Thursday, September 27
Personality: Dr. Peter Henry
Spotlight on board president of Opportunity Alliance Re-entry
People are not born with the desire to be incarcerated or to be on the wrong side of the justice system. In many cases, a person’s circumstances puts them there. But with thousands of people incarcerated each year in Virginia alone, most will need help when they eventually are released.
Criminalizing poverty
Kalief Browder, a teenager who spent three harrowing years in a New York City jail on charges that eventually were dropped, took his own life as a result of the trauma he suffered.
Objectification of the highest order
Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh has given us even more reasons to believe he is not fit to be seated on the nation’s highest court.
Confronting racism, patriarchy
Our nation was founded on the principles of racism and patriarchy. They are reflected in our very Constitution, where enslaved persons were counted as a fraction of a person and only men of property were allowed the right to vote. The filthy inequality at the foundation of this nation now has bubbled up and boiled over, polluting every aspect of our lives.
Time running out for Trump
President Trump must feel the noose tightening around his presidency. He must feel the heat from the Mueller investigation. With many of his cohorts taking plea deals and others pleading guilty, his time in the Oval Office is slowly coming to an end.
VUU Day Sept. 30 at Second Liberty Baptist Church
Second Liberty Baptist Church in the New Kent County community of Quinton will hold Virginia Union University Day on Sunday, Sept. 30.
Taylor scores 3 TDs as Panthers spring to victory
Virginia Union University tailback Tabyus Taylor has the size of a lineman but the speed of a sprinter. That rare combination of physical gifts has made him the CIAA’s most feared running back at this juncture.
VUU to launch Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute
Virginia Union University officials are hosting a luncheon Saturday, Sept. 29, celebrating the establishment of the Ruth Coles Harris Leadership Institute at VUU’s Sydney Lewis School of Business.
CAHN celebrating 20th anniversary of Vernon J. Harris Medical Center
Capital Area Health Network, the nonprofit organization that provides health care to area residents at seven clinics in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Vernon J. Harris Medical/Dental Center in Church Hill with a gala 6 to 10 p.m.
VCU Jazz Masters to open Richmond Jazz Society series Oct. 9
The VCU Jazz Masters will headline the Richmond Jazz Society’s Guest Educators Concert Series at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Capital Ale House’s Downtown Music Hall, 623 E. Main St.
Upscale coffee and wine bar to honor Richmond’s historic black bateaumen
A boatman stands frozen in time on Brown’s Island, pulling a mighty oar and looking into infinity. The 14-foot-high bronze statue, dubbed “The Headman,” pays homage to the enslaved and free black men who used their nautical expertise to steer small vessels — bateaux — full of goods up and down the James River in 19th century Richmond.
New website hopes to make sermons vital part of life
Every week, millions of Americans go to houses of worship to hear a message from a spiritual leader. Most of those congregations are small. And few sermons ever make their way beyond the four walls of a given congregation.
Cleveland Browns one of 1st NFL teams to add African-American players
It’s a major surprise now when the Cleveland Browns win a football game. Winless in 2017, the Browns defeated the New York Jets Sept. 17 for its first win since December 2016.
Jackson helps VSU clinch first win
Andre Jackson won the Virginia high-jump championship his senior year at Hampton’s Phoebus High School. Considering that, it’s no wonder he has quickly hopped into the spotlight as a redshirt freshman receiver and kick returner for Virginia State University.
Bass gives George Wythe its aerial game
George Wythe High School football is committed to traveling via the airways. It’s just as committed to Emontre Bass as its pilot. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound junior quarterback known as “E” has earned his wings in second-year Coach Jerome Jeter’s air-oriented offense.
Memorial service Oct. 6 for Jacqueline G. Epps
A memorial service for Jacqueline G. “Jackie” Epps, a Richmond attorney and former chair of the Virginia Retirement System, will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Carver Memorial Presbyterian Church, 830 25th St., in Newport News.
Venisha Brown, daughter of legendary singer James Brown, dies at 53
A daughter of the late “Godfather of Soul” James Brown has died.
Arthur Mitchell, creator of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, dies at 84
Arthur Mitchell, who broke barriers for African-Americans in the 1950s as a ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet and who would go on to become a driving force in the creation of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, has died. He was 84.
