Generation Dream 2012 Honors Dr. King’s Legacy

The Richmond Youth Peace Project is commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the seventh annual Youth Educoncert, Generation Dream 2012.
The shows are scheduled for Friday, February 3, at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library’s main branch (free), 101 E Franklin St, and Saturday, February 4, at 2 p.m. [...]

PPDC is a bright light shining in Richmond’s East End

By Camisha Jones

At 12 years old, her life goal was to be pregnant within 1 year. Despite being in 6th grade, she entered the Peter Paul Development Center reading on a 3rd grade level and having only 5th grade math skills. Let’s call her “Stephanie.”
Stephanie lives in Richmond’s East End surrounded by the highest concentration [...]

Five Tips for Thinking Like an Entrepreneur

By DANIEL PEARSON
Many people, at one time or another, have thought about running their own business. Being your own boss, setting your own hours and making all of the decisions sounds enticing, but it’s also one of the biggest challenges you will face in your career if you do decide to take the entrepreneurial path.
But [...]

Evans and Shambley Selected as Finalists for 2012 Lowe’s Senior Class Award

Two Virginia State University student athletes were selected as the finalists for the fourth annual CIAA Division of the highly recognized Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award program. Women’s basketball senior guard, Marquilla Evans (Portsmouth, VA) and men’s basketball senior forward, James Shambley (Norfolk, VA) were chosen to represent VSU in the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award [...]

Open House is scheduled

Saint Paul’s College invites all prospective and accepted students to the College on Saturday, January 28, 2012 for Open House from 9:00 a.m – 1:00 p.m., inside the Chicago Building Kirby Auditorium. During this time students and their families can participate in a campus tour, and speak with College administration, department chairs, financial aid, student [...]

Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ

By James Champ II

As an educator, activist, missionary, cancer survivor, and minister, Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ has worked mightily to do the Lord’s work in Richmond. In 1995, the Lord planted in her heart a vision for the people of Fairfield and Whitcomb Courts in the East End of the City of Richmond. [...]

Will 2012 be the year our economy gets back on track?

by Kirk Maltais

“It’s been a disappointing economic recovery since the end of the financial crisis in mid-2009” says a report published by Goldman Sachs in October. According to the report, written by Senior US Economist Andrew Tilton, the weak growth in the US gross domestic product (GDP) since the most dire times of the recession [...]

Quality of care before kindergarten can affect success in school

More than just a game, dramatic play builds brains. That’s the message to child care providers and parents of young children. The quality of care a child receives before entering school can make a big difference in how ready the child is to succeed when kindergarten begins. Quality experiences include having access to and experiencing [...]

The Man, The Ministry, and The Mission

by Sonjia L. Upshaw / Marketing Director
Educational Programs & Service Learning Coordinator
Southside Baptist Christian School
The year was 1987 and Dr. Lonnie S. Stinson, then Pastor and Founder of Emmaus Road Baptist Church in Garysburg, North Carolina was ready to depart to the land that God had shown to him – Richmond, Virginia. So he [...]

2011 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival Festival Schedule

1:00 p.m. The African Market Opens, filled with delicious foods plus books, unique handcrafted and imported items, art, home décor, natural body care, clothing and jewelry opens and will remain open throughout the event.
2:00 p.m. Drum Call & Processional, Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Ceremony, Affirmation of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the Pouring of Ancestral [...]

KWANZAA: A Celebration of Community, Family & Culture

Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga

The Kwanzaa holiday is observed from 26 December through 1 January, and its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the [...]

Financial planning for later-life marriages

By Jason Alderman

Couples who marry as young adults usually don’t bring a lot of financial baggage to the table. But what if you’re getting married in your 40s, 50s or later – after divorce, children and years of building assets have complicated your economic situation? Do you and your spouse-to-be have a game plan for [...]

A Nimble Run through the Century

By M. L. Byrd

To enjoy Steve Martin’s PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE one only has to know the actor’s comedy. To truly appreciate it, one has to acknowledge the dramatist’s intellect. Sycamore Rouge plays to both sides of Martin’s talent. The cast is excellent, and it should be noted that this is [...]

