocked my kinfolk back in Africa,” Ali said. Along the way, Mr. Shavers scored ring victories over three former world champs, Jimmy Ellis, Ken Norton and Vincente Rondon. Mr. Shavers’ immense power came up in the 1980s when late-night TV host David Letterman interviewed boxing champ George Foreman. Letterman asked Foreman about Mr. Shavers. Foreman replied: “I never fought Earnie Shavers. Thank goodness.”

VCU’s Vimael Machin is a hit with Oakland A's
VCU has a stake in the action as Major League Baseball rolls into Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 15.

Undefeated Hampton meets winless Norfolk in Bay Battle
Hampton University’s Pirates couldn’t feel much higher.

Legislation involving hate speech, misinformation not to be taken lightly
This fall, the United States Senate plans to vote on the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. While everyone agrees regulation is needed in regard to the tech industry, we, however, should not downplay some very legitimate concerns about problematic aspects in the Act.

Queen Elizabeth’s death rituals reflect ‘dynasties of inbred’ rich people
Mourning of Queen Elizabeth in England betrays a singular lack of understanding of monarchy’s regressive effect on world history.

‘Quiet quitting’ is not just for ‘silly season’, by Clarence Page
Just as I was wondering whether various crises were coming too fast to allow our usual “silly season” of oddball late summer news, an appropriately weird-sounding social trend popped up on social networks and intriguingly struck a nerve. It’s called “quiet quitting.”

Redistricting is voter suppression too, by Ben Jealous
When Charles Diggs, Jr. won election to Congress in Michigan’s 13th District in 1954, he launched nearly seven decades in which the city of Detroit had at least one Black member of Congress.

A big deal
Join us in congratulating Mayor Levar M. Stoney and the City Hall team for the Diamond District deal.

Ministers, medical experts honored
A group that was launched two years ago to provide Black pastors with information on Covid-19 and other health issues to share with their congregants received recognition from City Council Monday.

Rep. McEachin offers platitudes for East End and Evergreen cemeteries
U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin has joined the worry brigade about the future of two historic Black cemeteries that a collapsed Richmond nonprofit owns.

Gun violence, speeding and other Varina District issues to be discussed
Henrico County Board Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson, who represents the Varina District, will host several “Community Conversations” to address issues involving speeding, gun violence, an upcoming bond referendum and more.

Parking may cost $5 to $20 for courthouse visits
Parking for anyone going to the John Marshall Courts Building just became more difficult—and expensive.

Local landlord agrees to reimburse tenants to settle complaints
A Richmond businessman who sublet apartments to desperate people with bad credit has agreed to a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office to end a complaint that he defrauded his clients.