Thursday, June 27
West Virginia couple used adopted Black children as ‘slaves,’ judge says
A couple arrested after some of their adopted children were found locked in a shed at their West Virginia home are set for trial later this year on charges that a judge said involved their use as “slaves.”
Anti-war protesters sentenced to jail after blocking I-95
Almost all of those involved in the blocking of Interstate 95 months ago as part of a protest of the war in Gaza were sentenced to five days in jail earlier this week.
Extreme heat a wake-up call, by Ben Jealous
As I write these words, the mercury is soaring. The world is reeling from the deadly impact of extreme heat and weather events. This is climate change in action. We are living it. And the thermometer-busting temperatures are just the tip of the (melting) iceberg.
Poor people are the new swing vote, By William J. Barber II
If you’re an ordinary American who goes to work to pay the bills or takes care of a loved one most days, it’s easy to feel down when you see the headlines about the 2024 election. Donald Trump has been convicted of 34 felonies for falsifying business records to cover up hush money he paid to bury an alleged affair with a porn star during the 2016 campaign, and the Republican Party continues to think he’s their best candidate. At the same time, President Biden is struggling to hold together his Democratic base as images of devastation in Gaza continue to dominate the news. Stories of good news in politics seem few and far between. But as a preacher, I learned a long time ago that you don’t get to the good news by looking away from problems; the good news is most often found right amid trouble. Yes, politics is a mess in 2024. But, at the same time, several popular movements of everyday people struggling for economic justice have emerged that have the potential to reshape our politics. Against the backdrop of decades of rising inequality, low-wage worker movements have made huge strides since the pandemic, insisting that living wages are a moral issue for “essential workers” and seeing the largest increase in real wages in decades. Young people who’ve watched education and healthcare costs soar have come together to form effective coalitions for debt relief and won billions in loan forgiveness. Leveraging worker power, unions have waged effective strikes and negotiated new contracts while expanding to include new workers, especially in the South. Though they’re rarely in the headlines, these movements made up of millions of low-income workers have the potential to reframe political debates for people who are weary of the status quo. The good news in 2024 is that poor and working people are the new swing vote in US politics. A report from Lake Research Partners demonstrates just how powerful this untapped coalition of low-income voters could be. Looking back at the past three presidential elections, they found that in the seven states that will likely decide the 2024 election— Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada and Pennsylvania— low-income voter participation was an average of 12 percentage points lower than that of their higher-income voters. Using past averages to project 2024 turnout, this study measured the difference between the margin of victory in the last Trump-Biden matchup and the number of eligible low-income voters who are likely not to vote. In Georgia, for example, Biden won by almost 12,000 votes in 2020. In North Carolina, he lost by 74,000. But in both states, more than a million eligible low-income voters will likely not vote in 2024 if past trends continue. That’s a huge potential swing vote, and the proportions are similar across the seven swing states in the study. Since the 2024 presidential race will likely be a rematch of 2020, this study used exit poll data from 2020 to ask who unlikely low-income voters would vote for if they did turn out in 2024. Of the 1.3 million likely nonvoters in Georgia, 746,000 would likely be Biden voters. Of the 1.1 million in North Carolina, some 594,000 would likely go for Biden. In short, Biden and other Democrats have a huge advantage among this demographic when they are able and willing to vote. The overwhelming takeaway of this study is that a relatively small increase in low-income voter turnout in any of these seven states would dramatically increase Biden’s chances of winning a second term in the White House. The millions of low-income people who’ve risen as leaders in movements for economic justice over the past few years have the power to decide the outcome of the 2024 election. Celinda Lake and her research partners are consultants for the Biden campaign, and there is a focus on the potential for his candidacy in 2024, but the potential power of this swing vote is much larger than one election or even one political party. Both Democrats and Republicans have ignored low-income voters for decades precisely because they are unlikely voters. But when the nonpartisan Poor People’s Campaign, which I serve as a co-chair, surveyed poor people to ask why they don’t vote, the number one reason they gave was, “No one speaks to us.” This is why our campaign has committed to holding a Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Worker’s Assembly in Washington, D.C., on June 29. We are bringing the everyday people who’ve demanded better wages from their bosses to Washington and insist that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents make clear what they will do to address the needs of 135 million Americans who are living on the edge in the richest nation in the history of the world. And we are committing to go home to our communities and reach 15 million of the unlikely low-income voters with the message that they have power in 2024. If they show up, especially in seven key states, their votes will decide the outcome in 2024. When they do, they will be able to help shape the reconstruction of an American democracy that works for all of us. The writer is the president of Repairers of the Breach and author of “White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy.
