Thursday, October 26
Personality: Rebecca Cornett Massey
Spotlight on VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board chair
Rebecca “Becky” Cornett Massey describe herself as being enthusiastic and a teammate. When hearing the new chair of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board discuss the center’s role in the Richmond community, her enthusiasm in being part of the center’s team is evident.
More students gain eligibility for free school meals under expanded U.S. program
Millions of additional students in schools serving low-income communities will be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost under a rule change announced Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
JLARC report shows the cost of child care adds up in Virginia
Most Virginia families, particularly single-parent households, currently spend far more than 7% of household income on childcare, or well above the percentage the federal government defines as affordable, according to a new state report.
Finally, a show of support
Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from Louisiana, is elected House speaker
Republicans eagerly elected Rep. Mike Johnson as House speaker on Wednesday, elevating a deeply conservative but lesser-known leader to the seat of U.S. power and ending for now the political chaos in their majority.
Trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree dies
Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultra- smooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.
Churches continue to alter services in era of COVID-19
‘It gives you a reason to reach out to others’
Like other parts of the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed church services throughout the Greater Richmond Region.
VUU has 7 wins and counting
Virginia Union University loves playing at home at friendly Hovey Field. But road trips aren’t bad, either.
Local groups host ‘Trunk or Treat’ at VMHC
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and 24 other local organizations will present Halloween fun at the inaugural Trunk or Treat community event that will take place at the museum on Oct. 27.
Black women and breast cancer diagnosis — just different, by Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard
While we have made great strides in improving cancer outcomes among many populations over the last several decades, one group remains consistently, inequitably left behind: Black women in America.
Early voting continues in Richmond
The next election is the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Early voting for this election began Sept. 22 and continues until Saturday, Nov. 4.
Chesterfield opens early voting sites
Chesterfield County opened five library satellite sites for in person, early voting on Oct. 23.
MBL presents ‘Women Who Mean Business Summit’
The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) will host its “Women Who Mean Business Summit” on Friday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St.
Fall for All Festival at River City Middle School
A multicultural celebration of love, language and culture takes place Saturday, Oct. 28, at the 2nd Annual Fall for All Festival, hosted by River City Middle School, RPS School Board member Nicole Jones, 9th District, and the RPS Language Instruction Educational Program. The event is free and open to the public.
Virginia NAACP to gain new president
The Rev. Cozy Bailey is on track to be elected the next president of the Virginia NAACP, according to outgoing president, Robert N. Barnette Jr.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Chesterfield offering after-school snacks and supper
Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free afternoon snacks and supper at more than 30 schools for students in after-school activities, according to a news release from its media services unit.
No tax cut for Richmond property owners
City Council has no plans to cut the tax rate on property taxes, essentially allowing an increase in the tax bills most property owners will pay.
Taxpayer rebates issued
Taxpayer rebate checks began rolling out this week, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin announced Tuesday.
Vote ‘YES’ for the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino
For the past several weeks, Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO of Urban One, and representatives of Churchill Downs have spoken with church, civic and media organizations about their quest to build a gambling project on Richmond’s South Side.
Right to vote hangs in balance, by Marc H. Morial
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and should be accessible to every eligible resident. It has been proven that participating in the civic process reduces recidivism, and individuals take pride in their communities when they can fully contribute to Virginia. True democracy does not deprive individuals of participation based on the whim of one individual. It’s time to correct the wrongs of our 1902 Constitution and leave the power to one succinct process that cannot be modified by a single person’s emotions in the moment.” — Sheba Williams, Executive Director, Nolef Turns
Get real about Middle East, by Clarence Page
Some of my friends who know more about Middle East affairs than I do caution me against having too much optimism. Life is complicated, they note, especially in Middle East politics.
Remembering those who died while struggling with homelessness
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in partnership with Homeward and Commonwealth Catholic Charities, will host a second annual memorial service for people who passed away while struggling with homelessness. The service is at 4 p.m. on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1100 W. Grace St.
