Urban Views Weekly August 19, 2015

August 19, 2015 Scholar of the Week – La’Vonya Wilkerson

Navigating the RVA Social Scene

2 Urban Views Weekly | August 19, 2015 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

It’s August – that means it’s Black Philanthropy Month.

Too often philanthropy is still viewed as a word that belongs to someone else – a word associated primarily with a small percentage of white people with wealth who give large transformative gifts. Yet, the word philanthropy means love of humankind – a love expressed in a great diversity of ways by a great diversity of people. And that is the value of Black Philanthropy Month. To remind us that we are philanthropists and that we can – and do – make an impact in our local communities and globally. It encourages black donors to declare, “I’m a black philanthropist” and to get busy on social media with #IamABP.

We must view our giving as philanthropy. We have to see ourselves as philanthropists, and encourage each other to step up our giving, especially to those causes where we are disproportionately and severely impacted. Sometimes it feels as if we as a culture have forgotten what got us to where we are today: sharing resources with each other, supporting our churches, colleges and universities. For much of our history, black churches were the seat of philanthropy. In communities across the country, that’s still true. At the same time,

philanthropy has become more sophisticated, and advanced beyond passing the basket.

When we speak of philanthropy as “sophisticated,” we are referring to the process of defining philanthropic priorities, figuring how to “sell” our priorities, having a multi-year plan, being involved, creating awareness, recruiting donors and influencers,

securing short and long term commitments, and assuming visible leadership. We have to demonstrate our commitment with our giving, involvement and leadership. For example, if we believe initiatives such as education (K-12

and higher education), eliminating poverty, decreasing incarceration, and increasing health are priorities, then that’s where we need to visibly invest our time, money and talent. We can’t wait for someone else to lead our causes.

With the African American consumer market exceeding a trillion dollars, we know we can change conditions in our communities and take a seat at the philanthropic table as equal partners. We can give individually and, most importantly, we can combine our gifts with others to increase our collective impact.

We also need to use

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3 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com Urban Views Weekly | August 19, 2015

Scholar of the Week

Not a lot of people can make a story and have a bunch of people all feel the same way as the story’s producer. That is something La’Vonya Wilkerson of John Marshall High School said she is able to do by using music. “Music can put people in many different moods, for example happy, sad, joy, etc,” La’Vonya said. “That’s why I enjoy making music, so that I can share my life stories and be able to connect with other people to make others feel the way I want them to feel while listening to my music.” She said she cannot go a day without music.

Not only does she want to use her gift but she wants to broaden her knowledge of music by being the second person in her household to attend college. La’Vonya’s top choice of college is Old Dominion University in Norfolk. She also has an interest in James Madison University in Harrisonburg, because she has an aunt who also studied arts at JMU. La’Vonya hopes to gain a bachelor’s degree in Performance Arts. A possible career choice she is interested in would be to become a music producer. She said going to college will give her the skills she needs. “Hearing different types of music makes me excited because I’m so passionate about it,” La’Vonya said. “It’s so much I can do with music like tell a story, dance to it, change emotions, and use it as an affect in a movie.”

La’Vonya said her favorite activities include volunteering at church and the Richmond Raceway. She also has participated in community service at Ginter Park where she fed the homeless, Maymount Easter Celebration, and the 10K Run. Some of her achievements include being awarded the Thomas Jefferson award, Honor Roll, and Scholar Roll. She has worked as a peer tutor and with Mayors Youth academy. She ran track, was in Future Business Leaders of America,

and also in the National Honor Society.

As a hardworking and supportive woman, La’Vonya said her mother inspires her the most in life. “I see her working hard and doing things that just make me want to work harder and do more things,” La’Vonya said. From the stories she has heard from her mother, who previously received a bachelor’s degree, and her aunt who went to JMU, La’Vonya said she is excited to gain the college experiences and

learn new things.

Using college as an extra step to success, La’Vonya is excited to go to college. She said school has been preparing her for the real world since Pre-K. “Everything a teacher has taught me is for a reason,” La’Vonya said. “I see a lot of value in my experience in high school because now it’s time to show all the skills that I have from high school in college.”

By Janeal Downs

La’Vonya Wilkerson of John Marshall High School

GPA: 3.9

College of Interest: Old Dominion University

Major Community Service: Volunteering for church and other events

Strong Interests: Music

Favorite Activity: Music and volunteering

$100 ScholarshipsAwarded Every Week

Do you know a High School Senior who can meet the following criteria?

