Thursday, February 24
RPS plans for Fox Elementary to rise from ashes
A virtually identical Fox Elementary School building can rise from the ashes, without additional cost to Richmond Public Schools.
Cancel student loan debt, by Charlene Crowell
One of President Biden’s first executive actions exercised his authority granted in the Higher Education Act.
Who would have believed it?, by E. Faye Williams
From the silly to the sublime, to the serious, faster than the mind can cogitate, our societal norms are being manipulated from the “as expected” to the “never in a million years.” Re- flecting on what is presented to the masses daily, I can recall a time when a television se- ries like “The Real House- wives...” could never have been shown, and pimple-pop- ping would have been done in the privacy of one’s own bathroom, but no longer. Frivolity is often the trade- mark of a “who would have believed” event, but now, more often than not, rather than leaving us amused, they leave us shocked and in dismay and disbelief. The current trend in these events has us questioning how we might provide for increased security and safety for our families and ourselves. Who would have believed a time during which the serious- ness of a public health crisis in theformofaglobalpandemic would be denied? Can anyone explain when, in the face of such a pandemic, personal interests and comfort became paramount over the interests of the general state of health? Most assuredly, few people could have anticipated this “denial” state of mind among such large numbers of cases or that the disease would take the lives of more than 900,000 Americans. My bet is that even fewer people could have guessed the massive rejection of life- saving vaccines. In stark contrast to the cur- rent pandemic, the 1950s battle against polio was a lesson in Dr. E. Faye Williams cooperative discipline. With the exception of general mask- ing, Americans practiced ex- treme social distancing. In his book, “Paralyzed with Fear: The Story of Polio,” Gareth Wil- liams wrote, “Fearful of the spread of the contagious virus, (San Angelo, Texas) closed pools, swimming holes, movie theaters, schools and churches, forcing priests to reach out to their congregations on local radio. Some motorists who had to stop for gas in San Angelo would not fill up their deflated tires, afraid they’d bring home air containing the infectious virus. And one of the town’s best physicians diagnosed his patients based on his ‘clinical impression’ratherthantaking the chance of getting infected during the administration of the proper diagnostic test.” When Jonas Salk released his vaccine in 1955, he im- mediately was described as a “miracle worker” and, because he did not patent his vaccine, it was universally welcomed and produced in the United States and the world. Acceptance of his vaccine was so widespread that by1980, polio had been elimi- nated in the United States. One also must ask who would have believed a time in which the history of Black Americans is being openly erased from the curriculum of America’s public schools and from the conscience of the nation? Although barely taught, the instruction of Black history is under assault. It is er- roneously labeled as critical race theory and the new threshold of general acceptance is that it is presented in a manner which does not cause “guilt” or “discomfort” to the listener. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, said, “Those who have no record of what their forebears have ac- complished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” He added, “If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.” For now, the vigilant see psychologicaleradicationasthe goal. Will the physical follow? I guess nothing should sur- prise us now as people now flock to certain gas stations for dinner! The writer is national presi- dent of the National Congress of Black Women Inc.
NFL’s race problem and Robert F. Smith, by Benjamin Chavis Jr.
