Richmond native’s new book examines role of Black Church
The Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, a native of Richmond who began his ministry at Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church and St. James Baptist Church, explores the Black Church’s role in sustaining communities through adversity i n hi s new book, “ N e v e r Lost: The Black Church as God’s Ark of the Covenant.”
VCU’s Harris named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week
VCU freshman Aubree Harris was named the Atlantic 10 women’s track and field Rookie of the Week on Tuesday.
VUU production marks centennial of National Negro History Week
Music and spoken word will frame a century of African American history when Virginia Union University presents a Black History Month musical production on its campus.
Broncos’ Nik Bonitto named first Hispanic Professional Football Player of the Year
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has been named the inaugural recipient of the 2025 Hispanic Professional Football Player of the Year Award, the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame announced.
UofR, VSU students
University of Richmond students are again offering free tax preparation services to eligible residents this tax season, marking the university’s 15th consecutive year participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
ICA screens ‘Thomasine & Bushrod’ for Black History Month
The Institute of Contemporary Art will screen Gordon Parks Jr.’s “Thomasine & Bushrod” on Feb. 17 as part of Exposure: Nu West, a curated film series examining how Black filmmakers have reimagined the American West. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the screening beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Squirrels debut female mascot uniform
The Richmond Flying Squirrels on Feb. 4 unveiled a uniform featuring Nutasha, their female mascot, making it Minor League Baseball’s first on-field uniform portraying a female mascot character.
Crutcher receives national award
Ronald A. Crutcher, president emeritus and a university professor at the University of Richmond, has received the American Association of Colleges and Universities President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Liberal Education.
Second Baptist hosts Richmond filmmaker’s exhibit
Richmond native Cameron C. Harris is bringing his photography home for Black History Month, showcasing images that explore connections between diverse geographies.
‘Shalom, Sankofa’ celebration bridges Jewish, Black traditions
The Weinstein JCC and the Mishpacha Rising Collective will host “Shalom, Sankofa,” Virginia’s first Black Jewish cultural celebration, at the Weinstein JCC from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Moody Middle student Taran Shivkumar wins Henrico spelling bee
After two years of near misses, Moody Middle School eighth grader Taran Shivkumar captured the 2026 Henrico County Public Schools Divisionwide Spelling Bee at J.R. Tucker High School on Feb. 5.
Virginia State earns Fulbright Scholar recognition
Virginia State University has been named a Fulbright Scholar Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State, the first time in the university’s history it has received the distinction.
Virginia artists shine at Grammys
Virginia artists posted a range of honors at the Grammy Awards, highlighting the state’s influence across music genres.
Virginia Union, MTX Group announce AI-driven education partnership
Virginia Union University and MTX Group announced a partnership aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into student learning and workforce preparation during a news conference in the Living and Learning Center on campus on Tuesday afternoon.
Richmond expressways going cashless
Drivers cruising down the Powhite Parkway soon won’t see toll booths ahead. Instead, overhead gantries will silently scan E-ZPass transponders or license plates as vehicles glide through, marking the start of All Electronic Tolling across Richmond’s expressway system in early 2026.
Cam Newton to host Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on BET
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton will host the 27th annual Super Bowl Soulful Celebration, airing Saturday, Feb. 7, on BET, bringing together music, faith and football during Super Bowl LX week.
Advertising expert to decode Super Bowl commercials
A Virginia Commonwealth University advertising professor will break down the psychology and strategy behind Super Bowl commercials at a public talk on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Panthers lean on defense, Gardner in shorthanded CIAA road game
Despite playing shorthanded, Virginia Union’s men showed defensive consistency Saturday afternoon in a CIAA road game against Lincoln University (Pa.).
Sam Hairston’s influence reaches from Negro Leagues to modern MLB
Before Major League Baseball opened its doors to Black athletes, before integration became policy rather than resistance and long before baseball families became celebrated storylines, there was Sam Hairston, a Negro Leagues standout and Triple Crown winner whose influence helped shape America’s pastime for more than 70 years.
Peter Paul RVA to host hands-on Black History Expo on Feb. 25
A Richmond nonprofit will celebrate Black excellence through science, innovation and creativity with a free community expo this month.
NBCI partners seek $500,000 for prostate cancer awareness film
The National Black Church Initiative has teamed up with the American Clinical Health Disparities Commission and Black Pearl Media Works to raise $500,000 for a short film aimed at increasing awareness about prostate cancer among Black men.
Clinicians, caregivers to address gaps in memory screening
The Wisdom Watch Alliance initiative is betting that the best way to screen for memory loss is to ask the people who know their neighbors best.
Richmond wins at VCU in annual SupportHER game, O’Boyle out as coach
Ally Sweeney scored a career-high 27 points and Maggie Doogan recorded a double-double as Richmond defeated Virginia Commonwealth 77-65 in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball matchup Sunday afternoon at the Siegel Center.