Richmond Free Press ‘takes its mission to inform the public seriously’
As a new Virginia resident, I signed up for home delivery of the local newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I was still receiving national news from a digital subscription to my former newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, but I wanted a local paper to learn about the concerns, activities, policies and politics of my new city and state. I also enjoy holding and reading a physical newspaper.
Trojans veer off track
It will be Senior Day Saturday at Rogers Stadium and the seniors, as well as the underclassmen, figure to have a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Davis’ ‘layaway plan’ pays off
As a Virgina State University freshman last fall, Cameron “Cam” Davis displayed his considerable talents during the week in practice. This season he’s showing his skills on Saturdays, when it really counts.
Baseball playoffs lack African-Americans
Players of color have been in abundance on baseball’s bright playoff stage, but only two are African-American. Of 40 primary starters (nonpitchers) in the now-completed American and National League Championship Series, only Tommy Pham of Arizona and Texas’ Marcus Semien are African-American.
Versatile Huguenot quarterback Jason Wright eyes championships
If Huguenot High School football is to rise as a tower of power, Jason Wright deserves to go down as a cornerstone of the project.
RVA Bandits compete for football championships this weekend
Darryl H. Johnston fondly remembers playing youth football growing up in Richmond. Frustrated that the city’s parks and recreation department was no longer fielding a team at the Broad Rock Sports Complex where he played as a child, the 32-year-old Atlantic City, N.J., native started a program in August.
Chesterfield museum to host permanent exhibit honoring Cornelius Mimms
The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia’s African American History Committee will present a program in honor of Cornelius Mimms on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Chesterfield County Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.
Finalists pitch podcasts during RESONATE festival
The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University will present the second annual RESONATE Podcast Festival Nov. 3-4. This year, both established and aspiring pod- casters were once again invited to submit ideas that demonstrate sound-rich, creative nonfiction storytelling.
Virginia Supreme Court bans ‘skill games’
Playing so-called “skill games” at gas stations, retail shops and convenience stores could soon come to a screeching halt in the wake of an Oct. 13 order from the state Supreme Court.
Thursday, October 19
Decision delayed in Essex Point project
The Essex County Board of Supervisors recently denied a rezoning request for the Essex Point at Mt. Clement development project during its Oct. 19 meeting. However, the board then voted and passed a second motion to defer rendering a decision until its meeting scheduled for Dec. 12.
Virginia statehouse candidates face questions about residency requirements
Virginia state lawmakers are required to live in the district they represent, as well as in any district they might be seeking to represent. If they move out of their district, the state constitution states they are out of office. Those requirements, combined with political maps that took effect this year, have created a headache for some candidates.
$5M payday?
Tentative agreement said to be reached in Arthur Ashe controversy
City Hall and the Richmond School Board appear to be on the verge of settling a 17-month dispute over control of the aging Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, a basketball arena and convocation center that the school system managed since it opened in 1982. As the Free Press previously reported, both sides claimed ownership of the 4.1-acre property that occupies a key corner of the planned 67-acre, $2.44 billion Diamond District redevelopment initiative — and until now, an ugly and embarrassing court battle appeared to be looming to settle which entity holds title to the building.
Coaching legend Lou Anderson dies at age 87
Louis “Lou” Anderson Jr., who spent most of his adult life coaching football and, more importantly to him, influencing the lives of young men, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Mr. Anderson was 87 and had been in an assisted living facility for several years.
Late-bloomer Sidibe kicks it into gear
Virginia Union University enjoys a most resilient offense. Whenever the Panthers prematurely lose one All-CIAA receiver, another pops up. This season Said Sidibe has become a “go to” man, says VUU Coach Alvin Parker.
Biden didn’t make Israeli-Palestinian talks a priority; Arab leaders say region now paying the price
From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would de-prioritize a half-century of high-profile efforts by past U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
After homecoming win, VSU eyes championship prizes
Boldly, VirginiaStateUniversity’s football schedule includes games on Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 that aren’t guaranteed. That would be the CIAA Championship Game Nov. 11 and NCAA Division II Playoffs Nov. 18. And while Trojans fans may want to hold off a bit in making travel plans, those games are looking more and more like a reality.
