Thursday, June 29
City Council again honors Richmond Free Press founders
City Council has approved a fresh honor for the founders of the Richmond Free Press.
3 City Hall unions in place
A major share of City Hall’s 4,000 employees have selected their union bargaining agents who will take the lead in contract talks with the city on wages, benefits, health insurance, holiday pay, working conditions and other issues.
A demand for justice
Ben Crump petitions DOJ to investigate Irvo Otieno’s death
Civil rights attorney Benjamin L. Crump and co-counsel Mark J. Krudys are requesting that the United States Department of Justice open a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the death of Irvo N. Otieno.
Supreme Court rejects GOP argument in North Carolina case that could have transformed U.S. elections
The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that state courts can curtail the actions of their legislatures when it comes to federal redistricting and elections, rejecting arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have dramatically altered races for Congress and president in that state and beyond.
Personality: Kristin DuMont
Spotlight on co-leader of Richmond Moms Demand Action
Kristin DuMont became involved with Richmond Moms Demand Action, a local volunteer group committed to ending gun violence in the community, in 2017. She says the work of reaching out to local and state officials did not come naturally to her.
VCU’s Project Gabriel hosts second round of community forums
A Virginia Commonwealth University commission has announced two public forums as it moves to carry out a 2021 state law requiring the school to set up a scholarship program for descendents of enslaved people and to memorialize those enslaved who helped develop the campus.
LA’s Burke remembered in Pride Month
Glenn Burke left his mark in baseball, and not just because he was the Major Leagues’ first openly gay player.
Conducting the future: Burrs holds the baton at UR, Petersburg
Naima Burrs grew up surrounded by music. The Richmond native’s mother is renowned soprano Lisa Edwards-Burrs. Her father, Stacy L. Burrs, is a former CEO of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center, a former director of Venture Richmond and a jazz aficionado.
Lawsuit claims Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement violates Reconstruction-era federal law
People who have been disqualified from voting in Virginia because of their criminal records filed a lawsuit Monday against Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state elections officials challenging the state’s automatic disenfranchisement of people with felony convictions.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Thousands more prisoners across the US will get free college paid for by the government
The graduates lined up, brushing off their gowns and adjusting classmates’ tassels and stoles. As the graduation march played, the 85 men appeared to hoots and cheers from their families. They marched to the stage – one surrounded by barbed wire fence and constructed by fellow prisoners.
July 4 Holiday Closings
In observance of the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday, July 4, please note the following:
Hampton University to benefit from new philanthropic initiative
Hampton University was awarded $750,000 as part of an inaugural $10 million plus venture capital fund, The Historic Fund. The new fund aims to bolster the endowments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as highlight their importance and the role they play in promoting equity and inclusion in higher education, according to a news release issued by the university.
Maggie Walker site names new superintendent
Scott Teodorski is the new superintendent for Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.
VUU elects new board members
Virginia Union University Board of Trustees announced that it has elected new members to serve as trustees of the University:
A pet cause
Infections temporarily close two local animal shelters
Henrico Police Animal Shelter temporarily closed its doors to the public on June 22 after seeing a rise in infections that could lead to canine influenza.
Richmond police provide Monroe Park shooting update
It’s been three weeks since the shooting in Monroe Park after Huguenot High Schools graduation that killed a graduate, Shawn D. Jackson, his stepfather Renzo Smith and injured five others. Since then, official information about the investigation has been scarce, with the Richmond Police Department canceling a planned in-person briefing last Friday and releasing information in statements instead, after a consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.
VMHC hosts new citizens swearing-in ceremonies July 4
Approximately 75 candidates will be sworn in as newly naturalized citizens during a July 4 ceremony in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Immigration drove white, Asian population growth in U.S. last year
Harris County, Texas gains largest number of Black residents
Without immigration, the white population in the U.S. would have declined last year. Immigration also propelled the expansion of the Asian population, which was the fastest-growing race or ethnic group last year in the U.S., while births outpacing deaths helped propel growth in Hispanic, Black, tribal and Hawaiian populations. Population estimates released June 22 by the U.S. Census Bureau show what drove changes in different race, ethnic and age groups last year, as well as since the start of COVID-19’s spread in the U.S. in April 2020. The country had grown to 333.2 million people by the middle of last year, a 0.4% increase over the previous year, according to the 2022 population estimates.
Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy?
