The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of Sept. 13, 2023:
Grant to help minority-owned businesses network, train, find funding
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
Richmond accepted a small grant to help provide assistance to minority-owned — and specifically Black-owned — businesses earlier this week.
The $15,000 grant for the Office of Minority Business Development comes from the National League of Cities, a nonpartisan advocacy organization, and will go toward training, business networking and financing.
Just under 6% of the Richmond metropolitan area’s businesses are Black owned, according to Lending Tree. That number is higher than most other U.S. cities, but disproportionate to the area’s population, which is 29.2% Black, according to the financial website.
For HBCUs, marching bands are about much more than the show
Reported by The Associated Press
Competition and showmanship are at the heart of all HBCU bands, which number approximately 40 across the country. They've existed since William Foster at Florida A&M formed the Marching 100 band in 1946, launching a high-stepping style and thrilling blend of music and dance that can border on gymnastics.
Derek Webber, a graduate of Hampton University, created the National Battle of the Bands to increase exposure of HBCUs and their bands, and to help educate aspiring musicians. He is proud that the event has raised more than $1 million in scholarships for participating schools, which are often underfunded and lack resources.
“For an HBCU, the bands are part of the culture, they’re part of the lifestyle,” Webber said.
In other news:
- How pandemic-era migration changed Richmond's economy (Axios Richmond)
- ‘Virginia is the test case’: Youngkin pushes for G.O.P. takeover this fall (The New York Times)*
- Appalachian tech hub bid focuses on turning coal byproducts into new materials (Cardinal News)
In case you missed it:
- Parents say special education fails Virginia students with disabilities (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
- Hit-and-run case involving Del. Fariss headed to trial in Campbell County (WSET)
- Va. Democrats already lining up behind challenger for Kiggans in 2024 (The Washington Post)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