1. Have a 3.0 grade point average or better

2. Participates in extracurricular community

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3. Attends public school in Central VirginiaEncourage yourscholar to apply!

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The Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a non-profit organization that provides reproductive health, as well as maternal and child health services. It has been almost 100 years since it was founded on Oct 16, 1916. Recently the call to de-fund the organization has once again risen to a feverish pitch in the halls of Congress. Eloquent speeches and political rhetoric aimed at, if not destruction, then at least to cause serious damage to the institution’s ability to provide the vital and essential services that Planned Parenthood does for women, children and men nationwide.

The attacks on Planned Parenthood usually escalate with each “political season” with the candidates vying for office, mostly on the conservative right, using fiery hate-speech and unrelenting focus on one particular service that the organization provides to women as the singular reason the entire organization needs to be utterly destroyed. That service is abortion. Whether you are pro choice or pro life, I happen to be both, it needs to be stated for the record that only 3% of the health services provided by Planned Parenthood have anything to do with abortions. Which means that 97% of the services provided by Planned Parenthood are about the health and well-being of its clientele, which is predominantly women, but also youth and men. They provide vital services such as women’s health care, mammograms, cancer screening and prevention, STD/STI screening, prevention and care, sex education,

contraception, family planning, HIV education/testing and treatment, and much more. Planned Parenthood provides healthcare services to people who, otherwise, may not be able to afford or have access to them. Their slogan is “CARE. No matter what.”

Recently, those who want to bring Planned Parenthood down, because they provide abortion services and, for some, even because they provide contraceptive services have begun to bring a new focus to their argument. Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood, along with Ethel Byrne, in 1916. Birth control was a way to give women the option whether or not to become pregnant and the ability to actually plan their pregnancies and increase the economic stability of their families. It was revolutionary; empowering women and giving them some semblance of reproductive freedom. However, Sanger was a proponent of eugenics and her racial politics have become the new line of attack on the organization she founded nearly 100 years ago. All of which has nothing to do with the work or focus of Planned Parenthood in 2015. To say that Planned Parenthood is located specifically in the Black community to “control” the Black population is a patently false statement. The truth is, only 14% of the organization’s clientele are Black, and 60% of Planned Parenthood clinics are located in predominately white neighborhoods, not Black. Additionally, there is already a federal law that prohibits any federal money

to go towards the financing or funding of abortion, so why do these political zealots want to throw the baby out with the bathwater?

Sanger’s birth control movement did have support in black neighborhoods, beginning in the 1920s when there were leagues in Harlem started by African Americans. Sanger worked closely with NAACP founder W.E.B. DuBois on the “Negro Project,” which she viewed as a way to get safe contraception to African Americans. The point is using the politics and/or beliefs of Margaret Sanger are a Trojan Horse (forgive the pun). The founders of the United States of America had some despicable political and social views as well, and yet, I embrace my citizenship whole-heartedly and work towards the equality and justice, promised in the Constitution that didn’t originally include me.

The real agenda could be that CHOICE is still a problem for many who are threatened by the empowerment of women and girls over their reproductive health. Threatened by the right of women to take control over their destiny and not become victims of it just because they are female. And for this cause, “they” have decided to destroy Planned Parenthood.

Up Next Week: Last Days of Summer

ViewPoints By Dr. T

Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Ph.D.Founder and Artistic DirectorThe Conciliation Project andAssociate ProfessorVirginia Commonwealth UniversityDrT@Margins2theCenter.comwww.theconciliationproject.org

What the War on Planned Parenthood is really about.

TanyaFree.com/Urban Views Weekly Poll

If you think being searched and going through metal detectors are a hassle, you might have to jump through another hoop to determine your airfare ticket price. Samoa Air is one of the pay-as-you weigh airlines where passengers and their luggage are weighed before boarding to calculate the ticket price.

What’s your take? Are pay-as-you-weigh airlines a good idea?Check out the story and respond to this week’s poll at TanyaFree.com and the Urban Views Weekly FACEBOOK Page. Listen to the Tanya Free and Friends Talk Show Wednesdays @ 2 p.m. on WCLM1450AM streaming LIVE @ TanyaFree.com and BlackTalkRadioNetwork.com.


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From Philanthropy page 2 our positions as executives within corporations, foundations and major nonprofits to advance initiatives that benefit the African

American community as well as causes in Africa and across the diaspora.

