Then and Now The Current — April 21, 2016: Death of Prince
Prince’s death on April 21, 2016 marked the loss of an artist who redefined musical innovation and artistic control in modern America.
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Then and Now The Current — April 21, 2003: Death of Nina Simone
Nina Simone’s death on April 21, 2003 marked the passing of an artist who turned music into a force of political witness and cultural transformation.
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Then & Now: The Current — April 20, 1871: The Ku Klux Klan Act and the Limits of Federal Protection
The April 20, 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act promised protection for Black Virginians, but its uneven enforcement reveals the limits of federal power against entrenched white supremacy.
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Then & Now: The Current — April 19, 1967: Kwame Ture Speaks Against the Vietnam War
On April 19, 1967, Kwame Ture, then known as Stokely Carmichael, delivered forceful antiwar speeches linking Vietnam to racial injustice, shaping a message that still resonates in Virginia today.
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Then & Now: The Current — April 18, 1862: Elizabeth Keckly’s Virginia Story Reaches Print
When Elizabeth Keckly appeared in print on April 18, 1862, readers saw a story of talent and reinvention. Beneath it sat the deeper Virginia history of slavery, abuse, and Black women’s determination to survive it.
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Then & Now: The Current — April 17, 1861: Virginia Votes to Leave the Union
Virginia’s April 17, 1861 secession vote in Richmond was not a neutral break over principle. It was a decision bound up with slavery and the racial order the Confederacy was built to protect.
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Richmond Civil Rights Case Ends With Damages Against Patriot Front Members
A federal judge has ordered damages against members of a white nationalist group for their role in vandalizing an Arthur Ashe mural in Richmond, concluding a case that framed the act as racial intimidation under federal civil rights law.
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Black History in Richmond | Cultural Landmarks | Historic Neighborhoods | History & Culture | Neighborhood Stories
A Neighborhood That Built Its Own Economy: The Legacy of Jackson Ward
Jackson Ward stands as one of the most influential Black neighborhoods in American history—once a thriving center of business and culture known as “Black Wall Street,” later divided by highway construction, and now at the center of Richmond’s ongoing efforts to reconcile past and future.
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From City Blocks to Cul-de-Sacs: The Quiet Shift in Black Suburban Richmond
Black residents are increasingly moving from Richmond city to its suburban counties, a significant demographic shift driven by economic factors, educational opportunities, and safety concerns. This migration is reshaping the region’s cultural, social, and economic landscapes, demanding new strategies from urban planners and community leaders.
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United States Among the Only Three Nations Rejecting UN Measure on Chattel Slavery’s “Gravest Crime” Designation
The United States joined just two countries in opposing a UN resolution declaring slavery the gravest crime against humanity, highlighting deep divisions over historical accountability and reparations.
