Retired pediatrician Dr. Cynthia Charity succumbs at 73
Dr. Cynthia Anne McClennon Charity sought to keep a generation of Richmond children healthy.
Gang demands $17M ransom for 17 missionaries kidnapped in Haiti
A gang that kidnapped 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group has demanded a $17 million ransom for them, according to Haiti’s justice minister, as quoted by the Wall Street Journal.
Archaeologists uncover remnants of one of nation’s first Black churches in Williamsburg
The brick foundation of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches has been unearthed at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that continues to reckon with its past storytelling about the country’s origins and the role of Black Americans.
Pat Robertson retiring at 91 from ‘The 700 Club’
Pat Robertson, who turned Christian TV into political power — and blew it up with wacky prophecy — announced last week his intention to retire as daily host of “The 700 Club.”
Religious groups call for commission on Indian boarding school policy
A number of Catholic groups and Protestant denominations are calling for the United States to establish a Truth and Healing Commission to reckon with the country’s history of boarding schools that separated thousands of Indigenous children from their families and …
Jazz saxophonist Carlton Ayles dies at 77
Richmond jazz icon Carlton Andrew Ayles has died.
David N. Smith, former banking executive and state official, dies at 66
David Nathaniel Smith wanted to be a journal- ist but found his road to success in commercial sales and banking.
Singer Sarah Dash, co-founder of Labelle, dies at 76
Singer Sarah Dash, who co-founded the all-female group Labelle—best known for the rau- cous 1974 hit “Lady Marmalade”—has died. She was 76.
Melvin Van Peebles, ‘godfather’ of modern Black cinema, dies at 89
Melvin Van Peebles, the groundbreaking filmmaker, playwright and musician whose work ushered in the “blaxploitation” wave of the 1970s and influenced filmmakers long after, has died. He was 89.
Va native, NFL Pro-Bowler Roger Brown dies at 84
Roger Brown was a big man with talent and ambition to match.
BlackTop youth program loses gym space
A private South Side youth program that won plaudits and a $500,000 city grant for its virtual school operation that served more than 80 students daily during the 2020-21 school year has been evicted from its home in a church …
Funeral service Sept. 21 for Dr. Clifton Whitaker Jr., pastor emeritus of Grayland Baptist Church
Dr. Clifton Whitaker Jr. set out to be a career Richmond police officer, but injury after 17 years on the force opened the door to a new career in ministry.
Trial set for Oct. 12 in Fourth Baptist Church dispute
A Richmond Circuit Court judge on Tuesday refused to throw out a case in which some members of historic Fourth Baptist Church have sought protection for their voting rights in church affairs, clearing the way for a trial scheduled for …
Pandemic forcing Black morticians to bury their own in profession
When the last mourners departed and funeral director Shawn Troy was left among the headstones, he wept alone.
Dr. Walton M. Belle, longtime Richmond surgeon and team doctor for VUU Panthers, dies at 91
Dr. Walton McNeil Belle Sr. combined surgery with a flair for business.
