Saturday, June 30
Jehovah's Witnesses convene in Downtown
As national and world events cause polarization and despair, there’s a need for individuals to have a source of release and a positive outlook for the future. The Jehovah’s Witnesses plan to address the issues in a series of weekend conventions through August in Richmond.
City Council approves church site for new school
Calvary United Methodist Church in Fulton has won approval to become the new home of a nonprofit Montessori preschool.
Churches, nonprofits to be hit with taxes under new federal code
Republicans have quietly imposed a new, but limited tax on churches, synagogues and other nonprofits, a little-noticed and surprising change that could cost some groups tens of thousands of dollars.
Jackson family patriarch dies
Joseph “Joe” Jackson, the patriarch who launched the musical Jackson family dynasty, died Wednesday morning, June 27, 2018, in a Las Vegas hospital.
Lydia M. Jiggetts, prayer warrior and activist, dies at 70
Dr. Lydia Mercedes Jiggetts sought to help people in multiple ways. In the 1970s, she was part of a team of activists that helped force Richmond area radio and television stations to end their whites-only employment policies and open their doors to African-American talent.
After changing his life, Neblett hopes to change others
Raymond Neblett, the former basketball standout who once took a costly wrong turn, continues to make up for lost time.
Trinity Episcopal's Bacot helps national team win gold
Armando Bacot has lifted his basketball game to the international level.
NBA draft roundup
The NBA draft has come and gone and only time will tell who will rise to stardom and who will sink.
VCU’s Justin Tillman still working toward NBA contract
Former Virginia Commonwealth University standout Justin Tillman has one foot in the NBA door.
Pulse of the city
Ridership, confusion up as GRTC’s new bus rapid transit line starts
Mayor Levar M. Stoney calls it “progress” and “one of the most exciting and progressive public transportation projects in Richmond history.”
Friday, June 29
Kentucky 8th-grader already pulling in scholarship offers
Such football powers as Alabama, Florida State and Louisiana State University are convinced Kiyaunte Goodwin will someday be a college star — even though he hasn’t yet begun high school. The 6-foot-7, 350-pound Goodwin just completed eighth grade at Olmstead North Middle School in Louisville, Ky.
Fireworks to light up area skies on July 4
Fireworks will occur over Richmond skies and those in the counties in celebration of the Fourth of July holiday and the United States declaring independence from Great Britain 242 years ago.
Winners announced in Miss Virginia Pageant
Envelope please. And the winner of the 2018 Miss Virginia Pageant is Emili McPhail, Miss Arlington.
Community High celebrating 40 years
Richmond Community High School’s alumni, students, past and present faculty and others are celebrating the school’s 40th anniversary Saturday, June 30, with a day of activities sponsored by the Friends of Richmond Community High School.
Oprah Winfrey exhibit opens at National Black History Museum
One of the most recognizable openings in television history blares on a video screen: “I’m Oprah Winfrey, and welcome to The Oprah Winfrey Show!” The crowd goes wild. At the center of it all, a dancing young Oprah.
Opportunity time
Looking around the city, the signs of change and growth are visible. Bulldozers and cranes are visible throughout Downtown. Construction equipment abounds in the East End. And work is happening in South Side and Scott’s Addition and planned for Jackson Ward.
Obama Elementary School
What’s in a name? A lot, we believe. And so we were more than pleased when the Richmond School Board voted last week to rename the elementary school on Fendall Avenue in North Side for the nation’s 44th president — Barack Obama.
Immigration: The new Willie Horton
As horrendous as the stories may sound of a system that has taken more than 2,300 migrant children from their parents under President Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy, it is even worse that nobody appears to know when — or whether — the children and their parents will be united again.
Trump and chaos
Comedian and activist Dick Gregory left us last August. At least a year before passing away, he told me we’d soon be facing chaos.
Immigration, the law and border walls
America is a place of opportunity for the good as well as the bad. That’s why immigrants are trying to get here, even with the threat of losing their children.
Personality: David Mickens
Spotlight on president of local chapter of Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Richmond’s Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club rides for a reason and a cause — to make a difference in Richmond and across the country. David Mickens, the club’s president until 2019, says “their mission is to carry on the legacy and honor of two United States African American regiments known as the Buffalo Soldiers.”
Wednesday, June 27
Government-induced trauma
Shameful. That’s the best word to describe President Trump’s inhumane policy of separating thousands of immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Monday, June 25
U.S. Sen. Cory Booker energizes Dems in Richmond for upcoming election
U.S. Sen. Cory A. Booker said the Democratic Party must continue being the party for all people, especially in today’s political climate where American values and virtues are under assault.
A star is born: NBA draft expected to pick talent from U.S. and abroad
The NBA’s reward for a team having a miserable season is a high draft pick and hopes of a brighter future. Thus, the Phoenix Suns vault from having the worst standings to first in the 2018 draft of incoming talent.
Broken promise?
City seeks bids only for 3 new schools
Earlier this year, Mayor Levar M. Stoney stumped to raise $150 million to help replace obsolete and decaying schools.
Thursday, June 21
One of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers dies
Samuel Tom Holiday, one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, died in Southern Utah on Monday, June 11, 2018, surrounded by family members who raised money through a crowdfunding campaign to be by his side.
Louis Farrakhan Jr., 60, oldest son of Nation of Islam leader, dies
A Janazah service, a Muslim burial service, was held Friday, June 8, at Mosque Maryam in Chicago for Louis Farrakhan Jr., the eldest son of Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan. Mr. Farrakhan died in his sleep Friday, June 1, 2018, at a family home in Phoenix.
Personality: Jer’Mykeal D. McCoy
Spotlight on president-elect of the Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals
The Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals has helped its members become entrepreneurs and homeowners, engage in the community’s civic affairs and enhance their careers and leadership abilities. Jer’Mykeal D. McCoy, the organization’s incoming president plans to continue that work and increase the number of members.
Obama Elementary!
Richmond School Board votes to dump Confederate name at North Side school to honor nation's first African-American president
Richmond School Board votes to dump Confederate name at North Side school to honor nation’s first African-American president
Second Baptist Church to host Christian hip-hop concert June 29
The Rev. Ralph S. Hodge wants to present positive, upbeat Christian messages in a musical form that is attractive to Richmond youths.
