City businesses ready to reopen, welcome customers next week
Renada Harris, owner of Silk Hair Studio on Broad Street near Virginia Commonwealth University spent last Thursday calling clients to cancel appointments made for Friday, May 15, the date businesses were to partially reopen under Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s executive order.
Answering the call
Volunteers with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps sometimes put their own health on the line to help during the COVID-19 pandemic
When Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s call went out for volunteers to help with COVID-19 efforts, Matilde Badillo responded.
Final tribute
Richmond Police Chief Will Smith salutes and the department’s Honor Guard stands at attention as the family of the late Master Patrol Officer Dextor Lee Gadson Sr. prepares to enter the Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home last Saturday in the West End for a celebration of his life.
Historic first: A. Benjamin Spencer named dean of W&M Law School
As a University of Virginia law school professor, A. Benjamin Spencer has earned accolades for his knowledge of federal courts and civil litigation.
Magistrate Judge Roderick C.Young of Richmond nominated to federal district court bench
Roderick Charles Young started out as a public defender and has risen through the legal ranks to U.S. magistrate judge in Richmond.
Funeral arrangements announced for Bishop Glenn
A celebration of the life of Bishop Gerald O. Glenn, late founder and pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Chesterfield County, will be held next week, it has been announced.
COVID-19 info or campaigning?
Did 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones misinform City Council in seeking permission to use city funds to send a direct mail card to his constituents?
More than rhetoric needed
Re “Kay Coles James heads National Coronavirus Recovery Commission,” Free Press May 7-9 edition:
Saluting Malcolm X, by A. Peter Bailey
A former U.S. president has been quoted as saying, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance. And a people who want to govern themselves must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives.”
Black people and COVID-19, by Sa’ad El-Amin
As the United States is trying to reopen after a nearly total shutdown caused by COVID-19, one of the major questions is whether it is too early to re- open and, by doing so, whether there will be a second round of infections and deaths.
What would Ida B. Wells do?
Crusading journalist Ida B. Wells, who fearlessly and tirelessly worked against racism and violence targeting African-Americans in the late 1800s and early 1900s, was posthumously honored last week with a Pulitzer Prize.
Think twice
We strongly support the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus in its opposition to begin re-opening Virginia’s businesses, restaurants and places of worship on Friday.
Pandemic can't stop nuptials for area newlyweds
When the coronavirus pandemic threatened to disrupt the wedding plans of Dr. Janet West and Rodney Jordan, love proved too strong – even during a time of social distancing and rules preventing no more than 10 people in one place at one time.
Andre Harrell, who founded Uptown Records and launched many careers, dies at 5
Andre Harrell, the Uptown Records founder who shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B in the late 1980s and 1990s with acts such as Mary J. Blige and Heavy D and also launched the career of mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, died Thursday, May 7, 2020. He was 59.
Grammy-winning singer Betty Wright succumbs at 66
Betty Wright, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter whose influential 1970s hits included “Clean Up Woman” and “Where Is the Love,” is dead at age 66.
'Architect of rock 'n' roll,' Little Richard, dies at 87
Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” who built his groundbreaking sound with a boiling blend of boogie woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel, died Saturday, May 9, 2020, at the age of 87.
Dolson B. Anderson Jr., a leader and deacon at Westwood Baptist Church, dies at 72
For more than two decades, Dolson Barnett “Butchie” An- derson Jr. was the volunteer leader of the media ministry for Westwood Baptist Church in Richmond’s West End.
Woody Strode and other African-American athletes went from sports to the silver screen
Woody Strode was among the first four African-Americans to play in the NFL, but that isn’t necessarily his top claim to fame.
VUU alum played for late Coach Don Shula with the Baltimore Colts
A native Richmonder played at least a small role in the historic coaching legacy of the late Don Shula.
Top NBA draft choice spent a week on college team
James Wiseman offers new meaning to the basketball term “one and done.”
