Indian fashion, entertainment highlighted at AKKA World Kannada Conference
The AKKA World Kannada Confer- ence comes to the Greater Richmond Convention Center Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. The 12th annual event will celebrate Indian culture with fashion, entertainment, and performances from notable Indian artists. The conference will open with a free parade 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. The parade will start at 5th and Leigh streets and proceed through the Jackson Ward neighborhood, cov- ering approximately half a mile. The event is expected to draw over 4,000 attendees. The conference will feature a variety of performances, including dance dramas, ballet, and singing. Vijay Prakash, renowned for his Oscar-winning song from “Slum- dog Millionaire,” will headline the event. Additional activities include sports such as cricket, pickleball, golf and chess, with prizes awarded to partici- pants. The weekend will also offer seven forums on diverse topics ranging from business to medicine. AKKA (Association of Kannada Kootas of America) aims to promote and pre- serve the Kannada language and culture, which has a history spanning over 2,000 years and is predominantly spoken in Southern India. Tickets for the conference are $250, which includes food, entertainment and networking opportunities. For further details, visit akka- online.org.
Mike Tyson feels good after health scare; ready for bout with Jake Paul
Mike Tyson is 58 years old and coming off a health scare that forced the postponement of his return to the ring. The boxer, once considered the most dangerous man in the world, could be putting himself in danger by putting the gloves on again. Yet he was quick to respond Sunday when asked why he was going through with his bout against Jake Paul.
Virginia Lottery generates a record-breaking $934M for K-12 public education
The Virginia Lottery announced Wednesday that $934 million in fiscal year 2024 sales profits will benefit K-12 public education, a record amount. The total amount it collected for the fiscal year that ended June 30 was more than $5.5 billion.
Making moves
After more than 100 years as a Downtown presence, 22 of those years as our neighbor, reports from The Richmond Times-Dispatch indicate that the daily newspaper is leaving its Richmond office behind.
Harris’ campaign stays above it all, by Julianne Malveaux
When did politics become such fun? While Democrats will roll up our sleeves to win the November election, in the meantime one of our candidates is clearly having a good time with the process. Every time she strides across a stage, she beams. Her smile is an incandescence. Her wave joyful.
‘Stolen valor’ political fights rob us of facts, by Clarence Page
While the saying may be true that candidates for vice president usually don’t make much of a difference in the ultimate success of presidential candidates, they do give us plenty to argue about.
Missing
Have you seen this bench?
Climate crisis devastates Black communities, but public transit is a solution, by Kim Smith
As the world grapples with the ever-intensifying impacts of the climate crisis, a stark and troubling reality has emerged: Black communities are bearing a disproportionate burden of environmental degradation.
VCU Men’s Soccer adds 6 newcomers for 2024 season
Virginia Commonwealth University Men’s Soccer Coach Dave Giffard has announced the addition of six players ahead of the 2024 season. The new recruits, hailing from both local and international backgrounds, are set to join the Rams as they look to build on their success as defending Atlantic 10 Champions.
Mayor Stoney pushes back against ‘dysfunction’ claims, lauds city employees
Amid escalating controversy and wide-spread criticism, both inside and outside city government, Mayor Levar M. Stoney took the stage at City Hall on Wednesday morning and made an effort to clear the air during a press conference.
Incarcerated fathers and daughters reunite at a dance in Netflix doc
Angela Patton has devoted her career to listening to the needs of young girls. Over a decade ago, the CEO of the nonprofit Girls For a Change and founder of Camp Diva Leadership Academy helped start a program in Richmond, that created a daddy-daughter dance for girls whose fathers are in prison. The “Date With Dad” idea wasn’t hers, however. It came from a 12-year-old Black girl.
Progressive National Baptist Convention leaders hail Harris, pan Trump, urge voting
The Progressive National Baptist Convention focused on get-out-the-vote efforts during its annual meeting and celebrated Vice President Kamala Harris becoming a presidential candidate.
U.S. women’s basketball future looks bright, but the rest of the world is closing talent gap
U.S. women’s basketball players have been saying for years that winning in the Olympics isn’t easy and France showed at the Paris Games that their comments are more than just rhetoric to keep fans interested.
Power of gumbo spirit on display at Paris Olympics, by Marc H. Morial
“In addition to giving us countless thrilling moments of athletic excellence, the Summer Games have given the DEI movement the greatest gift it could ever hope for: a picture of success that can inspire people from across the political spectrum … They represent what makes America great: individuals from diverse backgrounds, viewing their distinctive identities as sources of pride, cooperating together to achieve excellence and bring honor to their nation.” — Eboo Patel
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending on Saturday, Aug. 10, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia rose by 10% from the previous week, though new admissions remain low.
NASCAR’s Rajah Caruth teams up with Microsoft to turbocharge VUU
Virginia Union University just got a serious upgrade, thanks to NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth and tech giant Microsoft. On Aug. 9 during NASCAR’s Race Weekend, Caruth rolled into the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center with a state-of-the-art driving simulator in tow, ready to shift VUU’s educational resources into high gear.
Personality: Kenneth Lanelle Ragland
Spotlight on the 2024 president of the National Police Athletic/Activities League
Kenneth Lanelle Ragland grew up in inner-city Philadelphia, an area that struggled with poverty and crime. His positive experience with the Philadelphia Police Athletic League (PAL) inspired him to pursue a career focused on creating opportunities for young people in similar circumstances.
Businesses and volunteers rally to support students’ back-to-school needs
Last week, the Seventh Annual Ultimate Backpack Supply Drive brought together community leaders, volunteers and business partners to ensure students are prepared for the upcoming academic year.
Historic hospital’s fate hangs in balance as debate continues
Plans for the partial demolition of Richmond Community Hospital, the city’s first Black hospital, were met with mixed reactions last Thursday as Virginia Union University and developers unveiled details of a multimillion-dollar housing project during a community meeting.
BHMVA earns national designation, secures $320K in grants
he Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia has been designated as a member of the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network, a program that preserves stories of the Civil Rights Movement.
