A message to our readers by Free Press Publisher Jean P. Boone

Twenty-five years ago in January 1992, I often would refer to the Richmond Free Press as “a baby that wouldn’t stop crying.”

Now, while the “baby” is as needy as ever, we have, like all parents, become better as the years have stacked up, one after another, each with new challenges.

Embracing merciless deadlines and 14-hour plus workdays were just some of the adjustments to which this fledgling staff had to adapt. Some of us had come with hard-driving work ethics from other professions, yet we had steep learning curves.

On Sunday, Jan. 15, the Free Press celebrates its 25th anniversary. Four of us from the original staff are still here.

And while my major responsibility in 1992 and beyond was generating revenue to ensure and sustain Free Press profitability, it was difficult not to pay attention and have opinions about the issues, stories, headlines and editorials that founding publisher, the late Raymond H. Boone wrote every week.

I understood then, and even more so today, that the mission-driven content of the Free Press was and is what makes our publication uniquely relevant then and definitively so today.

In a city where enormous positive strides have taken place during the last two and a half decades, there is still much to do. We have a hopeful local future, led now by a newly elected, energetic mayor, accountable directly to the citizens of Richmond. Just think: Mayor Levar M. Stoney was 10 years old when the Free Press began.

The dream of a newspaper that is relevant, well written, reader friendly and thought provoking began long ago for the founder, who shared his desire with his Boston University frat brothers in the early 1960s. When time came to support the new venture, the backing was there from the many friends accumulated throughout the years.

The Free Press continues to be fueled by incredible support and goodwill that grows each year. Widespread, sustained reader support has been the bedrock of this publication for 25 years. Our intent each week — 52 weeks a year — has been to bring relevant, thought-provoking, information readers can use. “Kill the dull” was a refrain heard in the newsroom for years.

The Free Press has never shied away from tackling tough issues.

We believe our most important job is to be the people’s watchdog, holding government accountable to the people. The First Amendment is so sacred to our founder that the Free Press, by its very name, embodies its allegiance to free expression and open, robust debate.

Tackling issues such as systemic poverty, racism, economic and legal system injustice by shining a light on ugly and hurtful situations and by speaking truth to power has been the signature of the Free Press.

During our 25 years, the Free Press is proud of many achievements. Among them: Helped elect the first African-American president of the United States, President Barack Obama; supported a hometown politician for vice president of the United States, Sen. Tim Kaine, who began his 1994 political journey to become a Richmond City Councilman supported by the Free Press; continually draw attention to quality of life issues affecting the people of Richmond and surrounding counties, including crumbling schools and potholes; and supported the Occupy Movement by giving protesters a place to stay on the founder’s front lawn when they were kicked off city property.

The most persistent issue is economic unfairness, whether for the factory worker or the business owner of color.

In today’s world, where a narcissistic billionaire who keeps company with KKK sympathizers and believes that religion should be a litmus test for who can live in the United States, will become the next president, the relevance of the Free Press has grown exponentially.

Undaunted and unbowed, our pledge is to keep faith with our mission.