Personality: Grindly Johnson
Spotlight on Women Who Move the Nation Award winner
Grindly Johnson is on a mission to increase business and job opportunities for women in the transportation industry. “Women need to be involved in transportation because we are talented and make exceptional leaders,” says Ms. Johnson, who is Virginia’s deputy secretary of transportation.
April 7 opener
Flying Squirrels bringing their AA game
As the Richmond Flying Squirrels leave spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz., later this week and fly to Richmond on Sunday to prepare for their new Eastern League baseball season, their roster will include two players who are former first round draft picks, a third flame-throwing closer who consistently throws 100 mph fastballs and a new manager who spent the past three seasons at the helm of the Diablos Rojos in the Mexican League, leading the team to the 2014 league championship.
Chesterfield player headed to Final Four with Syracuse
The Virginia teams in the NCAA basketball tournament are gone, but a Chesterfield County player remains in the competition. Talented Michael Gbinije is headed to the Final Four in Houston as Syracuse University’s 6-foot-7 graduate student point guard.
VUU’s ‘hitting machine’ is winding up for final season
Whether it’s a battle of the brains or a battle of brawn, Virginia Union University’s Taylor Hamilton is a home run hitter.
High jumper follows in dad’s footsteps, goes pro
High jumper Vashti Cunningham has inherited athletic talent from her father, former NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham.
Son of VUU legend finalist for Jerry West Award
A.J. English III, son of former Virginia Union University basketball great A.J. English Jr., is a finalist for the Jerry West Award honoring the top male shooting guard in NCAA Division I basketball.
Incentives extend Coach Wade’s contract to 2023-24 season
After one year on the job, Virginia Commonwealth University officials obviously liked what they saw in basketball Coach Will Wade.
Russell Wilson at Forum April 2
Seattle Seahawks star quarterback Russell Wilson, out of Collegiate School in Henrico County, is scheduled to team up with renowned Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. for an evening of discussion 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the Richmond Forum at the Altria Theater.
Serena upset in fourth round of Miami Open
Serena Williams had been out of the tournament for less than 20 minutes when she climbed into her white Mini Cooper with the checkerboard top and pulled away from the players’ parking lot, fastening her seat belt as she drove.
Smithsonian’s new African-American museum focus of forum
Throngs of visitors are expected to view exhibits chronicling the enslavement and emancipation of hundreds of thousands of Africans and African-Americans in the United States when the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall on the National Mall in Washington. And they will see displays about President Obama’s historic election and leadership as the nation’s first African-American president.
Croaker’s adds a new spot — Sugar’s Crab Shack
The popular Richmond-based Croaker’s Spot restaurant chain has a new addition — Sugar’s Crab Shack. The drive-in, walk-up eatery quietly opened two weeks ago in the 2200 block of Chamberlayne Avenue and features lake trout, catfish and shrimp, as well as snow crab legs.
Celebration for Spelman alumnae, friends April 10
Spelman College alumnae and friends of the Atlanta school are invited to celebrate the 135th Founders Day and the investiture of its 10th president, Mary Schmidt Campbell, by worshipping 11 a.m. Sunday, April 10, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St.
Environmental rally set for Saturday
Several environmental groups are organizing “RVA Day of Climate Action,” a day of rallies and action on environmental issues, on Saturday, April 2.
Rep. Scott announces annual high school art competition
Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott has announced the annual art competition for students in grades 9 through 12 who live in his 3rd Congressional District.
Va. War Memorial 5K slated for April 23
The 5th Annual Virginia War Memorial/Priority 5K Run-Walk to Remember will take place 8 a.m. Saturday, April 23, at the memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
U.S. Senate elections should be the focus
Most people are focused on the presidential hopefuls and the upcoming election that will decide who will succeed President Obama.
Students must focus on changing job market, world
The first African-American president of the University of Richmond delivered a powerful message at Chester’s Second Baptist Church Men’s Fellowship, emphasizing the importance of mentoring and providing an education that allows all students to thrive.
A piece of Cuba
I remember a line from Gil Scott-Heron in “The Bicentennial Blues,” where he was discussing the Nixon administration and this nation’s penchant for getting in on the economic action of other nations. He called Henry Kissinger the “International Godfather of Peace, a ‘piece’ of Viet Nam, a ‘piece’ of Laos, a ‘piece’ of Angola, a ‘piece’ of Cuba.” That line is fitting 40 years later as President Obama returns from Cuba accompanied by a dozen business executives.
Obamacare: Six years later
Today, after almost a century of trying; today, after over a year of debate; today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America. Today. It is fitting that Congress passed this historic legislation this week. For as we mark the turning of spring, we also mark a new season in America. In a few moments, when I sign this bill, all of the overheated rhetoric over reform will finally confront the reality of reform.” — President Obama at signing of Health Insurance Reform Bill, March 2010
Voting rights
When voters across the nation head to the polls in November to cast ballots, it will be the first presidential election in 50 years without the full protection of the federal Voting Rights Act. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 to strike down critical provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that required 16 mostly Southern states — including Virginia — to get pre-clearance from the U.S. Justice Department before making any changes affecting voting because of their history of discrimination against African-Americans and other minorities.