Kenneth L. Prince Sr., businessman, dies at 78
“Work, work and more work. Man don’t work, man don’t eat. “ That was the mantra Kenneth Lee Prince Sr. lived by, said his family. Seeking to emulate his hard-working parents, the longtime Henrico County resident never seemed to rest.
Census Bureau hiring workers for 2020 official population count
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of workers to fill temporary positions during the 2020 Census, the official count of the U.S. population that occurs every 10 years.
Talk about Nat Turner’s Bible Oct. 2
Mark Person, whose family donated Nat Turner’s Bible to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, will talk about his family’s ownership of the artifact and its importance to the nation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, at the Tuckahoe Area Library in Henrico County, 1901 Starling Drive.
New coalition to host monthly town hall meetings
A new coalition that includes the Virginia State Conference NAACP and four Richmond area NAACP branches will launch the first of a monthly series of town hall meetings Thursday, Oct. 4.
Wilder Symposium Oct. 3 at VCU
The 2018 Wilder Symposium will explore urban housing, education and public policy and the challenges and opportunities they present for urban communities.
Drive to help people affected by Florence
The Richmond Branch NAACP is joining the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity to help people in the Carolinas affected by Hurricane Florence.
Public hearing Oct. 9 on changing name of the Boulevard to Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Tuesday, Oct. 9, is the new date for a public hearing on renaming the Boulevard as Arthur Ashe Boulevard in honor of the Richmond-born tennis great and humanitarian.
RRHA finishes heating updates; breaks ground on new development
The heat is finally working in all 411 public housing units where serious problems occurred last winter, according to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. That includes 78 units in Creighton Court, where new baseboard heat was installed and 333 units where radiators were repaired or replaced.
Veteran journalist Bob Woodward talks about truth, Trump
“There is a war on truth,” veteran investigative journalist Bob Woodward said about the current climate in the White House and across the nation.
City Council endorses off-track betting parlor in South Side
Off-track betting on horse races soon could return to Richmond, creating another visitor attraction, dozens of new jobs and a stream of new revenue for the city.
Mayor Stoney proposes free bus service on Election Day
Mayor Levar M. Stoney wants to spend $24,310 to provide Richmond residents with free GRTC bus rides on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Final stanza
Larry Bland, director of The Volunteer Choir, is calling it quits as group reaches 50th anniversary
A local gospel music group that has been generating sounds of joy and inspiration for 50 years could soon be no more. Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir is scheduled to make three appearances this year to mark its golden anniversary milestone, and then Mr. Bland said he will retire as the group’s director and chief organizer.
Tiger clinches first win in 5 years
Tiger Woods was moved to the brink of tears after capturing his first title since 2013 with a two-stroke triumph at the Tour Championship in Atlanta on Sunday that proved he was far from washed up at the age of 42.
‘America’s Dad’ Bill Cosby now inmate No. NN7687
“America’s Dad” Bill Cosby was marched out of court in shackles Tuesday after a judge branded him a “sexually violent predator” and sentenced him to between three and 10 years in prison for sexual assault.
Thursday, September 20
VUU, VSU games back on schedule this Saturday
CIAA football has weathered the storm. After hitting the pause button last week as Hurricane Florence left a path of destruction through North Carolina, the historically black athletic conference will resume activities Saturday, Sept. 22, with seven games to be played in the Tarheel state.
Recovering: Relief efforts begin to help thousands affected by Hurricane Florence; officials report 37 storm-related deaths, including 2 in Virginia
Remnants of Hurricane Florence swept Richmond into the national spotlight Monday when the storm’s wide-reaching bands of high winds and heavy rains spawned tornadoes and flash flooding.
Hurricane relief efforts started by SCLC and others
Black Baptist churches and a civil rights organization in the Newport News area are gearing up to send aid to people in and around Wilmington, N.C., who were hard hit by Hurricane Florence, it has been announced.
City Council to hear new Confederate statue resolution
The battle over Richmond’s Confederate statues on Monument Avenue is headed back to City Council. The three-member Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to send a new resolution aimed at giving the city control of the statues to the nine-member council for consideration.
VCU master plan highlights major new projects for cityscape
The construction spigot at Virginia Commonwealth University will be flowing for years to come.
RPS seeks public response to new school designs..
