Friday, May 31
Standing up for the park
Cityscape:Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Members of Fans of Monroe Park protest May 17 after credit card giant Capital One is allowed for the fourth year to set up a huge tent on the park’s west side for stockholder meetings.
Kenneth A. Merritt Sr., who helped Maggie L. Walker High win 1971 state championship, dies at 66
Kenneth Archie Merritt Sr., the point guard who helped Maggie L. Walker High School to the State Group AAA state basketball championship in 1971, died Wednesday, May 15, 2019.
Coach Penny Hardaway poised to return Memphis to its glory days
Penny Hardaway may the best thing to hit Memphis since Elvis. Quicker than you can say “It’s Now or Never,” Hardaway appears on the verge of returning his alma mater, the University of Memphis, to past glory.
Deontay Wilder’s KO power shows no signs of letting up
Deontay Wilder is power personified. The 33-year-old native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., packs a knockout punch the likes of which no one has seen in the rich history of the ring.
Dr. John E. Settle Jr., retired veterinarian, dies at 79
Dr. John Edwin Settle Jr. cared for untold numbers of dogs, cats and other pets for more than 30 years at the veterinary hospital he founded and ran in Henrico County.
Former Super Bowl champ is new NSU assistant coach
Norfolk State University has an added an assistant football coach with a Super Bowl victory on his résumé.
HU’s Jaelen Williams headed to NCAA Track and Field Championships
Hampton University’s Jaelen Williams is heading to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Austin, Texas, following a stellar performance in the 400-meter hurdles.
NBA Awards finalists announced
The envelope please ... Finalists for the 2019 NBA Awards, the NBA’s version of the Oscars, have been announced. Winners will be named June 24 from Santa Monica, Calif.
Kawhi Leonard and Steph Curry are ready for the spotlight in the NBA Finals
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, Toronto aims to keep NBA star Kawhi Leonard well fed and happy in Canada.
Dr. Roy A. West, former Richmond mayor, educator, dies at 89
Dr. Roy A. West, a decisive and outspoken man known for his strong opinions and who exercised power at City Hall as mayor while playing an influential role in public education in Richmond, has died.
Lonnie G. Bunch III named to head entire Smithsonian Institution
When Lonnie G. Bunch III started working on the Smithsonian’s first African-American museum, he had no collection, no building and one employee.
Local business owners recognized with inaugural Black Wall Street awards
Craig Watson saw opportunity when he couldn’t find any places in Richmond that offered a public venue for poets like him and best friend Dontronn Goode to share their work.
Goldman wins FOIA suit against city
Retired Richmond Circuit Court Judge Melvin R. Hughes Jr. Wednesday ruled that the City of Richmond violated the Freedom of Information Act in failing to release more than 2,600 documents related to a still-secret deal to replace the Richmond Coliseum.
Maggie Walker’s home has big $ impact on local tourism, economy
The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site in Richmond’s Jackson Ward contributed close to $900,000 in overall economic impact for Richmond last year, according to a new report by the National Park Service.
RPS summer school schedule
Richmond Public Schools will hold summer school sessions Monday through Thursday beginning Monday, June 24, through Thursday, July 25.
Richmond Public Schools 2019 graduation schedule
Several hundred Richmond Public Schools seniors are poised to don their caps and gowns and march across the stage to receive their diplomas and welcome a new chapter in their lives.
GRTC to host public meetings
Richmond’s public transit company will host two public meetings next week on route changes that are expected to take place in August, including a new route to serve the recently opened The Market @ 25th in Church Hill.
GRTC sees rise in riders purchasing passes
GRTC is carrying more people but taking in less money at the farebox.
‘Senseless’
Police, community leaders seek leads in shooting death of 9-year-old Markiya Dickson on Memorial Weekend
Police are still searching for the person or people who turned a Memorial Weekend community cookout into a tragedy Sunday when gunfire broke out at Carter Jones Park in South Side, killing 9-year-old Markiya Dickson and wounding 11-year-old Jaquez Moses.
Energy numbers shed light on RPS spending, savings
Richmond expects to spend $8 million to $10 million to ensure three new schools meet the standard of a national energy conservation program, according to the Joint Construction Team that is overseeing the work.
