Personality: Shelby Brown McDowney
Spotlight on founder of Mission From The Heart Foundation
When a letter arrived from the Internal Revenue Service confirming that Shelby Brown McDowney’s newly formed organization, Mission From The Heart Foundation, received its nonprofit classification, it was like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day. “When I opened the mailbox and saw the letter, I started jumping up and down and dancing in the rain,” Ms. McDowney says. “I’ll never forget the day.”
Housing aid for families impacted by COVID-19
Many of the estimated 3,800 Richmond area families facing court hearings that could lead to eviction may qualify for the state’s new rent relief program.
New RPS HR director comes from system with similar challenges
Sandra Lee has her work cut out for her.
Low-key efforts waged to remove statue of segregationist Harry F. Byrd Sr. from Capitol Square
In the midst of widespread efforts to remove Confederate memorials, a similar change may be on the way for Richmond’s Capitol Square.
Fund grows to help pay for Confederate statues’ removal
When city officials decided to promptly remove the Confederate statues along Monument Avenue and other parts of the city, everything was in place for the action except the money to pay for it.
Hanover’s Confederate school names eliminated
The Hanover County School Board voted 4-3 Tuesday night to change the names and mascots of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School.
Questions swirl around judge
Lawyers representing Mayor Levar M. Stoney and the city have rushed to the Virginia Supreme Court, requesting the state’s highest court overturn a Richmond Circuit Court judge’s 60-day injunction barring the mayor from using emergency authority to take down Confederate statues.
Washington NFL team drops racist name
The most polarizing name in North American professional sports is gone.
New law gives teeth to Richmond’s gun ban
Remember when a group of gun toters invaded City Hall to protest gun controls and jangled nerves at a City Council meeting as they filled the seats?
Why is Rojai Fentress still in prison?
On April 13, 1996, Thomas W. Foley was shot in a breezeway of an apartment building on Midlothian Turnpike while trying to purchase crack cocaine.
Discrimination, political correctness and profiteers
If we want to truly be equal, take all the statues down, and don’t show favoritism to any one race or gender.
Climate crisis is a social justice issue
People in the city of Richmond protested during the past month and they have been heard. The city that was once on fire at the close of the Civil War is again on fire — spiritually and politically. Now is the time for Richmond’s citizens to step up and demand real changes from our local and national elected officials.
D.C. Statehood is a racial justice issue by Ben Jealous
The District of Columbia is the one spot where there is no government for the people, of the people and by the people, the great abolitionist and D.C. resident Frederick Douglass once wrote.
Automatic expungements can help remove barriers by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
Unjust and racist policies continuously serve as a barrier to progress for our Black and brown communities, creating a stifling environment for socioeconomic mobility that makes it less and less likely for each generation to be better off than the last.
School safety
We understand the unfortunate conundrum parents and families are facing as school districts across the state grapple with how to reopen safely and effectively during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faculty votes to drop Lee name from Washington & Lee University
Faculty at Washington and Lee University voted on Monday to remove Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee’s name from the school.
Turmoil at EBONY and Essence magazines prompts changes at top
EBONY and Essence magazines are in trouble.
Flying Squirrels going Hollywood with ‘Movies in the Outfield’ at The Diamond
With the baseball season shut down because of the coronavirus, The Diamond will take on a new look on Thursday and Saturday nights this summer by showing family films beach-blanket style on the field.
