Woman raises concern over fees charged by court
In the world of local courts that seems to have an endless list of fees and costs, one thing has always been free: Subpoenas and summonses for witnesses in a criminal case. However, a recent incident has left a Richmond woman concerned that the policy has changed in Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Concerned Black Men seeking mentors for youths
The Richmond Chapter of Concerned Black Men National is holding an orientation session for men interested in mentoring youths.
Gerrymandering is a ‘political fix’
Gerrymandering in Virginia has taken away any value my congressional vote may have had otherwise. This is because election districts have been redrawn by political design by one party or the other to create an overwhelming number of voters of that same party.
Evangelical voters snared in a conundrum
Evangelical voters have a serious problem with their understanding of the Gospel and how Jesus served the poor. They belong to Christian churches that emphasize the teachings and authority of the Scripture, especially the New Testament. But the leading Republican presidential nominees are seeking to win the nomination by profiling the works of the flesh. To even consider Donald Trump or Ted Cruz as their nominee exposes the real beliefs of these evangelical voters.
‘People are disgusted’ by candidates’ name calling
Soon, the airwaves will be filled with political attack ads as the Republican and Democrat candidates move South for the next round of presidential primaries.
The shame of it all
A few weeks ago, Rep. Sean Duffy took to the House floor to scold black lawmakers like me. Citing high abortion rates among African-American women, the Wisconsin congressman accused abortion providers of preying on minority communities. “I’ve heard many of my liberal friends and a lot of friends from the [Congressional Black Caucus] talk about how there is targeting and unfair treatment of African-Americans in the criminal justice system,” Rep. Duffy said. “But what I don’t hear them talk about is how their communities are targeted in abortion.” Recently, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson accused Planned Parenthood of building “most of their clinics in black neighborhoods” so they could “control that population.”
More Flints in our future
For the residents of Flint, Mich., the water crisis continues. Their governor and President Obama have declared states of emergency. Congress is holding hearings. Presidential candidates are doing tours and debates. Free filters are being handed out. Residents can pick up bottled water. The city has gone back to water coming out of Lake Huron rather than the Flint River. But for parents, the fears remain — and almost nothing has been done. They will join in a March on Flint on Friday, Feb. 19, to demand action at the national and state level.
Rewriting history
It starts small. But changing the facts to rewrite history is an insidious problem, one that has long-plagued this nation and detrimentally impacted the African-American community. Rewriting history can steal credit from those to whom credit is due. It can allow perpetrators to shirk responsibility and criminal or civil penalty for misdeeds. It can turn villains in life into heroes at death, all of which lead to the mis-education of the public.
The ugly truth
Sometimes the truth is ugly. And sometimes, the truth hurts. The greater an ugly truth, the more it hurts.
Kendrick Lamar wins big at Grammy Awards
Hip-hop ruled the stage Monday night at the Grammy Awards in performances that put racial tension back in the national spotlight and where some of music’s biggest stars failed to deliver, or in the case of Rihanna, failed to show up at all. Rapper Kendrick Lamar went into the awards with 11 nominations and looked to be on course to win album of the year for his critically acclaimed “To Pimp a Butterfly.” While he led Grammy winners with five wins, he lost album of the year to country-turned-pop artist Taylor Swift, who won with “1989,” the best selling album of 2014.
Pine Camp to host Virginia Opera program on Marian Anderson
In 1939, singer Marian Anderson was denied the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall in the nation’s capital because of racism and segregation. Her experience mobilized public outrage and gained the support of the national NAACP and other national organizations and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
Pi Lambda Theta gala honors 4 students
Romance and education mingled at the annual Valentine Gala of the Virginia Area Chapter of the Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education. More than 200 people dined and danced at the benefit event Saturday night on the eve of Valentine’s Day at a Henrico County hotel.
Screening Feb. 21 of Jackson Ward docudrama
The first public screening of a new Richmond film on historic Jackson Ward will take place this weekend. “Black Wall Street: The Money, The Music & The People” will be shown 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Unity of Bon Air Church, 923 Buford Road, in Chesterfield County, it has been announced.
Henrico church sends water filters to Flint
When members of Mountain of Blessings Christian Center in Henrico County learned about the water contamination in Flint, Mich., they decided to pitch in to help residents living through the crisis. Pastor Dimitri Bradley Mountain of Blessings first reached out to the Victorious Word Church in Flint after he learned the church was in need of assistance. He also wanted to assist other residents of the predominately African-American community, 40 percent of whom live in poverty.
Area pastors to minister in song at 14th celebration
Eight Richmond area faith leaders are scheduled to sing for a good cause at The Old Landmark Gospel Association’s 14th anniversary celebration.
Personality: Enjoli Moon
Spotlight on founder of Richmond’s Afrikana Independent Film Festival
Enjoli Moon first contemplated the idea of starting the Afrikana Independent Film Festival in 2014. “I was planning to attend black film festivals in other areas and began to wonder why Richmond didn’t have one,” the Richmond native recalls.
Kory Cooley is VUU’s secret weapon
Art and arcs are two of Kory Cooley’s favorite things. The Virginia Union University sophomore concentrates academically on art. He also is the Panthers’ leading marksman behind the basketball court’s bonus arc. Known as “Cools,” he is VUU’s most effective long-distance weapon and the ideal outside complement to All-CIAA player Ray Anderson, who excels attacking the rim.
Kiana Johnson breaking records for Lady Panthers
Kiana Johnson is rewriting the women’s basketball record book at Virginia Union University. The senior guard from Chicago eclipsed two standards in VUU’s 85-68 win over Lincoln University of Pennsylvania last Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall.
Thompson hopes to take Saints to championship
Eric Thompson Sr. has left his son, Eric Jr., with a tough act to follow on the basketball court. The elder Thompson was on two State Group AAA championship teams at Marshall-Walker High School, and on two CIAA championship teams for Virginia Union University. Eric Sr. was all about defense and ball handling and still holds several records for assists for the state high school and CIAA tournaments.
Former Springer wins NBA D-League shootout
Andre Ingram is like fine wine. He seems to keep improving with age. At 30, the former Highland Springs High School guard rang the victory bell last Saturday at the NBA Development League’s All-Star festivities in Toronto.