Report notes U.S. Jews of color overlooked, undercounted
The typical photo of American Jews on synagogue websites, camp brochures and Jewish organizations’ fliers features happy-looking white people.
Personality: Diana H. Garland
Spotlight on Richmond ambassador for USA Pickleball Assoc.
One of the fastest growing sports involving a court and a net is not tennis or badminton. It’s pickleball!
RVA East End Festival June 8, 9 at Chimborazo Park
RVA East End Festival, a free, two-day celebration featuring the art and musical talents of public school students in Richmond’s East End, will be held Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, at Chimborazo Park, 3201 E. Broad St.
Local talent to shine in “Minerva Times Change,” an original opera
“It’s a dream come true.” That’s how veteran Richmond actor, dancer and performer Keydron Dunn describes his first opportunity to sing opera.
HBCUs have long had a major impact
Letters to the editor
Historically Black Colleges and Universities have impacted my life and who I am and created so many defining moments for me that I have lost count. I laud them because they deserve it.
Gov. Northam should resign
Letters to the editor
Re: “Probe into Northam’s blackface scandal ‘inconclusive,’” Free Press May 23-25 edition:
Reader draws own conclusion on Gov. Northam’s yearbook photo
Letters to the editor
Re “Probe into Northam’s blackface scandal ‘inconclusive,’” Free Press May 23-25 edition:
Free students from burden of college debt
Columnists
The reaction — shock, joy, disbelief, euphoria — revealed the importance of billionaire Robert F. Smith’s stunning gift, when he announced unexpectedly that he would pay off the college debts of Morehouse College students graduating this year. His gift literally changed the prospects and the lives of the vast majority of those 396 graduates.
Distortions of our history
Columnists
According to some historians, Afrodescendants first entered these United States in 1619 off the coast of Virginia. If we believe that narrative, Afrodescendants have been in this country for 400 years.
Virginians deserve the truth
Editorials
We didn’t expect much from the investigation into Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s racist medical school yearbook page, and that’s exactly what we got — not much.
Fix what’s broken
Editorials
We are dumbstruck by the continuing depth of problems associated with Richmond Public Schools.
Friday, May 24
Why not eliminate the SAT?
Columnists
The College Board, the organization that develops and administers the SAT, has developed a new “adversity score” to augment the widely used college admissions examination.
Steph Curry helps Golden State create a dynasty
With the seventh pick of the 2009 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors sewed the seeds of a dynasty.
Hampton University takes titles in Big South track and field events
Hampton University has made a big splash in the Big South Conference.
James T. ‘Jim’ Burch, longtime college basketball official, dies at 91
James T. “Jim” Burch, whose career as a college basketball official spanned nearly 60 years, died Sunday, May 19, 2019, at his home in Apex, N.C. He was 91.
There’s no missing Tacko and his shining star
Tacko Fall’s star shined in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. It shined even brighter at last week’s NBA Combine in Chicago.
Teams, cities ramping up for NBA lottery
The fun-loving folks on Bourbon Street in New Orleans have one more reason to party.
VUU to induct 7 into Athletic Hall of Fame
Seven alumni with sparkling credentials have been chosen for induction into the Virginia Union University Athletic Hall of Fame.
City Council delays action on single-use plastics resolution
Cities across the country and around the world are banning plastic straws, cutlery, bags and other single-use products that are clogging waterways and harming fish, birds, whales and other wildlife.
VUU names new dean of School of Arts and Sciences
Historically black Virginia Union University has signaled an interest in diversity in its faculty in naming a new dean for its School of Arts and Sciences.
Costs for new schools continue to rise
The price tag for the three new schools Richmond is building is continuing to rise.
Update on RPS principal replacement
Dr. Sherry Wharton-Cary, principal at Elizabeth D. Redd Elementary School, is not among the 10 Richmond principals being replaced, but Rose Ferguson, principal of George Mason Elementary, is.
Michael Brown deserves better
Letters to the editor
Michael Brown, the 18-year-old who was fatally shot by a white Ferguson, Mo., police officer in August 2014, was vilified and demonized by a large segment of the majority race in our society.
