SCLC chapter hosts legislative forum
The Richmond Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference is hosting a forum to discuss legislative issues prior to the start of the General Assembly in January.
AG starts initiative to boost diversity in police departments
Attorney General Mark R. Herring is seeking to help police departments across Virginia recruit more minority applicants and build police departments. The goal of the initiative: To reflect the cultural and racial makeup of the communities they serve. Mr. Herring said the initiative would begin in Danville and Martinsville with the aim of creating model programs that other law enforcement agencies could use.
Martin honored with Raven Award
George Keith Martin has gained praise for his accomplishments as the first African-American rector at the University of Virginia, the managing partner at the Richmond office of McGuireWoods law firm in Downtown and his longtime community involvement and service on numerous boards and commissions.
Playing the ‘Trump’ card
Richmond pastor of church in bankruptcy endorses billionaire despite controversial remarks
Richmond school athletic programs need help
I feel profound sadness and dismay about the state of our athletic programs in Richmond. Having been born, raised, educated and employed here, I have witnessed our children being humiliated year after year with no end in sight. As Richmond’s mayor, former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder tried to offer leadership in regards to Richmond Schools by contending that there were too many schools. He was right. Inaction has relegated our schools to second class status. This is not to suggest that athletics is the most important issue facing our schools. Absolutely not!
Court ruling sends wrong message
Re “Special needs advocate appeals conviction, faces another charge,” Nov. 19-21 edition:
Expand Medicaid in the commonwealth
Expanding Medicaid in Virginia should be the dominant issue in the Virginia General Assembly session that begins in January.
‘Where is our Christian humanity?’
Re editorial “Think globally,” Nov. 19-21 edition:
Go vegetarian for Thanksgiving
While President Obama is pardoning two turkeys for Thanksgiving, every one of us can exercise that same presidential power by choosing a nonviolent Thanksgiving observance that spares a turkey’s life.
The Muslim world isn’t silent
I received a call a few days after the Paris terrorist attacks from a relative. She was, quite understandably, deeply unsettled by the attack. She asked me why it was that the Muslim community was so silent about jihadist attacks. I told her that they were — and are — not silent at all. In fact, there were — immediate — statements of condemnation of these attacks from a wide range of organizations and religious leaders in the Arab and Muslim worlds, ranging from the Free Syrian Army to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, that denounced the heinous attacks. My relative then asked me why she and so many other people had not heard word one about this?
Let your spending reflect your values
The buildup began right after Halloween, when the newspapers got thicker, the advertising inserts longer and emails touting shopping bargains coming more frequently.
‘Let us express our gratitude by welcoming others’
President Obama’s 2015 Thanksgiving Proclamation.
“What are you most grateful for this Thanksgiving?”
On this holiday of gratitude, the Free Press talked to people Downtown and they answered the question:
Community Thanksgiving Feast open to all for 10th year
Come one, come all and share Thanksgiving with us. That’s the heartfelt invitation to the community as The Giving Heart prepares to serve a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings in Downtown.
North Side man surprised to find his portrait in library exhibit
The Rev. Robert W. Oliver’s jaw dropped and his eyes lit up with delight when he walked into the Richmond Public Library’s Gellman Room in Downtown.
RVA On Ice opens with ceremony Nov. 25
RVA On Ice, the city’s outdoor ice skating rink, will kick off its sixth season with a opening ceremony and celebration featuring music, games, activities and prizes.
VUU Concert Choir singing songs of season on Dec. 3
The Virginia Union University Concert Choir will present its annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3 in the Allix B. James Chapel at Coburn Hall on the campus.
Miss Fields, Mr. Witherspoon wed in sunrise ceremony
Yolanda Gail Fields and John Wesley Witherspoon are wed. The couple exchanged vows during a 7 a.m. ceremony Saturday, Sept. 26, at a private waterfront residence in Dunnsville. Pastor Gwendolyn G. Young of The Lord’s Healing Church in Chesterfield and the Rev. Robert Murray, pastor of First Baptist Church-Bute Street of Norfolk, officiated.
Congressional Black Caucus chairman to speak Dec. 3 at VUU
Congressman George Kenneth “G. K.” Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, will address students at Virginia Union University at 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
Diva Bag Auction scheduled for Dec. 7
Black Girls Rock! Founder Beverly Bond is scheduled to participate in Girls For A Change’s 2015 Diva Bag Auction at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at the Trinity Family Life Center.
