Members of the Halliburton family were enslaved in Rockbridge County, then were freed and immigrated to Liberia. An exhibit at the Brownsburg Museum traces their journeys, struggles and triumphs.
Michael Hemphill
Michael Hemphill is a former award-winning newspaper reporter, and less lauded stay-at-home dad, who has spent the last 20 years becoming an entrepreneurial nonprofit leader in Southwest Virginia. He is the creator and host of BUZZ (http://buzz4good.com). Airing on public television throughout Virginia, BUZZ features nonprofit organizations and the marketing professionals who donate their time and talent to helping these life-giving organizations attract more donors, volunteers and clients to their cause. He can be reached at michael@buzz4good.com.
Posted inCulture
One by one, fallen gravestones are restored by volunteers seeking to bring ‘respect and dignity’ back to Black cemetery
A national expert on monument restoration gave a free workshop at Roanoke’s Old Lick Cemetery, a historic African American burying ground that was decimated by urban renewal.
Posted inCulture
America’s first Black ambassador will be honored in his hometown: Roanoke
The state has approved a historical marker to remember Edward Dudley, who in 1949 became U.S. Ambassador to Liberia.
Posted inCulture
For these real estate agents, an artist’s images of a now-demolished neighborhood illustrate the dangers of redlining and urban renewal
David Ramey’s art captured life in Roanoke’s Gainsboro neighborhood before much of it was torn down. A local real estate firm brought its agents to see an exhibit of Ramey’s work as a reminder of a troubled period in their industry’s history.
Posted inEducation
Giles was the first county in Virginia to integrate its schools. Then it fired all the Black educators.
A 1966 federal appeals court ruling ordered the teachers reinstated. The Giles County case went on figure into the efforts of Virginia and other states to craft employment discrimination laws.
Posted inCulture
Good Samaritan closer to building first hospice house in Roanoke region
The hospice recently received the largest grant ever given by the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia.
Posted inPolitics
After drag show and racial equity event, Floyd arts nonprofit could lose county funding
One county supervisor proposed cutting the June Bug’s $4,500 appropriation after the board discussed their drag show. A second supervisor agreed, but cited the center’s informational booth at a local Juneteenth celebration as her reason.
Posted inEconomy
Trademark infringement case forces Rocky Mount’s “Buddy’s BBQ” to change its name
A Tennessee restaurant chain has the same name, so Buddy’s BBQ in Franklin County is holding a contest to pick a new name.
Posted inCulture
Virginia Tech professors get $3 million grant to create monuments to untold stories across Appalachia
The professors will work with community groups across Virginia’s Appalachia region to commemorate the stories of peoples who haven’t received historical recognition. Six to 10 monuments will be erected by the end of 2025.
Posted inOpinion
Dr. George Smith was a driving force behind community projects in Shawsville
The legendary Montgomery County physician died Saturday at age 96.