RPS to hold school rezoning info sessions May 29
Richmond Public Schools is holding information sessions for parents and supporters to learn about the scheduled school rezoning.
Who’s the fastest in the NFL?
George Wythe graduate wants chance to show it’s him
Richmonder Kevin Snead is in the running to be named the fastest man in the NFL.
Many Virginians still want atonement for racist photo, actions
Black Virginians are still debating and awaiting what bold steps Gov. Ralph S. Northam will take to revive and restore the once-strong link he maintained with African-American voters across the state, a wide range of interviews in recent weeks suggests.
Thomas Jefferson H.S. senior wants RPS to get its act together
Treyshaun Bailey believes the way Richmond Public Schools is handling requirements for graduation is harming young Richmonders’ chances at graduating through no fault of their own.
In the black
Unexpected gift elicits cheers, tears at Morehouse College commencement
Commencement was a red-letter day for Morehouse College graduate Monte Hathaway of Henrico County and his family. That’s when the speaker at Sunday’s 135th commencement ceremony on the Atlanta campus, billionaire tech investor Robert F. Smith, made a surprise announcement that has since gone global.
Epic fail
At least 280 Richmond Public Schools seniors won’t be graduating in June, RPS officials say
Hundreds of Richmond seniors will not be allowed to graduate in nearly three weeks because they have not met the state standards for a diploma.
Probe into Northam’s blackface scandal ‘inconclusive’
Was Gov. Ralph S. Northam actually one of the people in the racist photo on his Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page in 1984? It’s “inconclusive.”
Personality: Stacey Squire
Spotlight on founder and president of Christina’s Love Foundation
Stacey Squire, founder and president of Christina’s Love Foundation, is dedicated to the simple mission of getting help to all victims of domestic violence who are in need.
Texas church opens new sanctuary more than a year after massacre
A South Texas church began its next chapter of worship last Sunday as it unveiled a new sanctuary a year and a half after a gunman opened fire and killed more than two dozen congregants in the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history.
Gregory installed as first African-American archbishop of Washington
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington installed Wilton Gregory as its archbishop on Tuesday, ushering in a new era for a community marred by recent scandals involving sex abuse.
Mandala: Sacred art
Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery in India create a sand mandala at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts recently to share Tibet’s sacred visual and performing arts with area audiences.
Former St. Philip’s rector consecrated as bishop of West Tenn.
The Rev. Phoebe Roaf, 55, former rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, was officially consecrated as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee on May 4 in Memphis.
Boushall Middle School Choir wins
Jaheem Hewlett won the best soloist award in helping the Boushall Middle School Choir become middle school grand champion Saturday during the 2019 Musicale band and choir competition at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
VSU grads receive uplifting messages at 2 commencement ceremonies
U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath ‘We must take seriously our responsibility to build a better world’
“Everything that has happened in my life — everything that I have survived and everything that I have accomplished — prepared me for what I am doing now,” Congresswoman Lucy McBath of Georgia told an arena full of graduates, family members and friends at Sunday afternoon’s commencement ceremony at Virginia State University.
VSU grads receive uplifting messages at 2 commencement ceremonies
Sen. Jennifer McClellan ‘Accomplish your goals without being afraid to fail’
State Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan literally returned home when she delivered the address at the first of two separate commencement exercises Sunday at Virginia State University.
Brown decision under threat?
May 17 marked the 65th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the unanimous U.S. Supreme Court decision that outlawed apartheid in America by declaring segregated schools “inherently unequal” and unconstitutional.
Saturday, May 18
Words matter
Renter receives settlement from local landlord following racist, vulgar abuse and discrimination
Winter Whittaker knew what to do when the wealthy white real estate owner called her “a dumb a** n****r” and “a black b***h” after she repeatedly and fruitlessly asked him to fix the leaking roof and other serious problems with the Meadowbridge Road home she rented from him on North Side.
Khalfani for new state director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Letters to the Editor
Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s attempt to address the blackface culture that is part of America’s DNA is a start to the healing that is required to regain trust and respect for the Commonwealth of Virginia as it seeks to become one in reality and not just a political slogan.
