Actor-comedian Johnny Brown dies at 84
Actor and comedian Johnny Brown, who was perhaps best known for his role as apartment building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the television sitcom “Good Times,” died Wednesday, March 2, 2022, in Los Angeles, his longtime home. He was 84. “Our family is devastated. Devastated. Devastated. Beyond heartbroken. Barely able to breathe,” his daughter, Sharon Catherine Brown, wrote on Instagram in announcing his death late last week. “We respectfully ask for privacy at this time because we need a minute to process the unthinkable.” A native of St. Petersburg, Fla., Mr. Brown was multi-talented, getting his start as a singer in the late 1950s. He toured with saxophonist Sam “The Man” Taylor and released several singles, including “Walkin’ Talkin’, Kissin’ Doll” in 1961 on Columbia Records. He also appeared in two Broadway
Personality: Dr. Audra Yuki-Wright Jones
Spotlight on board president of the Virginia Dental Association Foundation
Dr. Audra Yuki-Wright Jones is helping put a bright smile on the faces of Virginians.
Displaced Fox Elementary students to resume in-person classes temporarily at First Baptist Church on Monument Ave
Students from William Fox Elementary School will have classes at First Baptist Church on Monument Avenue and Arthur Ashe Boulevard starting Monday, March 21.
Good riddance
68 law enforcement officers have been decertified in Virginia since a new state law took effect last March expanding the grounds for which they can be disqualified to work.
Two years ago, the only reasons police officers could be decertified in Virginia were if they tested positive for drugs, were convicted of certain crimes or failed to complete required training.
Mayor’s $836M proposed budget includes major pay hikes for public safety workers
Soaring property values and a continuing boom in new development in Richmond have given City Hall the money to propose major pay increases for police officers, firefighters and other city employees.
Richmond Flying Squirrels chosen to help lead ‘The Nine’
The Richmond Flying Squirrels have been named a team captain of “The Nine,” a new baseball outreach platform focused on the Black community.
Another book suggestion
I was pleased to see your editorial, “CRT—Critical race truth,” and suggest adding this to the book list: “Richmond’s Unhealed History” by the Rev. Benjamin Campbell.
Book suggestions for Free Press readers
I strongly recommend that the following titles be added to your book list:
Social isolation, not white supremacy, led to pathologies in African-American communities
I am sorry to have to tell you that there is no Critical Race Theory.
Fighting injustice in Ukraine and at home, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Before going to bed on Feb. 22, we knew that Ukraine and its citizens had been brutally attacked. In our hearts, we also knew that this was only the beginning of their terror.
Gov. Youngkin and reality of racism, by Susan Swecker
On one of the final days of Black History Month, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin released an interim report on critical race theory from the state superintendent of public instruction – an attempt to rewrite, revise and change our history.
Our students deserve better
The recent devastating fire at Fox Elementary School has heightened public concerns about the safety of school buildings throughout Richmond and around the state — and rightly so.
Learning Black history through portrayal
A judge, an inventor and a cheerleader strolled into Christina Smith’s photog- raphy studio in downtown Battle Creek recently.
Washington or Virginia Commanders? Va. aims to lure NFL team
Virginia lawmakers are advancing a measure intended to lure the Washington Commanders to the state by allowing the NFL team to forgo what could be $1 billion or more in future tax payments to help finance a potential new football stadium.
NFL Black coaches now total 3; Flores hired as assistant coach in Pittsburgh
Sometimes, it seems, the more things change the more they stay the same.
Rolando Lamb and Harold Deane Jr. to host basketball camp
Former college greats Rolando Lamb and Harold Deane Jr. will be conducting a Spring Break Basketball Camp April 4 through 8 at Crestwood Presbyterian Church, 1200 Charter Colony Parkway in Midlothian.
Dr. Paul Farmer, global humanitarian leader, dies at 62
Dr. Paul Farmer, a U.S. physician, humanitarian and author renowned for providing health care to millions of impoverished people worldwide and who co-founded the global nonprofit Partners in Health, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. He was 62.
RISC holds City Hall rally in effort to meet with mayor about gun violence
More than a hundred Richmond residents assembled outside City Hall last Friday, seeking to discuss their solutions to the rise in gun violence with Mayor Levar M. Stoney.