Corporate America values our contributions as consumers. Now we need to be appreciated for our philanthropy. We are more than the recipients of philanthropy: we are donors and influencers.

Black Philanthropy Month was created in August 2011 by Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network as an annual, global celebration of African-descent giving. Let’s use Black Philanthropy Month as a time to recommit to growing a culture of giving.

Resources: www.blackgivesback.com and http://www.blackphilanthropymonth.com and #BPM2015.

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw - Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising, visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

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Dominion Supports Friendship Cafés for Older Adults

Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging provides the opportunity for older adults to meet for lunch and a variety of activities at Friendship Cafés. Cafés are neighborhood gathering places where older adults can benefit from nutritional lunches, fun, social events, exercise,

recreation, life-long learning, artistic activities, and health and wellness programs. The Adopt a Café Initiative is a community partnership designed to raise awareness and program funding for each of the 20 Friendship Cafes located throughout the Greater Richmond Region.

Contributions to the Adopt a Café Program support life-long education, exercise, special field trips, and creative activities including professional art instruction. Special thanks were extended to Dominion Virginia Power for granting $10,000 to the Adopt a Café Program for the next year. Dominion’s generous support will lead to enhanced Café experiences and new opportunities for all program participants.

Dr. Thelma Bland Watson, Executive Director, states “Dominion has been a long time contributor to programs that help improve the quality of life for older adults. We are very grateful to receive this latest support for the Adopt a Café Program, an initiative that will benefit the 600 participants who enjoy the Friendship Café experience on a daily basis. The participants experience many positive outcomes related to health, well-being and engagement. They appreciate the opportunity to come together for meaningful activities, friendship and delicious food.”

For more information about adopting Friendship Cafés or supporting neighborhood Cafés, please call Colleen Wilhelm at 804-672-4497 or email her at [email protected].

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Forbes.com, The Huffington Post and Men’s Journal give Richmond top rankings for its affordability, moderate climate, creativity, cultural offerings, cuisine, economic stability and business-friendly environment. Such attributes have led to an influx of millennials and others to relocate to the city and surrounding counties such as Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico.

Urban Views recently interviewed four Richmond-area women who relocated from Baton Rouge, La., Quitman, Miss., Maryland, and Long Island, N.Y. Some have lived in Richmond nearly 20 years, while others moved to the area within the last five years. While the women acknowledge that Richmond’s appeal is linked to its many cultural and economic amenities, they agree that the area’s social circles tend to be cliquish, sometimes leaving the newcomers frustrated, yet determined to find fulfillment in their adopted city.

Here are their stories.Lillian Lincoln LambertLillian Lincoln Lambert, the first African-American woman to earn a Harvard MBA degree, owned and operated a multimillion dollar business, Centennial One, for 25 years. Shortly before selling the business, Lambert moved to Richmond in 1998. Her decision to relocate to

Richmond, after living in Maryland for more than 30 years, was based on her husband, John, who grew up in Richmond. Lambert had also tired of the “hustle and bustle” of the Washington, D.C., Maryland area.

Moving to Richmond proved both easy and difficult, Lambert said, noting that she is not the type to join groups or organizations. “If you’re an outsider, you’re an outsider,” Lambert said. “People do not want you coming into their cliques.”

However, because Lambert’s husband is part of a large, socially prominent Richmond family, she was cautiously accepted in certain social circles. Later, when Lambert’s business background and acumen became more widely known locally, she was tapped to serve on several boards, including the Board of Visitors at Virginia Commonwealth University, and the Board of Directors, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. She also joined St. Peter Baptist Church, a golfing group and spent time with “a lot of family and small group of

friends.”

Today the Lamberts split their time between Sarasota, Fla. and Hanover County. Lambert, 75, said the living arrangements work well for the retired couple. In Sarasota, the Lamberts enjoy the area’s “great restaurants, play a lot of golf, and go to the theater,” she said.

“It’s a process having two households and takes time but, for right now, it’s wonderful for both of us.”

Lambert’s advice to Richmond newcomers?

“I say to anyone coming here to be prepared to establish your own life and social network.”

Connie McGowanWhen Connie McGowan moved to Richmond in 2000, it didn’t take her long to realize that if she wanted a social life outside her work as a nurse, she would have to create it.