One reason: Doctors don’t take them seriously
Angelica Lyons knew it was dangerous for Black women to give birth in America.
A history of abuse, neglect and torture surrounds Black women’s maternity and mortality
For decades, frustrated birth advocates and medical professionals have tried to sound an alarm about the ways medicine has failed Black women. Historians trace that maltreatment to racist medical practices that Black people endured amid and after slavery.
The big payback
This week Virginia Commonwealth University will conduct another public forum about how the Medical College of Virginia, now known as VCU, can atone for being “embedded” in slavery since its beginning in 1838. The forums follow a report which revealed the college rented, owned and sold Black people, stole bodies from Black cemeteries and experimented on Black folks without their consent.
A Supreme surprise: How the Right rescued the Voting Rights Act, by Clarence Page
Although largely upstaged by former President Donald Trump’s federal indictment, the Supreme Court’s voting rights decision earlier this month is likely to have a game-changing impact for many years to come.
Good jobs will come from a cleaner economy, by Ben Jealous
My father’s family once operated woolen mills in New England. Those factories no longer exist, across America like 63,000 factories that have shuttered since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was passed three decades ago.
Let’s be clear: Teamsters Local 322 and Teamsters Local 592 are not the same
I am writing to bring attention to some factual inaccuracies that were present in Jeremy Lazarus’s article titled “RPS bus drivers choose a new union,” published on June 15, 2023.
Leveling up
Monacan’s Olivia Woodson settles in at Auburn
Finally, area high school goalkeepers can take a deep breath. Soccer sensation Olivia Woodson is moving on.
VCU heads to Greece
Befitting a team brimming with international talent, the VCU basketball Rams will soon be making an international excursion.
Oakland twins make history during NBA Draft
Identical twins Amen and Ausar Thompson share an unusual middle name (“XLNC”) and an unusual story that’s taken both to the NBA.”
Commanders set training camp dates
How is Eric Bieniemy is fitting in as the new Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator?
Jazz, concert bands highlight City’s July 4 celebration
Dogwood Dell will host the City of Richmond’s Fourth of July celebration on Tuesday July 4.
Fireworks to light up Petersburg on July 3
The City of Petersburg and will spon- sor and co-host the second annual Peters- burg Independence Day Fireworks Show at the Petersburg Harbor on Monday, July 3.
Meadow Farm hosts Henrico’s Red, White and Lights celebration
Henrico County’s Division of Recreation & Parks will present its annual Red, White and Lights community celebration of Independence Day on Tuesday, July 4 at Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road.
Angela Bassett to receive honorary Oscar
Angela Bassett may have gone home empty handed at the Oscars in March, but the two-time nominee will be getting a golden statuette this year after all — and in very good company too.
VMHC announces civic education merger
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture will ring in July 4 this year with a merger with the John Marshall Center for Constitutional History & Civics into the VMHC and the launch of a three-year civics initiative.
Salvation Army gains new leadership
A new couple is in charge of Salvation Army Central Virginia, based at 2 W. Grace St.
Maryland church, with $100,000 in vandalism damage, continues in faith
The Rev. Jerome Jones Sr. is shocked by two things: the extensive vandalism that took place in his church building in Maryland’s capital in early June and the outpouring of support Fowler United Methodist Church has received in the aftermath.
Health Equity Fund adds groups to combat disparities
Six new community partners, $644,000 in grant money and a continuing effort to bring greater equity to Richmond’s marginalized communities were the focus Tuesday afternoon at Richmond City Hall, as city leaders announced the latest groups and projects that will be part of the Health Equity Fund.
Thursday, June 22
Approval looms for city’s revamped budget
Plan includes retiree bonuses, overtime pay for firefighters
Thousands of City Hall retirees will receive a one-time 5 percent bonus. And the city is setting up a fund to buy property for development.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
‘As a parent, I’m scared’
Kenya Gibson begs RPS Board to act quickly to curtail violence among students
Emotions ran high during Monday’s Richmond School Board meeting, as members discussed and argued over the proper path to improve school safety, following multiple security failures, shootings and deaths this year.
