Thursday, April 28
Poetry workshop for youths slated for April 30 at Black History Museum
April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, a poetry workshop for youths ages 10 to 18 will be held 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward.
Rapper Young Prince Charles presented ceremonial key to city
Rapper Young Prince Charles has been given the ceremonial key to the City of Richmond in recognition of his career success.
Where are we with COVID-19?, by E. Faye Williams
I don’t know about you, but I am sometimes confused about circumstances which dictate our compliance and action, and what those appropriate actions must or should be.
Banking, the Black community and the Durbin Amendment, by Taikein M. Cooper
Access to banking, and all the opportunities it affords, is an absolute necessity for historically disenfranchised and marginalized communities. It’s how we pay for our everyday essentials, take out loans to start businesses or buy homes and attempt to build generational wealth to make the American Dream a reality.
VSU freshman baseball player Tahraun Hammond logs impressive stats
As freshmen baseball players go, few have posted more impressive statistics than Virginia State University’s Tahraun Hammond.
Scottie Barnes is NBA Rookie of the Year; ‘Bones’ Hyland ranks 8th among rookies in scoring
Scottie Barnes is the NBA Rookie of the Year, but don’t overlook former Virginia Commonwealth University star Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland on the top newcomers list.
Sen. Bernie Sanders helps celebrate Starbucks workers’ unionization victory
The sounds of music, community and solidarity filled the National Theater in Downtown for several hours Sunday as visitors from Virginia and beyond, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, celebrated the unionization efforts of Starbucks employees in Richmond and nationally and ongoing work to improve labor conditions in the United States.
Arts in the Park returns this weekend after two-year hiatus
Richmond’s biggest outdoor art show returns this weekend to Byrd Park after a two-year pause because of the pandemic.
Portsmouth lawmaker led successful ouster of Filler-Corn; seeks to replace her as House minority leader
Delegate Don L. “Scotty” Scott Jr. of Portsmouth, an attorney and former Navy officer who once served time in prison, took a first step to becoming the Democratic leader in the House of Delegates.
Displaced Fox Elementary students to start classes May 9 in Clark Springs building
Fox Elementary School students, teachers and staff will move into Clark Springs Elementary School in early May for the remainder of the school year.
Personality: Lucia Medek
Spotlight on co-founder and president of Salem’s Light
A chance encounter led Lucia Medek to take up the cause of animal advocacy in Richmond in a major way.
Working through long COVID
Months to years after being infected by the coronavirus, thousands in Virginia, including Delegate Delores L. McQuinn and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, push through lingering symptoms
Natarsha Eppes-Kelly has been working hard for the last four months to establish a new normal in her life.
Vice President Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19
Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, the White House announced, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the United States eases restrictions in a bid to return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Richmond Public Schools to close May 3 in observance of Eid al-Fitr
One of the most significant holidays of Islam, Eid al-Fitr, will be recognized for the first time by Richmond Public Schools.
Liberty’s Malik Willis and VSU’s Will Adams hoping to hear their names called in NFL draft
The much-anticipated NFL draft starts Thursday, April 28. Two state players to watch for are Malik Willis and Will Adams.
‘Something in the Water’ flows to D.C.
Entertainment superstar Pharrell L. Williams has found a new home for his huge music festival “Something in the Water.”
City Council poised to approve $838.7M general fund budget for 2022-23
Major salary increases for police officers and firefighters, along with a 5 percent increase for other city employees and a city minimum wage of $17 an hour.
City Council approves design funds for a new George Wythe
Full speed ahead for a new George Wythe High School.
RRHA may start eviction proceedings this summer; homeless have little alternative
More than half of the 3,084 households currently living in public housing in Richmond are still $51 or more in arrears on rent, according to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Tenants hold rally at problem-plagued South Side apartment complex
Dozens of Southwood Apartments residents gathered with housing advocates Monday afternoon outside the South Side complex’s leasing office, where they called on management to fix broken and malfunctioning appliances and address additional issues to ensure a quality living environment for all within the community.
City Councilman Michael J. Jones files again to run for House of Delegates
Pastor and City Councilman Michael J. Jones will try again for a seat in the House of Delegates.