Even before former Miami Dolphins Coach Brian Flores filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL claiming the league discriminated against Black coaches in their hiring practices, it was pretty clear that professional football has a race issue. The Insti- tute for Diver- sity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Flor- ida recently found that, in 2021, around 71 percent of the players in the NFL were people of color, while only a quarter were white. Yet of the league’s 32 teams, only three head coaches are people of color. And only two team own- ers are non-white—Jacksonville Jaguars’ owner Shahid Kahn is a Pakistani-American, and Kim Pegula, a Korean American, is a co-owner of the Buffalo Bills. In a league whose players are overwhelmingly Black, there needs to be more representation in the front office of people who look like the athletes that take the gridiron each Sunday. With the Denver Broncos expected to hit the market sometime this offseason, now is probably the best time in the 101-year history of the NFL for the league to have its first Black team owner and to begin to change the plantation mentality that has plagued professional football for decades. When considering potential buyers of the team, one name continually rises above the rest— Robert F. Smith. Mr. Smith is the 59-year-old founder of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners whose net worth is estimated to be around $6.7 billion. He may not have the star power that other potential buyers do, i.e., former Broncos quarterbacks Peyton Manning and John Elway or Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. But what he does have Benjamin Chavis Jr. is a long track record of success in the largely white world of investment. The Broncos could certainly use some of Mr. Smith’s magic given that the team hasn’t had a winning record since the 2015-16 season when they won the Super Bowl. Putting aside Mr. Smith’s investing acumen and ability to grow emerging businesses, his up-from-the-bootstraps story and expansive philanthropic work in the Black community would go a long way in changing the make-up of a NFL ownership from its traditional purview of stodgy, old white men. For one, Mr. Smith is a Denver native whose curiosity, intelligence and drive led him to a job with Bell Laboratories when he was just in high school. From there, he went on to Cornell and Columbia universities and jobs with Goodyear, Kraft and Goldman Sachs before founding Vista Equity in 2000. What his resume shows is that Mr. Smith is not afraid of break- ing down walls and inserting himself into traditional bastions of whiteness like the Ivy Leagues and private equity. If there is any Black man in America who could take on the lily-white structure of NFL ownership, it’s Robert F. Smith. If the NFL is serious about changing not just its image, but its relationships with its players and fan base, then Mr. Smith also would be an ideal partner for the league. He not only talks a big game about racial equity, but he backs it up by putting money where his mouth is. In 2019, Mr. Smith spent $34 million of his own money to settle the loan debt for the nearly 400 students who graduated that spring from Morehouse College. He also donated $20 million to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington—the largest by an individual donor to the museum at the time—and he helped found and donated $50 million to the Student Freedom Initiative, which aims to relieve the financial burdens on minority college students. Through Vista, Mr. Smith also has spearheaded the Southern Communities Initiative, a con- sortium of companies working to address problems facing communities of color in the South, where almost 60 per- cent of all Black Americans live. Through the SCI, he hopes to tackle pressing issues like substandard education and work- force development opportunities, housing and healthcare inequali- ties, the digital divide, limited access to capital and physical infrastructure failures in these communities. In an argument about integrat- ing professional football, Black athlete, activist and journalist Halley Harding wrote in the Los Angeles Tribune in 1941 that “most persons, corporations or businesses almost always forget the people or incidents that made them big.” Mr. Harding added: “This story is about a great American sport (football) that took all the aid the colored American could give and then as soon as it became ‘big league,’ promptly put a bar up against the very backbone of its existence.” These words could just as aptly be applied to the NFL today as they did in the 1940s. But now, as America once again re-examines its turbulent past when it comes to race, the NFL probably has its best chance in years to right a glaring gap in its leadership when it comes to the Broncos. And if there is anyone who can fill that gap, it’s Robert F. Smith. The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
CRT – Critical race truth
As Black History Month 2022 wraps up, we again call our readers’ attention to the growing national assaults on teaching and learning about America’s past and the racist policies and practices that have brought our city, state and nation to where it is today – with gaps in education, health, wealth, employment, homeownership and justice that disproportionately impact Black people and people of color.
Romance fraud: Looking for love in wrong place proves costly
For the victim, a 78-year-old man from Annandale, it started with an effort to find some companionship.
HOME of Virginia to host series of conversations on fair housing issues
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, a nonprofit fair housing enforce- ment, research, advocacy and policy organization working for equal access to housing for all people, is hosting a series of conversations about press- ing housing issues in the state featuring experts in discussion with HOME directors. The series kicks off at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, March 3, with “Combating Segregated Housing Patterns,” and Monica Jefferson, HOME’s interim president and chief executive officer; Bryan Moorefield, HOME’s director of policy and research; and attorney Thomas Wolf, who worked on the landmark case HOME v. Nationwide. During the hour-
Piece of the pie: Joyebells gives back to community
Joye B. Moore’s recipe for supporting the community is just as sweet and as her now famous Joyebells Sweet Potato Pies.