Fortunately, three of her coworkers embraced McGowan, then 27. Her colleagues showed her

venues to go to in Richmond, and McGowan soon found a place to nurture her spiritual side at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church. McGowan joined the church’s single ministry, and soon was creating and hosting events at her townhome’s clubhouse for church members between the ages of 28-40.

Describing herself as “people-oriented,” McGowan said the monthly gatherings were a fun way to meet a diverse group of people.

Now 42, McGowan recalls that her initial thoughts upon arriving in Richmond from her home in Quitman, Miss. were less than positive. “I thought that people weren’t that friendly,” she said. Looking back, she now believes that Richmonders tend to “read” or assess newcomers before they decide whether to befriend them.

Efforts to connect with one social group were frustrating, she said, because its members tended to be “bougie,” focusing on where members went to college or family backgrounds. After leaving the group, McGowan developed an appreciation for Richmond’s local attractions and small, entrepreneurial businesses. She enjoyed poring over visitors’ guides, local magazines and newspapers for information and suggestions about activities and events.

“Looking back, I never felt there was nothing to do,” said McGowan. “I don’t understand it when people say they have nothing to do because there’s so much to do here. However, people have to be OK with being by themselves and to be yourself. “

McGowan’s adventurous nature has enabled her to expand her former clubhouse gatherings into networking events that have a party or festive flavor, she said. An example is her “Headshots and Handshakes” events that bring in DJs, makeup artists, music, games and prizes. McGowan collaborates with other vendors when planning such events at various restaurants and venues throughout the city.

McGowan’s lifelong love of cameras also has enabled her to meet people in person and via the Facebook page, “The Real Richmond Pictorial Documentary Series.” The page is designed to show “everyday people in Richmond making a positive impact on the community and others,” according to its online description.

A travel enthusiast, McGowan has ended her career as a nurse to focus on her photography and event-planning business, which will include travel tours. Having recently traveled to South Africa, McGowan says she already is planning a group tour of Ghana, West Africa in 2017.

6 Urban Views Weekly | August 19, 2015

Newcomers say entering Richmond’s social circles can be tough but not impossible

Naila Clay HolmesWhen Naila Clay Holmes moved to Richmond in 2013, her work as a field manager for the Virginia Education Association consumed much of her time. Working with VEA members, school systems, minority engagement and establishing community partnerships are among

the areas for which she is responsible. Her work also requires frequent travel.

“When I came here, it was intense because I was getting a feel for the work,” she said. “Any downtime I had was for rest.”

Once Holmes settled into Richmond and found a comfortable pace for her work, she then realized that something was missing. Although she joined Cedar Street Baptist Church and is active in the choir, family, friends, networking and socializing remain elusive. “I would say that a

part of the church atmosphere has a family vibe,” said Holmes, who is 37 and divorced.

Holmes, originally from Baton Rouge, La., moved to Richmond from Memphis, Tenn. In addition to her job, she was attracted to Richmond’s close proximity to the mountains, beach and Washington, D.C.

Yet, Holmes longs to learn more about Richmond by getting out and doing more with people who know where to go and what to do. “There are things happening, but it’s within the confines of people who know what’s going on or are putting it on,” she said, adding that she listens to the radio station and engages social media to determine where live bands, stage plays and poetry readings are scheduled.

Holmes’ coworker, Antoinette Rogers, has been “a lifeline” in terms of helping her become acclimated to Richmond, she said. They recently attended the Richmond Jazz Festival together with another woman who moved to Richmond from Baton Rouge. Although the outing was fun and enjoyable, Holmes says that she wants to expand her social network, connect with more people and start dating.

Caroline “Carol” MooreCaroline “Carol” Moore is a self-declared “social butterfly.” Indeed, when celebrating her 65th birthday in early July, Moore’s Chamberlayne Farms neighborhood was

filled with vehicles bearing tags both local and from other states.

Attendees of all ages partied from sunlight until midnight. During it all --- decorations, music, dancing, ribs, and a huge sheet cake —Moore darted back and forth greeting all of her guests while smiling or laughing the entire time.

Thus, it is no surprise that when Moore moved to Richmond in 2011 with her husband, John, she quickly joined Trinity Baptist Church and started teaching Bible classes to intellectually challenged students. She also began spending more time with her 85-year-old mother, three siblings and several cousins and extended family members.

Having grown up in Long Island, N.Y., Moore’s first experience living in Richmond was in 1969 when she attended Virginia Union University. Homesick, she returned to New York where she completed college. Before moving to Richmond four years ago, she lived in her husband’s hometown of Aiken, S.C. for seven years.