Climate crisis increasingly a refugee crisis, faith resettlement groups say
For Monique Verdin, the apocalypse came in 2005.
VCU Rams to welcome Michigan transfer Brandon Johns Jr.
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball Coach Mike Rhoades needed another big man and found what he was looking for in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Jordan Nesbitt transferring to Hampton to play basketball
Jordan Nesbitt’s basketball journey is taking him to Hampton University.
Top high school sophomore hoops player signs with pro league
The ever-changing sport of basketball has taken another turn.
Virginia AG launches investigation into Washington NFL team
Virginia Attorney General Jason S. Miyares has launched an inquiry into the Washington Commanders following allegations of financial improprieties raised by a congressional committee. Mr. Miyares, a Republican, disclosed his office’s investiga- tion in a letter to a team lawyer Monday, saying he viewed it
BlackTop youth program reopens in new location
The BlackTop Kings and Queens Sports Academy, a private youth basketball program, is back in action, though in a much reduced capacity.
Wake up
Virginians — and all Americans — need to wake up when it comes to the assault on Black history and truth-telling.
Speak out on transportation funding
The funding decisions local leaders make today impact our collective future. That’s why the Central Virginia Transportation Authority would like to hear from the public about a new proposed funding scenario that includes $276.4 million to improve the region’s bike, pedestrian, bridge and highway infrastructure.
Richmond Flying Squirrels hails from a number of colleges
NFL and NBA players are closely identified with the colleges where they earned reputations before entering the professional ranks.
Thursday, April 21
End of the road for free rides on GRTC?
GRTC’s current free fare program was supposed to remain in place through June 2025, but now is at risk of ending far sooner. The regional bus company eliminated fares soon after the pandemic hit in March 2020 with the help of state and federal grants. That change has helped regular bus riders save thousands of dollars in transit costs. The program appeared on course to be extended for an ad- ditional three years after the state awarded GRTC an $8 million grant five months ago. Now transit advocates are raising alarm that the no fare program could end as soon January 2023 for lack of financial backing, most notably from City Hall. According to transit advocates, Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who has repeatedly stated he would keep GRTC fare-free through his term, has put the zero-fare initiative at risk by failing to keep his pledge to provide the required matching funds for the grant. Without notice, he rejected the request of his new internal Of- fice of Equitable Transit to include $1 million in local matching funds for the state grant in his proposed budget for 2022-23. Nor has he indicated any plans for the city alone, or in concert with its regional GRTC partners, Chesterfield and Henrico coun- ties, to provide the matching $3 million required in 2023-24 and the matching $5 million required in the 2024-25 fiscal year. At a news conference on Tuesday, Mayor Stoney defended his decision. He first told reporters that GRTC has “plenty of money” and can cover the match itself. He said the 2020 hike in the regional sales and gas tax to boost funding for transportation through the new Central Virginia Transit Authority, or CVTA, has increased regional support for public transit to record levels. Later in the news conference, the mayor asserted that his spending plan actually includes the $1 million, which was not broken out. That also was the statement given to the Free Press by the mayor’s press secretary, Jim Nolan. However, the only increase in subsidy his proposed budget plan provides to GRTC is $600,000. His proposal is to increase the current GRTC subsidy of $8 million to $8.6 million, still about half the $16 million the city provided GRTC yearly before the General Assembly created the CVTA two years ago. That $6 million increase, he stated in the budget message he delivered to City Council in early March, is needed to meet a state requirement that was part of the CVTA legislation. Under that requirement, localities in the authority must raise the transit subsidy yearly to reflect the increase in inflation recorded by the Consumer Price Index. Some of that increase in city subsidy also is earmarked for new bus shelters. The first warning that the zero-fare policy might not survive came in an April 18 post on the Greater Washington blog that was filed by Wyatt Gordon, a policy manager for land use and transportation at the Virginia Conservation Network. According to Mr. Gordon, the mayor and his administration rejected the request from the new internal Office of Equitable Transit to provide the $1 million in matching funds, putting the zero-fare initiative at risk. The Rev. Benjamin P. Campbell, GRTC board chairman, confirmed that the free fare service could end sooner than anticipated if additional funds