International Black Solidarity Day

Today, the first Monday in November, is International Black Solidarity Day.

This day was established and first celebrated in 1969 at Brooklyn University. It was inspired by Douglas Turner Ward’s satirical play Day of Absence (1965), in which the true economic, social, and political power of a small Southern town’s Black community is revealed when they all disappear for one day, throwing the town into turmoil. Since then, other means of celebrating Black Solidarity Day have arisen, ranging from demonstrations to educational events to drives relating to voting. In some places, it is observed as an actual day of absence from school and work.

This observance is held the first Monday of each November because, in the United States, Election Day is held the day after. The day was intended to be a time of discussion regarding the political needs and direction of Black communities.

It is traditional to mark this day by wearing black, or wearing black or silver ribbons. You can learn more here at BlackAcademics.org.

Trans Double Feature– showing of "Two Spirits" and "HERO MARS": Sistah Sinema- Richmond and TDOR RVA

Saturday, November 19th 2016, from 11am-1pm, at the Richmond Triange Players (1300 Altamont Avenue, Richmond VA), the Transgender Day of Remembrance Events Committee (TDOR RVA) and Sistah Sinema-Richmond are holding a screening of two films, "Two Spirits" and "HERO MARS," followed by a Q&A with HERO MARS director Skyler Cooper. Both films focus on the resilience of transgender and gender non-conforming people. From the event description:

"Two Spirits interweaves the tragic story of a mother’s loss of her son with a revealing look at a time when the world wasn’t simply divided into male and female and many Native American cultures held places of honor for people of integrated genders. Fred Martinez was a male-bodied person with a feminine nature, a special gift according to his ancient Navajo culture. But the place where two discriminations meet is a dangerous place to live, and Fred became one of the youngest hate-crime victims in modern history when he was brutally murdered at sixteen. Between tradition and controversy, sex and spirit, and freedom and fear, lives the truth—the bravest choice you can make is to be yourself."

"HERO MARS is the story of a woman who's gambled everything in pursuit of her dream to perform at a top-tier theatre company. When she finally receives an invitation to audition for the World Stage Shakespeare Company, she's financially bankrupt and emotionally alone. Uncertain of her ability and struggling with her unconventional appearance, she seeks out a highly esteemed audition coach but suffers a humiliating setback. Through the bond of friendship, Hero regains confidence in her unique artistic expression by tackling a legendary role."

Free, open to the public. RSVP through the link.

Virginia's Unclaimed Property Program

The Richmond Times-Dispatch published a piece today on the Virginia Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program. Manju Ganeriwala, state treasurer, says that one in four people in Virginia have unclaimed property waiting to be retrieved.

It works like this: when an entity you've done business with– like a utility company, bank, employer, court, etc– owes you money but can’t get in touch with you, they turn those funds over to the state to hold for you. If you were the beneficiary of an insurance policy but the company couldn’t get in touch, they also transfer those assets to the state. You can search for unclaimed property through the Virginia system here. It doesn’t cost anything or require you to register to search, and while you have the option of inputting the last 7 digits of your Social Security number, it’s not required.

If it turns out you do have unclaimed property, retrieving it is a little more complicated: after you make a free account through the site, you have to print and fill out a claims form, then mail it in with: a copy of your ID, a copy of document proving your SSN, and some document that proves you live(d) at the address the state has on file.

If you don’t live in Virginia, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators has this tool to direct you to the Unclaimed Property Program relevant to you. It covers all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Kenya.

Carytown Chipotle Fundraiser for Diversity Thrift

Tuesday, November 8th 2016, from 4-8pm, at the Carytown Chipotle (10 North Nansemond Street, Richmond VA), 50% of all proceeds will go to Diversity Thrift, if you tell the cashier you're there to support the fundraiser. Diversity Thrift is the thrift store of Richmond's LGBTQ community center, Diversity Richmond.

To RSVP, see this link. 

