Denzel receives top Golden Globe award
Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington joined the ranks of Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro when he was awarded the Golden Globe for lifetime achievement Sunday.
Area events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Several community celebrations will be held to honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Shaka Smart loses match to Tubby Smith
Two of NCAA basketball’s more prominent African-American coaches, both with ties to Virginia Commonwealth University, went head-to-head Saturday, Jan. 2, in Lubbock, Texas.
VIA to discuss creation of Hall of Fame Saturday
The Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Committee will meet at noon, Saturday, Jan. 16, at Vincenzo’s Restaurant, 609 Boulevard, in Colonial Heights.
Former area football standout signs with Hampton University
Former L.C. Bird High School sensation Yahkee Johnson has signed a full National Letter of Intent to continue football next season at Hampton University.
Yay Rah Rah!
Armstrong’s Rashaundra Thomas hits 1,000 points
Rashaundra Thomas has a long name, a short frame and an often dazzling game. The 5-foot-3 Armstrong High School senior, who answers to “Rah Rah,” is the Wildcats’ first 1,000-point basketball scorer since Denise Winn in 1994.
Chaise Johnson eyeing options after Steward School
Like many star high school guards, Chaise Johnson has speed, court smarts and a keen shooting eye. Unlike most, he also has a former NBA first-round draft choice as his longtime tutor. The Steward School all-time scorer credits Cory Alexander — San Antonio’s first-round draft pick in 1995 — with advancing his development.
MJBL celebrates 50th anniversary with games in Ga., Fla.
When his son was banned from Richmond area Little League baseball programs because of the color of his skin, physician William M.T. Forrester Sr. took action.
Lee Smith guest at Flying Squirrels charity event
Seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star relief pitcher Lee Smith will be among the star attractions at the Richmond Flying Squirrels Charity Hot Stove Banquet.
Pope Francis’ new book asks church to reach out to marginalized people
Pope Francis calls in his new book for Roman Catholic leaders to be compassionate shepherds to a “wounded humanity,” not lofty scholars quick to condemn and exclude people who don’t obey church teachings. The book, “The Name of God Is Mercy,” breaks no new ground but is a compelling restatement of the themes of Pope Francis’ papacy told in simple, breezy language in a freewheeling conversation with veteran Italian journalist Andrea Tornielli.
General Assembly to present resolution to A.M.E. church Jan. 19
“Virginia A.M.E. Day” will take place Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the Virginia General Assembly. There, a House and Senate Joint Resolution will be presented to Bishop William P. DeVeaux, presiding prelate of the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church that includes Virginia, North Carolina, Washington and Maryland.
In wake of terror attacks
Kaine: Will you hold on to your principles, faithfulness?
Religious leaders and community members of various faiths exchanged smiles, hugs and well wishes as they made new acquaintances Sunday at Congregation Beth Ahabah near Virginia Commonwealth University. Several hundred people gathered at an event designed to promote religious tolerance and nonviolence. Many wore the head coverings of their religions — Muslim women wearing hijabs, Sikh men in turbans and some Jewish men wearing kippahs. The occasion was the first “Standing Together” faith unity gathering organized by the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities.
Spencers to be honored with lifetime achievement awards
Two veteran Richmond judges will be among the honorees at the 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Awards Program and Reception that Fifth Street Baptist Church will host during the holiday honoring Dr. King.
Monte Irvin, who helped integrate major league baseball, dies at 96
Monte Irvin, a trailblazing baseball star and the oldest surviving Negro Leagues player, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, of natural causes at a retirement community in Houston. He was 96. Had it not been for a contractual issue with the Negro Leagues’ Newark Eagles in New Jersey, Mr. Irvin — and not Jackie Robinson — might have been the first African-American to play in the modern big leagues. Eagles owner Effa Manley would not allow Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey to acquire Mr. Irvin without financial compensation.
Julia Melton Thornton, 91, longtime educator
Before she began teaching class each day at Virginia Union University in the Department of Education, Julia M. Thornton recited a saying to her students from Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, the late educator-philospher and former Morehouse College president.
Personality: Brandi M. Daniels
Spotlight on Health Equity Hero Award winner
Brandi M. Daniels serves on the front lines for the most vulnerable in the East End as the executive director of the East District Family Resource Center.
Obama cheered
President Obama took aim on Tuesday at Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and accused critics of playing into the hands of the Islamic State in a speech meant to cement his legacy and set a positive tone for his final year in office. Delivering his last annual State of the Union speech to Congress as president, he called for leaders to “fix” U.S. politics and criticized candidates such as Mr. Trump for using anti-Muslim rhetoric that betrayed American values.
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday schedule
In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Monday, Jan. 18, please note the following:
Crusade for Voters to meet Jan.19
Delegate Sam Rasoul of Roanoke is scheduled to speak at the Richmond Crusade for Voters meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Mayoral hopeful hosts symposium
It had all the appearances of an event designed to promote her candidacy for the Richmond mayor’s job. But Richmond City Council President Michelle Mosby denied that to be the case this week during the Mayoral Symposium that featured three current and former female African-American mayors from across the nation.