VCU basketball player Joe Bamisile creates app for mental health
Joe Bamisile wants to take the future as it comes. He tries not to force things. But he remains dedicated to excellence in anything he pursues.
A dream deferred?
Chesterfield Agrihood plan withdrawn amid accusations of discrimination
The organizers of Bensley Agrihood, a planned affordable housing neighborhood built around an organic farm and wellness center in Chesterfield County’s Bensley neighborhood, have withdrawn their rezoning application.
Virginia is for Willie Mays
There have been many great baseball players and many who oozed with excitement. But perhaps no one man combined greatness and excitement like Willie Mays.
Education, housing, economy key in mayoral forum
The race to become Richmond’s next mayor came into sharper focus Monday evening, as the candidates shared their plans and priorities for the office during the first mayoral forum of the election year at Virginia Union University.
Richmond area health officials promote HIV testing, prevention
In honor of National HIV Testing Day on June 27, health officials in Richmond and Henrico County are urging residents to get tested and learn about prevention methods.
Paradise Stolen
Black families were cheated out of their land on Skidaway Island. Now it’s a wealthy white enclave.
Karen Dove Barr parked her cart next to a “Golfers Only” sign. Up ahead, men in khaki shorts and polo shirts leaned on golf clubs around the 12th hole. Houses with large wooden decks dotted one side of the fairway. On the other side, miles of shallow salt marshes extended to the horizon.
Personality: Dr. Jodi Marie Winship
Spotlight on Richmond Aging and Engaging founder
As a passionate advocate for older adults, Dr. Jodi Marie Winship’s story is a testament to the power of one person’s determination to make a difference — and it’s her dedication to the health, wellness and quality of life of older adults in low-income housing that led her to establish Richmond Aging and Engaging.
Clergy, parents file suit against Louisiana Ten Commandments law
A group of public school parents, including some clergy, have filed a lawsuit against Louisiana’s new law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools, arguing the statute unfairly privileges a specific version of Christian scripture in addition to impinging on the rights of the nonreligious and those of other faiths.
Black baseball and Birmingham remembered
When Wilie Mays broke into pro baseball in 1948 with the Birmingham Black Barons, his teammates at Rickwood Field included pitcher Bill Greason. Mays would go on to rank among the greatest and most scintillating players in the sports’ history as the slugging, base-stealing, fly shagging, power-armed centerfielder for the New York and San Francisco Giants. When Mays died last week at age 93, he was the oldest living Hall of Famer (inducted in 1979). But don’t forget Bill Greason, also known as Rev. Greason.
‘Sing Sing’ screens at Sing Sing in an emotional homecoming
Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin is standing inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility for the first time since he was incarcerated here 12 years ago. In this very chapel, he reminisces, he once sold drugs — a backup plan for when the yard was closed. Not many men pine to return to the prisons in which they toiled away years of their life. Maclin, 58, lived inside Sing Sing for 15 years. But on this day, he’s buoyant.
Dali cargo ship leaves Baltimore for Virginia nearly 3 months after bridge collapse
The cargo ship Dali headed out of Baltimore for Virginia on Monday, nearly three months after it lost power and crashed into one of the Francis Scott Key bridge supporting columns and caused the bridge to collapse.
Ashley Judd, politicians and advocates gather on 2nd anniversary of Dobbs
“My story includes abortion — a guy I’ve known since I was a kid raped me,” actress and activist Ashley Judd shared with a crowd of about 100 in Richmond on Monday to mark the two-year anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections. “And when I became pregnant, I was so grateful that I was able to access safe and legal abortion,” she said.
Virginia Museum of History & Culture to host July 4th Citizenship Ceremony
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture celebrates Independence Day with its annual Citizenship Ceremony, welcoming approximately 75 new citizens. The event, held in partnership with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, begins at 11 a.m.