‘If These Walls Could Talk’
Shirley Hawkins’ book details Jackson Ward home that served as training center for blind and visually-impaired workers
When Shirley Hawkins met preservationist Zarina Fazaldin in 2016, it was to share what she remembered about her former workplace, the Richmond Workshop for the Blind, once located inside 508 St. James St. in Historic Jackson Ward. Writing a book about it was the last thing on Mrs. Hawkins’ mind.
Florida faith leader: Black history toolkit gains interest outside the state
When the Rev. Rhonda Thomas decided to create a toolkit to help teach Black history outside the public school system — after Florida legislators approved revisions to its required instruction — she expected Black churches like her own would be the ones to use it.
Concerns about RPS mold, safety issues continue to spread
Complaints about mold in several Richmond Public Schools have persisted since the beginning of the current school year.
Department of Defense awards $9M to create research institute at VCU
A new research institute is coming to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering through a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to create and improve technologies for security, health and various other benefits.
Brotherly love
TJ’s Stovall plays in slain sibling’s honor
Whenever Dashawn Stovall steps onto a football field, he is fueled by flesh, bone and a full tank of emotion. He carries the pigskin and makes tackles for Thomas Jefferson High School, but also for his slain brother, Davonte, who was murdered in 2019 in a shooting on Selden Street.
Personality: W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D.
Spotlight on CultureWorks board chair
Jazz pianist and retired educator W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D., believes in freedom of expression through art.
Thompson Hospitality to donate $1M to Virginia State University
Thompson Hospitality, the nation’s largest black-owned and privately held hospitality company, will donate $1 million to Virginia State University. The donation, made by Warren Thompson, is a tribute to his parents, Fred and Ruby Thompson. It marks the second $1 million contribution to VSU from the Thompson Family, following an initial pledge in 2011.
America’s ticking fiscal time clock, by Charlene Crowell
For the second time this year, Congress’ inability to reach consensus on essential fiscal legislation has devolved into largely partisan bickering and literal, last-minute temporary financial Band-Aids. On Sept. 30, the last day of the 2022-2023 federal fiscal year, a continuing resolution (CR) provided a 45-day reprieve, just in time to meet a midnight deadline that would have resulted in a federal government shutdown.
Henrico’s 1st phase of Ashland-to-Petersburg trail will be built in Lakeside
Henrico County is set to begin construction of its portion of the 43-mile Fall Line trail, following a ceremonial groundbreaking today in Lakeside for the trail’s 0.26-mile Park Street Phase.
Pulse North-South route endorsed
Five years after installing the East-West Pulse bus rapid-transit line, GRTC has embraced a vision of a adding a North-South line – though it is at least seven years and $100 million or so away from development.
Could Youngkin be on presidential campaign trail?
Most say it’s a ‘no’ for Virginia’s governor
Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before he’d even made it to the Virginia governor’s mansion.
New General Assembly building opens
The elevators go up and down all 15 levels in a jiffy. There’s light and windows everywhere. The committee rooms can seat hundreds. The upsized cafeteria has ample seating and a pizza oven. And there’s new technology throughout designed to help the people of Virginia see and influence what their elected representatives are doing in Richmond. A week before the official ribbon was cut on the new Virginia General Assembly Building on Oct. 11, state officials who had overseen the nearly $300 million project for the last six years were proudly preparing to reveal the almost-finished product.
Yes or no?
The announcement that former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn will not run for governor in 2025 comes amid continuing rumors that Virginia’s current governor may make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race.
Do the right thing Alabama, by Marc H. Morial
“We are not aware of any other case in which a state legislature — faced with a federal court order declaring that its electoral plan unlawfully dilutes minority votes and requiring a plan that provides an additional opportunity district — responded with a plan that the state concedes does not provide that district.” – U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division
Panthers cruising into homecoming
What more could you ask for? Virginia Union University has the wind at its back, a full head of steam and arguably the nation’s top running back heading into homecoming weekend.
Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy exhibit opens at Richmond’s Black History Museum
The Armstrong Walker Football Classic Legacy Project has returned to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia with a new exhibit that will run until Nov. 22. During the exhibit visitors will view artifacts that help explore the history of the sports rivalry between Maggie L. Walker High School and Armstrong High School.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Thursday, October 12
Private school’s closure leaves students without a classroom
The sudden closure of Richmond-based Metropolitan Day School has left some disabled public schools students in the lurch.
Biden condemns Hamas for ‘unadulterated evil’
President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned the militant group Hamas for “sheer evil” for its shocking multi-pronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens.
Personality: Zarina Fazaldin
Spotlight on Richmond Folk Festival Programming Committee Chair
Zarina Fazaldin left her family in Tanzania to complete high school and earn her bachelor’s degree in India before coming to Richmond to pursue post graduate studies. Back then, her dream job was to work at the United Nations. More than 30 years later, Ms. Fazaldin still lives in Richmond, a city that she loves and considers her own. Her friends in Richmond have become family, she says.
More states are teaching financial literacy
Inside a high school classroom, Bryan Martinez jots down several purchases that would require a short-term savings plan: shoes, phone, headphones, clothes, and food. His medium-term financial goals take a little more thought, but he settles on a car — he doesn’t have one yet — and vacations. Peering way into his future, the 18-year-old also imagines saving money to buy a house, start his own business, retire and perhaps provide any children with a college fund.
Fire Department 40-year veteran Earl Dyer dies
‘He was a dedicated public servant,’ Fire Chief Carter said
Battalion Chief Earl Dyer of the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services is being remembered as a “consummate professional and a man of the highest integrity” following his death after experiencing a medical emergency at work.
Black support for Deion Sanders and Colorado is just as much about representation as it is wins
One of Trevon Hamlet’s core memories from attending the University of Colorado is living on campus his freshman year and being able to count on one hand how many Black people he’d see in a day.
Annual checkup
A year after scathing New York Times article, Bon Secours’ prescription for East End community includes jobs, training, upgraded facilities
Richmond Community Hospital continues to buzz with construction as its owner, Bon Secours, builds up operations at the East End health care center.
VUU’s Byers back on fast track
Phew! Virginia Union University football fans can breathe a sigh of relief and wipe their brows. Jada Byers is back in the saddle, meaning the rest of the CIAA may fear being trampled.
Driven
Program helps residents regain driver’s licenses, better quality of life
Perry Whitaker is on the road to rebuilding his life.
Va. Dems call on Justice Department to investigate removals from voter rolls
Virginia’s Democratic Congressional delegation has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate reports that eligible Virginia voters were removed from the voter rolls by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration, and to determine whether any violations of the Voting Rights Act or other federal laws were committed.
Fairfield meeting to feature local candidates, Thornton’s farewell message
Henrico County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton will hold his final Fairfield Constituent Meeting on Monday, Oct. 16, to highlight local candidates in the Nov. 7 general election and to share a farewell message as he prepares to retire.
VCU class creates story maps of 2 historic Black cemeteries
Graduate students in a Virginia Commonwealth University class have created online story maps of two historic Black burial grounds, the Cemeteries of Barton Heights in Richmond and Woodland Cemetery in Henrico County.
Unstoppable Simone Biles wraps up world championships
Simone Biles was not too worried about the medal count, or the color of the medals, at the gymnastics world championships this week. That approach has sure paid off.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Flu fight
Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and other local officials gathered Tuesday at the Bon Secours Sarah Jones Garland Center for Healthy Living at Richmond Community Hospital to encourage Virginians young and old to receive a seasonal flu shot to protect themselves and others from illness.
Needed: A better deal
Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration hoped to expand a program that helps city employees to buy homes in the city.
Public education is vital to a democracy, by Jesse Jackson
America owes much of its prominence and prosperity to the fact that it has led the world in popular education. Even without a public school system, we had the highest literacy in the world in the 19th century. We were among the first to provide public school to the young through the 12th grade.