Richmond Public Schools wants community feedback on proposed designs for two new elementary schools and a new middle school that are to be built by 2020.
City picking up storm debris through Oct.2
City Hall is pitching in to help residents clear away downed trees and other debris left Monday as the remains of Hurricane Florence spilled torrents of rain and spawned a rash of tornadoes through the city, most notably in South Side.
RPS dealing with bumps in student transportation system
Richmond School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page continues to find bumps in the road in the school system’s hub stop system, where students attending certain schools have to walk to their nearest school to catch a bus to their high school or middle school.
Ball now in Gov. Northam’s court on latest GOP redistricting plan
Can Virginia’s Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox cut a deal with Democratic Gov. Ralph S. Northam over a new, constitutional map for the 100 districts in the House of Delegates? That’s the big question that hangs over the release Tuesday of proposed GOP changes to House districts that Republican leaders call “race blind.”
Work to resume on Atlantic Coast Pipeline
Federal officials will allow construction to resume on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, weeks after work was halted when a Richmond-based federal appeals court threw out two key permits for the 600-mile natural gas pipeline.
Personality: Dr. Shantell D. Lewis
Spotlight on founder of nonprofit Here2Hear
Hearing is one of our most precious gifts, giving us the ability to communicate effectively, which should not be taken for granted.
Richmond lawyer Jacqueline G. ‘Jackie’ Epps, former chair of the Virginia Retirement System, dies at 71
Jacqueline Guess “Jackie” Epps, a prominent Richmond attorney whose legal career spanned 45 years, including service as former chair of the Virginia Retirement System, has died.
Centenary United Methodist Church celebrates 9 years as Reconciling Congregation
For the first time, members of historic Centenary United Methodist Church will have a booth at VA PrideFest 2018 to tell the church’s story and encourage the thousands of festival participants to attend.
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy to host annual awards ceremony Sept. 26
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy will recognize several people and organizations for their work advocating for Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, immigrant rights and higher wages for workers.
At Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, business leaders reflect on ethics
Roughly one-sixth of the 613 commandments in the Torah, the Hebrew Scriptures, touch on business and monetary practices. The Talmud, the commentary on Jewish law, fleshes out these principals with real-life scenarios.
NFL black power: NFL starts season with 7 African-American coaches
Virginia native Mike Tomlin is on pace to become the winningest African-American coach in NFL history. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 46-year-old coach started this season with 116 career, regular season victories against just 60 losses.
NFL black power: Mahomes among 6 African-American quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes II has gone from substitute to superstar with the Kansas City Chiefs. The latest addition to the NFL’s African-American quarterbacks club has passed for 10 touchdowns in Kansas City’s opening wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Mookie Betts, Lorenzo Cain leading candidates for MLB MVPs
African-Americans are short in numbers but large on impact in Major League Baseball. Only about 10 percent of big leaguers are African-American, born in the United States, but they are getting noticed.
Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge breaks world marathon record
Kenya’s Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge pulverized the marathon world record with a blistering run last Sunday, slicing a staggering 78 seconds off the previous best to land the one major running crown that had eluded him.
Emmy Awards still not winning at diversity
“The Proposal.” It was a 2009 movie starring Sandra Bullock, but now will forever be the informal title of the 2018 Emmys telecast, thanks to a memorable romantic gesture from Emmy-winning director Glenn Weiss — who summoned the courage during Monday night’s awards show to propose to his girlfriend.
Martha High, backup singer for James Brown, to speak Sept. 22 at Black History Museum
Martha High has stories to tell. The Victoria, Va., native spent more than 30 years singing with “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, the “hardest working man in show business.”
Rally to observe International Day of Peace this Friday
A city group will launch the weekend with a public celebration of diversity and tolerance on Friday, Sept. 21 — officially designated by the United Nations as the International Day of Peace.
Festival celebrating RPS slated Saturday
A new nonprofit, Support Together Area Youth, or STAY, will host a block party this weekend to celebrate Richmond students, teachers and the positives of the public schools.
Blandford Reunion Parade canceled for 2018
The Blandford Reunion Parade that had been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22, in Petersburg has been canceled.
City committed to ‘open and fair competition’
Re “Shift in city procurement practice hurt black-owned businesses,” Free Press Sept. 13-15 edition: Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and his administration are committed to ensuring open and fair competition for contracts with small, minority, local and emerging businesses.
