High court needs a black woman
Scholars often opine that women in decision-making positions of authority would make more positive change in the future of the nation than men. With complete optimism, I believe that a genuine black woman in a decision-making position of authority would bring even more positive outcomes to our future.
Demand economic justice
This year’s presidential primaries have highlighted the importance of people of color to the Democratic Party coalition. Hillary Clinton’s lead in the party’s nomination race comes almost entirely from her strength among African-American and Latino voters. When people of color favor one candidate by large margins, they make the difference.
Ready or not
People turned out by the hundreds at Virginia Union University on Wednesday night to get an initial glimpse of the 12 announced candidates who want to become Richmond’s next mayor. It was the first forum for the candidates, hosted by L. Douglas Wilder, Richmond’s former mayor and a former Virginia governor.
Stealing the show
The 17th Annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K is this weekend. Even though participants may be running in cold and rainy conditions along a route laden with statues of vanquished icons of the Confederacy, the event typically provides a fun, healthy and wholesome experience for runners, walkers and observers alike.
Protection paramount
We join the Greater Richmond community in mourning the death of Trooper Chad P. Dermyer of the Virginia State Police. The 37-year-old husband and father of two was fatally shot last week during a training exercise at the busy Greyhound bus station on the Boulevard.
NFL quarterback Russell Wilson gets hometown welcome
Seattle Seahawks All-Pro quarterback Russell Wilson scored a touchdown with a hometown crowd of 4,500 people at the Richmond Forum, where he was the special guest and speaker Saturday night at the Altria Theatre.
TEDxRVA slated for April 8 at Carpenter Theatre
Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah, African dance scholar Dr. Elgie Gaynell Sherrod, special needs advocate Pam Mines, human rights advocate Jonathan Dau, musician Gull, and advocate Sheila Battle are among 20 presenters at the 4th Annual TEDxRVA 2016 event Friday, April 8, at the Carpenter Theatre at Dominion Arts Center, 600 E. Grace St., in Downtown.
YWCA hosts public series for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The YWCA of Richmond is presenting several events as a part of its April recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Three lunch discussions are scheduled. The first is “Responding to Survivors: The Importance of Language” from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the YWCA of Richmond, 6 N. 5th St., Downtown.
U.Va. alumni sponsor fundraiser, film screening April 13
University of Virginia alumni will host a scholarship benefit next week at the Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland at Boulevard Square in Richmond featuring a screening of a locally made short film about Jackson Ward, it has been announced.
Brother versus brother
Jenkins’ buzzer beater gives Villanova the NCAA championship
It’s hard saying what will be remembered most about Kris Jenkins — his game-winning shot or the background story making it all possible. Jenkins swished a 22-foot buzzer beater, giving Villanova (aka “Thrillanova”) a 77-74 victory for the NCAA championship over favored University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on Monday night in Houston.
Runners readying for 10K race on Saturday
The annual Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10K is an event long on local appeal but short on local champions. Don’t expect that trend to change with Saturday’s 17th running of Richmond’s springtime endurance test. Approximately 30,000 runners are signed up to compete on what weather forecasters say will be a rainy, cold and possibly snowy morning.
Moncrief swinging for the stars with Flying Squirrels
There is a pot of gold waiting at the end of the baseball rainbow. But it sure can be hard getting there. Consider the quest of Carlos Moncrief.
Former ROC seeing renewal, growth after scandal and leadership change
Dr. Robert J. “Pastor Rob” Rhoden said he has seen a sprinkling of former members of the Richmond Outreach Center return over the past few months to attend worship services since he quietly was named as the church’s new senior pastor in January.
RPS threatens to close 5 schools
“It’s ridiculous.” That was the response Wednesday from Jakela Cannon, the mother of a John B. Cary Elementary School kindergarten student in the West End, to a cost-cutting plan introduced this week by the Richmond Public Schools administration that seeks to close Cary, three other elementary schools and Armstrong High School. The proposal would move those students to other existing schools in the district and consolidate three unidentified alternative schools into one.
Coalition hosts conflict resolution workshop April 9
Three Richmond area crime prevention groups are presenting a Citywide Violence Prevention Conflict Resolution Workshop. The workshop will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Royal Manchester Event Center inside the Richmond Christian Center, 1173 Wall St., in South Side.
Hope Christian Ministries sends water to Flint
Richmond-based Hope Christian Ministries has added its name to the list of area congregations and civic groups sending water to aid the lead-poisoned residents of Flint, Mich.
President Obama urges people of faith to stand strong
President Obama hosted his last Easter Prayer Breakfast with Christian leaders, pausing to reflect on what he called a “bittersweet” occasion.
Freeman’s ‘God’ series asks bigger questions about religion
It all started about seven years ago when actor Morgan Freeman visited the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Noticing the mosaics of Jesus inside the museum, Mr. Freeman asked his tour guide, who was Muslim, if the tiles had been covered when the building, originally a Greek Orthodox church, was used as a mosque. No, the guide said, because Muslims view Jesus as a prophet.
Personality: Allen S. Lee
Spotlight on winner of LEO Award for lifetime achievement in IT
“I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it,” Allen S. Lee, a professor of information systems at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Business, says was his reaction to learning he was the recipient of the LEO Award for Lifetime Exceptional Achievement in Information Systems.
Another Barbara Johns?
Open High students plan citywide walkout to protest lack of funding
Imagine all 5,600 high school students in Richmond walking out to protest the physical conditions of their buildings. Then imagine them overflowing the Richmond City Council chambers a few hours later to bring their concerns to the nine-member governing body.