are not provided. He noted that federal CARES Act money that has helped support the program is drying up and the continuation of free fares would require a financial commitment from the city and the two counties to cover the increasing cost. He said the big question for GRTC’s board is whether free fares are sustainable. The advocacy group RVA Rapid Transit is urging City Council to save the zero-fare program for at least another year by adding $1 million to the GRTC subsidy to protect riders — a majority of whom live well below the median income — from a major hit to their pocketbooks. In an email, Faith Walker, the group’s executive director, called on the council to embrace 1st District Councilman Andreas D. Addison’s amendment to add the $1 million when the governing body meets Friday, April 22, to complete its work on the city’s 2022-23 operating budget. That budget goes into effect July 1. Mr. Addison supports fare-free transit and believes the city can afford the cost, but it is not yet clear that he can muster a five-member majority to back the $1 million additional GRTC subsidy. Ms. Walker called it a matter of equity — a topic the mayor has preached about—noting that half the regular bus riders have incomes at or below $25,000 a year, with at least one in four hav- ing incomes of $10,000 a year or less. Removing transit fares has helped boost the standard of living for those riders, she stated. Council members have advanced more than $22 million in budget amendments, including the proposal to boost the GRTC subsidy. But the members have shown little appetite to date for making cuts in the mayor’s spending plan to pay for their proposals, and at this moment, have only about $2.7 million in additional funds to spend.
Fight to preserve historic New Market Heights Battlefield from development wins white flag
Around 7 a.m., Sept. 29, 1864, five regiments of U.S. Colored Troops charged Confederate defenses under withering fire and dislodged troops dug in at New Market Heights in Eastern Henrico — about a mile east of what is now Interstate 295. Fourteen Black soldiers and two of their white officers ultimately were awarded the Medal of Honor for their valor in the savage fight that cost 161 Union lives and left another 666 soldiers wounded.
‘We, too, are Americans’ by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with family and friends who have admonished me to be a critical thinker. Not only was I challenged to think, but to think with clarity, appropriate urgency and logic. The old idea of being one who thought “while others were sleeping” was not lost on me. In fact, preemptive thinking has saved me from misfortune a time or two — both personally and professionally.
Dr. Delores R. Greene, longtime educator and former VUU and VSU dean, dies at 86
Dr. Delores Ann Richburg Greene felt the call to be a teacher when she was just 4 years old and in pre-school. She would play school in the backyard of her Petersburg home, where she would provide instruction on reading to her neighborhood friends. From that beginning, Dr. Greene would follow her dream. In a career that spanned 57 years, she rose from a classroom teacher to become a dean in the College of Education at Virginia State University, her alma mater.
Trinity Thomas wins NCAA All-Around title in gymnastics
Trinity Thomas is the new queen of college gymnastics.
End of an era
Hampton University President William R. ‘Bill’ Harvey is stepping down June 30 after 44 years at the helm
Hampton University, one of the nation’s first historically black institutions, was a small struggling four-year college on the banks of the Hampton River near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay when an ambitious, young Dr. William R. “Bill” Harvey Jr. from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was chosen as president of the institution.
High time for change
We call our readers’ attention to 4/20 — World Weed Day — and efforts toward equal and restorative justice for Black and brown communities that for decades have borne the brunt of the national “War on Drugs.”
Remembering Jackie Robinson’s historic play breaking the color line 75 years ago
It has been 75 years since Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color line, and the cheers are only getting louder.
Church Hill Academy student selected for weeklong leadership academy in Greece
Scholar-athlete Javon A. Brooks will spend a summer week in Athens, Greece, building his leadership skills.
Mask mandates dropped on all public transportation
GRTC riders no longer have to wear masks when they board a bus. Neither do travelers taking airplanes, trains or any other form of public transit.
Exploitation of Africans, Africa
A recent Washington Post article, “Surge of international applicants at elite colleges,” reported that academic institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dartmouth, etc. have experienced a large increase in international applications to attend their institutions. Since 2020, international applications have increased 34 percent, according to the article. One factor is universities dropping SAT and ACT score requirements.
