$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.
Black women’s lives matter, too
You know their names — Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice — because these African-American men were unarmed and killed by law enforcement officers. Their names have been part of a litany invoked when police shootings are discussed. Their deaths have been part of the impetus for the Black Lives Matter movement, especially because the police officers that killed these men — and a little boy — have paid no price for their murders.
Transparency, accountability
As Richmond City Council wrestles with the critical task of completing a budget for the city for 2015-16, we call on Mayor Dwight C. Jones to address unsettling issues regarding the expensive outsourcing of city work to outside companies.
Inflamed
The fires that burned Monday and Tuesday night in Baltimore have pushed the nation toward the crucial, but much avoided introspection necessary to address critical issues of race and justice in America.
Spotty CARE van service leaves riders in limbo
Roderyck Bullock has somewhere to go almost every day, but he doesn’t always make it. His ride sometimes arrives late. Occasionally, it doesn’t show up at all.
Eruption
Baltimore wracked by outrage as protesters turn violent. City, nation look for answers about race, police brutality.
Just hours after Loretta Lynch’s historic swearing in as the new U.S. attorney general and the first African-American woman to lead the Justice Department, mayhem erupted Monday in the streets of Baltimore following the funeral for Freddie Gray. The 25-year-old Mr. Gray died of severe injuries on April 19, a week after being arrested, handcuffed and tossed into a police van. His spine was nearly severed and his larynx was crushed while in police custody, authorities have reported.
Foundation honors 8 Richmond schools alumni
Eight outstanding alumni of Richmond Public Schools were honored at the fourth annual Pride of RPS: Living Legacies Breakfast. The event, sponsored by the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation and held April 24 at a Downtown hotel, recognizes former Richmond schools students who have made significant accomplishments in their professional and personal lives and correlate their success to their formative years in public schools.
Dr. Boykin Sanders honored for distinguished career, service
Dr. Boykin Sanders wore a huge smile as he walked into the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University Saturday night, where about 200 people were gathered for a reception and banquet in his honor. Attendees broke into applause as he strode in holding his 3-year-old granddaughter, Sage, in his arms. Many were his former students at VUU, where Dr. Sanders has served as a professor and mentor for the last 32 years. The event also was a celebration of Dr. Sanders’ 70th birthday.
Karen Clark Sheard, Grammy Award winner, to speak at local church
Grammy Award-winning singer, musician and songwriter Karen Clark Sheard is scheduled to speak at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in the East End at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, the church has announced. She is one of three women scheduled to lead weekly Women’s Month services at the church at 2301 Cedar St. that is led by Dr. Anthony M. Chandler Sr.