Explanation, please
Re Column “Why is he there?” by Stephen Tillett, Free Press Sept. 13-15 edition:
Russian hackers targeted black community
The right to vote is a precious thing. More than simply permission to cast your ballot, it’s the right to make your voice heard and decide the direction of our country. To deny that right to someone is to silence their voice and deny their dignity as a person and as an American.
Supporting Serena
Two very talented African-American women — Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka — went out to play a game of tennis in the recent U.S. Open final. I’m sure each of them looked forward to a great game.
Getting ready for Nov. 6
Elections have consequences. The chronic drama, turmoil and horrid decisions emanating from the Trump White House prove that the November 2016 election had dire consequences for this nation.
Birmingham memorial service remembers 4 little girls
The four girls killed when a bomb placed by Ku Klux Klan members ripped through a Birmingham church in 1963 were remembered in a memorial service last Saturday on the 55th anniversary of the deadly attack.
Thursday, September 13
Serena loses U.S. Open to Naomi Osaka after challenging umpire
Serena Williams’ behavior in last Saturday’s U.S. Open final divided the tennis world after she called the chair umpire a “liar” and a “thief” and said he treated her differently than male players during her loss to 20-year-old Naomi Osaka.
Menaced by Florence
Changing forecast for hurricane keeps Virginians on alert
More than 1 million people along the Virginia and Carolina coast fled toward higher ground this week in a mass evacuation ordered just days before the expected arrival of Hurricane Florence, a Category 3 storm and the most powerful to menace the region in nearly three decades.
Conflicting accounts emerge in bizarre case of cop killing man in his own apartment
A Dallas police officer charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a man she mistakenly thought was in her apartment may face a more serious charge, prosecutors said this week.
Shift in city procurement practice hurt black-owned businesses
After nearly a decade of using its own pricing list to purchase supplies from local companies and save money, Richmond City Hall last year shifted to using the state’s electronic purchasing system, known as eVA, after Mayor Levar M. Stoney took office.
Public meetings scheduled on city master plan
Want to help shape Richmond’s next master plan? Beginning next week, City Hall will be hosting public meetings to receive comments from residents on the new city blueprint, dubbed “Richmond 300,” aimed at carrying the city through at least the next 20 years when the city will mark its third century as a place on the map.
RPS in fix-it mode on ‘so many issues’
Hurricane Florence is not the only storm Richmond Public Schools has to weather. Since Superintendent Jason Kamras arrived in February, his administration has been dealing with the heated and windy uproars over problems and issues that were buried or ignored by previous administrations and School Boards but have been uncovered in recent months.
Changes creating upheaval at Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club
The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in Church Hill is undergoing the biggest upheaval in the nearly 70 years it has offered programming.
GRTC free ride program for city high school students to start Oct.1
GRTC plans to activate the free ride program for Richmond high school students on Monday, Oct. 1, City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson said Monday night.
Wyatt Tee Walker symposium canceled
The Wyatt Tee Walker Symposium set for Thursday, Sept. 13, at the University of Richmond has been canceled because of Hurricane Florence.
Personality: Megan Irvin
Spotlight on Massey Alliance board president
Megan Irvin, president of the Massey Alliance board, loves being involved in the community.
James ‘Jimmy Lee’ Bracey Jr., founder of West End Richmond Striders track club, dies at 80
James Lee “Jimmy Lee” Bracey Jr. developed a passion for running track while serving in the Air Force.
First Baptist Church Super Saturday rescheduled
First Baptist Church of South Richmond has rescheduled its Super Saturday family festival for 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the church’s North Chesterfield campus, 6201 Ironbridge Road.
‘Fat and Faithful’: New book probes spirituality of body image
As a teenager, J. Nicole Morgan was fond of her reflection in the mirror. She liked her eyes and her smile. But then she looked at her arms and stomach and reminded herself that she was not pretty and could not possibly be the person God made her to be.
Panthers on the prowl for win in N.C.
Two weeks into the Alvin Parker coaching era at Virginia Union University, it’s apparent the Panthers are committed to a powerful running attack.
VSU Trojans have more losses now than last season
The journey continues. The third leg of what has been a disappointing Virginia State University opening, four-game football road trip now leads to Raleigh, N.C.
