2nd Street Festival canceled
The Richmond Free Press has been informed that the 34th 2nd Street Festival scheduled Oct. 1-2 is canceled. The popular annual event celebrates the history of Jackson Ward and its heyday as the heart and soul of the Black community.
VCU nursing school receives $13M for student scholarships
University says ‘funds will help support diversity in health care over the next five years’
Philanthropists Joanne and Bill Conway have given The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing its largest ever gift —$13 million—through its Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF.
Second Baptist Church receives award for health care outreach efforts
Second Baptist Church in South Side was recognized Monday for serving as a central hub for information, testing and vaccinations during the pandemic from the Richmond City Council.
Legislature will move to new building after 2023 session
Supply chain issues threaten successful move before session
The Virginia General Assembly has announced it will not hold its 2023 Regular Session in the new General Assembly Building (GAB) due to supply chain issues that threaten to prohibit completion of the building in time to prepare for a successful legislative session.
Casting call for ‘Swagger’
AppleTV+ series’ second season being filmed in Richmond
Kendall Cooper Casting is seeking extras for the second season of “Swagger” starring O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Isaiah Hill.
If it’s June, it must be Black Music Month
While Juneteenth has been a primary focus for many Black Americans throughout June, another observance — Black Music Month — has also captured their attention.
Poor People’s campaign in Washington to highlight low-wage earners
Is the country in a moral, economic and political crisis for ignoring people living on the financial margin?
Welcome home, Bobby
Robert “Bobby” L. Dandridge was a star long before the NBA made his name a household word. No one knew that better than Mr. Dandridge’s family, friends, fans and former teammates who were on hand for “The Bobby Dandridge Legacy Celebration” last Saturday at his alma mater, Maggie Walker High School (now the Maggie Walker Governor’s School) where he was a star in the late 1960s.
Six ‘Strong Men & Women’ recognized for leadership and lasting impact
A union leader who fought for Black railroad workers, a self-trained civil rights attorney, and an advocate for women in science and technology are among six African Americans whose work will be honored by Dominion Energy and the Library of Virginia on June 16 at the Richmond Marriott.
An occasion for his honor
S. Bernard Goodwyn is second African-American to serve as chief justice
The investiture of S. Bernard Goodwyn as chief justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia took place Wednesday in the Chambers of the Supreme Court of Virginia before family, friends, colleagues and fellow Supreme Court of Virginia Justices at 100 N. 9th St.
Dance, jazz, theater and Prince highlight Festival of the Arts
Two popular local bands will launch Richmond’s largest lineup of free summer entertainment, including the annual Fourth of July festival and fireworks.
Juneteenth Concert is a ‘Celebration of Freedom’
Juneteenth (or Freedom Day) will be celebrated in its truest sense at St. James’s Episcopal Church at 5 p.m. June 19 at the church, 1205 W. Franklin St. This event features a spectacular “Freedom Day Organ Recital” performed by renowned organist Dr. Carl Haywood, playing music he composed just for the occasion.
2 artistic directors join Virginia Repertory Theatre
Todd D. Norris and Rick Hammerly will join Desirée Roots, a Richmond-based jazz singer and actress, as artistic directors for the Virginia Repertory Theatre.
VCU receives formal designation as minority-serving institution
Virginia Commonwealth University officially has joined the ranks of schools with a federal designation for serving minority students.
Rapper Young Prince Charles presented ceremonial key to city
Rapper Young Prince Charles has been given the ceremonial key to the City of Richmond in recognition of his career success.
‘Something in the Water’ flows to D.C.
Entertainment superstar Pharrell L. Williams has found a new home for his huge music festival “Something in the Water.”
Stacey Daniels-Fayson stepping down from RRHA
Stacey Daniels-Fayson has resigned from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority after serving more than a year as interim chief executive officer, the authority has confirmed.
New funding to add amenities, volleyball court and walking trail to Hillside Court playground
Another $150,000 is being poured into playground improvements at Hillside Court.
Artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, whose projections on the Lee monument gained national attention, receive grant for new works
Richmond lighting artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui drew national attention 18 months ago in projecting the faces of Black thinkers, activists and victims of police violence nightly on the pedestal of the Lee monument on Monument Avenue.
YMCA makes deal on Downtown building
The YMCA of Greater Richmond could become a model for nonprofits seeking to gain revenue from old buildings, while keeping them in operation.
Former Delegate Flora D. Crittenden of Newport News succumbs at 97
Former Delegate Flora D. Crittenden, a member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus who represented Newport News in the House of Delegates from 1993 to 2004, died Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. She was 97.
