Va. officials propose commission on 400th anniversary of Africans in U.S.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott want to set up a federal panel to study the contributions and accomplishments of black people in America.
Smithsonian African-American history museum to open Sept. 24
Free Press wire reports The Smithsonian Institution will open the National Museum of African American History and Culture on Sept. 24 in Washington.
Personality: Sonny Strong
Grand Master Sonny Strong earned his first belt in karate 44 years ago. Today, the Richmond resident is still fit as a fiddle, getting his kicks in the sport by teaching karate classes at the Downtown YMCA.
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Personality: Enjoli Moon
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.
Love Stories
We formally met in the spring of 1999, introduced by mutual friends at a poetry and live music event. Our paths had crossed a few times the previous year.
14 authors to engage young readers at Feb.17 library event
In 1970, Clarence “Bucky” McGill joined fellow African-American football players at Syracuse University in a strike against racist conditions at the school — the first action of its kind. Now 66, Mr. McGill plans to use the story of the …
‘Mardi Bras’ party with a purpose to aid homeless women
It’s Mardi Bras time in Richmond. That’s the program a local ministry is spearheading to collect intimate items for homeless women, including underwear and feminine hygiene products.
Exhibit highlights early Chesterfield lawyer-activist
He was a pioneering lawyer who also built Chesterfield County roads and oversaw services to the county’s poor during his lifetime. But, today, Cornelius Mimms is largely forgotten. The only notable mention of him in the county are street names …
New East End festival to bring music to Chimborazo Park
Another festival is coming to festival city. The first “RVA East End Festival: The Gift of Music,” will play Friday, May 6, through Sunday, May 8, in Chimborazo Park. Adding to the excitement, Bon Secours Richmond Health System has joined …
Help choose TEDxRVA speaker at Open Mic Nights Feb. 17, 24
TEDxRVA has scheduled two “Open Mic Nights” in Richmond this month to give speakers the opportunity to compete to earn a spot in the group’s 4th Annual TEDxRVA 2016 event Friday, April 8, at Richmond CenterStage, 600 E. Grace St., …
Personality: Meldon Jenkins-Jones
Meldon Deloris Jenkins-Jones has witnessed the difficulties some African-American children have learning to read. She explains how she watched her grandson struggle “despite the fact that his parents and I are educated. I wondered who would help children learn to …
