Friday, October 31
White House dismantling HBCUs
Not so long ago, Historically Black Colleges and Universities were just a thorn in the side of the Obama Administration. We soon will long for those days because signs of the administration shift from disregard to attempts at dismantling HBCUs are growing in frequency and impact.
Know the rules to vote on Election Day
When other Virginia voters arrive at their polling places on Nov. 4, many may be shocked to learn that they also are unable to vote — especially seniors, African-Americans, Latinos and the poor, who are less likely to have the required forms of photo ID.
Free Press election endorsements
As Virginians prepare to go to the polls next Tuesday, Nov. 4, the Richmond Free Press strongly urges voters with election endorsements.
Ferguson police officer will be exonerated
You haven’t presented the complete story. Your article only took up for Michael Brown and tried to make him a hero.
We must protect VSU at all costs
When Howard University’s then-President Sidney Ribeau announced last fall that he would step down as unprecedented financial challenges mounted at the “mecca” of HBCUs, I was among those who gasped.
Why vote on Nov. 4
‘When we vote, we win’
In a Constitutional Republic, the privilege to vote preserves all other rights. But as political science holds, when the action of voting takes place, a reaction follows.
Trojans score 63-7 homecoming victory
The Trojans extended their two-year conference winning streak to 12 with the 63-7 dismantling of Lincoln University last week before a homecoming crowd at Rogers Stadium.
Personality: Juan M. Pierce Sr.
Spotlight on Health Education Award winner
Juan Marichal Pierce Sr. beams as he discusses the Health Education Award he accepted from the Richmond Branch NAACP at its annual Freedom Fund banquet last month.
Minister, wife allege harassment
Co-pastors claim state tax department had them arrested on bogus charges
A Northern Virginia minister claims he and his wife have suffered illegal prosecution at the hands of the Virginia Department of Taxation.
From this day forward
A brain tumor and cancer were no match for Kent A.P. Smith and Karla Booker’s wedding joy. Their love, 40 years in the making, would not be stopped by his diagnosis of a brain tumor and stage 4 lung cancer just four weeks earlier.
Thursday, October 30
Voter turnout is key question in Tuesday elections
With the races missing the competitive fire that fuels participation, it’s hard to tell whether the polls will be busy or relatively empty.
Have your photo ID ready
Voters must present a photo ID Tuesday to cast a ballot in the midterm elections.
Tuesday, October 28
Local supplies, hope headed to Africa’s Ebola-stricken areas
First it was a problem “over there.” Now it’s over here. And people are scared.
Mayor’s plan keeps Flying Squirrels at The Diamond
Mayor Dwight C. Jones has kept his promise. He has returned to City Council with his latest proposal regarding a minor league baseball stadium in Richmond.
Kansas City Monarchs
World Series matchup takes us on trip down memory lane
The hub of all-black baseball generally was considered Kansas City, Mo., where the Monarchs were a decades-long force in the Negro Leagues.
North Side church to hold program on noted preacher
Garland Avenue Baptist Church is hosting a colloquium on the life of Dr. Howard Thurman, Saturday, Nov. 8, Dr. Jeffery O. Smith, the church’s pastor, has announced.
Carolyn Croxton, 63, associate minister
The Rev. Carolyn Randall Croxton enjoyed variety in her working life. The New Kent County native started out as an operating room nurse in Richmond and then went on to serve 15 years as a Richmond police officer.
Historical marker for remarkable dressmaker
A state historical marker unveiled last Sunday at the Dinwiddie courthouse in her native County recalls Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley’s remarkable life.
Slavery exhibit open at Library of Va.
An exhibit of Eyre Crowe’s works opened at the Library of Virginia on Monday, Oct. 27, and will run through May 30, 2015, according to a library release announcing the exhibit.
Friday, October 24
Personality: Olivette Baugh Robinson
Olivette Baugh Robinson delights in showing others age is no barrier to staying fit.
Varina church celebrates 140 years in service
First Bethel Baptist Church has been a faith mainstay in the Varina community since it was founded in 1874
VSU homecoming kicks off this weekend
Thousands of tailgaters, partygoers and football fans are expected for the fun-filled events designed to attract alumni, students and community members.