Stacey Daniels-Fayson stepping down from RRHA
Stacey Daniels-Fayson has resigned from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority after serving more than a year as interim chief executive officer, the authority has confirmed.
VCU receives $996,000 federal grant for gun violence prevention
A new program seeking to address Richmond’s recent rise in gun violence is in the works at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a new, nearly $1 million investment backing their work.
Congressman McEachin inducted into Environmental Justice Hall of Fame
Congressman A. Donald McEachin is the first member of the Virginia Interfaith Power & Light’s Environmental Justice Hall of Fame.
RPS continues community conversations about new George Wythe High School
As design funding for a new George Wythe High School is expected to be approved by Richmond City Council on Monday, April 25, Richmond Public Schools’ Wythe Reimagined community meetings will continue across the city.
VCU RTR Teacher Residency program receives $400,000 grant
Early childhood education is getting a major boost from an initiative at Virginia Commonwealth University that works to recruit, train, support and retain quality early childhood teachers.
More fresh regionally grown produce headed to school cafeterias
More fresh lettuce, tomatoes and other regionally grown produce could be headed to the cafeteria meals served to students in schools in Richmond and Henrico and Chesterfield counties.
Charles ‘Baby Charles’ Jones Jr., promoter, manager and producer for entertainers, dies at 47
Charles “Baby Charles” Jones Jr. managed, promoted and produced recordings for new and up-and-coming singers and hip-hop artists during his 30 years in the entertainment field. But the Richmond native was proudest of his work guiding and mentoring the music career of his oldest son, Charles Jones III, better known as Young Prince Charles in the rap world.
Richmond Flying Squirrels get high marks for attendance
On their first report card, give the Richmond Flying Squirrels an “A” — for attendance.
Manchester sophomore Aiden Harris gives high sign to U.Va.
Aiden Harris is only a sophomore at Manchester High School in Chesterfield County, but already he knows where he’ll play college baseball.
Rookie pitcher Hunter Greene sets MLB record
Hunter Greene’s three best pitches are fast, faster and fastest.
Embiid, others earn spots in NBA’s season record book
Joel Embiid traveled a long way to earn his spot in the NBA record book.
Earth Day 2022 marked by local events
Richmond is not sponsoring a big festival to mark Earth Day and environmental activism.
Women and minorities entrepreneurs conference slated for April 27-28
The Women’s Business Center of Richmond at Virginia Union University is sponsoring an inaugural Winning with Women and Minorities Entrepreneurs Conference Wednesday, April 27, and Thursday, April 28, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
PROC Foundation to host Derby Day Party fundraiser May 7
A huge tent will rise on the football field at the Bon Secours Training Camp for the return of the Derby Day Party, it has been announced.
Dogtown Dance Theatre building in South Side being sold
The home of Dogtown Dance Theatre and the RVA Dance Collective at 109 W. 15th Street in South Side is for sale.
Racism is taking over the Republican Party
There was a great deal of sympathy by white people for injustices toward Black people after the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police.
Personality: Bianca Stewart Williams
Spotlight on board president of Dress For Success Central Virginia
Whether it’s finding profes- sional attire for a job interview or receiving a guiding hand to stay employed, Bianca Stewart Williams is making sure area women are well-equipped and prepared for the world of work. Ms. Williams has been lead- ing Dress for Success Central Virginia as its board president since 2018, bringing to the community the not-for-profit organization’s mission of em- powering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of sup- port, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive personally and professionally. “Thousands are disadvan- taged and need resources to gain employment and economic status,” Ms. Williams says. “Our purpose is to offer long- lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty.” Ms. Williams joined Dress for Success in November 2015, three years after the Central Virginia affiliate was started. She says she was a client at first. After being displaced from her job, she volunteered helping women with suit fittings and started using the organiza- tion’s Career Services program, which provides help with career coaching, résumé reviews, job searches and interview practice. She landed a new job, and from that point, Ms. Williams says, Dress for Success has been “near and dear to my heart.” Currently, Dress for Success Central Virginia operates from 210 E. Clay St. in Downtown. But Ms. Williams wants to find a building the organization can
Thursday, April 14
City Council wants South Side homeless shelter to remain open temporarily
Could there be a spike in homelessness in Richmond?