Tourism program seeks nominations for awards
Richmond Region Tourism’s BLK RVA program is now accepting nominations for its Community Awards, marking the initiative’s fifth anniversary.
U.S. surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis
The U.S. surgeon general on Tuesday declared gun violence a public health crisis, driven by the fast-growing number of injuries and deaths involving firearms in the country.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending on Saturday, June 22, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia fell 15.3% from the previous week. One death associated with COVID-19 was reported statewide during that time frame. COVID-19 wastewater levels in the Greater Richmond area, on average, remain below detection. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, June 27, 1 to 5 p.m. - Henrico Arms Apartments, 1566 Edgelawn Circle. • Friday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Plaza WIC, 509 E. Southside Plaza. RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pick-up at select locations: • Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call (804) 371-0433. • Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call (804) 786-4099. • Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call (804) 786-1960.. • Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call (804)230-7740. • Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call (804) 786-0204. • Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road. Unit #B, call (804) 230-2077. • Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call (804) 786-0555. For information on testing sites, visit vax.rchd.com. Want a COVID-19 vaccine? Those interested can schedule an appointment with RHHD by calling (804) 205-3501. Vaccines.gov also lists nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, and those interested can also text their ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years old may need multiple doses of the updated vaccines depending on their COVID-19 vaccine status and whether they had previously received Pfizer and Moderna. Children ages 5 to 11 years who are unvaccinated or received a vaccine before the 2023-2024 formula should get one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Those who were previously vaccinated should receive the updated dose at least eight weeks after their most recent dose. Those ages 12 years and older who are unvaccinated should get either one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two doses of the updated Novavax vaccine. People in that age range who received a vaccine before the updated 2023-2024 formula should get one updated dose of any of the vaccines at least eight weeks after their most recent dose. Information compiled by George Copeland Jr.
Richmond awarded $150,000 grant for digital skills program
Richmond has been selected as one of 10 cities to receive a grant from the Talent for Tomorrow: Digital Equity Challenge, a joint initiative of Comcast and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The city will receive $150,000 to support its Strategic Opportunities Leading to Valuable Experiences (SOLVE) program.
CNN faces backlash for excluding Black-owned media from presidential debate coverage
CNN has come under fire for denying media credentials to every Black-owned media entity, including those based in Atlanta, for the upcoming presidential debate on Thursday. Despite granting over 600 media credentials, not even one was extended to Black-owned outlets, sparking outrage and accusations of systemic exclusion in a predominantly Black city.
Final score
Our Sports page will look different next week. Fred Jeter, our longtime sports writer, ends his tenure with The Richmond Free Press with this issue.
Black athletes are Black men, women first, by David W. Marshall
During a recent Fox Sports pregame show appearance, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was asked about his return to Birmingham, Ala.’s Rickwood Field, where he played 114 games in the minor leagues. His powerful response was a stark reminder of how sports, as a social institution, is not immune to the darkest side of bigotry. To appreciate Jackson’s response, we must remind ourselves of the simplicity of sports in general and the complexity of sports when it is intertwined with a community’s prevailing social order, defined as the tendency of a social institution to resist or regulate change.
Virginia Union professor publishes new book on gospel interpretation
Virginia Union University professor Dr. Yung Suk Kim recently released a book aimed at providing a comprehensive approach to studying the Gospels.
We’re No. 1!
A CNN report this week ranked our little ol’ River City as the top of their list of “America’s Best Towns to Visit 2024.”
Celtics are team for the ages
Along with being crowned the 2024 NBA champions, the Boston Celtics are now the all-time NBA kingpins.
Spirituals, freedom songs echo across generations, by Hazel Trice Edney
Every Sunday, millions of African Americans across the nation make their way to church anticipating relief from lives of financial woes, pressures at work, health concerns, family matters, race discrimination and inequities among other stressful issues of everyday life.
Kenyans can sprint, too
Track fans have grown accustomed to Kenyans excelling globally as long-distance runners, primarily 800 meters and up. Ferdinand Omanyala, 28, threatens to break that stereotype at the upcoming Paris Summer Games.
