Video of police a game changer
Feidin Santana is a hero. He is the young Dominican immigrant who videotaped former North Charleston, S.C., police officer Michael Slager firing his gun eight times, killing an unarmed Walter Scott. Mr. Santana’s quick decision to videotape the unfolding action on his telephone led to the arrest of Mr. Slager for murder.
Keeping Congress’ promise to children
On April 11, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), providing schools with targeted federal dollars in order to offer equitable educational opportunities to all American children.
Presidential politics
The political horse race known as the presidential election started in earnest this week with the announcements that Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Marco Rubio had entered the track. Mrs. Clinton, a former U.S. senator and secretary of state, so far is the only Democrat to formally announce for her party’s nomination. A few others may be making their way to the starting gate.
We can do better
Tag as many schoolchildren as possible with criminal records. That appears to be Virginia’s new method to ensure that it can keep its expensive prisons full in the years to come. Across the state, schools are bringing police officers on their grounds and giving them license to arrest students for childish behavior that principals and teachers used to deal with.
Eddie Murphy to receive top humor prize
Eddie Murphy, famous for his standup routines, films and his early breakout on television’s “Saturday Night Live,” will be awarded the top U.S. prize for humor this year by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, officials announced last week.
Dress for Success’ fundraiser slated for Friday
Volunteer models will strut their stuff on a runway in dazzling outfits designed with donated clothes at the third annual “Dress for Success” fundraising fashion event. The evening of fashion fun begins 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 17.
Free oral cancer screenings
A day of free screenings for head, neck and mouth cancer will be offered to the public next weekend through VCU Dental Care.
Dr. Kinney to speak at Williamsburg NAACP life membership banquet
Dr. John W. Kinney, dean of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, will be the keynote speaker at the 36th Annual Life Membership Awards Banquet of the York-James City-Williamsburg NAACP. The event will be held Saturday, May 2, at the Williamsburg Lodge and Conference Center, and will open with a silent auction and reception at 5 p.m.
Evangelist Creflo Dollar drops pitch for jet
The ministry of a prominent Georgia megachurch pastor and evangelist who teaches that God wants to bless the faithful with earthly riches has dropped a pitch for donations to buy a luxury jet valued at more than $65 million. The website of Creflo Dollar Ministries no longer features a message asking followers to “Sow your love gift of any amount” to help buy a Gulfstream G650 airplane. That message has disappeared.
Caregivers conference at Saint Paul’s April 25
A conference designed to give caregivers information and support will be held from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County. Called “Preparing to Care: Partnering for the Best Life Possible,” the conference will be held at the church, 4247 Creighton Road. Cost: $30, which includes breakfast and lunch.
Save Our Girls webcast slated for April 18
The Nation of Islam is holding an event designed to uplift and empower African-American women. The event is called “Save Our Girls.”
R&B icon Percy Sledge dies at 74
Percy Sledge, the R&B legend whose song “When a Man Loves a Woman,” has become a “first-dance” anthem for newlyweds at wedding receptions, has died at his home in Baton Rouge, La. He was 74. William “Beau” Clark, coroner for East Baton Rouge Parish, confirmed that Mr. Sledge died about an hour after midnight on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, of natural causes in hospice care.
Personality: Arlette J. Teele
Spotlight on Queen of Purple Pumps Chapter of The Red Hat Society
Arlette J. Teele founded the Purple Pumps Chapter of the Red Hat Society with the goal of bringing women in the Richmond area together “to greet middle age with verve, humor and élan.” At chapter gatherings, members are colorfully attired in red hats and wear purple shoes, whether they are cowgirl boots, purple heels or purple flip flops as the occasion dictates.
VUU expects to name coaches next week
Virginia Union University is continuing its search for women’s and men’s basketball coaches. Panthers Athletic Director Joe Taylor said he hopes to announce the women’s coach by Tuesday, April 21, when VUU holds its Athletic Awards Banquet at 6 p.m. at the Henderson Center on campus.
Players of color in Flying Squirrels lineup
By gallantly breaking baseball’s color line, Jackie Robinson opened doors for talented young athletes not only in America, but everywhere. Since April 15, 1947, the date Robinson debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers, doors have swung open at baseball organizations from New York to Chicago to Los Angeles to include players of color. The diversity of talent was visible on April 15 in Richmond, where the Flying Squirrels celebrated Jackie Robinson Day-Education Day at The Diamond and took on the visiting team from Altoona, Pa. The Squirrels, the Eastern League farm club of the World Series champion San Francisco Giants, have no African-American players.
Spring football shows off offenses at VUU and VSU
Offense and optimism are the key words following Virginia Union and Virginia State universities’ spring football games. Under second-year Coach Mark James, VUU’s offense routed the defense 80-36 in the annual Maroon and White intrasquad game April 11 at Hovey Field. VUU’s Shawheem Dowdy, a 6-foot-4 sophomore transfer from Grambling State University, tossed six touchdowns passes. Kenneth Graham, VUU’s quarterback most of last season, is still rehabilitating from knee surgery and was held out of the game.
Lou Anderson honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Virginia Union University has honored former Virginia State University Coach Lou Anderson with VUU’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Morris Brown College emerges from bankruptcy
Morris Brown College is headed out of bankruptcy. A federal court has approved a plan enabling the 134-year- old historically black school to become largely debt-free and begin steps to regain is accreditation, according to Preston
Everett Ward named president of St. Augustine’s
Everett B. Ward has been named the 11th president of St. Augustine’s University. “The lifeblood of St. Augustine’s runs through my every vein,” said Dr. Ward, 56, an alumnus of the historically black institution in Raleigh, N.C. “I have a long affiliation here, having been born on the campus. My father attended St. Aug’s. We have been part of this institution for generations.”
Oklahoma deputy charged with manslaughter
A white reserve sheriff’s deputy in Oklahoma was charged with manslaughter Monday in the death of a black man who he fatally shot as he lay on the ground. Tulsa County, Okla., prosecutors filed a second-degree manslaughter charge against 73-year-old Robert Bates, a reserve deputy with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office.