Several RPS athletic facilities slated for upgrades
Some long overdue improvements to athletic facilities are coming soon to Richmond Public Schools. “We’re making a dent; it’s called progress,” said Dr. Stefanie Ramsey, RPS Instructional Specialist. “Like they say, slow and steady wins the race.”
Boxing champ Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini coming to Richmond
Former world boxing champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini is coming to the Richmond area.
VUL looking to grow
Virginia University of Lynchburg has a new football coach but an old problem — trying to succeed against far more established programs.
Noted journalist Bob Woodward to speak Sept. 25 at VCU
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Bob Woodward, author of the new book “Fear: Trump in the White House,” will speak 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at the Virginia Commonwealth University’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.
Blandford Reunion Parade rescheduled
The Blandford Reunion Parade has been rescheduled to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Petersburg.
Marcus-David Peters
The death of a loved one is never easy. The death of a loved one at the hands of police certainly is devastating.
Disasters happen; preparation is key
We hope that Hurricane Florence will come and go quickly, and that damage to people and property will be minimal despite the National Weather Service’s predictions of a likely wallop by wind, rain and flooding.
‘Why is he there?’
While driving my daughter to school, I was listening to CNN on the radio as some commentators discussed Bob Woodward’s latest book, “Fear: Trump in the White House.”
Prostate cancer: To screen or not
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and there are some important facts about prostate cancer that black men — and the women who love them — should know.
Should Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School building be renovated?
If renovation of Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School is a viable alternative to what assuredly will be more expensive new construction, then my colleagues on the Richmond School Board should have considered — and can still consider — that as an option instead of building the proposed new facility.
Ashe meeting postponed
A community meeting set for Thursday, Sept. 13, on renaming the Boulevard for Richmond-born tennis great Arthur Ashe has been called off ahead of the pending storm.
M.A. Motley, longtime business and civic leader, dies at 96
M.A. Motley Sr. went from success as a plumber to become one of the most influential African-American business leaders in Richmond.
Miss America wins minus swimsuit competition
There she is, Miss America. And Nia Imani Franklin, who won the coveted title Sunday night in Atlantic City while competing as Miss New York, didn’t have to parade around in a swimsuit to be crowned the winner. The Winston-Salem, N.C., native said the changes in the 98-year-old pageant are a welcome modernization.
Thursday, September 6
3 African-Americans running for governor in 3 states
President Trump has angered and mobilized voters across the nation to the point that many have been challenged to turn out en masse this fall to register and vote for candidates who reject his oft time bitter rhetoric.
Huguenot High’s Kevin Gayles is a successful student of the game
Kevin Gayles Jr. knows the way to the end zone. The swift, sure-handed Huguenot High School wide receiver needs no GPS or compass to reach his preferred gridiron destination.
Spartans hoping for long shot win over JMU
Norfolk State University’s football role has quickly switched from clear favorite to distant long shot.
VSU looking for first win after bowing to NSU in Labor Day Classic
There’s good news and not so good news regarding Virginia State University football. The uplifting news is that 2017 VSU sensation Trenton Cannon appears to have made the NFL New York Jets’ 53-man roster.
Baylor’s baseball skills expected to draw college, pro scouts
Two physical assets baseball players covet most are power at the plate and speed on the base paths. Jamari Baylor has a high supply of both.
Personality: Joeffrey Trimmingham
Spotlight on board president of ART 180
What ART 180 does is more than art. The Jackson Ward-based nonprofit creates a space where young people can open doors to express themselves through the arts and to share their stories with others.
Friends, family say goodbye to Aretha Franklin in marathon funeral
The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin was remembered and celebrated in a star-studded marathon funeral service last Friday that drew laughter, tears and, as with any large family gathering, controversy.
DMV mobile service center to be outside City Hall on Sept. 7
The state Department of Motor Vehicles will operate its mobile customer service center outside Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad St. in Downtown, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.
Blackwell Historic District consideration delayed until Oct.
A state agency is hitting the pause button on a decision to create a new historic district covering much of the Blackwell neighborhood in South Side.
VUU, VSU awarded grants
Virginia Union and Virginia State universities have been awarded National Park Service grants to aid in the preservation and upgrade of aging campus buildings, 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin announced Tuesday.