Why teachers need to fight against adult supremacy, by Ashley Clerge
As educators, we often talk about the importance of empow- ering students and giving them agency in the classroom. How- ever, there is a darker reality that we must confront: The per- vasive influ- ence of adult supremacy, which takes away agency from kids by restricting their access to freedom and control- ling their bod- ies, especially in schools. This issue is even more intense for students of color, as the need for control is often justified under the guise of “safety” and “dis- cipline.” As teachers, it is our responsibility to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our students. At its core, adult supremacy is rooted in the belief that adults are inherently superior to chil- dren and therefore have the right to control and dominate them. This manifests in a number of ways in schools, from strict dress codes to zero-tolerance discipline policies to the use of physical force to maintain con- trol. In each case, the message is clear: Children are not capable of making their own decisions and must be controlled for their own good. For students of color, the need for control is often even more intense, as they are viewed as inherently more dangerous or disruptive. This can lead to Ashley Clerge harsher punishments, greater surveillance, and a lack of trust on the part of teachers and administrators. The result is a toxic environment that strips students of their agency and leaves them feeling powerless and marginalized. As educators, we must work to combat adult supremacy in the classroom and give power and agency back to our stu- dents. This means rethinking our approach to discipline, moving away from punishment and control, and toward restor- ative justice and community building. It means listening to our students, valuing their opinions and experiences, and empowering them to make decisions about their own lives and education. One way to do this is through the use of student-led classrooms, where students have a say in everything from the curriculum to the rules to the physical layout of the classroom. This not only gives students agency but also helps to build a sense of community and ownership in the classroom. We also can work to create safe spaces where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences and expressing their opinions. This means creating an environment where all voices are heard and valued, and where students feel free to challenge the status quo and advocate for themselves and their peers. Ultimately, combating adult supremacy in the classroom requires a fundamental shift in our approach to education. We must move away from a model that views children as passive recipients of knowledge and toward one that values their agency, their experiences, and their voices. Only then can we create a truly empowering and equitable education system for all students. The writer is a fifth grade humanities teacher for Boston Public Schools and a 2023 International Literacy Asso- ciation 30 Under 30 Literacy Champion.
Hanover residents hopeful after Virginia Supreme Court’s Wegmans ruling
A recent decision by the Virginia Supreme Court means residents are being given a second chance to make their case against a Wegmans distribution center — even though construction on the 1.7 million-square-foot facility located in Ashland is nearing completion.
Aird defeats Morrissey
Winning 13th Senate District, November’s general election likely a shoo-in
Call it a special birthday present. Just two days before turning 37, Lashrecse D. Aird celebrated in advance Tuesday by putting an election whipping on maverick Democratic state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey in their head-to-head contest.
In affirmative action and student loan cases, some see backlash to racial progress in education
As a Black student who was raised by a single mother, Makia Green believes she benefited from a program that gave preference to students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds when she was admitted over a decade ago to the University of Rochester.
Dennis Parker Jr.’s ascension to N.C. State fueled by academics, athletics, family ties
John Marshall High School’s Dennis Parker Jr. ranks among the most talented and decorated basketball players in Richmond history.
Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on the end of slavery
Americans across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively new national holiday with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.
Personality: Larry Williams
Spotlight on 6th Annual Black Pride RVA Weekend planning committee co-chair
An end of college trip in 2014 with a former partner brought Larry Williams to Richmond, but the Black Pride community he found here made him stay.
Political newcomer Rae Cousins upsets opponents for House bid
Rae Cousins, a lawyer and fourth-generation Richmonder, handily won Tuesday’s primary in Richmond to become the Democratic nominee for the 79th House of Delegates District. Ms. Cousins, 43, bested 3rd District City Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert, 47, and criminal justice crusader Richard Walker, 65, in the their contest in the L-shaped district that is anchored in the East End and takes in portions of South Side and North Side. The district is one of three that includes portions of the city and the only one in which there was a party nomination contest. Incumbent Delegate Betsy B. Carr is unopposed in her bid for
Charles Willis, the ‘first responder to first responders’, continues decades of community advocacy
On Tuesday, June 6, Charles Willis was on Cowardin Avenue going to get dinner when he saw police cars racing across the Lee Bridge toward Virginia Commonwealth University’s campus. He knew something was wrong.
New General Assembly building to open later in 2023
Anticipating a possible special session, the Virginia General Assembly announced it won’t be moving into its new building until later this year.
Second gun buyback program for city targeted
City Hall plans to continue to invest in gun buyback programs despite clear evidence that the program has not worked, which studies have shown is the case in virtually every locality offering to pay people to turn in their guns.
Sacred burial site to be marked by mural
A mural with a message embedded in large red, black and green stripes will soon mark an historic but largely unknown Black cemetery in North Side.