Tennis president fined for slurs about sisters Serena, Venus
Tennis champion Serena Williams slammed the Russian Tennis Federation president this week for using “extremely sexist, racist and bullying” comments after he described Serena and sister, Venus, as the “Williams brothers.”
Sylvia Dyer, 65, former Richmond educator
For more than 10 years, Sylvia Smith Dyer co-chaired the Valentine’s dinner-dance for the Virginia Area Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta, the international honor society and professional association for educators.
NSU wins bragging rights after Battle of the Bay
Terrance Ervin is among the most successful quarterbacks in state high school football history. Now it seems he has carried that winning spirit to the college campus.
'Sneakerheads' converge on the city Sunday
"Sneakerheads" will be looking to buy, sell and trade sneakers and clothing accessories from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Peep My Feet Sneaker & Streetwear Convention.
'Disabled not welcome'
Federal lawsuit seeks elimination of barriers at apartments
Are the housing rights of disabled people being protected in Richmond?
Thursday, October 23
Dear White People’ conveys complexity of contemporary race relations
“Dear White People, the minimum requirement of black friends to not seem racist has just been raised to two.
Tuesday, October 21
VCU basketball enters season ranked No. 1 in conference
Virginia Commonwealth University is the unanimous preseason pick to finish first in Atlantic 10 Conference basketball this season.
Free Press founder among honorees at Richmond NAACP
The event, held last Friday at a Downtown hotel, included the posthumous presentation of the organization’s Civil Rights Award to Raymond H. Boone, the late founder, publisher and editor of the Richmond Free Press.
Stone Brewing bringing jobs, craft beer to Richmond
More beer, please. That’s what Richmond is getting after California-based Stone Brewing Co. agreed to make Virginia’s capital city the home of its first East Coast brewery and restaurant operation.
Coalition of church groups, others help trailer park residents to improve homes
Father Shay Auerbach has a deep affection for the families that live in Rudd’s Trailer Park on South Side. Many of them attend Mass at the nearby Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he serves as pastor.
Friday, October 17
Hip-hop legends at Richmond Coliseum
If you want to go back in the day, Friday night’s Masters of Ceremony Hip Hop Reunion may be the place for you.
Ebola: Is Richmond prepared?
Fears and concerns about the deadly Ebola virus are spreading in Texas and across the nation after a second health care worker in Dallas has been quarantined with the disease. The big question here: Is Richmond ready should an incident occur?
Mary Frances Warden Lambert remembered
The Richmond community is remembering and celebrating the life of Mrs. Lambert, who nourished the souls and spirits of countless people with her gentle kindness and a popular catering business that was famous throughout the area and beyond.
McDowell pours it on for VUU homecoming win
You can add another weapon to Virginia Union University’s growing football arsenal.
Personality: Michael R. Jackson
Spotlight on Richmond First Club president
Michael R. Jackson, a forensic accountant, is the president of the Richmond First Club and has been involved with the nonprofit since 2011.
Mental health to be topic at church conference
Depression long has been considered as a sign of weakness by many in the African-American community, that’s why Rev. Tyrone Nelson said his church is partnering with Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology to present the church’s sixth annual “Holistic Hurt, Wholistic Healing Conference.”
VSU Trojans trounce Elizabeth City State
It has been more than a season and a half already, and no CIAA team has figured out a way to beat football coach Latrell Scott’s Virginia State University Trojans.
VSU president answers students, faculty
Dr. Keith T. Miller, the beleaguered president of Virginia State University, stood face to face with concerned faculty members, staff and students.
Tuesday, October 14
Center ordered to sell Cowardin Avenue parcel
Pastor Stephen A. Parson has spent more than 16 months fending off a lender’s attempt to foreclose on the current South Side home of the Richmond Christian Center he founded more than 30 years ago.
Richmond graduation rate up, but dropout rate still among Va.’s highest
Richmond Public Schools issued four-year diplomas to nearly 81 percent of the 1,416 students in the Class of 2014. That’s the highest percentage for the school system in the six years since the state began tracking results for individual students — and a vast improvement from 2008, according to a new state report on on-time graduation.
