Juneteenth doesn’t mark the end of slavery; ratification of the 13th amendment does, by DeWayne Wickham
The day after the federal government announced that slavery in the United States had been officially ended, The New York Times published a front- page story that trumpeted this hard-won victory.
Jan. 6 was more than a ‘dustup’, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Jack Del Rio is not necessarily a stupid man. He was a three-sport athlete who received an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California. After a successful collegiate career he was drafted into the NFL by the New Orleans …
Historic Black cemeteries need substance, not symbolism, by Brian Palmer
Across the South on any given day, volunteers of all ages, races and backgrounds gather with hand tools and weed whackers to help restore historic Black burial grounds, many of which have been subject to the structural neglect and active …
Kudos to the Free Press and to Bonnie Newman Davis
As someone who has known Bonnie Newman Davis through membership in the Virginia Professional Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, since — I think — the early 1980s, I know the Free Press will go onward and upward with her editorial …
Real or not
Last week, Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney went to the top floor of City Hall to eagerly reveal the results of a secretive yearlong project led by the West Cary Group, an advertising and marketing organization.
Good news
LEGO Group will build its first U.S. factory producing its hugely popular plastic building blocks for children to create and build anything they can imagine in Chesterfield County.
Freedom then, freedom now, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Juneteenth is known by many names. It’s officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, but is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. On that day we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved persons of African descent …
Holding people accountable, by Ben Jealous
Some extremely important truth-telling is happening in Washington, D.C. right now.
City’s housing options need a dose of creativity
One of the biggest challenges facing Richmond is how to build affordable apartment units and homes.
Jan. 6 hearings a plea to defend democracy, by Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
On Thursday evening, June 9, the House Select Committee investigating the sacking of The Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 will hold the first of its primetime, televised public hearings.
Pride, prejudice and power, by Ben Jealous
June is Pride Month in the United States.
Much has changed, much remains in newsrooms
The news business is consumed by constant disrup- tors and interruptions. So much so that non-breaking news often gets tossed aside. I should know. Twice in the past two weeks an announcement about me coming aboard as managing editor for …
Biden puts bans on policing, by Marc H. Morial
“Our criminal justice system must respect the dignity and rights of all persons and adhere to our fundamental obligation to ensure fair and impartial justice for all. This is imperative — not only to live up to our principles as …
No vacation from education, by Julianne Malveaux
Students everywhere are anticipating, or already experiencing, their summer vacation. It means freedom from daily classes and the opportunity to break, “chill” and perhaps attend a summer program for many. We know, however, that there is knowledge erosion over the …
Mayor Stoney and city developers missing mark on Diamond District plans
For the past two decades, I have been outspoken about the city failing to carry out the wishes of Arthur Ashe to build an African-American museum honoring the legacy African-American athletic achievement by way of his well-researched classic book series, …