Charley Taylor, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver, dies at 80
Charley Taylor, among the first Black stars to play for the Washington NFL team, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022.
Baseball Hall of Famer Ray Dandridge to be immortalized with bobblehead
Ray Dandridge, arguably the greatest baseball player to ever come out of Richmond, is back in the news. The Hall of Fame third baseman is one of 13 Negro Leagues standouts being honored with bobbleheads. The project is a partnership of the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame Museum in Milwaukee and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Other former Negro Leaguers getting bobbleheads are Rube Foster, Buck Leonard, Martin Dihigo, Buck O’Neil, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, Judy Johnson, Pop Lloyd, Leon Day, Cool Papa Bell and Bob Motley. Ray Dandridge was born in 1913 in Richmond’s Church Hill. He died in 1994 in Florida at the age of 80. Known as “Hooks,” he is considered among the greatest defensive third basemen in baseball history and was a three-time Negro Leagues All-Star. Some of his best years came with the Newark Eagles (1936-1944). Dandridge is wearing an Eagles’ uniform in his bobblehead. Because of his race, Dandridge never got a chance to play in the mainstream major leagues. By the time Jackie Robinson broke the color line in 1947, Dandridge was considered too old. Still he hit .362 with the AAA Minne- apolis Millers (New York Giants affiliate) in 1949 and batted .360 with the Millers in his final season in 1955. Dandridge was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987 by the Veterans’ Committee. He also is in the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. The bobbleheads are $35 or $400 for the full set of 13
Adonis Lattimore wins wrestling championship
Adonis Lattimore is the State Class 6 wrestling champion. He’s also a champion of the phrase “no excuses.”
UR trailblazing player Weldon Edwards honored
Someone has to lead the way in anything, and Weldon Edwards was the leader of the pack at the University of Richmond.
VUU hopes to repeat 1952 Baltimore CIAA glory
The last time Virginia Union University traveled to Baltimore for the CIAA Tournament, the Panthers returned to Richmond hoisting the championship trophy.
Minor shifts expected in city redistricting
The majority of Richmond residents, as anticipated, will not experience any impact from the boundary changes made once every 10 years to City Council and School Board districts.
Bon Secours breaks ground on new $11M medical office building in East End
Coming soon: A new Bon Secours Mercy Health medical office building in the East End that will house up to 100 doctors, nurses and other staff and include space to provide group therapy for mentally ill addicts.
8,000 potential gravesites identified at East End Cemetery using drone and hydrology mapping software
Finding unmarked graves in neglected cemeteries has always been a challenge.
School Board rejects Kamras budget plan; misses deadline set by mayor
The Richmond School Board is still trying to come up with a finished spending plan to send to City Hall so it can be included in the proposed 2022-23 budget that Mayor Levar M. Stoney will present to City Council on Friday, March 4.
Jordan Pendleton, 10, roars to lead role as young Simba in national tour of ‘The Lion King’
Richmond’s Jordan Pendleton has been selected to play young Simba in a national touring troupe of Disney’s “The Lion King.”
George Wythe’s Deshawn Goodwyn has star power on and off court
During these toughest of times, Deshawn Goodwyn has been a beacon of light for George Wythe High School basketball.
Carol Swann-Daniels, a trailblazer integrating Richmond schools in 1960, dies at 73
Sixty-one years have passed since Carol Irene Swann, 12, and her friend, Gloria Jean Mead, 13, blasted an opening in the racially segregated schools of Richmond.
Personality: Dr. Arcelia ‘CC’ Jackson
Spotlight on board president of Mental Health America of Virginia
Dr. Arcelia “CC” Jackson is bringing a caring, thoughtful approach to the issues and stigmas surrounding mental health in the Richmond community across her multiple disciplines and roles.
Mayor: She said ‘yes’
Mayor Levar M. Stoney, one of Richmond’s most eligible bachelors, is about to hear wedding bells.