New lease on life
Wize Shahid, aka Robert Henry ‘Wize’ Green, still seeks to help other inmates following his release from the Virginia prison system after more than two decades
It was in early January that the man formerly known as Robert Henry “Wize” Green learned he would be released from prison after serving more than 20 years behind bars.
Personality: Sharon S. Jennings
Spotlight on Virginia State Coach of GirlTrek
For the last six years, Sharon Simmons Jennings has helped put pep in the step of women throughout Richmond.
School Board breaks impasse with City Council by approving new 1,800-seat George Wythe
After a year of internal disagreement and conflict with the mayor and City Council, the Richmond School Board voted 5-4 Monday to build a much-needed and long-overdue new George Wythe High School with a capacity for 1,800 students.
Ishmael Reed among Anisfield-Wolf Award winners
Author, playwright and longtime champion of multiculturalism Ishmael Reed is receiving a lifetime achievement award for his contributions to literature.
William Hugo Van Jackson Jr., musician and music educator, dies at 86
William Hugo Van Jackson Jr., a jazz performer who spread his love of music to thousands of Richmond students through his music teaching and directing of high school bands, has died. Mr. Jackson, who was living in Ellicott City, Md., died on Sunday, April 3, 2022. He was 86.
Gigliotti already fan favorite as Flying Squirrels open at The Diamond
Born on Valentine’s Day 1996, it didn’t take Michael Gigliotti long to become a sweetheart to the fans of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Maymont to host annual Family Easter celebration on April 16
An egg hunt, the Easter Bunny, live music, activities and games will be featured at the annual Dominion Energy Family Easter at Maymont on Saturday, April 16.
National Urban League finds State of Black America is grim
ATLANTA The National Urban League released its annual report on the State of Black America on Tuesday, and its findings are grim. This year’s Equality Index shows Black people still get only 73.9 percent of the American pie white people enjoy.
Former Va. police officer convicted of storming Capitol to disrupt Congress
A federal jury convicted a former Rocky Mount, Va., police officer of storming the U.S. Capitol with another off-duty officer to obstruct Congress from certifying President Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
Council member Katherine Jordan submits plan for ranked-choice voting for City Council
Richmond voters for the first time could cast their ballot for more than one candidate in the 2024 City Council elections.
Hampton University announces new president
A former three-star Army general has been tapped to become the next president of Hampton University.
VUU President Lucas receives five-year contract extension
Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, the president and chief executive officer of Virginia Union University, has more job security.
Richmond Virtual Academy may become its own school
The Richmond Virtual Academy is to become a new elementary school that could enroll between 400 and 500 students a year in online classes, the Richmond School Board decided Monday night. Instead of phasing out the program online learning program as Superintendent Jason Kamras proposed in February, the board, after hearing pleas from academy supporters, adopted a proposal by School Board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, to make RVA a school of record like other elementary schools, and eligible for annual state and local funding like other schools. While that decision must be approved by the state Department of Education, the vote to keep RVA as a functioning entity came as the board finalized its budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The board had a deadline on Wednesday to deliver a finished budget to City Council. Overall, the approved budget authorizes a record $548 million in total spending, or an expenditure of about $25,253 for each of the 21,700 students RPS estimated as enrolled in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Along with grants and one-time federal funds, the RPS budget provides $356.6 million in general fund spending, which mostly includes revenue from the city and state, or about $16,400 per student. The board, which cut $6 million from Mr. Kamras’ original general fund proposal, is relying on receiving a $15 million increase from the city in the fiscal year that begins July 1. That would boost total support from the city from $185.3 million this fiscal year to a new record of $200.3 million in 2022- 23. The increase from the city is largely designed to fund the local share of a 5 percent pay increase for teachers and other staff that the state plans to institute. Staff and teachers of the Richmond Virtual Academy, currently listed as a program and funded with federal CARES Act dollars, advocated for it to remain open and funded and