Personality: Darius A. Johnson
Spotlight on Medical College of Virginia Foundation board chair
Darius A. Johnson says the heart of who he is as a person can be traced to his parents, Jerome J. Johnson and Roslyn A. Johnson, and his sister, Leslie N. Johnson.
Quincy Jones receives State Department’s first Peace Through Music Award
Quincy Jones, who once embarked on an international diplomatic tour with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, will receive the U.S. Department of State’s inaugural Peace Through Music Award. A ceremony honoring the 28-time Grammy winning producer, musician and arranger will be held Wednesday night and as part of the launch of the State Department’s new Global Music
NCAA rules against VCU’s Joe Bamisile
The VCU basketball team will likely be missing a key ingredient this upcoming season. Joe Bamisile’s waiver for eligibility has been rejected by the NCAA. That means he will not be permitted to suit up for the 2023-24 season.
Soccer takes off at VSU
Virginia State University women’s soccer is kicking off a new era in Ettrick ... and even has an early victory and a tie to its credit.
Trojans’ transfer sparks hot start
Romelo Williams is starting to pile up statistics while Virginia State University is piling up victories.
Huguenot High School gymnasium honors Bo Jones Sr.
From now on, every time a basketball fan enters the Huguenot High School gym, they will be reminded of one of the Falcons’ most successful and beloved coaches.
Finding a safe space
Virginia State University will host a free discussion focused on African-American men and mental health as part of several HBCU Across America forums participating in Real Talk Drives Real Change events.
Richmond International Film Festival returns
Filmmaking and musical guests from around the world will be in Richmond for the 12th Annual Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF). The six-day festival will kick off on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with film premieres, live music performances, panel discussions and more.
VCU forum addresses HBCUs
“HBCUs and the Absence of Support” will address the funding gap for Historically Black Colleges and Universities during the 2023 Wilder Symposium Sept. 28 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Run Richmond 2023 is a race for Black history
RUN RICHMOND 16.19, the cultural running and walking event hosted by the Djimon Hounsou Foundation in collaboration with the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia and Sports Backers takes place Sept. 30.
New plans in place for 2 Richmond cemeteries
Richmond is getting a thumbs up from the community for its plan to take over the historic Evergreen and East End cemeteries on the city’s East Side, but only if volunteer groups are kept in the loop.
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center’s new designation driven by the community, by Dr. Robert A. Winn
Building engines for General Motors was going to be my one-way ticket to the other side of the tracks. Growing up, I dreamt of getting that job at the plant in my working class Buffalo, N.Y., neighborhood, earning a steady paycheck and setting myself up for life. It didn’t even occur to me to look beyond the borders of familiarity because I had no idea how I would get there. Eventually higher education came into play and medicine found me. But I’m still one part M.D. and one part M.C., connected to that kid down the block who knew there was something bigger out there, even if it seemed out of reach.
Saving planet matter of choice, by Ben Jealous
There’s a phrase you hear from business schools to board rooms that comes from L. John Doerr, a legendary investor who backed Google, Amazon and Intuit: Measure what matters. Those words certainly jumped to mind this summer as leaders from Washington to London sent signals that protecting a safe, livable planet hardly matters because it’s not worth accounting for accurately and honestly.
Hardball game of politics, by Clarence Page
Like numerous other folks who did not support Mitt Romney’s election when he was challenging then-President Barack Obama in 2012, I think he looks a lot better to me now than he did then — and not just because he decided to retire from the Senate.
Vote early and make your voice heard
As the upcoming Nov. 7 elections in Virginia draw near, it is essential that every eligible citizen exercise his or her right to vote.
Justice and accountability needed in Irvo Otieno’s death
Yesterday’s announcement about a settlement being reached in the case of Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man who died while being restrained at a Virginia psychiatric hospital, elevates discussions about the need for mental health and policing reforms.
Community festival with a focus on health
VCU’s Massey Cancer is throwing an open-to-everyone family-friendly carnival from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St.
Report details City jail stabbing
The dangers at the Richmond City Justice Center were re-emphasized Monday when one prisoner repeatedly stabbed another in the head around 6 a.m. Monday as breakfast was being served, according to internal reports the Free Press obtained.
Virginia Organizing challenges Youngkin’s voting rights move
The Charlottesville-based grassroots group Virginia Organizing plans to lead a public march and protest in Richmond at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, to protest Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s rollback of the virtually automatic restoration of voting rights for released felons, it has been announced