Thursday, February 17
Rally speakers criticize efforts to sanitize nation’s racial history
Members of the Virginia State Conference NAACP and other activists gathered last Saturday at Capitol Square to share concerns and criticisms of the efforts by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin to restrict voting rights, and end mask mandates and ban the teaching of critical race theory in public schools.
State NAACP executive director resigns citing hail of allegations
The executive director of the Virginia State Conference NAACP has abruptly quit after 14 months.
‘We are resilient’
Fox Elementary School parents, students, teachers and administrators vow to bounce back after fire destroys the 111-year-old school on Hanover Avenue, sending students back to virtual learning
Five days after a huge blaze turned Fox Elementary School into a hulking ruin, students, parents, teachers and staff of The Fan school are readjusting to virtual learning.
Personality: Michelle Evans-Oliver
Spotlight on president of Richmond, Virginia Branch of ASALH
In the midst of a pandemic marked by death, large-scale action and change for African-Americans, Michelle Evans-Oliver is working to ensure the stories of Black people in Richmond are preserved and promoted.
Ezell Royal Lee, ‘Fashion King of Hull Sreet, dies at 66
Hull Street became the runway where Ezell Royal Lee would display his personal clothing creations while walking his dog, Miss Cleo.
Black Muslim life honored in new online portrait exhibit
A new online exhibit featuring portraits of Black Muslims was launched earlier this month by Sapelo Square, a Black Muslim education and media collective.
VUU Panthers ready for CIAA Tournament in Baltimore
The Virginia Union University Panthers have taken care of important basketball business in Pennsylvania. The next stops on the team’s planned hoops itinerary are North Carolina, then Maryland and then, perhaps, the NCAA Tournament at points now unknown. Following a crucial 79- 71 victory last Saturday at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, Coach Jay Butler’s squad has taken the pole position, steering into next week’s CIAA Tourna- ment in Baltimore. VUU will finish the regular season Saturday, Feb. 19, at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., before heading for the tournament in Baltimore, which starts Tuesday, Feb. 22. If the Panthers can hold on to the top spot in the CIAA Northern Division, their likely quarter final tournament opener would be Thursday, Feb. 24, at Royal Farms Arena. The CIAA Tournament finals are set for Saturday, Feb. 26. ESPN-Plus and ESPN-U will provide TV coverage throughout the week. VUU’s victory at Lincoln University put distance between the Panthers and the runner- up Lincoln Lions for the Northern Division top seed. VUU forward Robert Osborne received no mention in the preseason All-CIAA voting. But he’s due for much more recognition when the more important postseason All-CIAA team is announced next week. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound junior powerhouse out of Hermitage High School in Henrico County was at his burly best at Lincoln, hitting 12 of 20 field goals and scoring 26 points. Jordan Peebles, the pogo-stick senior for- ward from Emporia, added 19 points and nine rebounds at Lincoln and is always a best-bet for the highlight reels. In only 20.5 minutes per game, Osborne leads the balanced Panthers in scoring (12.6 points per game), field goal percentage (.573)
Naima Burrs hopes to play to Petersburg Symphony Orchestra’s strengths in new role
Petersburg Symphony Orchestra musicians are gearing up for a new season without the presence of a familiar face—Ulysses Kirksey, their former music director for more than 30 years.
Va. adopts plan to end school mask mandates March 1
The Virginia General Assembly moved swiftly Wednesday to put the final legislative touches on a bill that bans local school systems from imposing mask mandates on students.
Presidents Day schedule
In observance of the Presidents Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 21, please note the following:
Majority of families in public housing are behind on rent
More than half of the renters in Richmond’s public housing communities — 55 percent — are now behind on rent, according to a report provided Monday to City Council.
2nd Richmond casino referendum not a done deal
So far, the General Assembly has sided with a Richmond plan to hold a second referendum in a bid to win approval for a gambling casino and resort in South side.
Record $104M gift to boost VCU research and treatment of liver diseases
Virginia Commonwealth University has received a record $104 million gift that is to be used to expand research and treatment options for liver and liver-related diseases, it was announced Tuesday.