rallied parents to lobby for the survival of the academy that adopted the owl as its mascot and bills itself as a space “where learning is a hoot.” The board’s vote was both a reaction to the lobbying and a rebuke to the adminis- tration, which had notified the academy’s entire staff that they would be laid off as of July 1 and would need to reapply for positions within RPS. Mr. Kamras initially proposed cutting the program from 70 to just 10 instructors, who would largely teach homebound students too sick or injured to come to school or students removed from in-person learning for discipline reasons. Cindi Robinson, the academy’s princi- pal, said the board’s action is good news for parents and students. “Virtual learning is not just a Band-Aid,” Ms. Robinson said, noting that numerous school divisions have found some students “actually thrive and do better” in an online program. Among them is Sheila Barlow’s 19-year- old son, Douglas. Ms. Barlow told the board that the virtual school has been a boon for her son and other students like him with serious disabilities who can now attend class from home in a safe environment. Her son has Down syndrome and can- not talk, she said. “He has a sign language interpreter for all of his classes,” Ms. Barlow told the Free Press. “If he goes back to in-person learning, my son would not have that service.” While the board’s action appears to have saved the virtual academy, the board’s funding will provide only for a reduced operation. Richmond’s virtual operation enrolls about 768 students, including 500 elementary school students, which is fewer students than Henrico and Chesterfield’s school systems. But that would shrink further. The board’s funding would allow for only 30 total staff, including a principal, counselors and other staff and about 23 instructional staff strictly for elementary programming. Currently, the school has at least 70 staff members, including a 43-member instructional staff. As part of the transition, the School Board agreed with the administration’s plan to end enrollment for middle and high school students who can move to the state’s online program, Virtual Virginia. The revamped Richmond Virtual Acad- emy also will oversee virtual educational programming for students who are home- bound for disciplinary or health reasons. According to board members, the ad- ministration is expected to drop the cur- rent homebound program that dispatches teachers to the homes of students to provide in-person instruction two hours a day. If it becomes a school of record as anticipated, RVA would not only have a budget, but would also report state Stan- dards of Learning test results. The board’s budget, meanwhile, cuts more deeply into the central office staff than Mr. Kamras proposed and largely eliminates contracts for consultants pro- viding curriculum training. Ms. Gibson also won approval for an audit of Mr. Kamras’ original budget plan after she turned up a significant discrepancy in total employee numbers compared with the current year. The board also provided funding for the first time to enable 400 students to take math, science and other required high school classes at the Richmond Technical Center along with their career and voca- tional training programs. Under the initiative advanced by Jona- than Young, 4th District, the students will no longer have to be shuttled back to their home schools for those courses. This change is seen as a harbinger of the proposed career and technical high school that RPS plans to create in a former tobacco plant in South Side. In addition, the board also provided funds to support an increase in the number of students during the next four years at two specialty high schools, Richmond Com- munity and Franklin Military Academy, and three regional high schools, Code RVA and the Maggie L. Walker and Appomattox regional governor’s schools.
Family at Fourth Baptist Church sues pastor, two deacons
The pastor of historic Fourth Baptist Church is facing another legal challenge, this time from a Richmond family that claims he and two deacons wrongly removed them from the active membership rolls.
’Just Heal, Bro’ national mental health initiative targeting Black men slated for April 14 at VCU
A seminar aimed at fostering good mental health among Black men and featuring a former NFL player turned licensed therapist will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Academic Learning Commons
Democrats angered as Gov. Youngkin vetoes 25 bipartisan bills
Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin vetoed 25 bills — including some that passed with broad bipartisan support — as he took action on more than 800 bills the divided legislature sent him during its regular session.
Pope Francis calls for Easter truce in Ukraine
Pope Francis opened Holy Week on Sunday with a call for an Easter truce in Ukraine to make room for a negotiated peace, highlighting the need for leaders to “make some sacrifices for the good of the people.”
