The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is hosting an African American Book Fair today from 11Am-4PM. Festival is free with museum admission. Contact Patricia Jordan at 804-319-9763 or africanamericanbookfair@yahoo.com to find out more.

Ann Field Alexander’s Race Man: The Rise and Fall of the Fighting Editor John Mitchell Jr. (available from the University of Virginia Press) is a fascinating look at Richmond and especially Jackson Ward and the African-American experience at the turn of the last century as seen through the perspective of Richmond Planet publisher John Mitchell, Jr.:

Best known for his crusade against lynching in the 1880s, Mitchell was also involved in a number of civil rights crusades that seem more contemporary to the 1950s and 1960s than the turn of that century. He led a boycott against segregated streetcars in 1904 and fought residential segregation in Richmond in 1911. His political career included eight years on the Richmond city council, which ended with disenfranchisement in 1896.

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The premier issue of the RRHA’s RRHA Master Plan News (”A newsletter for the master planning of the North Jackson Ward community”) is now available. The well-put-together newsletter has info about the Sept.30 meeting at the Calhoun Center, where “over 200 residents, community members and stakeholders gathered [...] to remain informed and involved in the revitalization process for North Jackson Ward”, information about the planning process, and information about who to contact with your questions and concerns.

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African American Book Fair; Election Day Blowout Show; Tuesday Verses; First Friday Artwalk; No Bs Brass Band, Antlers, Lemuria, Gordon Gano’s Army, Friendly Fire; MORE…

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In what must be a response to Mark Warner’s endorsement of Kim Gray in her bid for the 2nd District school board seat, the incumbent Lisa Dawson has announced her endorsement by First Lady Anne Holton and Mark Emblidge, Chair of the State Board of Education.

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The Lucent Phoenix Community Library in Jackson Ward will be holding an open meeting on Tuesday November 11th from 3-6PM for anyone who is interested in volunteering with the community library and picking up some open hours. Even if you’re not sure if you can dedicate anytime to open hours, come and check out the space and say hello. [via]

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Dr.Maureen G. Elgersman Lee, professor at ODU, has been named as the executive director of the Black History Museum according to the Richmond Free Press:

“This is a wonderful opportunity [...] My overall goal is to raise the profile of this institution. I want to make it the go-to place for black history in Richmond and beyond,” said Dr. Elgersman Lee.

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Charles Samuels, candidate for the 2nd District City Council seat, announced today his campaign’s plans for a victory celebration. Supporters and members of the media are encouraged to join Samuels at the Robin Inn at 2601 Park Avenue in the Fan after the polls close tomorrow at 7PM.

Today is the day! Find out where to vote! Get local results later on at the city Registrar’s Office, the State Board of Elections here and here, or watch the Virginia election results roll in below:

The RTD is reporting that “two people were shot [last night] in the vicinity of Second and Clay streets in downtown Richmond but neither has life-threatening injuries”.

Style Weekly stopped by Carver Elementary this morning to see how things were going:

Only about a thousand voters were registered in that precinct before this election cycle began. Now 3,500 people are. The crowd outside the building at 6 a.m. had somewhat dwindled to fill only about half the school’s auditorium by 12:15. [...] As of 12:15, more than 700 people had voted in the precinct.