Mayor Stoney chosen to lead Democratic Mayors Association
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney has gained a national platform.
Applications open for Henrico County Public Schools’ fall pre-school program
Applications are now being accepted for Henrico County Public Schools’ pre-school program in the fall.
City Council to consider design funding for new George Wythe on Feb. 28
Despite meeting on Valentine’s Day, Richmond City Council passed on an opportunity to end its feud with the Richmond School Board over the size of the proposed replacement for the aged and decrepit George Wythe High School.
James L. ‘Skippy’ Moss Jr., a member of Richmond Fire Department’s elite ‘Flying Squadron,’ dies at 74
James Lorenzo “Skippy” Moss Jr. helped break down racial barriers in the Richmond Fire Department during his 30-year career.
’Coach Lan’ holds court
Coach George Lancaster has been honored again at his old stomping grounds, Highland Springs High School in Henrico County.
10 players from Va. schools selected for inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl in NOLA
The state of Virginia will be well represented at the inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl set for Saturday, Feb. 19, in New Orleans.
L.A. Rams put a ring on it
Put a ring on it. As an exclamation point to winning Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald triumphantly pointed to the ring finger on his left hand. Now the NFL’s most ferocious pass rusher will have a Super Bowl ring to go with his extensive collection of individual awards that include three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Erin Jackson first Black woman to claim speedskating gold at Olympic
Erin Jackson never viewed herself as some sort of trailblazer. She just likes to skate really, really fast, whether it’s on wheels or blades.
Richmond Public Library accepting DVDs for local public access programming
Want to have your own TV show? The Richmond Public Li- brary is making that possible. The library created a TV studio at the library’s Main Branch,101 E. Franklin St. in Downtown, in 2019 to air content from individuals eager to present their own shows. The small broadcast studio on the second floor replaced one Comcast formerly operated out
Alzheimer’s Association to hold free virtual forum
The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a nationwide virtual forum on Alzheimer’s and the Black community 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Black History Month events continue
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
Princeton University scraps exhibit of Jewish American artists with Confederate ties
Last summer, Princeton University agreed to organize an exhibit of works by American Jewish artists in the second half of the 19th century.
Hope from the ashes
We can only imagine the grief and uncertainty that inundated the children and families of William F. Fox Elementary School last weekend when they learned their beloved schoolhouse had gone up in flames.
Leadership needed
We are disappointed at the tumult engulfing the Virginia State Conference NAACP, which was brought on by the resignation last week of the civil rights organization’s 29-year-old executive director, Da’Quan Love.
Overcoming NFL’s shameful history, by Marc H. Morial
“More than half the players in the NFL are Black, and most coaches have played the game at some level. That would seem to be the perfect recipe for Black coaches to find success. But most NFL owners have been white men, and they have seldom been willing to let African Americans or Latinos call plays — either on the field or from the sidelines. This is no different from when franchises presumed that Black players weren’t smart enough to play quarterback and lacked leadership skills to command men. The league’s paltry record of hiring minority head coaches comes from the same mindset. And its primary effort to address the problem has been a failure, because a policy can’t compensate for ignorance.”— Jemele Hill
GOP bows to insurrectionists, by Ben Jealous
The Republican National Committee is officially letting Americans know that it is more committed to former President Trump than to democracy, the rule of law and the truth.
'Long, dirty toenails’, by Dr. Gregg Suzanne Ferguson
Death humbles us all, and death comes for us all. For that reason, in every culture speaking ill of the dead is taboo, if not amoral. When the deceased is an innocent victim, speaking ill of them is especially abominable.
Teaching Black history can help end racism
Black history matters for the same reasons Black lives matter.
The moral arc of the universe bends
Re Editorial “Biden must select a justice for all,” Free Press Feb. 3-5 edition:
Thursday, February 10
Personality: Lawrence ‘Larry’ Clark
Spotlight on president of the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogicial Society
The history of African-Americans remains obscured because of the effects of slavery and white supremacy. It’s this lack of information that Lawrence “Larry” Clark seeks to resolve as president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society’s Greater Richmond Chapter.