Rams add big man to roster
VCU basketball Coach Ryan Odom went searching for another big man and found what he was looking for in Arizona.
Former Pirate headed to Paris
Hampton University has celebrated Olympic medalists before and may again.
Injuries continue to plague WNBA teams; Sparks, Dream winless with key players sidelined
The injury bug has bitten several WNBA teams this season with both Los Angeles and Atlanta losing key players last week.
New exhibition explores race and community in Richmond
A new exhibition titled “Race in Richmond: Healing in Richmond” is on display at The Gallery in Main Street Station until June 30. The exhibit features two installations: “I See You – A Portrait Experience” and “I Hear You: A Speaking Experience.”
Thursday, June 20
Richard hopes to ‘flip’ the script
African American women have made a huge impact on Olympic gymnastics, with Gabby Douglas, Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles as shining examples of their dazzling skill sets. Now it’s Frederick “Fred” Richard’s turn to try and draw more attention to the men’s competition.
Nine anti-war protesters due in court Friday for I-95 blockade
Nine protesters will go to trial Friday, June 21, at the John Marshall Courts building for blockading Interstate 95 in March as part of an anti-war protest against the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Rickwood Field, 104 years old, to host MLB game honoring Black heritage
Birmingham’s Rickwood Field, now 104 years old, is back in the news.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Gospel group releases first new music in nearly 50 years
She made a single gospel soul record in the 1970s with her brothers, when they were all teenagers. Then Annie Brown Caldwell moved on with her life. Decades later, she was running a clothing store in a tiny Mississippi town and singing on weekends with her husband and children when she got a call from a label founded by David Byrne. They wanted to add a single from her first band, the Staples Jr. Singers, to a compilation record. That 2019 call led to more — the Luaka Bop label reissued the band’s 1975 record “When Do We Get Paid,” drawing rave reviews in 2022 for its raw sound and mix of blues, funk and soul. And soon the Brown siblings, now in their 60s, found themselves on a course that would make any rising pop star jealous. In the past four years, they flew for the first time, toured Europe four times and played hipster clubs like Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right. And, finally last year, they saw a performance by Mavis Staples, whose group The Staple Singers inspired their own early sound with genre-busting, socially conscious Stax Records hits. Also a band of siblings, they covered several of their songs. “It’s been a dream come true,” said Brown Caldwell, who was 11 when she and R.C. and Edward, who were 12 and 13, co-founded The Staples Jr. Singers in 1967. They started playing in the church where their mother was a preacher and father a deacon, and toured by van around the South. And on Friday, the Browns are releasing “Searching,” their first batch of new songs in nearly 50 years, and gearing up for a tour in July to the Roskilde festival in Denmark as well as the Netherlands, Slovakia and Germany. “It’s a blessing,” Brown Caldwell said. “It feels good. We are getting older and it seems the Lord just now is blessing our youth like it’s brand new again.” Their resurgence began with a record collector who stumbled on their first single in a Midwest thrift store and bought it for $1. Greg Belson, whose gospel collection fills three rooms in Los Angeles, was intrigued that the band’s name was so similar to The Staple Singers. He put “We Got a Race to Run” on a portable turntable he often brings with him, and was struck by their sound: “It sat completely in the wheelhouse of what I look for, which is specifically gospel with a soulful tinge, rather than what I would say more classical church-based gospel,” Belson said. Yale Evelev, the president of Luaka Bop, heard Belson’s radio show and pulled from his collection for a compilation of 1970s gospel soul songs called “The Time For Peace Is Now.” He wanted to include the Staples Jr. Singers single, but first he had to find the band. He figured out that Annie Brown was now Annie Caldwell, and called all seven listed in Mississippi. Like Belson, Evelev was attracted to a gospel sound that isn’t heard much on the radio these days. “These are soul records really,” he said. “Soul records with a message. That message imbues the performance with a certain underlying intensity and honesty.” He reached Brown Caldwell on the last call. “I never believed that this record would come up again,” Brown Caldwell said. “Forreal though. Is this for real?” She agreed to put the single out but her brothers were initially resistant, and they balked at reissuing “When Do We Get Paid.” Only a few hundred original copies of the record exist, one of which Belson bought off a Milwaukee collector for $600. “There was a lot of family drama that was happening that had existed for a long time,” Evelev said. “We kind of ended up in the middle of it, and it was a lot of back and forth and a
Talks of mandated national service, by Clarence Page
Don’t get nervous, young folks, but talk about a national service mandate has been bubbling up again in Washington.