She says with certainty that she will never return to New York due to

all of the changes occurring in Long Island and the high cost of living.

Like other newcomers, Moore admits that Richmond can be “cliquish,” a fact that she discovered while briefly attending college here. “If you don’t have your connections, you’re not accepted,” she said. Accustomed to breaking down barriers, Moore says that she ignores social slights in her quest to have fun and enjoy life.

“I love going to the art museum, science museum and the little quaint areas downtown,” she said, referring to Carytown and Shockoe Bottom. “Those areas remind me of New York. Culturally, there are lots of things to do in Richmond.”

Moore, a trained social worker, advises newcomers to maintain a positive outlook and not give up on Richmond too quickly. “No matter where you go, you have to make the most of it and venture out,” she said. “Get connected with some type of organization to find your way around.”

Renee JohnsonRenee Johnson, who was born and raised in Richmond and is active in several professional and social organizations, offers her advice to newcomers.

I believe that Richmond, Va., for newcomers, is theirs for the taking. The first thing I would do would be to visit the

Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website to see what the latest happenings are and to see what RVA is all about from a regional perspective. The website includes information on the metro Richmond area so you get information on the surrounding counties as well, including landmarks, events, etc. Social media, especially Facebook, is huge when it comes to getting to know this city. There are so many ‘Meet Up’ groups that help you get to know RVA, and most of the events are listed on public events calendars. Venture Richmond is another website I would take full advantage of because they’re going to let you know everything happening around the city.

In terms of demographic, I’ve seen people or parents in their 30s or 40s who get here and seem to get involved immediately, mainly because of school and trying to keep their kids active. Richmond is a very “word-of-mouth” place so you have to talk people at your job, chat it up with the baristas at Starbucks, and talk to people at the grocery store.

7 www.UrbanViewsWeekly.com

Newcomers say entering Richmond’s social circles can be tough but not impossible

By Bonnie Newman Davis

Bonnie Newman Davis is a veteran journalist and journalism educator who has written for several local and national news outlets. Check out her blog, https://laceink.wordpress.com/, which chronicles all things Richmond.


The DealBy Nathaniel Sillin

10 Reasons Why You Might Be Financially Stressed

Lynnhaven Academy Moves to New Location to

Accommodate Rapid GrowthStress can come from everywhere – career, school, family, relationships, health – and especially money.

The American Psychological Association (APA) recently reported that money remains the number one stressor for 72 percent of Americans. In fact, money has led the APA’s annual stress survey since its debut in 2007, the year before the financial crash that took the U.S. economy into its worst slump since the Great Depression.

Are you financially stressed? Here are 10 major signs of financial stress and ways to take action.

1. You wonder if your job is secure. Even though the economy has improved in recent years, employers still cut and reassign workers and make occasional adjustments in pay and benefits. If you’ve spotted changes in other departments or news accounts suggest a shift in your industry, start thinking ahead. Action Plan: Build up your emergency fund to cover six months or more of basic living expenses, update your resume and get organized for a potential job search.

2. There’s no money to save or invest. If meeting basic expenses is a struggle and you have no savings or investments at all, it’s time for a serious review of where your money is going. Action plan: Making a basic budget is the first step to tracking every penny spent. Figure out extras you can cut and set more aside for savings and debt payoff.

3. You have disagreements with a spouse or partner about money. A 2013 University of Kansas study noted that arguments about money are the top predictor of divorce. Action plan: Share information about all debt and legal issues and exchange respective credit reports and credit score data as you plan to solve all money problems together.

4. You are paying bills late. Late payments can hurt your credit score. Action plan: Set up a physical or digital calendar to keep track of payment dates and budget in order to put more money toward debt and eventually savings.

5. You imagine a windfall. Waiting for a bonus, an inheritance or even a winning lotto ticket to ease your financial stress indicates you have a tendency toward financial denial. Action plan: If

your current efforts at budgeting, saving money or paying off debt aren’t working, consider a reality check with a qualified financial advisor.

6. You use your home equity like a cash register. Home equity loans or lines of credit can provide an interest-deductible solution for a variety of important needs, but a down housing market can wipe out your equity. Action plan: Either refinance if you qualify or stop using the line entirely until you can pay down the balance.

