
Kobe Bryant's legacy felt in Richmond, around the world
Purple and gold-themed tributes of praise have sprung up as Richmond and communities in Virginia and around the world recognize the life and accomplishments of the late basketball star Kobe Bryant, an 18-time All-Star who won five NBA championships during his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

No go
5 City Council members ask Mayor Stoney to withdraw $1.5B Coliseum replacement and Downtown redevelopment plan, a major signal he doesn't have the votes needed for approval
The $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement plan is dead. Five members of Richmond City Council sounded the death knell Monday night by introducing a resolution calling on Mayor Levar M. Stoney to withdraw the ordinances regarding the project he presented last summer and to work with City Council to create a plan for developing the city-owned property near City Hall that could generate public support.

Mayor eschews status quo, urges city to think bigger in State of City address
Stop being afraid to do something great. That’s Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s response to the opposition to the $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement plan that so far has failed to gain widespread public support.

Rep. McEachin a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ on removing Confederate statues
Re “McEachin, Wexton call for replacement of Lee statue in U.S. Capitol,” Free Press Dec. 26-28 edition:

Can a woman win in 2020? by Julianne Malveaux
In a most unusual endorsement, the New York Times has endorsed both U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota for the Democratic nomination for president.

Resist efforts to divide people by Marc H. Morial
A report that hate crimes surged in America’s five largest cities last year has broken just as we honor the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the nation’s best known victim of a hate crime.

Lobby Day 2020: An affront to Dr. King
There was something eerie and insulting about the thousands of gun-toting lobbyists who packed the area around Capitol Square on Monday to demand that Virginia lawmakers not step on their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.

'Saving Black Men, Empowering Black Families' symposium scheduled for Jan. 25
Thirteen speakers and panelists will address the subject “Saving Black Men, Empowering Black Families” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, during a symposium at Virginia Union University’s Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center, it has been announced. Open to the public without charge, the event is the annual MLK Beloved Community Symposium co-sponsored by VUU, Living the Dream Inc. and Success Motivation.

Gov. Northam acknowledges his own uncomfortable truths
Nearly a year after public revelations of racist photos published on his medical school yearbook page, Gov. Ralph S. Northam offered a mea culpa at Virginia Union University’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Leaders Breakfast and acknowledged the lessons he has learned confronting some of his own painful truths.

Speakers herald progress ahead at VUU's 42nd Annual Community Leaders Breakfast
Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, the first woman and first Jewish speaker in the 401-year history of the Virginia House of Delegates, offered a message about the value of inclusion, diversity and progress at Virginia Union University’s 42nd Annual Community Leaders Breakfast honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Coach McKay putting Liberty U. on the map
One of college basketball’s most alluring stories is unfolding just 114 miles west of Richmond in Lynchburg. Coach Ritchie McKay has stapled Liberty University — not exactly a hoops heavyweight — on the national basketball rankings map.

Devyn Coles makes Freshman All-America team
It didn’t take long for Devyn Coles to become a force for Norfolk State University football.

One HBCU alum to play in Super Bowl
The Kansas City Chiefs are returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years, and much has changed in the last half century.

Classic win for VUU Lady Panthers
The Virginia Union University Lady Panthers would prefer to have two McNeills in its lineup, but the team will settle for one. Even with Shareka McNeill sidelined with a knee injury, the Lady Panthers continue to be a dominant team in the CIAA and in the NCAA Division II.

Pounce
VUU Panthers drub the VSU Trojans 83-62 in Freedom Classic
If the Virginia Union University Panthers were homesick, it didn’t show. In the midst of an epic road trip, the Panthers looked comfortable and confident in routing host Virginia State University 82-62 in the 25th Annual Freedom Classic last Saturday at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center.

Trump pledges to prevent 'unacceptable' repression of school prayer
President Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren of a variety of faiths, announced what he called “historic steps to protect the First Amendment right to pray in the public schools.”

Multiracial churches growing, but challenging for clergy of color
For four hours at a megachurch outside of Dallas, pastors of color shared their personal stories of leading a multiethnic church.

Dr. Willie Woodson comes out of retirement to lead new congregation
Dr. Willie Woodson has come out of retirement to take another pulpit.

Howard E. Fitts Sr., former president of Robinson-Harris & Co., dies at 95
For more than 40 years, Howard E. Fitts Sr. was a key figure in buying and selling property in Richmond.

Personality: Dr. Patricia Herrera
Spotlight on 2019 Collaborative Research Award winner
Dr. Patricia Herrera was in college when her sense of self was expanded.