USA: The “Wild, Wild West”
Letters to the Editor
Never could any of us have imagined we would witness as many mass shootings like the one May 7 in Colorado.
Commemorate Brown decision by adequately paying teachers
Columnists
Sixty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Brown v. Board of Education case that the doctrine of “separate but equal” was unconstitutional.
Pass Equal Rights Amendment
Columnists
We get so consumed with stuff about the train wreck in the White House that we forget or miss important things going on in the nation and the world.
Next up: Richmond Coliseum
Editorials
We are pleased that Richmond City Council swiftly approved its $746 million budget plan for 2019-2020 without further debate, rancor or issues.
VUU graduates more than 300; receives $2.5M gift from alum
Virginia Union University celebrated milestones, legacies and the future during its 120th commencement last Saturday at Hovey Field on the North Side campus.
VCU grads urged to turn adversity into strength
This year’s graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University have redefined the American dream, university President Michael Rao told a packed audience in opening VCU’s commencement ceremony last Saturday.
Black History Museum to host documentary screening May 17
A documentary on the mass shooting at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C., will be screened in Richmond, followed by a community conversation with a daughter of one of the victims.
Virginia Children’s Festival May 18
Arts, crafts, storytelling and other activities will highlight the Virginia Children’s Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the historic African Burial Ground, 15th and Broad streets, it has been announced.
Maggie Walker Governor’s School mural to be unveiled Saturday
The Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School will unveil and celebrate new murals paying tribute to the school’s namesake with a public ceremony noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the school, 1000 N. Lombardy St.
Area agencies to host info session on foster parenting May 18
Interested in becoming a foster parent to a child in need of a home?
Personality: Dr. David Randolph II
Spotlight on honorary chair of the 2019 Virginia Higher Education Fund ‘Jazz InsideOut’ annual benefit
Dr. David Randolph II understands how having financial support can relieve a lot of the emotional stress students are under as they try to get through college, graduate school and professional school.
City Council approves 2019-20 spending plan, but with flaws
“We made it,” City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille said after the council approved the 2019-20 budget Monday night without discussion.
Richmond food justice corridor gets boost with $250,000 grant
Arthur L. Burton has spent more than three years organizing a food-based approach to uplift the health and economic prospects of poorer sections of Richmond, particularly in and around public housing communities.
RRHA rolls back plan for Dove Court replacement units
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority may be pulling back from its promise of providing a replacement unit for each public housing unit it tears down.
Deadline to Register to Vote in June Primary Elections
Monday, May 20
The deadline to register to vote in Virginia’s June 11 primary elections is Monday, May 20.
‘She the People’ brings town hall to Richmond on May 18
Aimee Allison wants “purple” Virginia to be an epicenter in elevating the political voice and voting power of black women and other women of color in the November battle by Democrats to win control of the Virginia General Assembly and the presidential election fight in 2020.
City backs off plan for former NFL player to operate youth football program
City Hall has quietly backed away from a plan to allow former NFL star Michael Robinson to operate the city’s fall youth football program through his nonprofit, volunteer-led Excel 2 Excellence football program.
Richmond NAACP to host Housing Justice Symposium May 18
Concerned about rising rents and the hardships people face in finding an affordable place to live?
Promoter sues city over admissions tax
Longtime Richmond area promoter Fenroy A. “Hosea” Fox wants a refund of the 7 percent admissions tax he has paid to the city during the past four years from ticket proceeds from concerts and events he has staged.
Work stopped on planned Downtown hotel
For a decade, an eight-story building at 5th and Franklin streets was a city-backed nursery for small businesses.
Drug testing backlog delays cases; defendants linger in jail
Deep inside a six-story, brown and tan state building in Norfolk, not far from the waterfront, you’ll find thousands of sealed bags stored in a locked vault.
Alabama outlaws abortion
Alabama’s Republican governor signed the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation Wednesday,
NBA playoffs down to final four
The NBA playoffs are down to the final four teams, with the games getting underway this week.