VSU, VUU poll third and fourth in CIAA basketball rankings
Virginia State University has been picked to finish third and Virginia Union University fourth in this season’s CIAA Northern Division basketball chase.
Federal judges order redrawing of Scott’s district
This week, a divided federal court panel upheld critics’ complaints in finding that black voters were illegally overloaded into the district represented by Virginia’s lone black congressman, Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.
Friday, October 10
Area pastors split on view of court ruling
Law versus theology
While gay and lesbian couples celebrated their new right to marry in Virginia, several area ministers were expressing reluctance to marry same-sex couples.
Armstrong Wildcats pounce on Varina
The metamorphosis is complete. Armstrong High School football has gone from powder puff to powerhouse.
Raymond H. Boone, Free Press founder, to be honored
Raymond Boone Sr., who died at age 76 in June after battling pancreatic cancer, is being honored this week for his unflinching civil rights work by the Richmond NAACP.
Personality: Amy P. Nisenson
Spotlight on new chair of Leadership Metro Richmond
Amy P. Nisenson exudes a strong inner confidence. She describes herself as “caring, humble and self- motivated.”
No time for hate
Oct. 6, 2014, should go down as a red-letter day in the history of Virginia. The U.S. Supreme Court opened the door for same-sex couples to legally marry in the commonwealth.
VUU homecoming kicks off
Virginia Union University’s homecoming this weekend should be a memorable affair.
Virginia now for all lovers
Jubilant couples head to courthouse for marriage licenses
On Monday, the Supreme Court effectively allowed same-sex marriage to proceed in Virginia when it refused to take up a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that overturned the same-sex marriage ban.
Wednesday, October 8
Denzel Washington plays ‘Equalizer’ with signature quiet intensity
Denzel Washington reteams with his Training Day director Antoine Fuqua in the action thriller, The Equalizer.
Tuesday, October 7
Students protest VSU leadership
Confidence in Dr. Keith T. Miller’s leadership as president of Virginia State University appears to be quickly eroding as the university deals with a serious financial challenge brought on by slumping enrollment.
NY Yankees legend Derek Jeter ends stellar career on high note
Derek Jeter stepped to bat for the final time in his magnificent 20-year career Sunday.
FCC considers ban on Washington NFL team name
The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether to punish broadcasters for using the moniker of the Washington NFL team, a word many consider a slur to Native Americans, the agency’s chairman indicated Tuesday.
South African artist leaves mark at VMFA
A renowned South African artist has put her personal touch on the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ permanent collection.
Churches to help end inaction on end-of-life planning
Too many people have not prepared written instructions in case of a serious accident or illness.
Friday, October 3
Rivalry brings out the spirit
It was a classic showdown between two city rivals — George Wythe and Huguenot high schools.
Meal program expanded
Schools’ decision to participate in a federal program that provides nutritious free breakfasts and lunches to the entire student body at Carver and the city’s 43 other public schools.
Jack J. Pollard, “The Peanut Man,” succumbs at 71
He was known throughout the community as “The Peanut Man.” But to those who knew and loved him best, Jack J. Pollard Jr. was much more.
Personality: Victor L. Rogers
Spotlight on new leader of Urban League Young Professionals
Victor Lamar Rogers is on a mission to engage younger African-American men and women in community affairs.
Historical marker highlights First African Baptist Church
A new state historical marker in Downtown will celebrate the creation of First African Baptist Church.
2nd Street Festival this weekend
Midnight Star is headed to Richmond to headline the 26th edition of the 2nd Street Festival this weekend.
First family in danger
Secret Service head resigns amid White House security breaches
The director of the U.S. Secret Service, who faced blistering criticism for her agency’s string of breakdowns jeopardizing the security of President Obama and his family, resigned Wednesday.
Thursday, October 2
Never say never
A year ago, we expunged the nickname of Washington’s NFL football franchise from our news stories and editorial columns.
Breach of trust
In this space last week, we expressed our deep disturbance by the incursion into the White House by an armed fence jumper.