Dominion, Library of Virginia honor ‘extraordinary people during challenging times’
A Roanoke pastor and civil rights leader, the first Black woman nuclear engineer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and the first Black NASCAR race winner were among the six African-Americans honored during the 11th annual “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” awards program June 15 at the Hilton Richmond Hotel and Spa. The annual awards ceremony recognizes the determination and perseverance displayed by extraordinary people during challenging times, according to the event sponsors.
Swansboro Elementary names auditorium for music teacher
For Wallesa Diane Coleman Jones, teaching elementary schoolchildren to appreciate music has been a labor of love.
No more drama
The collective sigh of relief sweeping through the newly redrawn state 13th Senate District on Tuesday was palpable.
Summer up
Summer 2023 arrived Wednesday, and although the purported longest day of the year was accompanied by rain, cheer up. The wetness won’t last long! After all, this is Richmond.
Empathy for families with ‘difficult days ahead’
To the Richmond community: My condolences and empathy to families as they face the difficult days ahead without their loved ones.
Six key points from the scathing report on Minneapolis Police after George Floyd’s killing
The Justice Department on June 16 issued a scathing assessment of Minneapolis Police, alleging that racial discrimination and excessive force went unchecked before George Floyd’s killing because of inadequate oversight and an unwieldy process for investigating complaints.
Pride Month marred by anti-LGBTQ+ bills, by Marc H. Morial
“We are powerful because we have survived, and that is what it is all about—survival and growth.” — Audre Lorde
Jokic in conversation for greatest center
History books will show the Denver Nuggets are the 2023 NBA champions. Let there be no doubt about that. But what about the Nuggets’ Rocky Mountain-sized center, Nikola Jokic? What will his place be on the all-time list of great centers?
Track star Wilson going pro
Britton Wilson has decided to run for cash instead of medals and ribbons.
‘Spike’ originator dies at 82
Homer Jones, famous for his long receptions and spiking the ball after a touchdown, died Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in his hometown of Pittsburg, Texas. Mr. Jones was 82 and had been suffering from lung cancer. Out of HBCU Texas Southern University in Houston, he was big (6-foot-2, 215 pounds) and fast (doubled as college sprinter) and was a defensive back’s nightmare. Playing mostly with the New York Giants in the 1960s, Mr. Jones caught
Fourth Baptist receives historic preservation grant
Fourth Baptist Church in Richmond’s East End has been awarded a $150,000 grant to support preservation of the education wing as the church prepares to mark the 164th anniversary of its founding.
A Black preacher, ‘no longer at war with her body,’ on connecting flesh with the divine
Lyvonne Briggs describes herself as “a Black woman spiritual leader who is no longer at war with her body.” Her mission, in her new book, “Sensual Faith,” is to help other women stop being at war with their bodies too.
Thursday, June 15
Similarities in Dandridge, Arraez are hard to miss
Much of the baseball buzz this spring has centered around Luis Arraez’ quest to hit a next-to-impossible .400-plus.
Better late than never for Miller
Breshauna Miller got off to a slow start but had a fantastic finish to her Huguenot High School track career.
Staging the future
Council bets on showbiz
Betting on entertainment as a key element of future job and economic growth, City Council, as expected, put two high-profile projects on the fast track Monday night—a proposed $560 million casino-resort for the South Side and a $30 million amphitheater for the Downtown riverfront.
Reflections on freedom for Juneteenth, by Robin Stone
The official recognition of the day the last enslaved people in the United States learned of their freedom, known as Juneteenth, was a long time coming. It wasn’t until 2021 — nearly 160 years after slavery ended — that the president signed a proclamation making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Richmond Free Press founders receive City Hall honor and recognition
Black-owned weekly saluted for its ‘leadership, service, dedication and prominence in the community’
Jean P. Boone and the late Raymond H. Boone, founders and publishers of the Richmond Free Press newspaper, received recognition from City Council on Monday night to honor their journalistic contributions to the city.
Trump pleads not guilty to federal charges that he illegally kept classified documents
Trump became the first former president to face a judge on federal charges as he pleaded not guilty in a Miami courtroom Tuesday to dozens of felony counts accusing him of hoarding classified documents and refusing government demands to give them back.
Personality: Richard Allen Jackson Sr.
Spotlight on VHEF’s honorary co-chair for 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out
Richard Allen Jackson Sr., M.D. describes himself as compassionate, caring and supportive. The decision to be the honorary chair for the 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out, along with his wife, Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson, fits right in with those ideals.