The Rev. Charles Williams Jr., director of the Office for Black Catholics, dies at 70
The Rev. Charles Williams Jr., who led the Catholic Diocese of Richmond’s Office for Black Catholics for three years, has died.
Gearing up for Sunday’s big game – Super Bowl LVI
In looking for Super Bowl storylines, a good start might be the quarterbacks, the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow and the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford.
Love Stories 2022
The Richmond Free Press proudly presents its annual Valentine’s Day feature sharing the love stories of four Richmond area couples.
From blind date to years of wedded bliss...
Advocates seek to save programs on Richmond schools budget chopping block
Fully fund computer-based learning. And maintain the current cadre of 21 family and community engagement ambassadors who are critical to keeping Spanish-speaking students engaged with Richmond Public Schools. That was the gist of the message that parents, teachers and other speakers passionately expressed to the Richmond School Board Monday night during a public hearing on the proposed budget that board members are now working to finalize.
Taking it to the streets:
‘Violence interrupters’ will work to stop bloodshed
The city is hiring new “violence interrupters,” people with connections in the community who can help mediate situations on Richmond streets before they escalate into gun violence.
Leadership changes in Richmond-Henrico health districts
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are undergoing another big change, as the director, Dr. Danny Avula, has been named by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin to lead the Virginia Department of Social Services.
HOME to receive $1.1M from landmark multimillion-dollar bias settlement with Fannie Mae
It took six years, but a national mortgage company has finally agreed to accept responsibility for its racial bias in handling foreclosed property.
Move toward collective bargaining for city employees on pause
Richmond City Council hit the pause button on collective bargaining Monday in a bid to gain answers to questions about the potential cost.
State NAACP to hold “The Urgency of Now Rally” Feb. 12 at Capitol Square
The Virginia State Conference NAACP is urging people to rally in support of teaching Black history from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Bell Tower on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Black Book Expo kicks off Feb. 15
Books and authors will be the focus of a Black History Month expo being held during the next two weeks.
VCU holds free dental clinic
Children up to age 14 without dental insurance can receive free treatment next Friday, Feb. 18, courtesy of VCU Dental Care.
VUU’s on a roll at home – and to CIAA Tournament
The countdown to Baltimore and the CIAA Tournament has begun, and few teams appear more prepared for takeoff than the Virginia Union University Panthers.
Ny Langley is angling for All-CIAA as Lady Panthers continue mission to win
Virginia Union University’s Ny Langley is making a bid for All-CIAA while helping the Lady Panthers gain momentum for the CIAA conference tournament.
Flores lawsuit against NFL may dominate Super Bowl parties
This year’s Super Bowl is competing with what could be billed the “Suit’er Bowl” as the No. 1 topic among football fans.
Black History Month events continue
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans.
Disdain for the people
We are gravely concerned by the growing disdain the Youngkin administration and his GOP and Democratic supporters have for the people of the Commonwealth.
Meme of the week
“When we ban books in schools before we ban guns, we admit we are more afraid of our children learning than we are of them dying.”
Whoopi Goldberg’s teachable moment – and ours, by Clarence Page
I hesitated to say anything about Whoopi Goldberg’s remarks that resulted in her suspension from ABC’s “The View” until I could figure out precisely what to be offended about.
Diversity and the Federal Reserve Board, by Marc H. Morial
“The Federal Reserve is our country’s most powerful economic policy institution. Twelve Fed leaders meet every six weeks to make decisions that include how many people should be unemployed and whether wages should be going up. Most of those leaders are white men who come from Wall Street. We want the leadership of the Fed at all levels to be more diverse so it looks and thinks like the working people it is supposed to represent, not Wall Street.” — The Fed Up Campaign
What will the Black History Museum leave out with Confederate statues?
