Library of Virginia celebrates 200 years
The Library of Virginia will celebrate its bicentennial in 2023 with “200 Years, 200 Stories: An Exhibition,” running free for all from Tuesday, Jan. 24, through Saturday, Oct. 28.
Henrico Ministers’ Conference to host MLK celebration
Judge Roderick C. Young, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, is the guest speaker for the 37th Annual Henrico County Commemoration Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
VCU presents ‘Memories of Jan. 6’
Two years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, two Capitol police officers will reflect on their part in a discussion at Virginia Commonwealth University on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Moving on
Two significant Richmond institutions, Senior Connections and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, are in the process of moving to new addresses.
YWCA’s advancement officer becomes CEO
Rupa Murthy has been named the next CEO of YWCA Richmond. She will succeed Linda Tissiere, who is retiring after leading the nonprofit for the last decade.
Virginia Union’s MLK Breakfast on Jan. 13
“All Things, Excellence,” is the theme for this year’s 45th Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Celebration. The annual event hosted by Virginia Union University will take place 7:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13 at the Downtown Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St.
Hanover County announces water assistance program
Hanover residents who have customer accounts with the county’s Department of Public Utilities can now apply for water and wastewater bill assistance through Virginia’s Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program.
AKA Upsilon Omega Chapter presents 26 debutantes
The Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- ity recently presented 26 debutantes from area high schools, colleges and universities at the organization’s 2022 Debutante Presentation and Ball.
‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’
Virginia’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI enforcement and public education campaign is back on Virginia’s roads this holiday season. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, formerly known as Checkpoint Strikeforce, combines law enforcement efforts with research-based outreach to remind Virginians to plan for a safe ride home after drinking.
A.P. Hill’s statue removal on hold
City Hall remains stymied on removing the last of Richmond’s city-owned Confederate statues, despite securing an Oct. 25 court ruling from Richmond Circuit Court Judge D. Eugene Cheek authorizing the city to proceed. .
Street honoring Kirby Carmichael unveiled in Highland Park
Family, friends and admirers of radio personality Kirby Carmichael came out Tuesday for the unveiling of Kirby Carmichael Sr. Street at 1100 Front Street in Highland Park. The site is where the former WANT-AM radio station was housed when Mr. Carmichael, a pioneer of Black radio, was for decades known as the “tall man of soul” as he spun platters first at WANT-AM and then at WRVQ-FM.
‘Treat everybody like family,’ advises Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church
Last Saturday marked months of planning for the ordination and consecration of The Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson as the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia on Dec. 3 at The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County.
Blessing of the Animals’ is Dec. 9
The traditional Richmond Blessing of the Animals is scheduled for noon Friday, Dec. 9, at the Morgan Fountain in Shockoe Slip in Downtown.
Curriculum revision sessions scheduled
After several delays, Virginia citizens may now share their thoughts about the future of the state’s standards for teaching history and social sciences.
UR receives $625K grant to study barriers to student inclusivity
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded the University of Richmond a $625K grant to support efforts to create an inclusive experience for students and enhance student belonging, according to a UR news release.
The holidays are here
Highlights include RVA Illuminates, Christmas Parade, Soul Santa
Richmond will officially kick off the holiday season this weekend with several popular events.
VSU announces new center for biotechnology and other sciences
Virginia State University has announced the establishment of the VSU Center for Biotechnology, Genomics, and Bioinformatics, which is believed to be unique among HBCUs nationwide.
Let the fun shine
A blast from the past ignited Richmond’s East End last weekend during theArmstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project festivities.
‘Clash of the Cones’ Kamara is VCU’s graduation speaker
Virginia Commonwealth University graduate Rabia Kamara will deliver the fall commencement speech at her alma mater 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec.10, at the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Metropolitan Business League finds new home
The Metropolitan Business League has a new home in the Capital One 1717 Innovation Center at 1717 E. Cary St., it has been announced.
John Charles Thomas’ ‘Poetic Justice’
Former Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas, the first Black justice appointed to the Virginia Supreme Court and the youngest appointee in history, will discuss his new book “The Poetic Justice: A Memoir,” on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.
The Richmond Night Market celebrates the holidays
The Richmond Night Market will produce three “Holiday Villages” to celebrate the Richmond community and support of the small business community Dec. 8–11 at the 17th Street Market, 100 N. 17th St.
Calls grow to save site of oldest U.S. Black women’s benevolent society
Social justice and community advocates are calling for no taxes to be levied on a mansion that has served as the headquarters for the oldest Black women’s benevolent society in America for decades.
Fifth Street Baptist, Richmond Convention Center free Thanksgiving meal sites
Two free Thanksgiving dinners are being prepared for the Richmond community.
VCU receives $4M to address lack of diversity and equity in health sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University’s five health science schools are committing $4 million to enroll and train more minority students in an effort to increase the diversity, equity and inclusivity of health care in Virginia and beyond.
Armstrong-Walker legacy group announces events
The Armstrong-Walker Football Classic Legacy Project has several events scheduled the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Walk-up monkeypox vaccines available
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are now offering walk-up monkeypox vaccination clinics for residents who qualify.
Artist Paul Rucker awarded $2M from the Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund
The Mellon Foundation and Art for Justice Fund have awarded multimedia visual artist, composer and musician Paul Rucker $2 million to create Cary Forward — a multidisciplinary arts space, interpretive center, artist/re- searcher residency and archival lending library, according to an announcement by Virginia Commonwealth University.