Athlete, coach and educator Ethan M. Pitts Jr. dies at age 50
For the first time in at least 15 years, veteran Coach Ethan Matthew “Matt” Pitts Jr. was missing from the Richmond delegation to the Virginia Special Olympics summer games at the University of Richmond.
High 5!
Denver Nuggets win first NBA title over Miami Heat in Game 5
This is no joke. The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokic, aka “The Joker,” are NBA champs for the first time since entering the league 47 years ago.
Library of Virginia, Virginia Folklife Program hosts ‘Celebration of Virginia Folklife’
The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities will present a free two-day celebration featuring documentary screenings, live music and more to highlight Virginia’s diverse and evolving folklife heritage. “A Celebration of Virginia Folklife” will take place July 7 and 8 at the library as part of its yearlong 200th anniversary celebration.
13th Senate District primary candidates discuss their platforms
The issue of abortion and a woman’s right to choose has been front and center in the Virginia primary race in which Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey and Lashrecse Aird are vying to become the Democratic candidate for the state 13th Senate District.
79th House District candidates cite school funding, gun legislation and criminal justice reform as key issues
Three candidates have been knocking on thousands of doors and sending out mailers in pitching to represent the House of Delegates 7th District. Next Tuesday, June 20, voters will choose from Rae Cousins, Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard W. Walker as the Democratic nominee and the odds-on favorite to win in the November general election.
Frustration, sorrow mount in city after graduation shooting
“My nephew lost his life. He lost his life at his high school graduation. That shouldn’t be.”
Affordable housing efforts build momentum
Tall staircases rise from the ground at 7000 Carnation St. in South Side – the first major feature of the 218 new income-restricted apartments that will rise on the 5-acre site.
Juneteenth holiday closings
In observance of Juneteenth on Monday, June 19, please note the following:
No systemic racism?, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
I woke up a few days ago expecting, almost hoping, that my day would be sufficiently uneventful so as not to aggravate my spirit. Instead, while listening to “The View,” I heard Sen. Tim Scott proclaim, “There is no Systemic Racism in America.”
Political hypocrisy should come with a political price, by David W. Marshall
When serving as then-President Trump’s attorney in 2018, Rudy Giuliani was a guest on the Sunday morning show “Meet the Press.” During the interview with host Chuck Todd, Mr. Giuliani gave a contradictory and confusing comment that explains how supporters of the former president view the subject of truth.
RPS bus drivers choose new union
Richmond Public Schools now has a third union with which to bargain.
High blood pressure plagues many Black Americans
Combined with COVID, it’s catastrophic
Charles Thomas was unwell but he had no time for rest. He was on the cusp of a management promotion and a move to Florida to begin a new chapter that would alter his family’s financial future and break the cycle of generational poverty. Yet, as his family’s prospects improved, concerns about his health grew.
Juneteenth events
One of the few lasting changes from the moment of “racial reckoning” that America experienced after the murder of Minnesota resident George Floyd was the federal recognition of Juneteenth as a national holiday in 2021.
Jeff Wilson receives local PRSA chapter’s highest honor
VHMC’s Taylor Fuqua receives ‘Rising Star’ award
Jeff Wilson, vice president of Workplace Culture, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and chief of staff at Padilla, recently received the 2023 Excellence in Public Relations Award from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA Richmond).
New tool to help Chesterfield residents locate voting precincts
With the June 20 primary one week away, the Chesterfield County Registrar’s Office is making it easy for county residents to locate their respective representatives and voting precinct with the click of button.
No more ‘jo(e)king’ around
Voting has been underway for several weeks in what The Nation magazine called “the most important Democratic primary of 2023,” between former state representative Lashrecse Aird and the incumbent, a scandal-prone former lawyer named Joe Morrissey.
Get your vote on
After months of campaigning, it’s now the voters’ turn to determine the winners and losers in local elections. On Tuesday, June 20, polling places will open in districts with contests from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and citizens can choose their Democratic or Republican nominee to run in the November election.
Willis swinging for Carolina title
Virginia Union University’s Travon Willis has won one golf title in his home state of North Carolina, and now he’s shooting for another.
Zachiah ‘ZZ’ Clark prefers ‘making my own way’
The Tennessee State basketball program has added a blue chip prospect.