40 acres and a Lie
40 Acres and a Lie tells the history of an often-misunderstood government program that gave formerly enslaved people land titles after the Civil War. A year and a half later, almost all the land had been taken back.
Longtime Southern Baptist leader Paul Pressler, who was accused of sexual abuse, dies at 94
Paul Pressler, a leading figure of the Southern Baptist Convention who was accused of sexually abusing boys and young men and later settled a lawsuit over the allegations, has died. He was 94.
Giants’ Willie Mays, ‘Say Hey Kid,’ dies at 93
Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, has died. He was 93.
Bishop Barber readies for D.C. march
At St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on June 9, Bishop William Barber II, co-chair of The Poor People’s Campaign, rallied the congregation during a sermon as part of his national preaching tour.
Personality: Cheryl Lewis Burke
Spotlight on honorary chair of 13th Annual Jazz Inside Out
With education as the family business for three generations, Cheryl Lewis Burke’s career path may have been etched from an early age. Both her parents and all of her aunts were educators, but it was her experience growing up in a segregated Powhatan County that shaped her calling to the field of education.
Richmond opens cooling stations to beat extreme heat
As summer temperatures start to spike this week, the City of Richmond is taking steps to help residents stay cool and safe by opening cooling stations in neighborhoods throughout the area.
Military Retirees to host Veterans Awareness Walk
The Military Retirees Club of Richmond is calling on vet- erans, service members and military families to participate in their first “Bridge Over Troubled Waters Walk” on Saturday, June 29, at Belle Isle. The event aims to bring more attention to suicide prevention and the opioid crisis affecting the military community. Partici- pants will gather at 7 a.m. in the Dominion Energy parking lot adjacent to the foot of the Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge to register for the 5K walk, which begins at 7:30 a.m. The route will take walkers around Brown’s Island, allow for a photo opportunity at the Tredegar Iron Works, cross over the Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge, and conclude back at the Dominion parking lot. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided after the walk. The “Bridge Over Troubled Waters Walk” is being held to show support for veterans, active service members, and their families affected by mental health issues and substance abuse. For additional information, please contact the Military Retirees Club of Richmond at (804) 400-9473.
Honoring outstanding volunteers and service groups
The Commonwealth of Virginia is calling on residents to nominate exceptional volunteers, organizations and businesses for the 2024 Governor’s Volunteerism & Community Service Awards. These annual honors celebrate the contributions of Virginians who dedicate their time and energy to causes that create positive change across the state.
Brewing business in Scott’s Addition
Next month, Scott’s Addition will officially be home to Brainstorm Brewhouse, a majority Black-owned brewery.
Genealogist Michelle Evans-Oliver selected for fellowship
Preservation Virginia announced the 2024 class of its African American Fellowship Program recently, recognizing five community preservationists for their dedication to historic preservation and research. Among this year’s fellows is Michelle Evans-Oliver, a renowned local genealogist.
Henrico County transitions to .gov domain to bolster cybersecurity
As part of an effort to enhance cybersecurity for r users of its online services, Henrico County general government is moving the domain for its website and email to “.gov.”
