Personality: Thomas L. Johnson Jr.
Spotlight on local chapter president of National Negro Golf Association
Fore! Be on the lookout for golf, fun and fellowship. That’s what organizers of the National Negro Golf Association (NNGA) are aiming for next weekend when the organization kicks off its 50th anniversary celebration with golf, get-togethers and commemorations in the Richmond area.
Michael Brown family files lawsuit against Ferguson
The family of Michael Brown has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Ferguson, Mo., seeking unspecified damages and police reforms after the black teen’s killing by a white policeman prompted a national debate on law enforcement and race. The civil lawsuit filed April 23 in St. Louis County, Mo., names the city of Ferguson, former Police Chief Thomas Jackson and former police officer Darren Wilson as defendants.
Protests in Israel over police brutality against Ethiopian Jews
At a protest on April 30, demonstrators blocked one of the city’s main traffic arteries and the light rails service. They marched toward the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before being stopped by police with water cannons.
Reparations OK’d for Chicago’s police torture victims
For decades, a police unit in Chicago used torture to induce confessions from black suspects. This week, the Chicago City Council approved a unique $5.5 million reparation fund to benefit dozens of surviving victims who were shocked, burned and beaten into admitting — often falsely — to crimes by the unit led by Jon Burge, a former police commander.
Slavery memorial to gain in capital budget plan
The battle over the ballpark in Shockoe Bottom apparently is over. At the same time, hopes are fading for Richmond Public Schools to gain funding to develop essential new schools on South Side to relieve overcrowding.
Justice Dept. opens investigation into Gray’s death; officers charged
There’s an uneasy quiet in Baltimore after six police officers were charged last week in the mysterious death of Freddie Gray while he was in their custody. Underneath the calm simmers apprehension and anger in the African-American community — ready to erupt again at any moment — if there’s another incident of police brutality against a black man in the town known as “Charm City.” That grim reality was clear Monday afternoon when angry community members and officers in riot gear quickly converged in West Baltimore after an erroneous TV report stated police had shot and perhaps fatally injured a young African-American man who was seen running away from pursuing officers.
Services sacrificed in council’s $ plan
Richmond Public Schools is on track to gain an extra $9 million to help meet critical needs in the coming year. Police officers and firefighters also are on track to gain bigger raises of roughly 2.5 percent to help reduce turnover in public safety.
Rayvon Owen hometown ‘Idol’
He sang for Richmond Boys Choir, took talent to national stage
Rayvon Owen’s eyes sparkled with delight. When the limousine carrying Rayvon and his mother, Patrice Fitzgerald, pulled up to the James Center in Downtown last Friday, about 1,000 cheering fans were waiting for him in the rain.
$1 City selling home sites for low, moderate income families
Vacant property for $1. That’s the price that City Hall is setting to clear out its inventory of home sites and to help cut the future purchase price of the houses to be built on them. This effort also will help finish partially completed developments that have been on hold since the economic recession began in 2008. In a first step, at least 16 lots are being prepared for sale, primarily in Southern Barton Heights. A few lots in Swansboro on South Side and in Newtowne West near Virginia Union University also are part of the sale. The board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the properties’ nominal owner, helped clear the way by approving the transfer of the properties to the city at its meeting last week.
Richmond schools to get boost from state
Higher than expected enrollment is helping Richmond Public Schools avoid falling into a deficit. Richmond reported 128 more students than expected on March 31, boosting total enrollment to 21,973 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to a report to the School Board. The extra students should result in a $1.6 million boost in the state’s contribution, according to the report from Ralph L. Westbay, assistant superintendent for financial services. The state contribution previously had been projected at $121.7 million.
Pinkney Eppes reinstated to committee service
Tichi Pinkney Eppes is once again a full member of the Richmond School Board. The 9th District representative was one of five members who voted to end the ban on allowing her to serve on board committees.
VSU, NSU still facing cutbacks
Cutbacks. That’s what Norfolk State and Virginia State universities are facing because of surprisingly steep enrollment drops. Enrollment at both of the state-funded, historically black institutions peaked in 2012 and then began a sharp decline. Based on current projections, both schools expect to enroll at least 25 percent fewer students in the fall than in 2012. That means less income and more need to reduce spending on staff and programs.
Study: Teachers quicker to label black students as ‘troublemakers’
A new study suggests that racial stereotyping by teachers could be a root cause for harsher discipline imposed on black students. Two Stanford University psychologists, Dr. Jennifer L. Eberhardt and doctoral candidate Jason Okonofua, conducted the study to determine if hidden bias could explain government data showing that misbehaving black students are three times more likely to be suspended or expelled from public schools than their misbehaving white peers. The psychologists’ research found that teachers are quicker to label black students as troublemakers and to consider more severe penalties for them, compared with white students who misbehave.
Saint Paul’s Baptist hosts community forums
Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County is hosting a series of forums in May designed to bring citizens, law enforcement officials and faith leaders together. The theme: “Everybody Matters: A Community Discussion about Race, Justice and the Church.” The purpose: “For all persons and leaders to understand the criminal justice system and better engage with one another,” according to event organizer and church member Antoinette Irving, president of the AVI Foundation Inc., a Richmond-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide programs for youths in disadvantaged communities.
Butler officially named basketball coach at VUU
Jay Butler has proven to be an exceptional college basketball coach for women’s teams. Now he’s out to achieve similar success coaching a men’s team. Butler is the new Virginia Union University men’s basketball coach after spending the past 13 seasons — 11 as head coach — directing the women’s program at the University of the District of Columbia.
Judge Conyers to speak at VSU commencement
Virginia State University will launch graduation season for colleges and universities in the commonwealth. The historically black institution will mark its 133rd year by awarding 750 degrees during ceremonies 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Richmond Coliseum.
Re “From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times,” April 23-25 edition: I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Free Press for the article on Barksdale Haggins and Barky’s Spiritu
Re “From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times,” April 23-25 edition: I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Free Press for the article on Barksdale Haggins and Barky’s Spiritual Store.
Federal act requires reporting of deaths while in police custody
Re “Help from high court,” April 23-25 edition: While your editorial was enlightening and informative, it did not really do justice to the point of the editorial — unnecessary deaths while in law enforcement custody. Yes, the traumatic death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police was dismal and emotionally bruising. It also was, at first glance, totally undeserving.
When Freedom Came series ‘educational and inspirational’
Re “When Freedom Came” series, March 26-28, April 2-4 and April 9-11 editions:
An unexpected partnership
When Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stepped before a bank of microphones last Saturday for a hastily called news conference, she was surrounded by people she credited with helping keep this city calm during a weeklong protest over the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died after suffering a spinal injury while in police custody.