City seeks election officers
Interested in serving as an election officer in the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 6?
Bike lane hearing Sept. 11
Want bike lanes on Brook Road? Hate the idea? Next Tuesday, Sept. 11, residents can speak their minds about the proposal to reduce the four-lane road to two lanes for traffic, with one lane in each direction reserved for cyclists and parking.
New laws tighten school suspension practices
Ahead of the start of the new school year, new policies have been in place to reduce long-term suspensions of misbehaving students across the state.
Court may wind up redrawing lines for House of Delegates districts
Federal judges could end up redrawing the boundaries of 11 districts in the House of Delegates — including four in the Richmond-Petersburg area and seven in Hampton Roads — that were found to be illegally overloaded with black voters.
Monroe Park Conservancy issues new guidelines for feeding
Feeding the homeless will return to Monroe Park once it reopens, but with new rules that will limit the number of charities that can operate at one time, according to Alice M. Massie, president of the park’s governing body, the Monroe Park Conservancy.
Black businesses feeling left out
Too many black-owned businesses are feeling left out of a booming Richmond economy.
Kaepernick draws fire again — this time over Nike ad
Controversy continues to surround former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick two years after he first took a knee during the national anthem to protest the oppression of people of color and continuing police brutality against African-Americans.
Labor Day holiday highlights
Richmond area residents took to the river, parks and football stadiums during Labor Day Weekend, the unofficial end of summer.
Justifiable homicide
Richmond Police officer cleared in May shooting death of teacher Marcus-David Peters, who was naked and unarmed
Justifiable homicide. That’s the ruling Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring has applied to the bizarre and tragic case of 24-year-old Marcus-David Peters, the unarmed man who was fatally shot by a police officer last spring off of Interstate 95 while apparently suffering mental distress.
Major cracks begin to show in Trump White House
Senior officials in President Trump’s administration have been working from within to frustrate parts of his agenda to protect the country from his worst impulses, an anonymous Trump official wrote in a column published by the New York Times on Wednesday.
Pressley to become first African-American woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress
Add the name Ayanna Pressley to the list of African-American underdogs who are achieving unprecedented political success. Ms. Pressley scored a stunning upset of 10-term U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, positioning herself to become the first African-American woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress.
White House war against federal workers
The economy is doing well, crows the pugilist-in-chief, complaining that he doesn’t get enough credit for the things that he has done to “make America great again.”
Kavanaugh and chaos
We are witnessing a magnitude of chaos and desperation rarely seen in Washington with the U.S. Senate hearings this week on President Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh.
Trump and violence
Is he serious? Does President Trump really think there will be “violence” from the left if Republicans lose control of Congress in the November midterm elections? Isn’t the whole point of winning an election to get what you want without turning to violence?
Immigrants, Caucasians, Native Americans and ‘America as we know it’
At one time, this country was the home of those labeled Native Americans. Slowly, then rather viciously, this country became home to invading Europeans, many of them criminals, murderers, thieves, debtors and rapists — the rejects of their various countries and communities. They made Native Americans, and all their various tribes, the enemy.
Finding our ‘moral center’
Our longest war has not been in Afghanistan. It has been the war waged against the American people by our politicians in Washington. They have steadily passed laws to make life a living hell for the American people while talking about “compromise” and acting in a “civilized” manner toward each other.
Memories of the ‘Queen of Soul’
My most precious memory of the great Aretha Franklin occurred in the early 1970s when I was an associate editor of Ebony magazine and working in Johnson Publishing Co.’s New York office.
Church Hill Reunion Sept. 8
The Church Hill Reunion will mark its 35th year of providing fun, fellowship and community uplift this weekend.
Ready, set, school!
Enthusiasm ruled the day Tuesday as students across Metro Richmond headed to class for the start of a new school year.
The Blandford Reunion Parade begins 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in Petersburg.
The event, which celebrates the Blandford community, has occurred for more than 30 years.
Panthers roar to 34-28 overtime win in season opener
Two Taylors added up to one exciting Virginia Union University football victory as the Alvin Parker coaching era got underway.
Vacation Bible School group puts message into practice
Petersburg High School’s Marching Crimson Wave has been trying to raise money for new uniforms for the marching band since spring.