Trinity Episcopal alumni Armando Bacot, Henry Coleman III bring attention to school
During the college basketball playoffs, few high schools had more to whoop ‘n’ hollar about than Trinity Episcopal School on Richmond’s South Side.
VCU Rams seeing players head out and come on board
No Virginia Commonwealth University basketball roster should be written with anything more permanent than a No. 2 pencil. And don’t press too hard on the lead.
VSU to add soccer and lacrosse
Virginia State University is expanding its list of intercollegiate sports.
Tiger Woods comes back, but not enough to win
Tiger Woods showed stamina and power in his spirited golfing comeback, but his accuracy be- trayed him at the Masters Tourna- ment in Augusta, Ga.
Pittsburgh backup QB Dwayne Haskins hit, killed in Florida
Dwayne Haskins, who arrived in Washington three seasons ago as one of the NFL’s most promising newcomers, died Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale after being hit by a dump truck as he was attempting to cross Interstate 595 on foot.
Baseball’s Tommy Davis dies at 83
Tommy Davis, among the greatest hitters in Los Angeles Dodgers history, died Sunday, April 3, 2022. He was 83 and residing in Phoenix.
NFL Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright succumbs at 76
Rayfield Wright, a mainstay on five Dallas Cowboys teams that reached the Super Bowl, died Thursday, April 7, 2022.
Will Smith gets 10-year ban over Oscar slap
The motion picture academy has banned Will Smith from attending the Oscars or any other academy event for 10 years following his slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards.
Brother Biden, please keep another promise or two, by Julianne Malveaux
I do this thing in my head with President Biden. When he gets on my nerves, I often call him President. When I want something from him or want to thank him for something, I call him Brother Biden.
Lynching finally a hate crime, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
I can’t completely or accurately articulate my elation upon witnessing President Biden signing the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law late last month. With his signature, he affirmed what Congress had acknowledged — that lynching was, indeed, a federal hate crime.
Save Adult Alternative Program to help former convicts
Re “Re-entry training program locked out of former school building,” Free Press April 7-9 edition:
Incoming U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson celebrated at White House ceremony
“In my family, it took just one generation to go from segregation to the Supreme Court of the United States.” With those words, incoming Justice Ketanji Brown Jack- son acknowledged both the struggles and progress of Black Americans in her lifetime.
Thursday, April 7
New book reveals details about Mary Lumpkin and the slave jail that became VUU
The stories of enslaved Black women largely have been erased from American history.
Batiste, joyful performances highlight Grammy Awards
Jon Batiste had the most Grammy Award nominations and his five wins on Sunday night outpaced everyone, yet he somehow seemed the biggest surprise on a joyous night for music that washed away some of the bad taste left by the Oscars a week earlier.
Remembering Dr. King
We pause this week to reflect on the light and lessons shared with this country and the world by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Personality: Ellery D. Lundy
Spotlight on founder and president of Broken Men Foundation and Youth Academy
For the last seven years, Ellery Dean Lundy has strived, in his own words, “to make broken youth better men.”
Cary C. Mitchell, clothing designer to athletes and a Richmond legacy sports backer, dies at 62
Top Black athletes found their way to Richmond native Cary C. Mitchell when they wanted to look their best.
Afghan evacuees mark first U.S. Ramadan with gratitude, agony
Sitting cross-legged on the floor as his wife and six children laid plates of fruit on a red cloth in front of him, Wolayat Khan Samadzoi watched through the open balcony door for the sliver of the new moon to appear in the cloudless New Mexico sky, where the sun had set beyond a desert mountain.
Fighting the corruption of power, by Ben Jealous
We keep learning more about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. And we keep learning more about the many schemes former President Trump and his team tried to use to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
RAA warns service in jeopardy without greater city subsidy
Richmond has long boasted of having one of the best ambulance services in the country. But the Richmond Ambulance Authority is warning City Council that the ability to maintain quality emergency response is being jeopardized by Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s decision to limit the city’s financial support.
Finding the silver lining
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to people and businesses during the last two years. But some Richmond area residents have been able to find a silver lining during the crisis.