Richmond Activist Branch-Kennedy Honored By Petra Foundation

The Petra Foundation welcomed four new fellows to its growing network of human rights heroes at its 23rd annual celebration of leaders who are making distinctive contributions to human rights and social justice.
In a news release from the Petra Foundation, the 2011 Petra Fellows were recognized for their innovative work on behalf of pregnant and [...]

Poor Shooting Second Half Leads to 67-54 Loss To Virginia Union at Big Apple Classic

The Virginia State Trojans matched Virginia Union basket-for-basket in the first half, but could not maintain the momentum after the break, falling 67-54 to the Panthers in the Big Apple Classic at NYC’s Madison Square Garden. VSU shot only 30 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range as the Panthers dominated the [...]

RMCVB Awards Inaugural Scholarship to Hospitality Management Student

VSU’s Ashley Stokes awarded $1,000

Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (RMCVB) recently awarded the inaugural 2011 RMCVB Foundation Scholarship to Virginia State University student Ashley Stokes. The $1,000 scholarship, made possible through proceeds from the annual Richmond Region Open Golf Tournament, was developed to award one exceptional undergraduate student who is pursuing a degree in [...]

Trojans Win Overtime Thriller Against Glenville State, 58-57

Junior Kenny Mitchell made 7 of 11 shots from the field, scoring 15 points and leading the Trojans to their first victory of the season, defeating Glenville State, 58-57, in overtime on Saturday, Nov. 26 in Ettrick, VA.
In a great defensive battle for both teams, the Trojans were able to pull out a win in [...]

Richmonds Boy’s Choir

Celebrating its sixteenth season, the Richmond Boys Choir (RBC), Richmond’s Ambassadors of Song, announces their performance schedule for the 2011-2012 holiday season. They will open their public events schedule singing holiday classics on Saturday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Charles City High School located at 10039 Courthouse Road in Charles City. Their appearance is [...]

U.S. Navy Names New Ship in Honor of Voting Rights Activist Medgar Evers

By Derek Turner
In an honor bestowed on only a handful of individuals, the United States Navy selected NAACP civil and voting rights icon Medgar Evers as the namesake of their newest ship. Christened in San Diego, California on November 12 by his widow Myrlie Evers-Williams, the USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13) will serve as a [...]

Don’t Lose Sight of Diabetic Eye Disease

Thousands of American adults are at risk of losing their vision as a result of complications from diabetes

Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people in the United States. In addition, another 79 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. All people with diabetes, both type 1 [...]

2011 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival – Save the Date! – Saturday, December, 31

The end of the year is a time filled with holidays that create an atmosphere for reminiscing, connecting with loved ones, collectively remembering those things to which we are most deeply committed, and thankfulness. One such celebration is Kwanzaa.
Each year, the Elegba Folklore Society hosts the Capital City Kwanzaa Festival to observe our Kwanzaa holiday. [...]

A Bright Light of Growth

GordonHatcher
General Manager / West Broad Hyundai

His smile says it all. Gordon Hatcher, a born-Richmonder who grew up in Jackson Ward, is General Manager at West Broad Hyundai, and one happy and successful individual. During his six years at Hyundai, and a total of 14 with Page Auto Group, he has seen quite a few ups [...]

Trojans Strike Early Defeating Panthers 39-14 on Homecoming 2011

by Jason Pompey

Senior running back, Antwain Lyde scored 2 early rushing touchdowns in a 39-14 win over rival Virginia Union University on Saturday, Oct. 29th in Rogers Stadium. Lyde led the Trojans with 26 rushes for 92 total yards.
The Trojans offense scored 4 touchdowns, the defense returned a 57 yard interception for another score, and [...]

Energy-Efficiency Tax Credits Expire Soon

By Jason Alderman

If you haven’t already jumped on the home energy-efficiency bandwagon, the good news is that several federal energy tax credits originally slated to end in 2010 were extended through December 31, 2011; but the not-so-good news is that these credits are worth significantly less and are more restrictive than before. All is not [...]