The big payback
Over the next few weeks, we will be devoting a portion of our pages to a three-part story called “40 Acres and a Lie.” This project is the result of work by the Center for Public Integrity, the Center for Investigative Reporting and the Investigative Reporting Workshop. The story examines a gov- ernment program that most African Americans are aware of, a broken promise that people who were enslaved in the South would receive 40 acres of land and a mule. If you think you know this story, you’ll be surprised what the reporters (Alexia Fernández Campbell, April Simpson and Pratheek Rebala) found in their research of land records and documents from the Freedmen’s Bureau, a govern- ment agency that assisted free black people in the South, founded in 1860s. While the details about the government program were long buried and forgotten, the idea of it lived on in Black popular culture, among poets, writers and storytellers. That fact may have been key to helping bring this story into the light. One of the writers of the project says when she ran across the phrase “40 Acres and a Mule” in her research for another project, it struck a chord – only because she remembered it from a song by Nas called “You Owe Me” and from Kanye West’s “All Fall Down.” Yes, we miss old Kanye too. If the writer had been of a certain age, perhaps she would have recalled the name of film director Spike Lee’s production company, “40 Acres and a Mule,” or Gil Scott- Heron’s song about waiting for reparation, “The Train From Washington.” When others forgot, the griots remembered. In the aftermath of the Juneteenth holiday, this is a timely report that reveals new details about the challenges African Americans faced after the news of emancipation. By unearthing the truth about this broken promise, and others, we gain a deeper un- derstanding of the systemic barriers and injustices that still need to be addressed today.
Protecting the elders
There’s a lot you can learn about a place by looking at how they treat their vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens. Here in Virginia, we’ve got some work to do on that issue. We’re glad our attorney general recognized this and decided to do something about it.
Countering MAGA movement with nonviolent extremism, by David W. Marshall
Between 1941 and 1945 some 6 million Jews were systematically murdered across German-occupied Europe during World War II. As part of a state-sponsored genocide, two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population was executed. As a result, those of Jewish faith made it a point to never allow future generations to forget or become desensitized to what happened to the European Jews at the hands of the Nazi regime.
If you’re truly pro-life, you should be anti-gun, by Tony Campolo
June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month, a good time to consider America’s relationship with guns.
In 2022, 48,204 Americans were killed by guns, which are now the leading cause of death among children and teens. Our gun deaths have come to define us in the eyes of the world. You might even say that guns are as American as apple pie.
Former VUU star Dillon nominated for College Football Hall of Fame
Former Virginia Union University defensive stalwart William “Dil” Dillon is among the nominees for the College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.
VUU ranked 14th in Lindy’s preseason Division II poll
Virginia Union University has earned a national football reputation. Looking ahead, it plans to polish that status this coming season.
Celebration Bowl moved up a week to avoid TV conflicts
Anyone planning to travel to Atlanta for the Celebration Bowl will need to arrive a week earlier than expected.
CIAA shakes up football’s closing act, moves title game to Durham
Some changes are coming to CIAA football.
Celebration of Freedom continues
Throughout June, a variety of public events will commemorate the fourth national Juneteenth holiday. These events aim to recognize and celebrate this important occasion in different ways.
Conservative Coalition selects Will Archer as chairman
The Virginia Faith & Freedom Coalition recently announced that Will Archer, a pastor with over 30 years of experience, has been elected as their new chairman. VAFFC is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s affiliate with the Faith & Freedom Coalition, a national conservative political advocacy non-profit.
Thursday, June 13
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, June 8, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia rose 14.6% from the previous week. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported statewide during that timeframe. COVID-19 wastewater levels in Central Virginia remain below detection.
NAACP sues Shenandoah over Confederate names
The Virginia NAACP on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Shenandoah County School Board for what it called “reaffirming discrimination,” after the school system voted to rebrand schools with Confederate names in May.
Rewinding a Reckoning
When police officers murdered Minneapolis resident George Floyd in 2020, and America went through what some people called a “racial reckoning,” a portion of the population seemed ready to have that “talk” about power and privilege that they had been avoiding. As fleeting at this moment was, it did create a cultural shift in business as usual that would’ve been unlikely years before.
City Council votes 8-1 to increase their salaries
City Council members awarded themselves substantial pay raises Monday night in a near-unanimous vote, the first salary increase for the elected officials in more than two decades.
Gay pastor wants to help Black churches become as welcoming as his own
It was daunting when the Rev. Brandon Thomas Crowley, at age 22, replaced a beloved pastor who had ministered to one of suburban Boston’s most famed Black churches for 24 years. It was more daunting — at times agonizing — to reach the decision six years later, in 2015, that God wanted him to tell his congregation that he was gay.
Reparations program accused of being discriminatory, by Clarence Page
News that a conservative non-profit legal group is challenging Evanston, Ill.’s groundbreaking reparations program got me thinking about the many attempts to redress the wrongs of systemic racism through monetary compensation.
