World Cup tackles color complex
France won its only World Cup in 1998 with the theme “Black-Blanc-Beur,” meaning black, white and Arab (or North African),” a slogan celebrating integrated France.
A young girl’s hair loss inspires children’s book
Taylor Ellis never missed a day as a student at Carver Elementary School, and when she graduated from the Richmond Public School three weeks ago, she did so with a 3.9 grade point average, the highest in her class.
Pharrell Williams wants to grow Virginia’s film, TV industry
Two years ago, Pharrell Williams co-produced the movie “Hidden Figures.”
VSU wins HBCU of the Year
Virginia State University’s increased enrollment, agricultural research platform and athletic success are among reasons it is the HBCU Digest’s choice for 2018 HBCU of the Year.
What to people of color is the Fourth of July?
Events of the past year recall the words and sentiment of Frederick Douglass, the noted abolitionist and editor, in his famed July Fourth address.
Newsroom attack feels like home invasion
When news broke that a man with a shotgun had killed five employees in the Annapolis, Md., Capital Gazette newsroom, recent 24/7 media chatter about “civility” suddenly got real.
Dems can stall another Scalia on High Court
President Trump has made it crystal clear that his SCOTUS picks will be reincarnations of the hard-line late Antonin Scalia. He was as good as his word with his first pick Neil Gorsuch. His majority vote to nail abortion, union dues, and approve No. 45’s Muslim travel ban was terrorizing proof of that. No. 45 wasted no time telling one and all that he’ll pick from a list of 25 names for a replacement for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Human rights not suspended when crossing lines
Lady Liberty, once a beacon of hope for the world’s desperate and persecuted, became a hollow symbol on June 11 when U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, announced “zero-tolerance” policies that deny relief to asylum seekers fleeing domestic or gang violence.
Davis must go
Commission recommends removing Confederate president’s statue, but not others
Baltimore, New Orleans, Louisville, Ky., and even Memphis, Tenn., have gotten rid of their statues of racist Confederate traitors who fought to keep black people enslaved. So have 26 other cities.
Muslim travel ban upheld by U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday handed President Trump one of the biggest victories of his presidency, upholding his travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries and rejecting the argument that it represented unconstitutional religious discrimination.
Justice Kennedy’s retirement sets up political showdown
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced Wednesday that he will retire from the court next month, providing President Trump the opportunity to ensure a conservative majority on the nation’s highest court.
Poor People’s Campaign vows to continue push to end poverty, racism, militarism
A multiracial, intergenerational crowd of thousands of social justice activists, union workers and people of faith prayed, cheered and listened intently last Saturday as speakers on the National Mall called for a re-energized approach to fighting poverty and other social ills they say are plaguing the country.
Black Business Alliance calls for inclusion in city-supported projects
A. Hugo “Al” Bowers Sr. is leading a fresh charge to ensure that black-owned businesses gain a significant share of work on construction projects that the city pays for or infuses with taxpayer support.
School funding questions remain as City Charter change takes effect July 1
“I believe we have six months from July 1 to respond to the charge embedded in the charter change. Rest assured, we will do so. When we have something definitive to say, we will say it.” That was the official administration response to a Free Press query as to how Mayor Levar M. Stoney would respond to a change to the City Charter regarding school improvement that goes into effect Sunday, July 1.
Federal court orders redrawing of state House districts by Oct. 30
African-American voters were illegally packed into 12 House of Delegate districts in Richmond and Hampton Roads, a panel of federal judges ruled Tuesday.
Area police encrypt scanner broadcasts
Richmond area residents — including news reporters working on stories — no longer will be able to monitor police scanners after this week.
City Council members file legislation to halt bike lanes in North Side
Two City Council members want to kill City Hall plans to turn one travel lane on both sides of Brook Road over to bicycles between Azalea Avenue and Charity Street.
Work to begin in Jackson Ward on Fay Towers replacement
Heavy machinery will soon start moving into a block of Jackson Ward where 154 apartments are to rise over the next year or so, according to Orlando C. Artze, interim director of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Jehovah's Witnesses convene in Downtown
As national and world events cause polarization and despair, there’s a need for individuals to have a source of release and a positive outlook for the future. The Jehovah’s Witnesses plan to address the issues in a series of weekend conventions through August in Richmond.