VCU’s Men’s basketball team tips off Puritan Cleaners Coats For Kids campaign

Puritan Cleaners is tipping off its 24th Coats For Kids Campaign with a special partnership event with Coach Shaka Smart and the VCU Men’s Basketball team. The opening game for VCU this season on November 3rd will be Puritan Cleaners Coats For Kids Night at the Seigel Center. All Ram fans are encouraged to bring [...]

Lady Trojans Win at 2011 Panther Invite

by Jason Pompey

The women’s cross-country team at VSU won the Panther Invite on Friday, Oct. 14th in Richmond, VA with an overall team score of 16 points. Four Lady Trojans placed from first to fourth place leading VSU to another win. Senior, Sierra Clayton won the invite with a time of 17:59.
Clayton won her fourth [...]

Extended family in difficult times

The Commonwealth Cancer Institute
by Pat Vitsky

Dr. Marcus W. Brown early on developed the ‘life-long ambition’ of becoming a doctor. After graduating from Hampton University, he obtained his medical degree from MCV/VCU, and then received his specialty training in radiation oncology at the University of Southern California.
Returning to Richmond, a new ambition took hold. To deliver [...]

Lady Trojans Volleyball Defeat Lincoln and Bowie State

by Jason Pompey

The Lady Trojans volleyball team picked up two wins last week in Ettrick, VA defeating the Lady Lions of Lincoln University on Friday, Oct. 7th and the Lady Bulldogs of Bowie State University on Saturday, Oct. 8th. VSU has won three matches in a row and improved their overall record to 10-12 and [...]

It’s Simple: Simply Heavenly is a Must-See

by M. L. Byrd

Sycamore Rouge’s rendition of Langston Hughes’ Simply Heavenly is a delightful ensemble piece, set in 1950s Harlem. Hughes’ beloved character Jesse B. Semple is the star. Although the focus of the play is “womens and mens,” the discreet racial critiques and subtle social commentaries are as striking today as they would have [...]

The Childhood Obesity Epidemic

by Shavon Arline

Childhood obesity is an epidemic in America, especially in America’s communities of color. Over the past forty years, obesity rates have soared more than four-fold among children ages 6 to 11. Today, 31.8 percent of youth between two and nineteen years of age – or twenty-three million kids – are obese or significantly [...]

Back In Step: Fall Block 2011 is here to make you move

by Kirk Maltais

The tradition continues this month at Virginia Commonwealth University, when the Fall Block step show returns for its 26th installment Saturday, September 24, at the Siegel Center. This year’s iteration of the largest step show in Virginia, aptly subtitled “State of Emergency”, promises to be another explosive display of choreographed genius.
Fall Block 2011, [...]

The 411 on prepaid cards

by Jason Alderman
According to Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, we live in a credit-dominated society. “Without a checking or savings account,” she says, “it’s difficult to cash payroll, Social Security and unemployment checks; you need a credit or debit card to shop online, book a flight or rent a car; [...]

Simply Heavenly: A Little Piece of Heaven at Sycamore Rouge

Q&A About Simply Heavenly with Director Darryl Davis

Q: Tell us what happens in this play.
A: Simply Heavenly is the story about a Harlem man, Jesse, and his quest – along with his neighbors and other locals – to find happiness. Of course, happiness is different for everyone. And for Jesse, happiness involves figuring out the [...]

September is Hunger Action Month

Everyone can lend a hand
by Camisha L. Jones

A volunteer sorts canned and boxed food items at the Food Bank, where more than 19 million pounds of food was distributed last year.

What are you willing to do to ensure that others are not hungry this month? What are we all willing do to make certain that [...]

Ten Years Later: Richmond Remembers 9/11

by Kirk Maltais
Ten years ago this month, the United States was met with what could be called it’s darkest hour.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda operatives hijacked four commercial airliners to fly into key American landmarks. At 8:46 a.m., the first blow was dealt with American Airlines Flight 11 colliding with the [...]