14’s the charm for MLB pitcher Edwin Jackson
Pitcher Edwin Jackson may need to glance at the front of his jersey to remind himself which Major League Baseball team he plays with.
Quality vs. quantity in college baseball
If readers can’t find many articles about black college baseball players in Virginia, there’s a good reason why.
VUU finishes 8th in NCAA regional golf competition
Virginia Union University’s golf team wasn’t blinded by the lights in its first venture in NCAA Tournament competition.
Friday, May 10
Richmond Crusade for Voters hosting candidates’ luncheon and voter registration drive
The Richmond Crusade for Voters is hosting a candidates’ luncheon and a major voter registration drive this month to help voters get ready for the June primary and November general elections. The candidates’ luncheon will be held noon to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at the Cedar Street Baptist Church Banquet Hall, 700 N. 23rd St.
City needs 5- to 7-year budgeting plan
Letters to the Editor
Richmond City Council was presented with a bold, aggressive budget proposal with the top priorities put up front. We, the council members, all agreed to the priorities, even though we differed in the sources of funding.
Nation’s wealth gap worsens
If you’re like me, every time you hear a news reporter or anchor talk about how great the nation’s economy is, you wonder what world they are living in. Certainly these journalists are not referring to the ongoing struggle to make ends meet that so much of Black America faces. For every daily report of Wall Street trading or rising corporate profits, you’re reminded that somebody else is doing just fine financially.
Democracy and voter suppression
We all have heard about WikiLeaks and Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The report of special counsel Robert Mueller has once more put that on the front pages. Too often lost in the furor, however, is the far more damaging TrikiLeaks — the tricks and laws used to suppress the vote by partisans, largely Republicans, here at home.
National Urban League and ‘State of Black America’
Columnists
The U.S. intelligence community announced it was “confident” that it happened. A Senate Intelligence Committee report confirmed it. And now the Mueller Report has documented its scope in breathtaking detail.
Commencement 2019
It’s graduation season and the commencement ceremonies are starting, first with area colleges and universities and next, with local high schools. Anxious graduates, along with their excited families, will sit through the formal functions, with the only thing separating them from their degrees and diplomas being the commencement speaker.
Gino Marchetti, NFL Hall of Fame defensive end, dies at 93
Gino Marchetti was a strong man on the football field. He also cast a powerful vote against social injustice. Mr. Marchetti, who was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1972, died Monday, April 29, 2019, in Paoli, Pa., at age 93.
VUU’s Shamdu Nalls trying out for Buffalo Bills
Virginia Union University’s Shamdu Nalls has signed a free agent contract to try out for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
Local players have helped NBA teams make it to the finals
If someone dusted the NBA playoff archives for fingerprints, they would discover ample evidence of Richmond area talent. Local players have played — and even been leading attractions — on NBA championship teams at least seven times. Make that nine times if you fudge the boundaries a tad. Here are a few highlights:
VUU’s Jackie Jackson of Harlem Globetrotters fame dies at 79
Jackie Jackson of the Harlem Globetrotters was a legendary fan favorite. It didn’t matter whether the basketball game was inside or out, serious or more for fun. Mr. Jackson, known to most as “Jumpin’ Jackie Jackson,” died Sunday, May 5, 2019, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was 79.
VSU women track and field competitors win top individual honors
Virginia State University women earned top individual honors at the CIAA Track and Field Championships on May 4 and 5 in Bowie, Md.
Richmond emergency communications earns accreditation
Richmond’s 911 emergency call center has secured national accreditation for the first time. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies awarded the Richmond Department of Emergency Communications the accreditation on May 4 in Huntsville, Ala.
Mayor announces free CPR classes for RPS teachers
Mayor Levar M. Stoney marked the first day of Teacher Appreciation Week on Monday by announcing a new partnership between Richmond Public Schools and Richmond Fire and Emergency Services.
VCU to replace old Franklin Street gym with new STEM building
The old gymnasium at Virginia Commonwealth University will be replaced with a $121 million, six-story building dedicated to science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM subjects, it has been announced.