Heytens confirmed for seat on 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
The lawyer who won the legal battle to bring down the giant state-owned statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue is on his way to the federal bench.
Teen gun ban remains intact
A federal ban on gun sales to young people who are old enough to vote but have not reached the drinking age of 21 is still the law—for now.
30 city employees face possible firing over COVID-19 vaccination mandate
With the City of Richmond just days away from the Oct. 1 deadline for all employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, all but 30 workers have gotten the vaccine or filed religious or medical exemptions to the city mandate.
Golden Nugget donates $1M to Virginia’s HBCUs
A $1 million donation to the five historically Black universities in Virginia.
RAA earns re-accreditation
The Richmond Ambulance Authority still ranks among the top ambulance companies in the country despite personnel shortages that have slowed its responses to emergency calls.
Premier Bank, which traces its history to Maggie L. Walker, sold to Ohio banking company
The bank that history-making business pioneer Maggie L. Walker founded and led in Richmond soon will be under new ownership.
VUU freshman football player collapses during practice and dies
Virginia Union University is mourning the death of freshman football player Quandarius Wilburn, who collapsed and died Sunday afternoon as the team worked out.
Educator, counselor Susie Banian succumbs at 82
Susie Ann Banian, a veteran Richmond teacher and guidance counselor who also sang in multiple church and community choirs, has died.
Secure health info profiles can help first responders in emergencies
Richmond residents can create a digital health profile that paramedics and other emergency personnel can access after a health emergency strikes, the city Department of Emergency Communications has announced.
Juneteenth celebrations planned around Metro Richmond
The first official Juneteenth celebration in Virginia will be recognized with a variety of events throughout the area sponsored by a range of organizations, groups and churches.
Polls open Tuesday, June 8, for Democratic primary
Voters are in the midst of choosing the Democratic standard bearers who will run for state and local offices in the fall election, with the nomina- tion contests to be settled by a primary election Tuesday, June 8.
Crusade for Voters announces Democratic primary endorsements
The Richmond Crusade for Voters plans to urge city voters to support incumbent Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin and incumbent Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving in the June 8 Democratic primary.
Hanover Branch NAACP, others file legal challenge to planned Wegmans distribution center
The battle over a proposed $175 million distribution center that Wegmans Food Markets Inc. wants to build in Hanover County is headed to court.
Actor Hill Harper to launch Black-owned digital wallet
Richmond will be a stop on a national tour seeking to pump up interest in a new Black-owned financial app for cell phones that is to go live June 1.
New business investments to add more than 1,200 jobs
More than 1,200 new jobs are headed to the Richmond area as the result of new business investments.
Early voting begins April 23 for Democratic primary
Early voting for the June 8 Democratic primary will get underway this Friday, April 23 – 45 days ahead of primary day.
Mustang Club revs engines to mark classic car’s 57th birthday, service award
Thomas Victory and the Victory 7 Mustang Club are celebrating a birthday on April 17 — the 57th birthday of the Ford Mustang.
Neil S. Kessler is new chair of RRHA board
As anticipated, the board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a new chair – Neil S. Kessler.
Fort Lee being assessed as site to house unaccompanied immigrant children
Fort Lee, which sits outside of Petersburg about 20 miles south of Richmond, might become a temporary holding center for unaccompanied minors who cross into the United States without legal status and are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Electronic system allows voters to sign petitions for candidates to get on Democratic primary ballot
Signing a statewide candidate’s petition to get on the June 8 Democratic primary ballot just got extremely easy for registered voters.
General Assembly wraps up session ushering in changes
The death penalty was abolished, a new state Voting Rights Act was approved to ensure voter suppression does not happen and racial bigotry was a labeled a public health crisis.
Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s star to shine on Hollywood Walk of Fame
A dream of most people in the movie business is to get a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ruth E. Carter is getting hers this week.
More federal money available for rental relief in the state
Virginia is pumping an additional $160 million into its rental relief program aimed at helping tenants and landlords avoid eviction proceedings, Gov. Ralph S. Northam announced Tuesday.
Landlord must sell properties, undergo housing training in HOME settlement
Richmond area landlord Teresa Vetter has agreed to sell her properties and give up leasing apartments for five years to end a lawsuit accusing her of discrimination against families with children and people with disabilities.
VSU launches no-cost tuition initiative for qualified high school seniors
A federal Pell Grant will be all 300 qualified high school seniors in Richmond and other nearby localities must have financially to enroll as full-time students at Virginia State University in the fall.
Mayor Stoney has COVID-19; state of city address postponed
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in a 14-day isolation after developing mild symptoms.
5 city schools get new pianos, thanks to RVA East End Festival
There will be more music in the air at five Richmond schools.