Re-entry training program locked out of former school building
The shutdown has come for a Richmond-based program that linked people released from jails and prisons to training for construction jobs.
RISC gets affordable housing commitments from some City Council members
A coalition of religious and community groups have received new commitments from City Council members to address affordable housing, including the state of mobile homes, in the city.
City sluggish in distributing health grant, establishing emergency fund
The City of Richmond last year was awarded a $4 million federal grant to improve health literacy in Black and Latinx sections of the city.
Booker T. Washington National Monument seeking public’s help to unravel mystery
Officials at the Booker T. Washington National Monument outside Roanoke are asking the public for help in unraveling one of its biggest mysteries.
Really honoring Black women by Dr. E. Faye Williams
There are right ways and wrong ways to accomplish most things. A few days ago, the world witnessed the wrong way to defend and honor women, if that is what Will Smith thought he was doing.
Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are providing walk-up testing throughout the area.
VSU, NSU presidents among 18 appointed to advisory board on HBCUs
Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah and Norfolk State University President Javaune Adams-Gaston have been appointed by President Biden to serve on his board of advisors for historically black colleges and universities.
Transit union calls for assaulted GRTC driver to be reinstated
GRTC is facing pushback for firing a driver who subdued a passenger after he refused to don a mandatory mask and hit the driver on the arm when he called for assistance.
Former Monroe Park Conservancy head acquitted in assault
Alice M. Massie, the former president of the Monroe Park Conservancy, has been acquitted of assaulting a Virginia Commonwealth University student.
Cityscape: Richmond's oldest fire station
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Richmond’s oldest fire station has a date with a wrecking ball after 114 years. This is Fire Station No. 12, which opened at 2223 W. Cary St. in 1908 when horses pulled the equipment to fires.
Evelyn H. Price, retired teacher and church leader, dies at 85
Evelyn Louise Harris Price, a retired Richmond educator and active churchwoman, has died.
Zambian mission trip spurs desire to forge greater ties for Dr. Michael Jones
It is not unusual for church members to go on mission trips to provide help and support to those in need in other countries. However, Dr. Michael J. Jones said he and a small delegation from the Village of Faith Ministries that he led to rural Chibombo, Zambia, may have received as much as they gave.
June 18: Non-spending day
Letters to the Editor
Could you as an African/Black American refrain from spending money for one day?
Kansas takes the crown
It was like magic. The University of Kansas went into the halftime locker room looking like a frog, and came out dressed as a prince.
2 more GOP senators to back Judge Jackson for Supreme Court, nearly assuring confirmation
Republican U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah say they will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic elevation to the U.S. Supreme Court, giving President Biden’s nominee a burst of bipartisan support and all but assuring she’ll become the first Black female justice in the court’s 232-year history.
South Carolina women’s team claims NCAA title
The University of South Carolina dominated the backboards and the scoreboard en route to its second NCAA women’s basketball crown last Sunday.
VSU and NSU cars make showing at Richmond Raceway
Rajah Caruth had the willpower but perhaps not the horsepower in his first NASCAR Xfinity race.
Hampton’s Najee Garvin stands out at inaugural HBCU All-Star Game
Hampton University’s Najee Garvin was among the brightest stars in the inaugural HBCU All-Star Game held last Sunday at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans.
Todd Bowles named new head coach of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Todd Bowles is getting a rare second chance to show what he can do as a head coach in the NFL.
Shannon Harris new interim head football coach at VSU
Virginia State University will have a new head coach on the sidelines for its Spring Game this Saturday, April 9, at Rogers Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9 a.m.
Black players making their mark on college baseball teams this spring
Black college football and basketball stars abound, but baseball players of color are difficult to locate on diamonds across the state.
Referee Hugh Evans selected for Naismith Hall of Fame
Basketball’s brightest light continues to shine on Richmond.
Richmond Flying Squirrels to open at home April 12
Take me out to the ball game. Winter has gone and now it’s time for peanuts, Cracker Jacks and baseball.
Friday, April 1
Discussion of Monument Avenue’s future set for April 5
What should happen on Monument Avenue and what have other cities done about their public monuments?