USPS to collect food to help ‘Stamp Out Hunger’
Mail carriers in Richmond and across the country will be picking up paper bags with donations of boxed, canned and bottled food and beverages and cooking oils on Saturday, May 11, it has been announced.
Fulton bus service to improve with several changes planned by GRTC
Beginning Sunday, GRTC will usher in faster rush hour service in the Fulton area of the East End, the company has announced. The bus company also will tweak service to the Randolph community, extend nighttime service on the Bellemeade/Hopkins route serving McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center and make it easier for West End passengers to access the coming Whole Foods grocery store near Broad and Meadow streets.
Councilman Hilbert opposes Salvation Army move to North Side
“I am firmly against this.” That’s the not-in-my-backyard response from 3rd District City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert’s to a Free Press report last week that the Salvation Army is applying for a special use permit to move its combination headquarters and homeless shelter from Downtown to a church building in Mr. Hilbert’s North Side district.
Maternal mortality: Black women far more likely to die giving birth than Caucasians
Last fall, Tanca McCargo, a Chesterfield native, found out she was expecting her second child. Ms. McCargo, who already had a 3-year-old son, discovered early on that her second pregnancy would be different. Her complications began when she experienced light bleeding. “The morning after scheduling an appointment with my OB-GYN, I passed an actual blood clot,” Ms. McCargo said.
Council members concerned about latest utility rate hikes
Like a steady drip, drip, drip, the cost of utility services is continuing to rise in Richmond at a double-digit pace, outpacing inflation and raising concerns among some about affordability.
City Council to seek election to replace Agelasto
Richmond City Council set the stage this week for a special election on Nov. 5 to replace Councilman Parker C. Agelasto as the 5th District representative. The council voted Monday to petition Richmond Circuit Court to set the election to coincide with the November general election in which voters will select representatives to the General Assembly.
Tiger Woods receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
When Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament on April 14, President Trump declared he was going to award him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and ordered his aides to schedule the event as soon as possible.
In what unique way did your mother show you she loved you?
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12. It’s a day for pampering mom with flowers and gifts and taking her to dinner to show her how much we love and appreciate her for all she has done for us.
Burkini to be featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue
This year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is going to feature trailblazer Halima Aden. Ms. Aden will be the first woman to sport a hijab and burkini in the magazine, which hit newsstands on Wednesday, SI revealed this week.
Widow of Mother Emanuel pastor: ‘Much prayer is needed’ four years after attack
Jennifer Pinckney had hoped to be in Bible study on the evening of June 17, 2015. But her 6-year-old daughter had other plans.
God’s gouda: Nuns in Albemarle County make cheese
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, down a lengthy stretch off U.S. 250, over a bridge, through the woods and at the end of a gravel road sits Our Lady of the Angels Monastery perched on a hillside. The 13 nuns who live there believe God has a plan for everyone.
Flying Squirrels pitcher hopes 100 mph throws get him to big leagues
Walking to the batter’s box to face Melvin Adon must feel like walking the plank. Few pitchers unleash a fastball with more fury and frightening velocity than the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ bullpen ace.
Shirley J. Logan, former RPS principal, succumbs at 81
Shirley Jefferson Logan was the kind of person who saw the best in everyone, her family said. Her positive approach was important to her work as a principal at the now-closed Clark Springs Elementary School and at Ginter Park Elementary in Richmond.
Minister Abdul Rahman Aquil Muhammad, former Southern Regional Representative for the Nation of Islam, dies at 87
A janazah prayer service for Minister Abdul Rahman Aquil Muhammad, a teacher, organizer and confidante of the late Nation of Islam leader Minister Elijah Muhammad and a longtime aide to his successor, Minister Louis Farrakhan, was held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the late Rev. Ralph D. Abernathy’s historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Rev. Cessar L. Scott Sr., longtime head of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, dies at 74
For three decades, the Rev. Cessar L. Scott Sr. ranked among the foremost African-American clerics in Virginia. When Rev. Scott spoke, people listened as he represented more than 1,000 congregations as executive minister of the Richmond-based Baptist General Convention of Virginia.
