Collecting comfort items for children separated from parents
Most people wouldn’t think something as simple as a teddy bear would make an emotional impact, but Cynthia Downing, creator of The Comfort Movement, has a different opinion.
City welcomes new schools chief
Jason Kamras from D.C. to become next Richmond superintendent
They campaigned on a platform of change for a school system that continues to rank high in dropouts and suspensions and low in student academic achievement.
‘Tiger Tom’ and ‘Bette’ Mitchell ‘now smiling and holding hands in heaven’
Re obituary for “Elizabeth ‘Bette’ Mitchell, widow of ‘Tiger Tom’ Mitchell,” Free Press Nov. 16-18 edition:
Schools referendum: ‘It’s not perfect’
Re editorial “Real results,” Free Press Nov. 16-18 edition: Your baffling editorial disparaging the massive Election Day support — 99 percent in the African-American community and 84.8 percent across the city — for the school modernization charter change referendum claimed the following about the proposal:
‘Zero tolerance for sexual harassment’
Editor’s note: This letter was sent last week by the Virginia Speaker of the House designee to the Capitol Square community.
Good news for a change
By now, you know I look forward to the opportunity of sharing my opinions with readers. I pray that the columns offer helpful, thought-provoking and uplifting ideas.
Thanksgiving: A bipartisan celebration
“This history (of Thanksgiving) teaches us that the American instinct has never been to seek isolation in opposite corners; it is to find strength in our common creed and forge unity from our great
College student feels new confidence with guide dog
La’Teia Randolph is extra thankful this year. The blind Richmonder now has a guide dog to help her get around — Della, a 2-year-old female Labrador retriever.
New Barbie in hijab modeled after U.S. Olympic fencer
The Barbie doll has come a long way since her introduction in 1959. The latest version of Mattel’s popular doll is wearing a hijab and fencing outfit. The doll is made in the likeness of Ibtihaj Muhammad, the U.S. Olympic fencer who made history at last year’s Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro as the first American athlete to compete wearing the traditional Islamic headscarf.
HU exits MEAC for Big South Conference
There’s an upside and a downside to Hampton University’s surprise decision to leave the MEAC for the Big South Conference.
VSU Trojans’ dream season ends with loss in playoffs
Virginia State University’s magic carpet ride of a football season has coasted to a close. So let the warm memories begin.
Rick Mahorn to be inducted into Va. Sports Hall of Fame
Former Hampton University basketball standout Rick Mahorn has been selected for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
VCU has rare loss at home — to U.Va.
Two things Virginia Commonwealth University basketball thrives on are quality transfers and home games at the always rowdy, jam-packed Siegel Center.
Chesterfield student signs with Penn State
Rasir Bolton, a Chesterfield County resident who has played locally for Millwood School and Team Loaded AAU, has signed with Penn State University on a full basketball scholarship.
Evergreen Restoration Foundation continues work, seeks volunteers
Real estate broker Marvin Harris has spent the past 18 months motivating volunteers to restore a 15-acre section of the historic, but long-neglected Evergreen Cemetery where Richmond businesswoman Maggie L. Walker and crusading newspaper editor John Mitchell Jr. are buried.
Farrakhan calls on Trump to repent
Minister Louis Farrakhan called on President Trump to repent for what the Nation of Islam leader called America’s mistreatment of black people over the centuries.
Museum of the Bible, funded by conservatives, avoids contentious issues
Eight years ago, Hobby Lobby president Steve Green found a new way to express his Christian faith. His family’s $4 billion arts and craft chain was already known for closing stores on Sundays, waging a U.S. Supreme Court fight over birth control and donating tens of millions of dollars to religious groups.
Philip Griffin,18, dies; son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Griffin
Philip Madison Griffin, son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry I. Griffin, has died. Philip succumbed Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, to complications from kidney disease.
Alvoston ‘Al’ Taylor, retired city educator, dies at 75
Alvoston L. “Al” Taylor Jr. was a dedicated teacher and principal who cared about his students during 35 years of service.
Personality: Hassan Fountain Sr.
Spotlight on founder of Fountain for Youth Foundation
Hassan Fountain Sr. has a vision of placing children’s libraries in every subsidized housing community across Virginia, especially in Richmond, to increase literacy and help youths see a brighter future.