Modlin Center for the Arts to present Civil War music-theatre piece, ‘Rappahannock County’

In conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, the University of Richmond’s Modlin Center for the Arts will present a new music-theatre piece, “Rappahannock County,” Sept.13–15, 7:30 p.m., in Alice Jepson Theatre.
Drawn from diaries, letters and personal accounts, this fictional song cycle explores the war’s impact, from secession to defeat, on a [...]

Vote for U-TURN today

and everyday until September 8 at www.RichmondUnite.org/vote-now
by Monica Smith-Callahan

Recently U-TURN was named one of 39 youth oriented non-profit organizations in the Richmond area that would be in the running for a grant from Richmond Unite, an organization established to support other organizations. The key to getting this grant is votes. Supporters of U-TURN can log [...]

VSU awarded grant to expand digital textbook use

Thanks to a generous $50,000 grant from Dominion Resources, Virginia State University will now be expanding its digital textbook program, with the hopes of cutting down textbook costs for students.
The grant is part of the $200,000 Dominion has donated to Central Virginia colleges to support their business and engineering programs. Grants, like the one to [...]

MLK Dedication Week Events

Photo by Robert Mooney

Honoring Past, Present, and Future Pioneers:
A civil rights pioneers luncheon
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Thursday, August 25, 12 pm – 2 pm
Business attire, $85 per seat
Partners in the Dream
A public expo for supporters of the MLK Memorial
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Thursday, August 25, 3 pm – 8 pm
Friday, August 26, 9 am -7 [...]

Be Prepared In Case You Are Suddenly Single

Jason Pryor

While it’s something we hope would never happen, losing a spouse becomes an unfortunate reality many people must face. While the emotional trauma is the first and hardest blow, an important next step is looking towards the future and assessing your financial situation. As a single person for the first time in years, there [...]

21st Annual Down Home Reunion

A celebration of African American Folklife

The 21st Annual Down Home Family Reunion explores a full spectrum of music, dance, stories, food, shopping and enrichment in this Celebration of African American Folklife. It’s a heritage festival that takes attendees on a folkloric journey from West Africa through the Caribbean and into America. Of course, Virginia is [...]

Patti LaBelle to Perform at Richmond CenterStage to Celebrate its 2nd Birthday

September 9, 2009 was a day of great celebration in Downtown Richmond. Under bright late summer skies and a digital countdown clock ticking away its final minutes and seconds, local leaders of the arts, business and government joined hundreds on East Grace Street to commemorate the Grand Opening of the long-awaited performing arts complex [...]

Desperately Seeking a New Job

Dear Career Confidence Coach,
My hours at work have been reduced from a 50 hour work week to 15 hours a week. I can’t support myself on 15 hours a week so I must find another job right away.
I haven’t written a résumé in years and haven’t a clue where to even start. I can’t afford [...]

Dealing with debt collectors

By Jason Alderman

If you’ve ever fallen far behind on paying your bills, you know what it’s like to dread whenever the phone rings: What if it’s another bill collector? Ignoring the call – like ignoring a toothache – is never a good idea. Sooner or later, you’re going to have to deal with the situation.
According [...]

Rate of stroke increasing during and soon after pregnancy, high blood pressure and obesity cited

• Researchers report a large increase in the number of women having strokes while pregnant and in the three months after childbirth.
• The overall rate of pregnancy-related stroke went up 54 percent between 1994-95 and 2006-07.
• The increase is due to women having more risk factors, including high blood pressure and obesity.

The stroke rate for [...]

The Virginia Hornets major league football team brings pro football to Richmond City Stadium.

The Virginia Hornets Major League Football Team, Richmond’s premiere outdoor football team opens play for its 2011 season at Richmond City Stadium, marking the return of professional football to the 80 plus year old iconic Richmond landmark.
The Hornets, who have been in the public discussion to play their games at City Stadium since hearing about [...]

