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A Jackson Ward Journey

Unearthing the history and legacy of civil rights attorney Roland J. ‘Duke’ Ealey

When my wife, Sasha Finch, and I purchased the 1880s East Clay Street building on Jan. 4, 2012, it had been dormant for more than 10 years. Plywood covered its outside window and inside the level of disrepair was undeniable. A fire on the second floor had caused considerable damage to much of the property. Yet something drew us to this building. We saw beauty in this wonderful old brick structure. For five years we worked steadily on the property’s exterior, rebuilding damaged brick walls while preparing the interior for its eventual renovation.

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Personality: Shirley H. Scarborough

Spotlight on Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up founder

For the past two years Shirley H. Scarborough has worked, in her own words, to create “Beauty for Ashe,” through her organization Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up.

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From Senate subcommittee to Easter sermon: Raphael Warnock on life as a pastor-politician

Raphael Warnock, U.S. senator and Baptist pastor, was wrapping up his time on Capitol Hill before heading back to his native Georgia in time for what is perhaps the busiest week of the year for Christian clergy.

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Personality: Utibe O. Bassey

Spotlight on honorary chair of Centennial American Heart Association 2024 Richmond Heart Ball

Nigerian-born Utibe O. Bassey grew up in Connecticut and has family scattered far and wide, but none in Virginia. When she moved to Richmond in the summer of 2020 for a job with Dominion Energy, she was all alone and the pandemic was raging.

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Personality: Brent Timberlake

Spotlight on Greater Richmond Bar Foundation board president

The three words that Brent Timberlake used to describe himself — curious, hopeful and hard-working — play a role in many aspects of his life.

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Personality: Raven Bates

Spotlight on Art on Wheels board president

Raven Bates, the board president of the Richmond-based nonprofit Art on Wheels, says the best thing her parents Robert and Tracey Wilkinson ever taught her was not to fear being different or independent.

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Personality: Mitchell Haddon

Spotlight on Richmond SPCA’s outgoing board chairman

About a decade ago, Mitchell Haddon met Robin Robertson Starr, who then was CEO of the Richmond SPCA. Because of Mr. Haddon’s experience in construction, Ms. Starr had questions about a veterinary hospital that the nonprofit SPCA was considering building. Their conversation soon segued into the mission of SPCA and its journey.

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Personality: Kristin DuMont

Spotlight on co-leader of Richmond Moms Demand Action

Kristin DuMont became involved with Richmond Moms Demand Action, a local volunteer group committed to ending gun violence in the community, in 2017. She says the work of reaching out to local and state officials did not come naturally to her.

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Personality: Charlene J. Whitfield

Spotlight on Greater Richmond Partnership board chair

In 2017 Charlene Whitfield became part of a group that brings business to the Richmond area in an effort to ensure economic opportunity for workers. Ms. Whitfield, who then was employed at Dominion Energy, was selected to represent the company at the Greater Richmond Partnership, which provides resources for new businesses in the region, creates quality jobs and increases the tax base for community services.

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Personality: Darryl A. Stuckey Sr.

Spotlight on Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Beta Gamma Lambda Education Foundation vice chair

When a young boy sought to escape the bullying he routinely endured in school, Darryl A. Stuckey Sr. stepped in to help the youth gain not only a sense of purpose, but a stronger sense of self.

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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.

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Personality: Shawna Chapman

Spotlight on America’s United States Mrs. Mid-Atlantic 2024

Growing up in Petersburg, Shawna Chapman never believed pageants were open to women like her, whose background includes dropping out of high school and experiencing periods of homelessness.

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Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy?

One reason: Doctors don’t take them seriously

Angelica Lyons knew it was dangerous for Black women to give birth in America.

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Cherished Holiday Memories

Holiday memories are created by family — whether it is the family in which we are born or the family we create through church, work or social interactions.

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Personality: Lok Lam

Spotlight on Neighborhood Resource Center’s board president

Lok Lam’s passion for a community’s welfare is clear from her work with the Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton since she became board president last October.

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Personality: Elizabeth C. ‘Lizzie’ Childress

Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools 2023 top valedictorian

Lizzie Childress will be recognized as valedictorian at her graduation from Richmond’s Open High School and her 5.2958 GPA also made her the Richmond Public Schools 2023 top valedictorian.

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Legislating with power and purpose

Jennifer McClellan’s historic first year in Congress

March 7, 2024, marked one year since Jennifer L. McClellan made history, winning a special election to succeed the late A. Donald McEachin and become the first Black woman elected to Congress from Virginia.

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A treasure trove of history

Jackson Ward couple discovers legal papers of civil rights icon Roland J. ‘Duke’ Ealey

Five years into the renovation of a 143-year-old brick house on East Clay Street in Jackson Ward, James Vigeant’s work halted. To his surprise and amazement, he found an unexpected treasure — 144 moldy boxes filled with the decaying legal papers of one of Richmond’s legal giants, Roland J. “Duke” Ealey.

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