Several years ago, in 2016, after Philando Castile was murdered by police in St. Paul, Minnesota, I wrote an essay further inspired by Between the World and Me by Ta- Nehisi Coates. It was so raw, real, revealing too much of my gut that I opted not to put it here, out into the world. … Continue reading Living While Black – Even after the publication of Between the World and Me
Standing in one of Richmond’s most distinguished spots is Bellevue Elementary School. Located in the St. Johns Church Historic District (of Church Hill) at 2301 East Grace Street, the school also houses a museum recognizing the site’s esteemed history. On that lot in 1801, John Adams, the mayor of Richmond, built his mansion. In 1836, … Continue reading Bellevue Elementary School – Richmond, Virginia
Standing high within the beauty of Byrd Park in Richmond’s West End, visible from various driveways of the city, is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s first memorial to Virginians who served in World War I: The Carillon. An illustrious landmark, this campinale is a beloved gathering area for local residents and visitors. In 1924, several years after the end … Continue reading The Carillon in Byrd Park, Richmond, VA
Author's note: Perhaps you may have read this article before. If so, do note that it has since been edited to reflect more about the discord the plans for the monument brought to the city as well as how its placement has continued to glorify the South's lost fight - this being the first of … Continue reading The Robert E. Lee Monument – The First Monument of Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA
The home of Maggie L. Walker, formally known as The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, is located at 110 ½ Leigh Street in Richmond’s Jackson Ward. It has been a part of the National Park Service since 1978 and opened as a public museum in 1985. Preservation of her home as a national landmark … Continue reading The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond, Virginia
During a performance on the night after Christmas, 1811, fire destroyed the Richmond Theatre, killed many citizens, and left this city in mourning. Those who were left dazed by the sudden horrors they'd witnessed and survived acknowledged the heroic efforts of a local slave, Gilbert Hunt. Standing outside of a window under flames and … Continue reading The Serenity of Monumental Church, Richmond, Virginia
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878-1949), believed by many to be the best tap dancer of all time, hailed from Richmond's Jackson Ward. Also known as Shirley Temple's dancing partner in such movies as The Little Colonel (1935) and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938), Mr. Robinson left a legacy that extends beyond the cameras of Hollywood. In his hometown, his memory is … Continue reading The Aluminum Statue of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson in Richmond, Virginia
By the time Examiner.com sent their email on July 1, 2016 to the company's "Examiners" to announce they were shutting down "on or about" July 10, 2016, I had already drifted away quite a bit from my workload as the Richmond Landmarks and Historic Districts Examiner. That stint was a natural choice for me, but … Continue reading What Examiner.com Did for Me
Recently, I finally made it to the Library of Virginia to fill in some of the blanks left in my novel. It sounds like a trek across state lines, but for me, it wasn't. It's in downtown Richmond, about a fifteen to twenty minute drive from home. I had to plan the time and the days … Continue reading Filling in the Blanks – Research for my historical novel
