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.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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 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.

Style Weekly has the word that Second District school board candidate Kim Gray has received the endorsement of former Governor and Senate candidate Mark Warner in her bid to unseat School Board Vice Chairwoman Lisa Dawson.

Come on out for the 3rd Annual Community Harvest Festival @ the Seigel Center on October 31, 2008, from 6-8PM. Free admission, face painting, henna tattoos by Zarina and friends, crafts, story time, Rosie the Clown, games, moon bounce, Richmond Kickers Inflatable Soccer Kick, Chaolin Dragons Kung-fu, VCU Girls Volleyball, refreshments, ice cream, CANDY, & MORE…

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The 2nd in a series of North Jackson Ward Master Planning Public Meetings hosted by the RRHA will be held this Thursday, October 30th, 6-8PM at the Calhoun Family Investment Center, 436 Calhoun Street.