Re “Confederate pedestals out: Grass and landscaping to soon replace dead soldiers,” Free Press Feb. 3-5 edition:
Youngkin’s orders parallel Germany after Holocaust
There are a lot of parallels between Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s executive orders on race and post-Holocaust Germany.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity members commit to cleaning local gravesite of national founder’s family
Beginning next month, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will keep up the family gravesite of one of the fraternity’s founders in historic Evergreen Cemetery in Richmond’s East End.
State of the City
Mayor Levar M. Stoney outlines plans to boost public safety, health, affordable housing, job creation, violence prevention to improve the quality of life for Richmonders
Bigger investments in public safety – including the creation of a gun buyback program as part of a strategic effort to quell the surge in gunfire and violence.
Thursday, February 3
Celebrating black women on the federal bench, by Ben Jealous
President Biden’s first year in office has brought both triumphs and disappointments. There’s no question that the administration has work to do on voting rights and on passing the critical social infrastructure pieces of the Build Back Better plan. But firmly in the “wins” column is the president’s extraordinary success nominating and confirming to the federal bench extraordinarily qualified judges with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, especially Black women judges.
Teaching civil rights during February is not critical race theory, by David W. Marshall
In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month by encouraging the nation to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Suicide takes Miss USA 2019
Cheslie Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide Jan. 30.
White House responds to HBCU bomb threats; Black leaders decry ‘domestic terrorism’
Black leaders are calling the recent series of bomb threats against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) campuses “terrorism.” There have been threats to more than a dozen HBCUs so far this month, many of which occurred only in the past two days. The matter is so alarming that civil rights lawyer and attorney for the family of Ahmaud Arbery, Lee Merritt, who also is a graduate of Morehouse College, said that he believes the Biden administration should form a task force to get to the bottom of the threats and identify the source of the ongoing threats. As the news of the HBCU bomb threats over the past two days was making headlines, in the White House brief- ing on Tuesday, Feb. 1, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reporters, “We take these threats incredibly seriously. Our Homeland Security adviser is in close touch with law enforcement authorities at a federal and local level, and we are assessing what we think the origin, the reasoning, the motivation behind it is.” The Biden administration affirmed its continued support for HBCUs in this moment that is being characterized by leaders as domestic terrorism. “We are absolutely behind these HBCUs. We want to make it very clear that we take these threats seriously and we deeply value their contributions. But it’s important for law enforcement authorities and others to make an assessment before we make any determinations about next steps,” said the presidential spokesperson. On the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the Congressional Black Caucus plans to engage with the Department of Justice on actions to be taken to address the threat of danger against HBCUs. Meanwhile, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, To- bacco and Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the matter. “ATF is aware of bomb threats received by some Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We take all potential threats seriously and we regularly work with our law enforcement partners to determine the threat credibility,” ATF said in a statement. “This is a fluid situation with ongoing investigations, and we can’t comment on the specifics at this time.” White House Press Secretary Psaki said, “I would not call it irony, but I would say that it is scary. It is horrifying. It is terrible that these students, these faculty, these institutions are feeling under threat.” She added, “We don’t know more details at this point in time, and I don’t want to get ahead of law enforcement authorities ... but certainly, given the history you referenced, you know, this is something we’re very mindful of, and that is why we’re so focused on providing regular updates and seeing what our law enforcement team assesses.”
From early on, Childs seen as 'destined for further things'
When she hired Michelle Childs to practice employment law in the early 1990s right out of school, Vickie Eslinger said she knew there was something different about the freshly minted South Carolina attorney.
The work of Dr. King is still not done, by Jesse Jackson
As we begin our celebration of Black History Month, we have just completed an extraordinary national tribute to a leader who did not amass a fortune, nor command an army, nor hold elective office, and yet transformed America. In the U.S., we too often love martyrs and not marches.
Metro Richmond area will host numerous events for Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African-Americans.
Then and Now: Richmond area's Super Bowl heroes
Cincinnati Bengals offensive right guard Quinton Spain - No. 67 - will become the latest local athlete to perform on football’s grandest stage.