7. You’re considering drawing from retirement funds to solve money problems. Think twice before taking out loans against these funds. Interrupting your retirement planning, particularly over the age of 50, can have significant financial consequences. Action plan: Re-budget your finances and seek qualified advice to help you find another solution.

8. Late and overdraft fees are piling up. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, the average bank overdraft fee is $35; credit card late fees are similar. Action plan: Schedule bill payments and opt for online billing when possible to save time on mailing. If you have to pay additional late fees, ask your bank or credit card company if it might forgive the fee; many will remove one fee a year.

9. You’re late on student loan payments. It is difficult to have student loans forgiven, cancelled or discharged (eliminated) in bankruptcy if you can’t pay. Paying late can also hurt your credit score. Action Plan: Seek qualified financial advice that specifically addresses the type of student debt you have and resolve to pay bills on time.

10. Your accounts are disorganized. It’s difficult to reach important financial goals when you really can’t track your finances. Action plan: Get some advice from a trusted friend or a qualified financial professional about how to best organize your accounts and whether online account management may be right for you.

Bottom line: Reducing your financial stress is a healthy decision. Review your money habits and get qualified help if necessary to lessen this burden.

Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.

Lynnhaven Academy (Lynnhaven) announced that the school has relocated to 304 North Sheppard Street, Richmond, Virginia, the former location of Benedictine High School.

Lynnhaven is a non-profit, college preparatory school for boys and girls in grades 3 through 12 and features a unique experiential learning environment. Lynnhaven specializes in individualized education programs tailored for each student’s needs and strengths and programs that promote critical thinking and academic achievement.

Lynnhaven has doubled its student population each year since it was founded in 2012. Due to this growth, Lynnhaven will be moving into the museum district space to facilitate the expansion of its day school, after school, and summer camp programs.

Lynnhaven will occupy 10,000 square feet of this facility and will share the gym and cafeteria with the other facility occupant, Richmond Prep.

“The leadership, faculty, staff and families of Lynnhaven are thrilled to make this move to the former Benedictine High School space” said Johnathan Harris, founder and Headmaster. “I feel confident that this move will allow us to continue our growth and strengthen our commitment to preparing students for success in college. Our aim is to challenge students to become exemplary citizens of a changing global society. We’ll be very close to museums, parks and cultural organizations, which will allow us to grow our experiential learning, student volunteer, and athletic programs.”

For more information visit www.LynnhavenAcademy.org.

After school student

Headmaster, Johnathan G. Harris and students


By J. Chevont’e Alexander

Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority – Appoints New Executive DirectorThe Authority announced the selection of Ms. Keisha L. Smith as its new executive director. She assumed her new role on July 1, 2015.

According to a recent press release, Ms. Smith joins Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority (VHWDA) with years of experience in the private and public sectors. In her most recent position with the City of Richmond, she led several efforts of Mayor Dwight C. Jones, including the Healthy Richmond Campaign, an initiative that began from a series of recommendations from the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Policy, and is designed to ensure Richmond residents have access to health promotion and education activities; and the Richmond City Community Schools (RCCS) initiative.

Through her leadership, RCCS was successfully launched in the fall of 2014, and opened with two community school sites, which serve as full-service community “hubs”, designed to promote academic achievement, personal wellness, and holistic family and community stability through coordinated partnerships.

“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” said Delegate Joseph R. Yost, chair of the VHWDA Board of Directors. “Ms. Smith brings wide-ranging experience in leadership roles at all three levels of government. Her innovative spirit, coupled with her deep commitment to the Commonwealth’s health and health care priorities, is what is needed to further the Authority’s mission.”

As executive director of VHWDA, Ms. Smith will lead the Authority’s efforts in utilizing a multi-stakeholder collaborative model to identify, recruit and retain highly qualified health professionals to successfully

create and improve a competitive health workforce throughout the Commonwealth.

“We are thrilled that Ms. Smith has brought her energy to VHWDA and will continue the strong leadership we have had,” said Senator George L. Barker, vice-chair of the VHWDA Board. “I am excited to work with her as we help meet Virginia’s need for a sufficient, well-distributed health workforce, including increasing the number of medical residency positions in Virginia to meet the needs of our growing population.”

Previous to her employment with the City of Richmond, Smith was

the Health Workforce Program Manager for the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity, and was responsible for the oversight and coordination of health workforce recruitment and retention initiatives and incentive programs for the state of Virginia.

