Gay pastor wants to help Black churches become as welcoming as his own
It was daunting when the Rev. Brandon Thomas Crowley, at age 22, replaced a beloved pastor who had ministered to one of suburban Boston’s most famed Black churches for 24 years. It was more daunting — at times agonizing — to reach the decision six years later, in 2015, that God wanted him to tell his congregation that he was gay.
Reparations program accused of being discriminatory, by Clarence Page
News that a conservative non-profit legal group is challenging Evanston, Ill.’s groundbreaking reparations program got me thinking about the many attempts to redress the wrongs of systemic racism through monetary compensation.
Juneteenth events highlight freedom, heritage
In recognition of the fourth official Juneteenth celebration Wednesday, June 19, the following events are being held throughout the month to recognize and celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways.
CO2 pipelines a bad deal — follow the money, by Ben Jealous
“Isn’t it sad that money controls everything?”
Oklahoma Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit of last Tulsa Race Massacre survivors seeking reparations
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, dampening the hope of advocates for racial justice that the city would make financial amends for one of the worst single acts of violence against Black people in U.S. history that left as many as 300 people dead and a once-thriving district in smoldering ruins. The nine-member court upheld the decision made by a district court judge in Tulsa last year, ruling that the plaintiff’s grievances about the destruction of the Greenwood district, although legitimate, did not fall within the scope of the state’s public nuisance statute.
Hermitage grad Journette named HBCU National Player of Year
Justin Journette’s baseball reputation has gone national.
New supportive housing complex opens in East End
A new supportive housing community celebrated its grand opening this week in Richmond’s East End. The Cool Lane Commons complex features 86 affordable apartments along with on-site services and amenities for residents. Developed by the non-profit Virginia Supportive Housing, the $24 million project provides permanent housing for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness or housing instability. Units are reserved for those with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income.
Rev. James Lawson Jr., original Freedom Rider and apostle of nonviolence, dies at 95
Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., a foundational figure in the Civil Rights Movement and an original Freedom Rider, passed away at 95, his family announced on Monday. Lawson, who dedicated his life to advocating nonviolent protest, died Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles following a short illness.
Clock is TikTok-ing
TikTok creators brace for app ban
Meghin Martin created a TikTok account two years ago to share her experience working at a local Starbucks. Under the username @ex_barista, Martin asked other TikTok users who worked at the coffeehouse chain if they had been scheduled for only five hours a week as they had. The short video received over 3 million views and comments from other Starbucks workers citing similar experiences.
Lawsuit challenging stadium project dismissed
A lawsuit looking to halt the Richmond city government’s plan for the Diamond District’s baseball stadium was dismissed last week. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant tossed out the suit from attorney Paul Goldman during a hearing last Friday. The suit sought to force a ballot referendum on the planned redevelopment of the Diamond District, specifically a new baseball stadium.
Juneteenth holiday closings
In observance of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, please note the following:
Fifth-year backcourt fuels VCU hoops hopes for new season
If an experienced backcourt is the key to success, VCU’s Rams have reason for optimism.
Squirrels’ McCray takes flight
There is a posted speed limit on Arthur Ashe Boulevard that runs by The Diamond, but there is no limit on speed on the base paths or in the outfield grass inside the stadium. Grant McCray, perhaps the swiftest man in the San Francisco Giants organization, is building momentum in his first season with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The 23-year-old centerfielder was named Eastern League Player of the Week for May 20-26. Competing on the road at Bowie, Md., McCray was 11-for-20 with a homer, three doubles, two triples, eight runs scored and five runs batted in. It took the 6-foot-2 left-handed swinging native Floridian a spell to hit his stride on the Class AA level. His batting average was hovering in the mid .100’s before the recent surge. Through games of May 31, he had juiced his average to .220 in 150 at bats with six homers, 33 RBI and six stolen bases in six tries. McCray ranks 19th in the EL in extra-base hits with 19 and sixth in doubles with 11. All the while he’s run down numerous fly balls in center with his blazing speed and sure glove. His stolen base totals will likely expand once his on-base percentage does. McCray stole 52 bases last season for High-A Eugene, Ore., and 43 bases the year before for Eugene and Low-A San Jose. His minor league total of 125 steals has come with just 35 times caught stealing. Still, even the wing-footed McCray will be challenged to run down another fast man — his father, Rodney. Between 1984 and 1993, Rodney McCray swiped 365 bags, including nine in brief big league stints with the Chicago White Sox in 1990 and 1991 and New York Mets in 1992. There’s more to this speedy family. Grant’s younger sister, Sydney, stole 51 bases in 53 tries this spring for Florida Southwestern State College, while hitting .347. The Flying Squirrels’ record for most steals in a season is 50, set by outfielder Johneshwy Vargas in 2019. Vargas is now playing in Mexico. Richmond’s all-time record for pilfering bags likely won’t be broken soon. In 1969, Ralph Garr, “The Roadrunner,” stole 63 bags in 76 attempts for the AAA Richmond Braves. Negro Leagues remembered The Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond for a six-game series, June 25-30, against the Somerset Patriots, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees. On Saturday, June 29, the 6:05 p.m. game promotion will be Negro Leagues Heritage Night, followed by fireworks.
Richmond SPCA offers free pet adoptions through Friday
The Richmond SPCA is waiving adoption fees for adult pets through June 14 to make space to help overcrowded municipal shelters across Virginia.
RPS partners with health district for student immunizations
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are partnering with Richmond Public Schools to provide immunization and physical clinics for students entering seventh and 12th grades this summer.
Pick your shots
The sudden rise in the popularity of the WNBA seems to have caught the usual commentators on television and the internet off guard. For many of them, this a new game, although the league has been around since 1996. But that hasn’t stopped them from making the same kind of “hot takes’’ about players and teams that they have been known for. I
Black woman’s bid to buy Virginia Beach home faces illegal barrier, echoes of the past, by Roger Chesley
People who overstate the racial progress America has witnessed over the past several decades need to be reminded, every so often, of the discrimination that still lurks in housing, education, employment and the like. An African-American woman’s quest to buy a pricey condo near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront – impeded by the white homeowner’s refusal because of her race – is just the latest example.
Basketball Hall of Famer dies at 84
Chet Walker, a key component on one of the most illustrious teams in NBA history with the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers, died Saturday, June 8, 2024. He was 84.
Neugebauer smashes NCAA decathlon record, aims for Olympic gold
With his chiseled 6-foot-7, 240-pound physique, Leo Neugebauer looks like he could be a basketball power forward, football tight end or even heavyweight boxing champ. Instead, the 23-year-old excels at the decathlon, a 10-event, two-day grind that challenges every muscle in the body.
Ex-Norfolk State star Mauricio one step from Yankee Stadium
Should the New York Yankees need to add a relief pitcher later this season, Alex Mauricio would be glad to oblige.