Southern Baptist Convention taps Willie McLaurin for top leadership role
Tennessee Pastor Willie McLaurin has been named interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, becoming the first African-American to lead one of the denomination’s ministry entities in its more than 175-year history.
Richmond attorney Rhonda K. Harmon, who challenged Nationwide's redlining policies, has died
Rhonda Michelle King Harmon, a former attorney who helped overturn racist insurance policies that prevented Black homeowners in Richmond and elsewhere from gaining standard coverage for their property, has died.
Personality: Ricky Martin
Spotlight on Fit2Give founder’s goal to reduce health risks in underserved areas
With COVID-19 resulting in more sedentary lifestyles for many Richmond area residents, Fit2Give founder Ricky Martin believes that his nonprofit organization can help offset some of the health disparities likely to have increased in underserved communities during the ongoing pandemic.
President Biden furthers pledge to name a black woman to the Supreme Court
President Joe Biden met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at the White House on Wednesday to talk about how to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Supreme Court, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
Confederate pedestals out
Grass and landscaping to soon replace dead soldiers
Richmond’s streets and parks will soon lose virtually all vestiges of the white-supremacist Confederate statues and monuments that once loomed so large.
Kobe Bryant’s widow honored for her sports leadership
Vanessa Bryant will be recognized as one of the leading women in sports at an event during Super Bowl week.
Ernie Francis gears up for St. Petersburg race
African-Americans are as rare on the IndyCar circuit as snowmobiles in Haiti, but that doesn’t bother Ernie Francis Jr., the latest contender for IndyCar honors.
VUU vs. VSU teams ready for the weekend
Virginia Union University fans will be able to return to women’s and men’s basketball games Saturday, Feb. 5.
CIAA rivals face off this Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall
One team is battling for first place while the other is simply scrapping to get out of the cellar.
Willie O'Ree awarded Congressional Gold Medal
President Joe Biden on Monday signed legislation into law honoring Willie O’Ree, who became the first Black player to appear in a National Hockey League game, with a Congressional Gold Medal.
Former RIchmond firefighter is Petersburg's first woman fire chief
Shortly after being sworn in at Petersburg’s new fire chief on Jan. 31, Tina R. Watkins described the moment as “surreal” and something she has envisioned since childhood.
Black referee to lead Super Bowl
African-American Ronald “Ron” Torbert will be the lead referee — wearing the white cap — for the Feb. 13 Super Bowl in Inglewood, Calif.
Information is knowledge, near and far
Virginia State University is one of six Black universities that will participate in a $2.5 million research and design project to build a framework for digital learning at HBCUs.
Virginia War Memorial hosts Artifacts show
The Virginia War Memorial will again host its popular Artifacts Roadshow event Saturday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Tax relief applications available for elderly, disabled homeowners
Applications and recertifications of tax relief for elderly and disabled homeowners and renters are now being accepted at City Hall, it has been announced.
RRHA will meet with groups opposed to evictions
So help us. That is Stacey Daniels-Fayson’s response to critics of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s resumption of the eviction process for hundreds of public housing residents who have fallen behind in rent payments.
Richmond police report increase in gun violence, homicides in 2021
Richmond saw an uptick in homicides last year, much of it attributable to young people, according to a recent Richmond Police Department report.
Without federal, state dollars, city residents may pay higher sewer bills
Richmond residents could potentially see their bill for sending wastewater to the city’s treatment plant skyrocket to $170 a month or more in the coming years, officials with the city’s Department of Public Utilities are warning.
Janet Jackon doc, despite criticism, a hit for Lifetime
Janet Jackson’s four-part documentary on Lifetime was the network’s most-watched non-fiction show since “Surviving R. Kelly” three years ago, and viewership is continuing to grow.
Biden must select a justice for all
After months of public speculation about his future, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer stood in the White House on Jan. 27 to announce his decision to retire. Justice Breyer, who has served on the high court since 1994, stood not far from President Biden, who minutes earlier declared his intention to nominate a Black woman to replace the retiring justice.
