VCU alumni reflect on lack of Black presence in student media
Iman Mekonen, Managing Editor On a weekend in the late ’90s, someone in VCU’s communications building would find a group of Black students gathered in a computer lab, playing music and having fun. What looked like a high-energy party was a glimpse into the production schedule of The Vine, VCU’s former Black student-led publication. “It […]
Richmond’s New Art Gallery Raises ‘Important but Difficult Topics’
With an inaugural exhibit that challenges the city’s Confederate history and racial divide, VCU will open its Institute for Contemporary Art next week, and it’s generating excitement not only in Richmond but also in national and international art communities. The 41,000-square-feet Markel Center, where the ICA is housed, cost $41 million and sits at the […]
Richmond tackles human trafficking
Amid the flurry of legislation passed into law at the close of Virginia’s General Assembly session last week was a bill that will make it more difficult for people charged with human trafficking crimes to post bail. House bill 1260 was sponsored by Democratic delegates, Dawn Adams (D – Richmond) and Mike Mullin (R- Newport […]
Comic book trailblazer added to VCU collection
Since joining as a student worker in 1996, Library Specialist for Comic Arts Cindy Jackson has witnessed the growth of VCU Libraries’ Comic Arts Collection into one of the largest archives of its kind. The collection started in the 1970s after work by Richmond-based editorial cartoonist Freddie Siebel was donated. Jackson said its ascent to […]
As decriminalization outlook diminishes, marijuana law reform advocates refocus agenda
Marijuana law reform advocates are refocusing their agenda after Virginia’s Senate majority leader introduced a bill that eliminates jail time for first-offense possession but falls short of decriminalization — a concept he earlier said he would support. Under the bill by Sen. Thomas Norment Jr., R-James City, first-time marijuana possession offenders would be fined but […]
RVA Table Talks presents Richmond’s works towards religious inclusivity
Several dozen people gathered in the Virginia Holocaust Museum for a night of discussion surrounding religious identity, the changing American religious landscape and religious inclusivity on Jan. 18. The event, Religion and Interfaith Understanding, was part of a year-long series sponsored by Altria Group, RVA Table Talk. Throughout the 2017-18 season, several events focusing on […]
Man who held racist sign at VCU’s compass was arrested again later when he returned to campus
A man holding an inflammatory sign with a racist slur was arrested by the VCU Police Department after a crowd gathered around him outside Cabell Library this morning. Tyler W. Lloyd, 27, of North Chesterfield was arrested and charged with trespassing after police asked him to leave VCU and he refused, according to a police […]
Panel tackles high incarceration in minority communities
VCU’s student-led chapter of Amnesty International hosted a community engagement panel on Nov. 7 to discuss how the public education system targets minority students, especially young black men, for the prison system. The school-to-prison pipeline is a discussion throughout the country, but Monica Kelley, president of VCU’s Amnesty International, said the panel was crucial in […]
TEDxRVA event gives platform to refugee’s voices
A steady stream of nearly 100 people filtered into Impact Maker’s high vaulted, iron and brick mortar office space on the evening of Oct. 26 to attend TEDxRVA salon on addressing the process of resettlement for refugees who come to Richmond. These events are called salons in order to communicate ideas of casual conversation which […]
Richmond’s Indian Festival Celebrates 35 years of Cutlure
If you wandered into the Greater Convention Center from Oct. 14 to Oct. 15, you may have been greeted by the sight of three girls performing a traditional dance salutation to the Hindu elephant-god, Ganesha, on one of the Center’s massive stages. The girls are dressed in traditional Indian sarees all in varying shades […]