Henrico County’s leaf collection starts Nov. 7
Henrico County will begin providing annual leaf collection services starting Monday, Nov. 7, with both free and paid options available for county residents.
Grace E. Harris leadership conference promises to empower
Leadership coaches from throughout Virginia will discuss personal and profes- sional success during a “Seizing Tomorrow, Today” conference on Nov. 4 at the Richmond Marriott. The conference, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is sponsored by the Grace E. Harris Institute at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Four RPS teachers receive 2022 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence
Richmond Public Schools, along with The Community Foundation and the R.E.B. Foundation, has announced four schoolteachers as winners of the 2022 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence.
John V. Moeser, an advocate of racial equity and justice, dies at 79
Educator and equity advocate John V. Moeser, who spent decades researching and inter- rogating Virginia and the South’s relationship with race, poverty and equality, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, following a lengthy illness. He was 79.
Expansion program designed to attract nurses in senior living industry
A new partnership is opening the doors for students interested in nursing careers in community colleges across Virginia.
‘Votercade’ stops in RVA
The #10MillionMoreBlackVoters and the Arc of Voter Justice Bus Tour made its way through Richmond with an initial stop on the campus of Virginia Union University on Oct. 17.
Bright Minds RVA offers chess classes
Enrollment is now open for free Saturday chess classes for Richmond youths ages 13 to 16, it has been announced.
Sorority and South Side church to host voting information fair
Richmond voters have a new opportunity to learn and prepare for the upcoming general elections in November on Saturday, Oct. 22.
Lobs & Lesson youth program offers more than tennis
Tennis instructor Crystal Hernandez eyes 8-year-old Har’Mani Fleming’s technique as the Henry L. Marsh Elementary School third-grader bounces the ball during a tennis drill while her friend Emani Crockett, 8, also a Marsh third-grader prepares to serve. The girls are participants in an eight-
Emergency SNAP benefits extended
Recipients of Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue to get emergency benefits for the month of October.
Policy group’s awards event combines inspiration and celebration
Richmond Delegate Betsy B. Carr will be among the adult and student honorees whom the nonprofit Policy Pathways will salute during its fourth annual virtual Fall Celebration at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.
Richmond Folk Festival kicks off this weekend
Sunny, cool weather is being forecast for this weekend when one of virginia’s largest free events returns: The Richmond Folk Festival.
New authority to oversee Henrico County’s sports and entertainment venues
Henrico County is being proactive about its plans for sports tourism with its new Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority that will oversee an increasing number of public-private facilities in the county.
Maymont’s annual Garden Glow promises to shine brighter than before
Dramatic and colorful lighting will once again transform portions of Maymont’s gardens and historic architecture after sunset beginning next Thursday, Oct. 13, and continuing through Saturday, Nov. 6, it has been announced.
Virginia’s Center for the Book names new director
Writer, educator and arts collaborator Kalela Williams is returning to Virginia as the new director of the Virginia Center for the Book.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture offers citizenship preparation classes
Beginning this month, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will of- fer aspiring new citizens free citizenship preparation classes to help them prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test.
$1.45M grant to assist VSU students with child care costs
Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine have announced that Virginia State University will receive $1.45 million to assist student-parents (students who are also parents) with child care costs. The funds, which will be distributed over the next four years, will be used to offer student-parents access to affordable child care services both on and off campus.
VCU Libraries lecture will focus on racism in health care
Journalist, author and educator Linda Villarosa will be the inaugural speaker in a new Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries lecture series on social justice. Scheduled for Oct. 27, the talk will be based on Ms. Villarosa’s 2022 book, “Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.”
Monkeypox vaccine available to more people
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS, and anyone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the last three months are now eligible to apply for the vaccine, official say.
Project Yoga Richmond closes its doors
After 12 years, Project Yoga Richmond is closing its doors. The nonprofit hosted its last classes in September, including the final Saturday Salutations at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Sep. 24.
Miss VSU adds title of Miss HBCU
Joy Watson, Miss Virginia State University, is now the queen of the historically Black colleges and universities.
UR hopes to eliminate campus stigmas about mental health
The University of Rich- mond is joining the fight to improve mental health outreach and eliminate its stigma on college campuses, through a new partnership with Hilinski’s Hope Foundation ahead of its third annual College Football Mental Health Week. The partnership was an- nounced Monday, with UR’s involvement starting Oct. 1 and ending Oct. 8. UR joins over 115 colleges in the United States that have partnered with Hilinski’s Hope, a foundation started by Kym and Mark Hilinski in honor of their son, Tyler, a former Washington State University quarterback, who died by suicide. “We are incredibly honored that over 115 schools nation- wide will be participating in this year’s mental health week to fight stigma and increase resources on campuses,” said Kym Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope, in a statement. “While conversations around mental illness can be tough and at times uncomfortable, it is absolutely critical for the well-being of our student athletes.” As part of College Football Mental Health Week, UR plans to use at least one of Hilinski’s Hope’s programming options, from adding lime green ribbons to all their players’ helmets to honor those lost or suffering in silence. UR also will encourage solidarity among students, alumni, parents and fans or take an internal assessment to see how well the college is ad- dressing mental health in honor of those lost to or suffering from mental health issues as part of this partnership. “College Football Mental Health Week is an incredible way to destigmatize and sup- port student-athlete mental health,” said Rachel Turk, UR’s psychologist for athletics. “Every student-athlete should know that they are important and they are not alone.” More information is avail- able at www.hilinskishope.org/ cfb-mental-health-week.