Consequences of childhood trauma, by David W. Marshall
While the first week of October represents Morgan State University’s week of homecoming events, many of those activities were either postponed or canceled, along with the cancellation of classes. Five people, ages 18 to 22, including four students, suffered non-life- threatening injuries after gunfire erupted on Morgan State’s campus.
Denmark’s Nielsen adds offense power to VUU football
As football coach at Virginia Union University, Alvin Parker estimates he receives “about 300 emails a day.” One email last winter stood out from the others.
Trojans undefeated
VSU plays Bluefield State for homecoming
There’s plenty cause to party this weekend in Ettrick.
Richmond Folk Festival returns with fun for everyone
The Richmond Folk Festival returns for its 19th year to downtown Richmond with six stages and over 30 performers from Friday, Oct. 13, to Sunday, Oct. 15.
Amy Wratchford named interim managing director at Virginia Rep
Amy Wratchford has been appointed interim managing director at the Virginia Repertory Theatre, the company’s board of directors announced.
VMFA to feature work of award-winning photographer Dawoud Bey
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) will present the exhibition “Dawoud Bey: Elegy” from Nov. 18 to Feb. 25, 2024. Described as “a profound exploration of early experiences of African- Americans in the United States,” the groundbreaking survey marks
Willie Anne Wright’s retrospective to open at VMFA
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts exhibit, “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist,” will be on view Oct. 21 to April 28, 2024. Admission will be free.
VUU kicks off homecoming with gospel concert
Virginia Union University will kick off this year’s homecoming festivities with a live gospel concert and recording presented by the Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at VUU on Sunday, Oct. 15.
VSU marching band is 3rd in the nation, ESPN says
Virginia State University’s Trojan Explosion Marching Band is named one of the best HBCU bands in the country, according to newly released rankings by ESPN. The band is ranked third in the Division II/NAIA category in ESPN’s HBCU Band of the Year rankings posted by HBCU Gameday.
Thursday, October 5
Sen. Dianne Feinstein offered a valuable voice in a divided Senate, by Clarence Page
Amid the multitude of tributes that poured out after her death at age 90, one description of California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Senate’s oldest sitting member, was appropriately prominent. “A true trailblazer,” said President Biden, “a pioneering American,” and “for Jill and me, a cherished friend.”
Let consumers make their own food buying choices, by John Burnett
Amid Congress’ best efforts to keep the government open, it’s also hard at work to re-authorize affordable food, farmers’ ability to insure their crops, and ranchers being able to export their products to foreign markets.
RPS taps Sands Anderson to investigate graduation shootings
A new investigation into Richmond school operations before, during and after the June mass shooting that followed the Huguenot High School graduation, is set to begin after the Richmond School Board approved a third-party review by the Sands Anderson law firm.
With passion and purpose
Nearing retirement, Debra Carlotti has helped empower children and parents for decades
Richmond Public Schools educator Debra Carlotti was born in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., a place that is a lot more trendy now than when she grew up there in the 1950s and 1960s, she said.
Kevin McCarthy was an early architect of the Republican majority that became his downfall
The day before he was ousted, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was doing what he loved — stopping to greet tourists at the Capitol, gushing about the beauty of the place and its history at the center of American democracy.
Personality: Ann Oppenhimer
Spotlight on co-founder, executive director of Folk Art Society of America
The Museum of International Folk Art describes the medium as art that is decorative or utilitarian, used every day or reserved for high ceremonies, is handmade or includes handmade elements, as well as new, synthetic or recycled components.
Funds available for groups hurt by Enrichmond’s collapse
A promised $250,000 bailout fund for more than 80 community groups that lost most of their money in the 2022 collapse of the Enrichmond Foundation is finally available.
Falcons hope to be ‘primetime’ players
Charles Scott is becoming the Deion Sanders of the East. In a blink, Coach Sanders, aka “Coach Prime,” turned a ragamuffin University of Colorado program into a national talking point with a 3-0 start. Meanwhile, on the high school level, Scott has awakened the long-slumbering Huguenot High Falcons.
Southside Community Center’s $16M addition
Construction of a new addition to the Southside Community Center is officially underway.