Union Seminary adopting hybrid model
Union Presbyterian Seminary announced Tuesday it will shift to a hybrid learning format this fall, allowing students to complete graduate programs largely online with quarterly visits to campus.
City native Krystian Williams
Krystian Williams, a Richmond native and Collegiate School standout, has signed with the University of Richmond football team.
AJGA tournament returns to Williamsburg after six-year absence
Visit Williamsburg will serve as title sponsor of an American Junior Golf Association tournament returning this year, officials announced recently.
Virginia’s civil rights history comes alive in new podcast
The Virginia Tourism Corporation has launched a new Virginia Civil Rights podcast series spotlighting the Commonwealth’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and amplifying the voices of individuals and communities who helped shape the fight for equality.
VUU’s Parker joins East Team coaching staff for Shrine Bowl
Virginia Union head football coach Alvin Parker has been selected to serve as an assistant coach for the East Team in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Tuesday in Frisco, Texa
Former WNBA player named CIAA ambassador
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association recently appointed Sonia Chase as an official ambassador for the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 24-28 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore.
Virginia War Memorial to showcase reporter’s stories about veterans
Greg McQuade has spent 25 years telling stories about Virginia veterans, and the Virginia War Memorial will showcase many of those stories in a program next month.
Library of Virginia reschedules Black History Month celebration
The Library of Virginia will launch its Culturescape Saturdays programming initiative with a free Black History Month celebration highlighting Black artists and storytellers from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.
State urges Virginians to enroll in 2026 health coverage before Jan. 30 deadline
Virginians have until Friday, Jan. 30 to enroll in health coverage for 2026 through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, officials said.
Petersburg welcomes Central Virginia’s first full-scale casino
Live! Casino Virginia opened last week in Petersburg, becoming Central Virginia’s first full-scale casino and marking a major expansion of legalized gaming just south of Richmond.
Parker named Cowboys defensive coordinator
The Dallas Cowboys have hired Christian Parker as their defensive coordinator, making him the youngest in franchise history.
Richmond’s hidden espionage history explored in opera ‘Intelligence’
With Richmond’s Civil War past as its backdrop, a new opera brings the city’s hidden history of espionage to the forefront through music, storytelling and live performance.
Winter storm may bring heavy snow, dangerous travel conditions
Be ready
Richmond is bracing for a winter storm this weekend that could bring significant snowfall, hazardous travel and a sharp drop in temperatures.
Virginia General Assembly launches HBCU caucus
Members of the Virginia General Assembly announced the launch of the Virginia Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus on Tuesday, a bipartisan, bicameral legislative group aimed at promoting and protecting the interests of the state’s HBCUs and the students and communities they serve.
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church to screen film on King’s Richmond legacy
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church will host a screening of the short historical feature “Echoes of a Dream: MLK’s Legacy in Richmond, VA” on Saturday at 11:45 a.m.
Gladys West, mathematician whose work enabled GPS, dies at 95
Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose work helped lay the foundation for the Global Positioning System, has died.
VUU, VSU split Freedom Classic
Virginia Union and Virginia State split a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader Saturday at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, with the host Trojans’ women rallying for a 68-66 victory before the Panthers’ men dominated 65-37.
Boyz II Men to perform at VSU scholarship gala
The vocal harmony group Boyz II Men will perform during a scholarship fundraiser April 25 at the VSU Multi-purpose Center.
James Sweat, longtime Hampton and Norfolk State coach, dies
James Sweat, a Hall of Fame coach who led Hampton University and Norfolk State University to championships and helped define an era of women’s basketball in the CIAA, has died.
Black College Football Hall of Fame reveals 2026 inductees
Four former players, a coach and a journalist will enter the Black College Football Hall of Fame this year, the organization announced Wednesday.
Youth baseball league honors King with tournament
The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League celebrated its 60th anniversary with the 18th annual MJBL East-West All-Star Game during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.
School to induct 4 into Athletics Hall of Fame
Richmond High School for the Arts will induct four athletes into the George Wythe High School Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of the boys basketball game against Midlothian on Jan. 30.
Elegba Folklore Society receives national ‘Walking Together’ grant
Elegba Folklore Society has been awarded a $50,000 grant through “Walking Together: Investing in Folklife in Communities of Color,” a national pilot program supporting traditional artists and cultural organizations rooted in communities of color.
Chef Leah Branch named James Beard Award semifinalist
Richmond’s Leah Branch has been named a 2026 semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
‘Gospel Symphony Praise Party’ set at Carpenter Theatre
Grammy-nominated gospel artist Pastor Mike Jr. will join the Richmond Symphony for a fusion of orchestral music and contemporary praise anthems at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 in the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Energy Center.
Virginia General Assembly debuts permanent Capitol exhibit
The Virginia General Assembly has unveiled a new permanent exhibit at the Capitol Visitor Center designed to immerse visitors in the history, architecture and work of the state’s government.
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