‘Moms should not be dying’: Black maternal mortality rates remain high
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Black maternal mortality rates have increased over the decades, according to the CDC’s Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System reports. Non-Hispanic, Black pregnant people had the highest maternal mortality rate at about 70%, whereas the rate for non-hispanic white pregnant people was about 27%, according to 2021 CDC data from U.S. Maternal Mortality […]
AFROX fashion show captures the essence of Black culture
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Daisy Palmer, a senior psychology student, saw a post on a model’s Instagram story and decided to attend the BLK Runway’s AFROX show. “The graphic design, the representation of Blackness, the eccentricism of it all just really gravitated towards me,” Palmer said. Palmer believes a show like this is important for […]
Fashion show celebrates young Black creatives
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer BLK Runway’s director LA Ricks never thought nine months ago when planning her first fashion show that it would lead to a sold-out show, she said. Ricks created BLK Runway, a student-led organization, and put on a fashion show after she was inspired to create a show focused on the Black […]
Four choreographers bring ‘newness’ to Richmond Ballet’s New Works Festival
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Twenty-five hours over five days was all the time choreographers and the Richmond Ballet team had to put on for the New Works Festival, according to a Richmond Ballet press release. The New Works Festival, a “fan-favorite” show for Richmond Ballet lovers, features four brand new ballet performances, all choreographed by […]
‘I’m very humbled’: Librarian of the Year hopes to continue helping people
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer The Estelle Brodman award for Academic Health Science Librarian of the Year, given from the Medical Library Association, or MLA, was awarded to VCU’s own — Emily Hurst. The award recognizes the accomplishments of mid-level career librarians with less than 16 years in the field, according to Hurst. Hurst’s career spans […]
One of the ‘world’s most popular musicals’ visits Richmond
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Chloe Hawkins, Spectrum Editor A story of rebellion, true love and loss is showing at Altria Theater on VCU’s campus this weekend. Over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and 22 languages have seen Les Misérables, according to Broadway in Richmond’s media and public relations director Cindy Creasy. Les Misérables […]
RPS approves increasing school days for one school, two others pending
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Richmond Public School 200, a proposal from the RPS school board to update the school calendar, increases the number of school days from 180 to 200. The proposal would only affect three schools — Fairfield Court Elementary which has approved the plan last week, and Overby-Sheppard Elementary and Cardinal Elementary if […]
Doctors discuss importance, benefits of diversity in health systems leadership
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Just under 6% of doctors in the U.S. are Black, according to data from the Association of American Medical Colleges — yet, 2020 census data states 12% of the U.S. population is Black. The VCU Health webinar “Black in Excellence” hosted four panelists to highlight the importance of Black representation in […]
City considers removal of Jackson Ward mural to preserve historic area
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Local artist Nils posted on a Richmond subreddit, an online community forum through Reddit, about needing a blank wall for Swiss artist Bust to paint a mural. Homeowner Josh Shaheen, who’s lived in Jackson Ward for a little over a year, had a blank wall and offered the space, thinking nothing […]
‘It’s time to protect our children’: Parents support metal detector safety
Natalie Barr, Staff Writer Henrico County Public Schools will implement metal detectors in a limited number of schools as a field test in mid-February. Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, released a statement on Jan. 22, two days after an incident involving a middle school student with a gun in their backpack at Holman Middle School. It […]