French star Alexandre Saar on NBA teams’ radar
Last year it was Frenchman Victor Wembanyama who burst onto the NBA scene. This time it’s Alexandre Saar, a 7-foot-1 native of Bordeaux, who has the pro scouts buzzing.
Asian Festival returns to Convention Center
Event celebrates Asian culture
The Greater Richmond Convention Center hosts the 26th Annual Asian American Celebration on May 4, showcasing the cultural richness and diversity of over 15 Asian communities in Central Virginia.
New exhibition honors legacy of Rosenwald School program
In 1911, Booker T. Washington met Julius Rosenwald. This meeting between the leading Black educator in America and the president of the world’s largest department store—Sears, Roebuck and Company—would be the foundation of the Rosenwald Schools. The institutions transformed education for hundreds of thousands of Black children in the segregated South.
Norfolk native conducts RSO
On May 4, Norfolk native and guest conductor Anthony Parnther leads the Richmond Symphony at the Carpenter Theatre for a night of classical music performances.
Iron Blossom Music Festival returns
Tickets for the second annual Iron Blossom Music Festival go on sale this week.
Richmond’s evolving restaurant scene sprawls out to the suburbs
The owner of Tarrant’s Cafe in Downtown Richmond is a 20-year veteran of the city’s food scene. She started out waiting tables – now she owns four Richmond area restaurants and is the CEO of RVA Hospitality.
Personality: Rhonda Keyes Pleasants
Spotlight on chair of Family Representative Council of East Marshall Street Well Project
Rhonda Keyes Pleasants entered the funeral industry in 1996 and became a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer in December 2000.
City Council postpones budget adoption
Despite calls to increase funding for Richmond Public Schools and address capital improvement issues, Richmond City Council delayed adopting its proposed $2.9 billion 2025 budget until May 6.
School Board reviews conduct proposal for members
At its April 22 meeting, the RPS School Board discussed policy changes to School Board procedures and board member conduct.
VUU Golfers win CIAA tourney
The Virginia Union University golf team has earned the right to point to the sky and shout: “We’re No. 1.”
2 RPS high schools celebrate top honors
Two Richmond Public Schools high schools, Open High School and Richmond Community High School, recently garnered significant recognition. U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged them as standout institutions among Virginia’s educational community.
Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, will run for lieutenant governor
Mayor Levar Stoney announced Tuesday he is dropping his bid for Virginia governor in 2025, avoiding a nomination contest with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and will run for lieutenant governor instead.
A historic HBCU first
Virginia State University lands presidential debate
When the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees enter the Multi-Purpose Center on the campus of Virginia State University on Oct. 1, history will be made. VSU will become the first HBCU to host a U.S. presidential debate.
President Biden signs $95B bill for war aid in Ukraine
Funds include $26B in aid for Israel, $1B in for Palestinians in Gaza
President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hotspots.
Hospital Chaplain J.S. Park’s new book explores grief
“The biggest myth I see is that grief is a poison to get past”
“Everything happens for a reason” might be one of the least helpful things you can say to someone who just lost a loved one, according to veteran hospital Chaplain J.S. Park.
Delegate McQuinn to host annual Community Resource Day
Delegate Delores McQuinn of the 81st District will host her free annual Community Resource Day event on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Bridge Baptist Church, 5807 Nine Mile Road.
Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47
Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album “Overcomer,” has died. She was 47.
Palpable relief doesn’t ease the pain
For anyone who owns a home or land, it has become common to receive a text or letter from a persistent real estate agent or investor offering to purchase their property. In most Black communities, where homeowners have labored long and hard to acquire a home for themselves or family members, the response to such predators is a polite — or not so polite — “no.”
Earth Day: A sense of wonder, by Bobby Whitescarver
My wife and I are cattle farmers in Virginia’s legendary Shenandoah Valley. Early in our marriage, Jeanne gave me a nickname: “Walk Slow, Stand Around.” Yep, that’s me. Sure, it’s funny. And it’s true. But I’m not lazy; I just wonder a lot.
Setting the stage
Virginia State University not only will host October’s presidential debate, but also will serve as a polling location during the general election.
