Dr. Levy Armwood to retire
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward soon will be looking for a new pastor. Dr. Levy M. Armwood Jr. is retiring after nearly 15 years in the pulpit of the historic church that has occupied 216 W. Leigh St. since 1858, three years before the Civil War.
Prison Fellowship launches ‘Second Chance Month’ to help convicts
A national prison ministry is joining forces with conservative and liberal groups to call on church leaders and politicians to give former prisoners a second chance at normal lives.
Christian coalition protests Trump’s planned budget cuts
With ashes on their foreheads, sackcloth draped around their necks and the U.S. Capitol as a backdrop, Christian leaders used the words “evil” and “immoral” to describe the federal budget cuts President Trump has proposed and many Republican lawmakers favor.
Personality: Tracy L. Causey
Spotlight on local director of MJBL’s RBI program
Most people do not know about Tracy Causey’s love of baseball.
GRTC board fires CARE van company
Cora J. Dickerson’s complaints about the CARE van service that GRTC provides to elderly and disabled riders have produced unexpected results.
School Board wants City Council to release $8.3M surplus
The Richmond School Board is requesting that City Council hand over the $8.3 million budget surplus that became a source of contention last month when Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden disclosed existence of the funds at a City Council meeting.
Petersburg’s Frank Mason III rakes in the honors
Petersburg’s Frank Mason III is creating a national stir.
Clarification
Leroy Williams, a trustee of Pilgrim Baptist Church, said the church “is not making any plans” to sell its longtime home at 1900 Whitcomb St.
Congressman McEachin to host town hall Saturday in Richmond
Congressman A. Donald McEachin is holding a town hall meeting 1 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 14 W. Duval St. in Jackson Ward.
General Assembly request holds up Boulevard development project
The General Assembly wants more information before allowing the state’s liquor agency to borrow $104 million to develop a new headquarters and warehouse in a new location.
2-year-old teaches cashier lesson on beauty of all skin colors
Brandi Benner and her husband, Nick, took their 2-year-old, Sophia, to Target last week to let her buy a special gift for a major milestone — pooping on the potty for one month straight.
Dr. King’s daughter urges people to rise above anger with Trump administration
The Rev. Bernice A. King electrified an audience of men and women at the National Press Club, challenging them to rise above bickering with people with whom they may have political and cultural disagreements and find common ground — including President Trump.
Trump to speak at Lynchburg school’s commencement
President Trump will give the commencement address this spring at Liberty University in Lynchburg. “I look forward to speaking to this amazing group of students on such a momentous occasion,” the president said in breaking the news on March 22 to CBN News, the Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach founded by televangelist Pat Robertson.
Va. SCLC lauds racist U.S. attorney general for civil rights work on anniversary of Dr. King’s death
Sending shockwaves through the civil rights community, leaders of the Virginia affiliate of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference used the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a co-founder of the national group, to honor what many would view as his nemesis, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Year-round April Fool’s Day
April Fools’ Day can remind us that the meat, egg and dairy industries have been playing us for fools year-round. Their more remarkable hoaxes include “California’s happy cows,” “free-range chickens” and “humane slaughter.” All are cruel lies.
Does Trump really want to hire Americans?
The H-2A visa guest worker program enables employers who anticipate a shortage of seasonal labor services to request to bring in foreign workers to do the labor. Trump Vineyard estates property in Charlottesville is requesting these work visas to hire 29 non-immigrant foreign workers from other countries to perform agricultural work and labor in his winery vineyards.
EPA cuts will have disproportionate impact on communities of color
President Trump’s plan to make significant cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency shows not only a lack of concern for public health and safety, but perhaps more perniciously, a lack of understanding for environmental injustices faced by minorities in Virginia and across the country.
Stand and fight ‘evil trinity of racism, classism and sexism’
We must boldly declare and decree throughout the entire landscape of America that “Black Lives Matter” in this forward fight against the clear and present evil of overt and covert racism.
Trail of tears
Most people who are keenly observant of or listen closely to President Trump will recognize that he is a fan of President Andrew Jackson. If “fan” is overzealous, it can be said that President Jackson
Urban League says ‘no’ to Gorsuch
“Overall, we conclude that there is an inadequate record to determine if Judge Gorsuch has a commitment to protecting and safeguarding civil rights and, therefore, we do not believe he satisfies the second prong of our requirement for endorsement. Based upon our review of Judge Gorsuch’s record, we have concerns that he has a narrow view of rights that are protected by the Constitution, as well as a skeptical view about the importance of protecting those rights in the courtroom. In short, Judge Gorsuch’s record does not allow us to support his nomination for the Supreme Court at this time.”