U.S. Club Lacrosse National Championships taps local region for 2024 event
America’s top youth lacrosse athletes will vie for national titles when the first ever U.S. Club Lacrosse National Championship comes to the Richmond Region next year.
VMHC honors dads with free admission
Dads may visit the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and receive free admission to the museum galleries, including the museum’s most recent exhibition, “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon,” as part of a special Father’s Day offering.
VHMC announces 2024 history fund grant cycle
As the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) prepares for the 2024 Commonwealth History Fund grant cycle, the museum encourages organizations that wish to receive funding to begin planning now.
Bon Secours expanding in East End
Following through on a three-year plan to expand health services in Richmond’s East End, Bon Secours announced this week the expansion of obstetrics and gynecology services on its Richmond Community Hospital campus, and plans to open a $2 million urgent care center by year’s end.
Thursday, June 8
City in crisis
Richmond reels from mass shooting at graduation
Huguenot High School graduate Shawn D. Jackson, age 18, and his stepfather Renzo R. Smith, 36, were killed when gunfire erupted Tuesday in Monroe Park following a graduation ceremony for Huguenot students at the Altria Theater.
Fox Elementary employee to plead case before School Board
Robin Spears, a 15-year social worker, who has been on paid leave since November 2021 is going to the School Board in hopes the members will reject a recommendation that she be fired for failing to report to a position she said she was never offered.
Black kids face racism before they even start school
To her students who need the most support, India Strother is rarely just “Ms. Strother” — she’s a family figure they call “Mom,” a trusted guide as they negotiate their teenage years.
New leader of Richmond Crusade for Voters
Jerome Legions Jr. is now the former president of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.
Celebrating ‘the voice of Black America’, by Marc H. Morial
“Show me a person who is full of prejudice, and I will show you a sick, unhappy, fearful individual who is not going anywhere and who is not growing. People don’t shut other people out; they fence themselves in.” – Whitney M. Young Jr.
Personality: Elizabeth C. ‘Lizzie’ Childress
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools 2023 top valedictorian
Lizzie Childress will be recognized as valedictorian at her graduation from Richmond’s Open High School and her 5.2958 GPA also made her the Richmond Public Schools 2023 top valedictorian.
Caught in the crossfire
‘Living in the city of Richmond, too many moms are burying their children’
Kendall Scott, 17, was excited to be graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School on Tuesday, which was to take place shortly after Huguenot High School’s graduation at Richmond’s Altria Theater.
Agnes Wilder Nicholson dies at age 98
Agnes Wilder Nicholson, who spent much of her life in education and civic service, died Saturday, May 6, 2023, at age 98.
Agnes Abuom, global ecumenist, peacemaker and African church leader, dies at 73
Kenya Agnes Abuom, a global ecumenical leader and peacemaker, died on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at the age of 73 while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Nairobi.
Jokic: Denver’s second round sensation
The Denver Nuggets’ historic success of 2023 really began in 2014 with a draft selection that hardly drew a ripple of excitement across the NBA.
Sign of a trailblazer
Several family members, neighbors and friends gathered yesterday for an honorary street renaming of the 5300 block of Marian Street in honor of the late Bettie Elizabeth Boyers Cooper. Mrs. Boyers Cooper was best known for being a plaintiff during the Civil Rights Movement whose federal lawsuit led to the integration of Richmond’s schools.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Council waits to hear if another casino vote is in the cards
Second District City Councilwoman Katherine Jordan remains the only opponent of giving Richmond voters a second chance to decide whether the city should be allowed to host a proposed $560 million casino-resort project in the South Side. She was the lone dissenter on Monday as the City Council moved casino-support legislation to the Monday, June 12, meeting for quick passage.
Marita Golden’s prescription for Black women and self-care
Author, educator and literary activist Marita Golden’s 20th book that will be released June 13 builds on her previous book, which pushed back against the idea that Black women have to be strong all the time.
Utility bill assistance
Richmond utility customers who are behind in paying their bills can find out their options at a customer support event on Saturday, June 10, at Henderson Middle School, 4319 Old Brook Road in North Side.
Outdoor concert venue booked for council approval
A 7,500-seat outdoor concert venue that will feature 25 to 30 concerts each season is likely headed to the Richmond riverfront.
Planned Fire Training Center clears final hurdle
The Richmond Fire Department can proceed with building a new training center on a 2-acre section of lawn at Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side, despite the property being zoned as residential.