Preceding her employment with VDH, Smith worked as a fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where she assisted with priority policy initiatives pertaining to nutrition, physical activity and obesity. Prior to public service, she spent over a decade in the private sector in various management positions.

Ms. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University and a Master’s of Public Administration from the City of New York’s Bernard M. Baruch College, School of Public Affairs. She currently serves as a member of the VDH Advisory Council on Health Disparity and Health Equity, CDC Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers: (SIPS) Competitive Supplements Special Emphasis Panel, Richmond Healthy Communities Action

Team, and Richmond Ways to Work Loan Committee.

“The Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority is poised to effectively serve the Commonwealth due to the vision and hard work of the board and previous leaders,” said Smith. “I am honored to join such a group of progressive thinkers and count myself astonishingly fortunate to be able to lead VHWDA into its next chapter.”

There are more than 80 licensed health care professions in the state of Virginia, and the VHWDA is working hard to build the health care industry in our area.

In recent years, the Governor of Virginia, as well as legislators, health care organizations and other stakeholders, have made health workforce development a priority by creating the VHWDA. Designed to marry health workforce efforts and initiatives in Virginia, the VHWDA is instrumental in facilitating pipeline development across the full spectrum of health professions. As part of this vision, the VHWDA utilizes a multi-stakeholder collaborative model to identify, recruit and retain a qualified health care workforce committed to underserved populations.

VHWDA accomplishes its mission by addressing nine core functions. The Authority assesses health workforce needs in Virginia; sets priorities for the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program; informs health care workforce policy; promotes strategies for health workforce pipeline development; supports collaborations between communities, businesses, and social organizations to facilitate recruitment and retention efforts; advocates reducing the student debt load of health professionals; identifies High Priority Target Areas (HPTAs) within each region of the Commonwealth; and aims to create innovative health workforce development models.

For more information about VHWDA initiatives and success stories in the area, call 804.562.4928 or visit www.vhwda.org.

Keisha Smith

Central Virginia African American Chamber of CommerceExpand your

network and Grow your business. Join Today!

www.CVAACC.org


The 804 Music group is so very proud of our first Gospel CD by the anointed Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong. The CD was initiated by a request from retired school Principal Sally Ribeiro. Sally wanted to know what would it take to record a CD on Cora Harvey Armstrong? Rev. Armstrong, over the period of many years, performed for Ribeiro at many school functions and graduation programs at Richmond’s alternative school ACDC. It was her passion and excellence that inspired Ribeiro to get Cora’s CD recorded.

Greater Is He is a fourteen song CD which includes twelve original compositions and two classic hymns, “Amazing Grace” and “Precious Lord (Take My Hand)”. What most people will discover from this CD is that as well as being an outstanding pianist on the level of Aretha Franklin, with a big deep voice like Mahalia Jackson and a gritty soulfulness similar to Rev. Shirley Caesar, Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong is an absolutely gifted composer and psalmist.

Born and raised in historic King and Queen County, Cora Harvey was called to music as a child. She had the gift and it became obvious early in her life. Being raised in a singing family as one of “Those Harvey Girls”, Cora has been singing and praising God all over the world. Having majored in music at Virginia State University, where she greatly contributed to the historic legacy of the VSU Gospel Choir as director, Cora, for forty years, has been a favorite Gospel Music Performer at festivals around the country and abroad. She’s toured and lectured on Gospel Music in Japan; she’s performed all over Europe with Earl Bynum and has become a sought-after artist, pianist,

and psalmist.

The first single, “Joy In Paradise”, which was released in August of 2015, is picking up radio air play all over the country and abroad; “Joy In Paradise” is a romping spirited song written by Rev. Armstrong; a sing along, hand clapping, Holy Ghost filled song that has the classic Harvey Girl sound. The CD Greater Is He is scheduled for worldwide release, Friday, August 21, 2015. The Harvey girls are sisters Rev. Virginia Harvey Young, Clara Harvey Jackson, Clarissa Jackson (niece) and Rev. Cora Harvey Armstrong. Those Harvey Girls have been singing together for over fifty years and have that classic gospel sound only achieved by siblings. Those Harvey Girls is actually the title of a play that featured the singing Harvey family, which had a very successful and well-attended 2015 run at the Swift Creek Mill playhouse in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Sisters Virginia and Clara, soloist, are featured on two selections and Clarissa sings a duet on “I am so Grateful” with her Aunt Cora.