Book Talk and Signing, "Writing Our Way Our: Memoirs from Jail" with David Coogan

Saturday, November 12th 2016, from 12-2pm, at Book People Richmond (536 Granite Avenue, Richmond VA), David Coogan and several authors of the collaborative book, "Writing Our Way Out: Memoirs from Jail" will appear to discuss and sign copies. The book was written while its authors were incarcerated at the Richmond City Jail, and compiled by Coogan, who was teaching a writing class.

Free, open to the public. 

For more info and to RSVP, see this link. 

Book talk, "Scalawag: A White Southerner's Journey through Segregation to Human Rights Activism" with Edward Peeples: Book People Richmond

Friday, November 11th 2016, from 5-7pm, at Book People Richmond (536 Granite Avenue, Richmond VA), Edward Peeples, author of the Civil Rights movement memoir "Scalawag: A White Southerner's Journey through Segregation to Human Rights Activism," will speak on his book and sign copies.

"Scalawag" is a personal memoir of a white working-class man joining the struggle for collective liberation, but also presents a political history. A white man born to a single mother in Richmond in 1935, Peeples was raised under Jim Crow and taught the brutal ideology of white supremacy. But by nineteen, he rejected it, and became a "race traitor". He joined the Black freedom struggle, and began a life of political work.

Free, open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

Ana Edwards and Phil Wilayto of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality: "Save sacred ground for the future."

Check it out- Ana Edwards and Phil Wilayto, of the Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, wrote a piece for the Richmond Free Press on the need to memorialize the sacred ground in Shockoe Bottom. A good read, which you can find here.

If you have not yet signed on endorsing the Community Proposal for a 9-acre Shockoe Bottom Memorial Park, you can do so here. 

Virginia Benefit Event for Gaza & Refugees in Lebanon

Just a reminder: this is coming up! 

Saturday, October 29th 2016, at 6pm, at St. John’s United Church of Christ (503 North Lombardy Street, Richmond VA), ANERA, Richmonders for Peace in Israel and Palestine:RPIP-RVA, and the Arab American Association of Central Virginia are holding an event to benefit ANERA’s work in Palestine and Lebanon. 

ANERA President Bill Corcoran will give a presentation titled “Reviving Hope: Stories from Gaza & Lebanon,” about the situation on the ground in Lebanon and Palestine. “In addition to refugees’ needs and current conditions, you’ll hear stories of hope and success. From Syrian refugee teens in Lebanon who are finally able to get an education and pursue their dreams, to families in Gaza who’ve transformed fallow lots into thriving family farms, these stories will inspire.” 

The event is free to attend, but you must register. All proceeds will go to ANERA’s programs in Palestine and Lebanon. See the link for directions on registration. 

For more information, contact Hani Almadhoun at halmadhoun@anera.org, Nancy Wein at (804) 214-1399, or Adeeb Abed at (804) 692-1943. 

"Money, Cash, VCU: Wealth Hoarding and the Corporate University" with Divest VCU for Climate Justice

This Thursday, October 27th 2016, from 8-9:30pm, in VCU's Founder's Hall (827 West Franklin Street, Richmond VA), Divest VCU for Climate Justice is holding an informative presentation on neoliberalism, the capitalist freedom-means-liberty-to-pursue-profit ideology of modern America, and how it influences universities. DivestVCU will propose means for students to get involved in fighting the deleterious influences of the corporate university.

Free. Though this event is of specific interest to students, it is open to the general public. The venue is accessible from the Shafer Court entrance.

For more information and to RSVP, see this link. 

2016 Mayoral Candidate Q&A

Today, October 24th 2016, from 6-8:30pm, at the Richmond Times-Dispatch headquarters (300 East Franklin Street, Richmond VA), there will be a discussion and Q&A session with three Richmond mayoral candidates. Jon Baliles, Levar Stoney, and Joe Morrissey will be participating and answering questions from the audience.

Free, open to the public. Refreshments provided.

For more info and to RSVP, see this link.