In late January, the City of Norfolk Economic Development Authority was notified that MacArthur Center was officially for sale. MacArthur Center was built in 1999. Since then it has been recognized as one of the main Downtown Norfolk attractions and contributed to development of the light rail, condominiums, hotels, apartment communities, and office towers. It … Continue reading
Category Archives: Virginia
Military Circle Mall says goodbye to Norfolk
Military Circle Mall of Norfolk has offically closed as of January 31. The Economic Development Authority announced in August 2022 that the mall would be closed and be prepared for demolition. Within its 52 years of standing, Military Circle Mall became a home for small businesses. However, with the mall being around for so long– … Continue reading
Sierra Jenkins, beyond the walls of journalism
NORFOLK, VA — To know Sierra Jenkins was to know that while she was graceful, she was also not afraid to stand up for herself and others. Jenkins, a reporter for The Virginian-Pilot, was one of three lives claimed by Chicho’s Pizza Backstage shooting in downtown Norfolk on March 19. She was 25 years old. … Continue reading
Sonja Stills, trailblazer in the making
NORFOLK, VA — Sonja Stills made history as the first female commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division I. Before working for the conference, Stills received her bachelor’s degree in human services counseling from Old Dominion University and her master’s degree in counseling from Hampton University. She … Continue reading
Faculty strike uncovers financial missteps at Howard University
WASHINGTON, DC — Howard University made headlines once again as teaching staff and adjunct faculty threatened to walk off of the job on the grounds of inadequate pay and other unfair labor practices. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500 represents over 150 non-tenure-track professors and 200 adjunct faculty. They are “among the lowest-paid … Continue reading
Ageless Praise ministry brings “church” to a nursing home
by Arion Hall Norfolk State graduate Geraldine Pittman has found a safe way for her church to be able to minister to senior citizens during the pandemic at Heals Haven nursing home. Geraldine Pittman has been a member at Lighthouse Assemblies of God church for 25 years. She serves as an usher and an advocate … Continue reading
Governor Northam unveils statewide COVID-19 vaccine pre-registration system
Virginians can use vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA to pre-register for the vaccine and get clear, updated information Governor Ralph Northam invited Virginians today, Feb. 18, to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine online at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA. The Commonwealth’s new, centralized system allows individuals to easily pre-register for the free vaccine, confirm that they … Continue reading
Sen. Kaine speaks to Norfolk State students about COVID-19, the pandemic, and health disparities facing people of color
A link to the entire Zoom event is provided at the end of this article. by Siera Jones United States Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) addressed the Norfolk State University community Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17, during a virtual informational session titled “The Black Family and Healthcare.” The event was hosted by the Center for African American … Continue reading
Norfolk State to receive $105 thousand as part of equity grant to Virginia
~ Funding will support ongoing efforts across the Commonwealth to improve postsecondary success for students of color ~ RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam announced today, Feb. 9, that the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) was awarded a grant of $725,000 from Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation to support efforts to advance equitable post-secondary outcomes across the … Continue reading
Hala Ayala strives for history
by Alsander Womack On Nov. 2, 2021, Hala Ayala has a chance to make history. Ayala is running for Lieutenant Governor in the state of Virginia. If Ayala wins, she will be the first woman and the first Afro-Latina to hold this position. Ayala was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1973. Ayala is the daughter … Continue reading
How did Norfolk State get $40 million?
by Alsander Womack Norfolk State University is among several other HBCUs that have something to be excited about at their respective universities. Dating back to July of 2020, Mackenzie Scott has been in a very giving mood. How giving you may ask? Scott has donated $4.1 billion to over 300 different organizations in the last … Continue reading
Virginia enacts first-in-the-nation permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health standards amid pandemic
~ Governor Northam approves standard recently adopted by Safety and Health Codes Board, rules are effective beginning today ~ RICHMOND—Virginia’s permanent COVID-19 workplace safety and health rules take effect today, Wednesday, Jan. 27, after Governor Northam approved the standard adopted by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry’s Safety and Health Codes Board last week. … Continue reading
Business / Campus Life / Education / National / Virginia
Norfolk State receives $40 million donation from MacKenzie Scott
Norfolk State University receives the largest single-donor gift in its 85-year history! President Javaune Adams-Gaston is proud to accept this 40-million-dollar donation from MacKenzie Scott on behalf of the University and notes that this tremendous donation advances the mission of NSU in support of access, student achievement, and academic excellence. The President stated, “We are … Continue reading
Governor Northam announces new mitigation measures to slow COVID-19 spread
~ Virginians should stay at home from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., wear masks in indoor and outdoor settings, limit social gatherings to 10 ~ Thursday, Dec. 10, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia announced new, targeted measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 as new cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in all areas of … Continue reading
2021 Va. Festival of the Book to take place virtually in March
November 19, 2020—Charlottesville, Va.—A program of Virginia Humanities, the Virginia Festival of the Book announced plans for the 27th annual Festival, which will take place virtually, March 13-26, 2021. In response to COVID-19, the 2021 Festival will take place over an elongated period of time—two weeks—and will continue its commitment to connecting people and ideas … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 