Smithsonian exhibit hits Richmond

Photograph courtesy National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

by Kirk Maltais
The traveling Smithsonian exhibition Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits, opened at the The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia Saturday, July 9th. The exhibit, which displays a series of historic photography from the 19th and 20th centuries, explores the theme of resistance [...]

Soul Bowl raises over $70,000 for charity

by Kirk Maltais

Since 2007, the Soul Bowl Lounge has been held at AMF Shrader Lanes, and the response has been fantastic. So good, in fact, that Avail Marketing, creator of the event, has raised over $70,000 for various charities and nonprofits since its inception. The event raised $15,000 last year alone.
Held every other month, the [...]

Diverse Women Have Diverse Discussions

by Sundra Hominik

Once a month a diverse group of women gather in downtown Richmond to discuss issues almost as diverse as the women who gather.
Richmond native Dougie Bowman launched the group in April 2010 after she met Birute Regine, a psychologist, life coach, and author of the book, Iron Butterflies: Women Transforming Themselves and the [...]

Make The Best Of Your New Job

by Torski Dobson-Arnold

Torski Dobson-Arnold

You’ve done all the research and finally found a job! Yes! All that hard work is finally paying off. Well, I’m here to share some news with you…the hard work has really just begun. Getting the new job is the easy part. Getting the most from this experience and leveraging your connections [...]

Scholarships awarded to City of Richmond Graduates

Ariel Barlow, Earnest Swan, (not pictured: DeMontre Purvis), Kristin Simms, Jorell Watkins

Five deserving students have been awarded by the 2011 Richmond African-American Scholarship Fund, for their exceptional work inside of the classroom.
THE STRONG ACADEMIC RECORDS AND PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP SHOWED BY THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS THESE PAST EIGHT YEARS SHOWS THAT OUR REGION IS EFFECTIVELY GROWING SOME OF THE [...]

Preventing tragedy in the pool

NEVER leave a child unsupervised in or near any body of water, even for a second. This means not only being there, but watching at all times. Looking away, even for a moment, can lead to tragedy.
DON’T leave toys, wagons, or tricycles around the pool.
INVEST in a pool-motion alarm, pool fence, self-latching gates and/or cover.
ATTEND [...]

What to do when it’s love at first sight

by Dell Claiborne

QUESTION:
I looked at a house that had everything I want! As far as I’m concerned, I’m ready to bid now! Is this acceptable? How many homes should I look at before I choose one?
ANSWER:
WOW! Now this is a question/problem that every one of my colleagues wishes they had to deal with. I’m going [...]

Dreams still do come true

Forondo B. Holmes is a man with many ideas. When he wakes up in the morning, one of the countless things on his mind is how to build something positive for his community. That’s why he pursued his dream to open a marketplace to support local business owners by opening the new Upscale Flea Market [...]

Multi Platinum Saxophonist Boney James Makes Contact

Go ahead: Call Boney James “old school.” The multi-platinum saxophonist entered music in the 80s, touring with The Isley Brothers, Morris Day, Teena Marie and others, and he broke out as a solo force in 1992. With 12 albums to his credit – eight of which went to No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz [...]

Prepare for Summer Storms and Other Disasters

Tony Russell, Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers critical tips to survive disasters like hurricanes. Photograph by Lillie Long/FEMA.

 
Secure Your Property
•Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows [...]

Invest in Your Child’s Future with a 529 College Savings Plan

by Jason Pryor

Did you know that college bills for children born in 2005 could exceed $183,365 for a public university or $375,966 for a private institution? In Virginia, the average annual cost for state-supported schools is $16,833.* However, with the right planning, you can potentially achieve success in saving for one of life’s most costly [...]

How to Shine at Your New Job

by Torski Dobson-Arnold

Dear Career Confidence Coach,
 
I have been reading your columns and was lucky enough to secure summer employment for the summer. I really needed to get this job because I want to save for college, which I’ll begin next year. I know it’s important to have some type of work experience for your college [...]