Songs of redemption
Documentary film captures noted hip-hop artist ‘Speech’ of Arrested Development helping men incarcerated at the Richmond City Justice Center make strides toward better lives through music
For 10 days, hip-hop artist Todd “Speech” Thomas, the front man for Arrested Development, worked inside the Richmond City Justice Center helping inmates to tell their stories via music. They sang, rapped and played out their pain in music, part of a method to unearth the past and open new chapters in the lives.
VUU to take on Duke in N.C.
Virginia Union University faces long odds Tuesday, Oct. 23, when Coach Jay Butler’s Panthers play powerhouse Duke University in an exhibition basketball game in Durham, N.C. Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Duke’s campus.
Survey picks Golden State Warriors for repeat title; LeBron James for MVP
Today’s NBA seems to be tilted toward the West Coast. According to the basketball league’s 30 general managers, the Oakland-based Golden State Warriors are picked to win their third straight NBA championship title and fourth in five years. With the league’s 73rd season opening this week, here are predictions from the annual NBA.com GM Survey.
Richmond Flying Squirrels end season with EL’s best attendance, worst record
The Richmond Flying Squirrels finished last in victories but first in attendance for the 2018 Eastern League season.
Edward Curtis pushes through grief to deliver for Armstrong
Armstrong High School’s Edward Curtis Jr. plays his rugged brand of football with more than just flesh and bone. The senior is also fueled by a brimming tank of emotion.
VUU to face formidable Bowie State at Hovey Field
Virginia Union University sits alone in first place in the CIAA Northern Division, but staying there won’t be easy. The Panthers are atop a slippery perch.
VSU banking on a homecoming win this Saturday
This has been a “what if” football season for the Virginia State University Trojans. During the homecoming game this weekend, Trojans fans can’t help but ask “What if?” regarding three painful road losses that has VSU on the outside looking in at CIAA title and NCAA aspirations.
Charles ‘Jabo’ Wilkins, trailblazing player for the VCU Rams, dies at 70
In Virginia Commonwealth University’s storied basketball history, few players shined brighter than Richmond native Charles “Jabo” Wilkins. A trailblazing hero for the Rams from 1968 to 1971, Mr. Wilkins died of brain cancer Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Greenville, N.C., at age 70.
‘Fashioned for the Kingdom’ two-day women’s conference set for Oct. 26, 27
A two-day conference to help women embrace their vision, maximize their potential and fulfill their purpose will be held Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, at The Westin Richmond, 6631 W. Broad St.
Personality: Hattie W. Hamlin
Spotlight on new board chair of Leadership Metro Richmond
“Leadership Metro Richmond is an organization that has done tremendous work and has sent leaders throughout the commonwealth as well as the nation. It is the linchpin of all of what makes up our region.”
Good news
We call our readers’ attention to a well done report, “Witness to the killing,” published by the Washington Post on Wednesday that spotlights Richmond.
Congratulations!
We offer a hearty congratulations to Rodney A. Robinson, Virginia’s 2019 Teacher of the Year.
Demanding respect
A few years before Aretha Franklin sang “Respect,” Otis Redding’s version had a laudable meaning, too. When Aretha sang “Respect” in 1967, she turned the song into something women have never let go.
Trump and ‘Medi-scare’
Maybe Donald Trump really believes his hype about the “lying media.” That might explain why his effort to produce a commentary longer than a tweet contains enough falsehoods to have fact checkers working overtime.
Virginia needs early voting
In North Carolina on Wednesday, Oct. 17, individuals began voting in the November midterm election. It is called early voting — not absentee voting.
Give Monroe Park back to the community
Although the Richmond Planning Commission refused to allow the Monroe Park Conservancy to place an illuminated Dominion Energy sign inside Monroe Park, a landmark which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the conservancy has named certain parts of the park they are hawking for rental on their website, including Dominion Energy Pavilion and Ordway and Cutshaw lawns.
President Lincoln was a traitor and other ‘truths’
In his letter to the editor, Dr. Ravi Perry accuses Confederate soldiers of being “by definition, traitors to the nation.” He is either ignorant of history or he is a “Court Historian” willfully indoctrinating his credulous students with what Voltaire called “the propaganda of the victorious.”
New Henrico schools diversity chief ready to push change
Monica Manns keeps certain books within arm’s reach of her desk at the Henrico County Public Schools central office.
Coming home
It was a whirlwind weekend for the hundreds of Virginia Union University alumni who returned to campus for the 2018 homecoming celebration.
PTA president lives in Henrico, but keeps children in RPS
Every school day, Chastity R. Hise or her husband, James R. Hise, drives the 3 miles from their home to drop their two children off at Linwood Holton Elementary School in the city’s North Side. And at the end of the day, one of the Hises is there to drive the children home.