Personality: Natasha Freeman
Personality: Natasha Freeman
Natasha Freeman, president of Project Yoga Richmond’s board of directors, encourages the community to embrace yoga because the practice allows people “to be fully embodied while grounding and mending our body and spirit.”
What’s better: A Coliseum replacement or a facelift?
Here’s the choice: Spend $25 million to $35 million to revitalize the 13,500-seat Richmond Coliseum or spend $220 million to replace it with a brand new 17,500-seat facility and add another $20 million to $30 million to revamp East Clay and East Leigh streets.
New housing honcho
RRHA’s leader Damon Duncan outlines priorities that will impact city’s 10,000 public housing residents
The new chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority is vowing that the agency will move “expeditiously” to redevelop the city’s decaying public housing.
Harry and Meghan have a royal baby
And his name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex whose fairytale wedding last year garnered international headlines, gave birth to a 7 pound 3 ounce boy at 5:26 a.m. Monday.
Friday, May 3
Prayers for peace
Imam Irfan Ali Shah of the Islamic Center of Henrico offers prayers in remembrance of the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings at three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of more than 250 people and wounded 500 others.
Homes for the homeless
The expanded New Clay House, seen here, is one of the largest residential developments in the city for people experiencing homelessness. Originally opened 27 years ago with 47 tiny rooms, Virginia Supportive Housing, which owns the complex, has spent the past year overhauling the interior of the units at Clay and Harrison streets. The New Clay House now has 80 studio apartments, including 67 units for the formerly homeless and 13 affordable apartments for low-income people. Cost: $19 million.
Real estate tax hike proposal and duplicity
Some public officials with admirable objectives are being less than straight with this town as it relates to the proposed real estate tax increase. They are pretending that if residents agree to this tax increase, we are in the clear.
‘Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson’
Letters to the Editor
Kudos to Rodney A. Robinson, the teacher at Virgie Binford Education Center located inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, for being named the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. He is the first Richmond Public Schools teacher to obtain this honor.
Wisdom from ancestral warriors
In 1619, 400 years ago, the first African captives were brought to what is now Virginia. Since that time, many of our courageous ancestral warriors — men and women — have fought against the physical and psychological terrorism inflicted by the proponents of white supremacy and racism.
Eliminate demeanment
Black women in Houston and across the nation began preparing to use our political power during a recent event held at Texas Southern University. Presidential candidates attended to begin a conversation with black women regarding what’s important to us and what we’re looking for from candidates in 2020.
The ‘next big thing’
We congratulate singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose creative genius, perseverance and open spirit led to the successful “Something in the Water” festival last weekend in Virginia Beach.
City budget, the high road
We are anxious to read the details of Richmond City Council’s proposed $746 million budget plan for 2019-2020, which is up for a final vote on Monday, May 13.
2019 commencement speakers announced
It’s graduation season for Virginia’s colleges and universities. This is a time for inspiring commencement speeches, proud parents and cheering graduates. Politicians, celebrities and outstanding students are scheduled as speakers to motivate the Class of 2019.
HU Marching Force invited to 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Forget the floats and the cartoon character balloons. The Hampton University Marching Force will perform in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The surprise announcement was made Monday to an excited group of student band members on the waterfront campus.
Charles W. Howell Jr., longtime community advocate and health administrator, dies at 91
Since 1975, the federal government has been issuing income tax refunds to low-income working individuals and families through an anti-poverty initiative called the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC.
Local designer ties down sneaker line
Sneakers have gone from the basketball court to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Forget paying $75 to $130 for a pair bearing Michael Jordan’s name. Think, instead, of shelling out $500 to $1,200 for a pair of sneakers from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace or other renowned fashion houses.
America’s ‘national pastime’ forges bonds, records between fathers and sons
Baseball has been said to be a “daddy’s game.” Find a talented player and, more often than not, you’ll find a father or strong father figure closely linked to the youngster’s success.
Toronto Raptors ready to claw victory from the 76ers
With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors threaten to change the NBA’s initials to the IBA — International Basketball Association. The league’s lone Canadian franchise had the NBA’s second best regular season record this season (58-24), behind the Milwaukee Bucs, and is tops overall over the last two seasons (117-47).