New police precinct building set for East End
A new First Police Precinct will be built on the parking lot of the Richmond City Justice Center in the 6th Council District, according to information shared with City Council this week.
Democratic primary for 14th Senate District underway
With early voting ongoing for the June 20 Democratic primary, the candidates each spoke with the Richmond Free Press about some of the issues that are on the minds of voters in the new 14th Senate District.
Four RPS schools in line for new names
Richmond School Board members will vote to confirm new names for four schools — Ginter Park Elementary, John B. Cary Elementary, Binford Middle and George Wythe High — later this month, after a meeting Monday evening at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Tuesday’s bloodletting
The chorus of angry and sorrowful cries continue as yet another mass shooting shocks our nation. This time the once unimaginable struck close to home as Huguenot High School students left the Altria Theater ready to celebrate their newly minted diplomas with family and friends.
Against AI, political punditry can still do the write thing, by Clarence Page
Striking Hollywood writers are nervous about artificial intelligence — also known as AI — and I’m not feeling so good myself.
Farewell, Tina Turner
Like many of her devoted fans, I was both shocked and saddened that the euphonious singer, Tina Turner, passed away on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
High court diluted Voting Rights Act a decade ago, prompting wave of new voting rules
Within hours of a U.S. Supreme Court decision dismantling a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, Texas lawmakers announced plans to implement a strict voter ID law that had been blocked by a federal court.
U.Va.’s Woolfolk wears one hat and one helmet
Depending on the season, Jay Woolfolk wears either No. 4 or No. 16 for the University of Virginia.
Another O’Neal is the real deal
O’Neal is a famous name in basketball. Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal ranks among the all-time NBA standouts. Now it’s Me’Arah’s turn to put the family name on the marquee.
Squirrels have more fans than wins
The Richmond Flying Squirrels have struggled at times on the field this season, but their fans don’t seem to care.
Bertimon nets A-10’s top honor
Charles Bertimon has aced the tennis test at VCU. He’s all about scoring A’s in the classroom, too.
Baseball’s top team has Spanish accent
Tampa Bay has a thriving Hispanic population, so it makes sense the city’s baseball team has a similar makeup.
Happenings hub
Here’s a look at what’s happening around Richmond this week to help you plan your outings.
The sophisticated soul of Will Downing
Will Downing has been around long enough to be one of the few Grammy-nominated singers left in his lane. After 26 albums, (including his latest, “Pieces”) the R&B singer is fine with where his career, which began in the 1980s, has put him.
Thursday, June 1
Richmond Public Schools must do better, by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
To be a city where everyone has a fair shot to thrive, we must support our youngest residents and those who care for them.
Hamilton Street to house Fire Department
The Richmond Fire Department is moving after 15 years at 201 E. Franklin St.
Servant leader Gregory A. Cummings dies at 67
Former MEGA Mentors president assisted thousands of area youths
Gregory A. Cummings, a role model for Chesterfield County and Petersburg youths, was memorialized Tuesday at Second Baptist Church in South Side Richmond. He died Saturday, May 20, 2023, at age 67.
Plans for fire training center collide with zoning issue
The Richmond Fire Department’s plan to replace 2 acres of park land at the Hickory Hill Community Center with a new fire training center has run into a surprising roadblock – zoning.
Never again? We wish
George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, was supposed to be a wake-up call for America.
New education center won’t ignore James River’s painful past
On May 8, 2023, the James River Association broke ground on a new river education center on Dock Street in Richmond’s East End. The James A. Buzzard River Education Center will be located on Richmond’s riverfront, just steps from the James River, and is scheduled to open in the summer of 2024. Education programs offered at the center will explore the James River, its natural resources, as well as its historical significance.
Is Tim Scott running for president or chaplain in chief?, by Julianne Malveaux
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has joined the throng of Republicans seeking to unseat the former president as the frontrunner of that party. So far, Sen. Scott is polling in the single digits, but he has $22 million left from his last senatorial race that he can use for his presidential race.
Richmond Region Tourism launches destination marketing campaign
Multi-channel ad campaign highlights how “The Richmond Region Speaks for Itself”
Quick. What comes to mind when you think about Richmond and surrounding areas?
What we can no longer permit, by Ben Jealous
Picture a mountain valley somewhere in the Alleghanies, Appalachians or Blue Ridge. It’s a safe bet what you just imagined didn’t include a metal pipeline more than 3 feet wide running down a steep ridge or crossing a pristine stream.