Boston University names Melissa L. Gilliam 11th president
‘I lead by listening, collaborating and empowering’
Melissa L. Gilliam, the executive vice president and provost of The Ohio State University and a distinguished educator, scholar, research scientist, and physician, will be Boston University’s 11th president, the Boston trustees announced on Wednesday. She will assume the post July 1, 2024.
Enrollment growing at Virginia HBCUs, but they face historic underfunding, by Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury
As enrollment drops at many Virginia higher educa- tion institutions, the state’s two public historically Black colleges and universities offer a bright spot, with steady student increases. However, a historical lack of funding for HBCUs and financial resources for their students is causing concern among policymakers and graduates.
People’s Tribunal to address injustices experienced by the formerly incarcerated, family members of prisoners
Hundreds are expected to attend a daylong discussion Saturday on how Virginia treats the incarcerated and detained.
Virginia’s AI directive
A newly-issued state directive seeks to ensure the ethical, transparent use and oversight of artificial intelligence technologies in Virginia.
City to open new temporary shelter
Richmond will have a far bigger temporary shelter if another tropical storm hits or the weather plunges below freezing in the next two months.
Hickory Hill hopes for historic designation
Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side is on its way to securing designation as a historic building.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
VCU announces guaranteed university admission program
Virginia Commonwealth University has announced a guaranteed university admission program for first-year freshman applicants who are among the top 10% of their high school graduat- ing class or have a high school GPA of 3.5 or above. This is the first university-wide program of its kind among Virginia’s R1 universities and is open to any qualifying student nationwide, according to a university news release.
Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in U.S. history, replaces late California Sen. Feinstein
Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after her death and becoming only the third Black female senator in history.
If it’s fall, it must be 2nd Street
Nothing signals fall more in Richmond than the annual 2nd Street Festival in Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward. This year’s festival is particularly special in that Richmonders and visitors alike will celebrate the event’s 35th year.
2nd Street Festival returns to Jackson Ward
Marking its 35th year, the 2nd Street Festival returns Saturday and Sunday in historic Jackson Ward.
VUU: Allen does Byers impersonation
At midseason, it comes as no surprise that a Virginia Union University Panther is leading the CIAA in rushing. The surprise is that it is Curtis Allen and not Jada Byers.
VSU has high hopes with Pope
As the dynamic Dinwiddie High quarterback, K’ymon Pope was all about leading his team into the end zone. Now as the Virginia State University roving safety, he’s all about keeping rival squads out of the end zone.
VSU’s Frazier unbowed by Bowie homecoming
Coach Henry Frazier III will take his undefeated Virginia State University football team to Bowie State this Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The veteran coach won’t need a road map or GPS to get there.
Pirates pummel UR 31-14
Spiders face CAA rival North Carolina A&T on Oct. 14
Hampton University has become the second HBCU to make football life difficult for the University of Richmond.
Black Tennis Hall of Fame serves up 2023 inductees
Despite a rainy arrival, some 75 to 80 people were in attendance to celebrate the induction of the 2023 class of inductees to the Black Tennis Hall of Fame (BTHOF) at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Saturday, Sept. 23. The evening’s keynote speaker was 1996 Wimbledon runner-up MaliVai Washington
Damian Lillard joins Bucks on defense, embraces championship expectations
Damian Lillard understands he has a reputation for being an elite offensive player but not a particularly strong defender. Now that he’s on a new team, the seven-time All-NBA selection looks forward to changing that perception.
Garden Glow illuminates Maymont
The groves and lawn of Maymont Farm will be illuminated by art and good vibes Sunday, Oct. 8, as artist Alfonso Pérez Acosta will present a new community project as the opening preview of this year’s four-week Garden Glow event.
ACTION Film Festival features 3 new works by local artists
The sights, stories and histories of the city of Richmond are the focus of a new film festival running from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. The ACTION Film Festival will showcase three films, “Still Fighting,” “Bleach” and “Break,” written by and featuring local creatives and set at historic locations and landmarks across Richmond.