Kenny Easley among 10 to be inducted into Virginia High School Hall of Fame
Kenny Easley, considered among the greatest athletes in state history, is among five athletes named to the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
VSU Coach Lonnie Blow wins Clarence ‘Big House’ Gaines Coach of the Year Award
Coach Lonnie Blow’s success at Virginia State University has drawn national acclaim. The Trojans basketball coach has received the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Coach of the Year Award by the National Sports Media Association. The award is presented to the most outstanding men’s basketball coach in NCAA Division II.
‘Something in the Water’
“Something in the Water,” the weekend music festival in Virginia Beach pioneered by that city’s own nationally known singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams, drew more than 50,000 happy people to the oceanfront for the first-of-its-kind event in Hampton Roads.
Richmonder Ferrell raids No. 4 spot in NFL draft, headed to Oakland
Burdened with the NFL’s most anemic pass rush, the Oakland Raiders have turned to a Richmonder for first aid. The Raiders drafted former Benedictine College Preparatory school and Clemson University defensive end Clelin Ferrell in the first round as the fourth overall pick during the NFL draft last week in Nashville.
Volunteer cleanup Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery
Members of Richmond Masonic Lodge #65, F&AM, will host a public day of cleanup at historic Evergreen Cemetery in the city’s East End, it has been announced.
RISC receives federal grant to assist with community effort
A coalition of 20 Richmond area Christian and Jewish congregations that focuses on social justice has been awarded a $144,000 federal grant ahead of its annual meeting where the faith-based coalition will press for changes in eviction policy and for proven reading and trauma response programs in schools.
Critically acclaimed filmmaker John Singleton dies at 51
Director John Singleton, who made one of Hollywood’s most memorable debuts with the Oscar-nominated “Boyz N the Hood” and continued over the following decades to probe the lives of African-American communities in his native Los Angeles and beyond, died Monday, April 29, 2019, after suffering several strokes during the last two weeks. He was 51.
Personality: Dr. Cynthia O. Richardson
Spotlight on president of the Petersburg Area Art League
Cynthia Owens Richardson, president of the Petersburg Area Art League, wants the nonprofit to be a mecca for people to explore, experience and be inspired by art.
City starts down road to regulate short-term rentals
Want to use Airbnb, FlipKey, VRBO or other online websites to rent your Richmond home or apartment to travelers?
228,783 That’s now Richmond’s estimated population
An estimated 228,783 people called Richmond home on July 1, 2018, the largest number since 1970 when the city’s population was near 250,000 residents, according to the latest estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Former VCU dean drops defamation suit against Wilder
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is no longer facing a defamation lawsuit that was scheduled for trial in mid-July in Richmond Circuit Court.
Salvation Army looks to relocate from Downtown to North Side
People needing temporary housing and a helping hand might soon have to walk a bit farther to reach the Salvation Army’s combination headquarters and emergency shelter.
Hemp: Virginia’s new big cash crop?
At first glance, it looks like a stoner’s paradise: Acres of plants that resemble marijuana. But this crop is hemp, a relative of cannabis that has commercial uses ranging from textiles and animal feed to health products.
Nation’s top teacher celebrated in whirlwind of appearances
If the nation’s president won’t honor you publicly as National Teacher of the Year, at least your state senators and district’s congressman will.
Judge Damon J. Keith, civil rights and judicial icon, dies at 96
U.S. Appeals Court Judge Damon J. Keith, who decided many of the nation’s most important school desegregation, employment discrimination and government surveillance cases during his more than 50 years on the federal bench, died Sunday, April 28, 2019, at his home in Detroit surrounded by family.
Balancing act
Richmond City Council designs a new budget that places a 50 cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes, increases funding for schools and expands bus service while giving city employees a 3 percent raise
An exhausted City Council completed work Monday on a new 2019-20 spending plan for Richmond that calls for a 3.6 percent, or $26 million, increase in city spending and is balanced with the imposition of the city’s first tax on cigarettes — a 50 cent levy on each pack effective July 1— and a hike in utility rates.