Every song on the CD is edifying and anointed, however, there are several songs that will immediately become favorites. The title song “Greater Is He”, “Not Guilty”, neo soul flavored “For the Lord is Good” written by Cora and her Nephew (Kevin Jackson), which features those Harvey Girls and the acclaimed jazz saxophonist “James Saxsmo Gates”; the beautiful “I Must Go Through”, and “The Just Shall Live by Faith.” To that end, we sincerely believe that this CD is going to be a blessing and a favorite for all those who enjoy classic gospel music.

By Bill McGee

Cora Harvey Armstrong’s First CD

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If hearing profane language spoken every other word and seeing young bare-chested women being used as groupie sex kittens is what you want in a movie, then Straight Outta Compton is your kind of movie. I must first admit that I went to see this movie because it was my intention to slam it based on my disdain for “Gangsta Rap”, NWA in particular, and what the crack epidemic of the late 80’s did to the black community. I must say that I was somewhat disappointed, because the movie did not live up to my low expectations. It, in all honesty, is a very good movie. Oh yes, every other word is profanity of some sort, and about halfway through the movie, when the group NWA becomes successful, the half-naked groupies show up at the pool parties. However, for much of the movie, the producer (F. Gary Gray) chose to depict the struggle of these young men to become successful rappers in a very real and meaningful way. I have to pause and give the young actors (5) five stars for their convincing portrayal of a period where most of them were infants at best. Notably, O’Shea Jackson Jr., who plays his father (Ice Cube) and Jason Mitchell, who plays former drug-dealer-turned-rapper and Ruthless Record CEO (Eazy-E). Both of these young men, along with the other cast members. gave extremely convincing performances worthy of recognition by the movie industry.

The other notable factor that keeps me from slamming this movie is the manner in which the writer, director and producers kept it real. I mean this movie is the real deal and there is no glorification of anything or anybody in this movie. It is the classic tale of young guys wanting to make it in the music industry and all of the demons that jump on them from the minute they make that decision. My personal criticism was going to be aimed at the music industry, distributors and Jerry Heller, in particular. But after seeing the movie, I don’t have to say a word. Heller, was depicted as he should have been and the other people in the industry, likewise. Proudly, I was going to congratulate Dr. Dre and Ice Cube on becoming extremely successful entrepreneurs and entertainment moguls. (Dr. Dre, for those of you who don’t know, is probably the wealthiest rapper/DJ in the world, having sold his beats by Dr. Dre to Apple for (3) three billion dollars.) However, the movie does this for me. In the movie, you see Ice Cube grow into a respectful

family man and Dr. Dre, heroically and truthfully, is depicted as walking away from Suge Knight’s Death Row Records and leaving behind all of his masters, rights, and money. He stands up to gangster/thug Suge Knight and walks out of the door talking about starting his new company “Aftermath”, which he did, and from that venture came Eminem, 50 cent, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, etc. with 16 gold/platinum releases to his credit.

So while my intention was to let Straight Outta Compton have it, I just can’t do it. The movie, for what it was meant to be, is an excellent movie. I despise the profanity, but in reality, many young people talked like that

then and now. I hated the nudity and sexual promiscuity, but the movie accurately and poignantly records the death of Eazy-E from contracting HIV through promiscuous. unprotected heterosexual behavior. Noted, that this portion of the movie had everyone very quiet and somber. While I won’t give this movie 5 stars, I am willing to give it 4 stars out of 5. I don’t recommend it to anyone with tender ears, I don’t recommend it for anyone under 16, and I don’t recommend it for anyone who does not like rap music. But I give it my unqualified recommendation to everyone else. As I said, “they kept it real.”

Bill McGee [email protected]

ViewPointsBy Bill McGee

Bill McGee is a pioneer musician in the rap music / hip hop industry, having played trumpet on the big hits by The Sugar Hill Gang, Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five, The Sequence, The West Street Mob, Funk Four + One, The Treacherous Three, and Spoonie Gee. After his days at Sugar Hill Records, he was District Manager for the Album Den [a Virginia-based Record Chain]. In 1986, he began a ten-year career as a public school music teacher, taught three years as a college professor, and then served 19 years as a school administrator in the Public Schools of Richmond, Virginia. In May of 2015, he retired from public education and has now returned full time to the music industry.www.billmcgeemusic.com

Straight Outta Vulgarity and Misogyny


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Urban Views Weekly August 19, 2015

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