Agreement limits low-income housing in redeveloped Creighton Court
Highly visible work is underway along Nine Mile Road in the East End as crews and machines prepare the land for the new townhouses and apartments that eventually will replace the 504 public housing units in Creighton Court.
Shielding from responsibility?
City mum on funds diverted to police
Mayor Levar M. Stoney joined community partners Tuesday to announce the city is all for trying to prevent the killings that leave bodies in the street and families in mourning. However, during his City Hall press conference, the mayor didn’t mention that just a few weeks ago his administration gained approval from
5 takeaways from The Associated Press series on health disparities impacting Black Americans
The Associated Press spent a year examining how racial health disparities have harmed generations of Black Americans.
The need for food and shelter grows for city’s homeless
“The need has tripled,” Rhonda Sneed said. “More and more people are experiencing a crisis at this time, and so many with food insecurity. I am seeing more people seeking some form of nourishment from a trash receptacle.”
Festival of the Arts
The 66th edition of Richmond’s Festival of the Arts at Dogwood Dell in Byrd Park will launch Saturday, June 10, with a six-hour showcase of music, dance, food and culture of immigrants who now live in the Richmond area.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Operation Safe Summer gears up
Richmond, state and federal law enforcement will be working closer together than ever as part of a new initiative they say will seek to stop violent crime and protect children, during a season when crimes tend to increase.
Youngkin hails new digital hub for veterans benefits
Earlier this month Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin announced the rollout of a Gold Standard Digital Hub for Virginia veterans and their families to ensure easier access to information regarding earned benefits and resources tailored to their needs.
Gov. Youngkin scraps college degrees for most state jobs
Most Virginia government jobs will be open to high school graduates, beginning July 1.
HU Coach JT Giles-Harris, U.S. head to lacrosse World Championships
There will be an HBCU influence on this year’s United States lacrosse team.
A-10 tourney coming to area
The Atlantic 10 Conference women’s basketball tournament is returning to the 804 Area Code, but not to the city of Richmond.
After clearing obstacles, NSU’s Brown is Wilma Rudolph Award recipient
Basketball standout Cahiem Brown never gave in to adversity, and the sports world has taken notice.
Spurs strike gold with ‘Wemby’
And the winner is ... On May 22, the San Antonio Spurs may have won the NBA prize of this century, or perhaps any century, via the NBA Draft Lottery.
Florida wins World Series title
Florida Memorial University wears the crown today as the king of Black college baseball.
June is Pride month
Richmond once again is raising the Progress Pride flag over City Hall to open Pride Month in the city.
Elegba Folklore Society presents 27th annual Juneteenth celebration
Elegba Folklore Society’s “Juneteenth 2023, A Freedom Celebration” will take place Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11. Saturday’s program, “Torch Lit Night Walk Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans,” begins at 7 p.m. at the Manchester Dock, 1308 Brander St. It is free to attend, however donations are welcome.
Happenings hub
Concerts, lectures, exhibitions, festivals, readings and sporting events during the week of June 1 through June 8.
Here’s some of what’s happening around Richmond this week. Take a look at this list before heading out. Stay safe!
Nun whose body shows little decay since 2019 death draws hundreds to rural Missouri
Hundreds of people flocked to a small town in Missouri this week and last to see a Black nun whose body has barely decomposed since 2019. Some say it’s a sign of holiness in Catholicism, while others say the lack of decomposition may not be as rare as people think.
House OKs debt ceiling bill to avoid default, sends Biden-McCarthy deal to Senate
Veering away from a default crisis, the House approved a debt ceiling and budget cuts package late Wednesday, as President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy assembled a bipartisan coalition of centrist Democrats and Republicans against fierce conservative blowback and progressive dissent.
Personality: Brandy W. Stoney
Spotlight on Robinson Theater Community Arts Center board president
The Robinson Theater Community Arts Center is a Church Hill institution that opened in 1937 as the first theater for African-Americans in the area. After closing in the 1980s, it reopened as an event space for children and adults in 2009. For Brandy W. Stoney, the current president of the Robinson Center board, the building is “now like home to me,” and an East End legacy that she enjoys helping to guide and sustain.
Denver reaches Finals ... finally
Nuggets face the Heat in best-of-seven June 1
Denver is known as “The Mile High City” and its giddy basketball fans are starting to feel like they’re walking on clouds.