Juneteenth events highlight freedom, heritage
In recognition of the fourth official Juneteenth celebration Wednesday, June 19, the following events are being held throughout the month to recognize and celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways.
CO2 pipelines a bad deal — follow the money, by Ben Jealous
“Isn’t it sad that money controls everything?”
Oklahoma Supreme Court dismisses lawsuit of last Tulsa Race Massacre survivors seeking reparations
The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, dampening the hope of advocates for racial justice that the city would make financial amends for one of the worst single acts of violence against Black people in U.S. history that left as many as 300 people dead and a once-thriving district in smoldering ruins. The nine-member court upheld the decision made by a district court judge in Tulsa last year, ruling that the plaintiff’s grievances about the destruction of the Greenwood district, although legitimate, did not fall within the scope of the state’s public nuisance statute.
Hermitage grad Journette named HBCU National Player of Year
Justin Journette’s baseball reputation has gone national.
New supportive housing complex opens in East End
A new supportive housing community celebrated its grand opening this week in Richmond’s East End. The Cool Lane Commons complex features 86 affordable apartments along with on-site services and amenities for residents. Developed by the non-profit Virginia Supportive Housing, the $24 million project provides permanent housing for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness or housing instability. Units are reserved for those with incomes at or below 50% of the area median income.
Rev. James Lawson Jr., original Freedom Rider and apostle of nonviolence, dies at 95
Rev. James M. Lawson Jr., a foundational figure in the Civil Rights Movement and an original Freedom Rider, passed away at 95, his family announced on Monday. Lawson, who dedicated his life to advocating nonviolent protest, died Sunday, June 9, 2024, in Los Angeles following a short illness.
Clock is TikTok-ing
TikTok creators brace for app ban
Meghin Martin created a TikTok account two years ago to share her experience working at a local Starbucks. Under the username @ex_barista, Martin asked other TikTok users who worked at the coffeehouse chain if they had been scheduled for only five hours a week as they had. The short video received over 3 million views and comments from other Starbucks workers citing similar experiences.
Lawsuit challenging stadium project dismissed
A lawsuit looking to halt the Richmond city government’s plan for the Diamond District’s baseball stadium was dismissed last week. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant tossed out the suit from attorney Paul Goldman during a hearing last Friday. The suit sought to force a ballot referendum on the planned redevelopment of the Diamond District, specifically a new baseball stadium.
Juneteenth holiday closings
In observance of Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, please note the following:
Fifth-year backcourt fuels VCU hoops hopes for new season
If an experienced backcourt is the key to success, VCU’s Rams have reason for optimism.
Squirrels’ McCray takes flight
There is a posted speed limit on Arthur Ashe Boulevard that runs by The Diamond, but there is no limit on speed on the base paths or in the outfield grass inside the stadium. Grant McCray, perhaps the swiftest man in the San Francisco Giants organization, is building momentum in his first season with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. The 23-year-old centerfielder was named Eastern League Player of the Week for May 20-26. Competing on the road at Bowie, Md., McCray was 11-for-20 with a homer, three doubles, two triples, eight runs scored and five runs batted in. It took the 6-foot-2 left-handed swinging native Floridian a spell to hit his stride on the Class AA level. His batting average was hovering in the mid .100’s before the recent surge. Through games of May 31, he had juiced his average to .220 in 150 at bats with six homers, 33 RBI and six stolen bases in six tries. McCray ranks 19th in the EL in extra-base hits with 19 and sixth in doubles with 11. All the while he’s run down numerous fly balls in center with his blazing speed and sure glove. His stolen base totals will likely expand once his on-base percentage does. McCray stole 52 bases last season for High-A Eugene, Ore., and 43 bases the year before for Eugene and Low-A San Jose. His minor league total of 125 steals has come with just 35 times caught stealing. Still, even the wing-footed McCray will be challenged to run down another fast man — his father, Rodney. Between 1984 and 1993, Rodney McCray swiped 365 bags, including nine in brief big league stints with the Chicago White Sox in 1990 and 1991 and New York Mets in 1992. There’s more to this speedy family. Grant’s younger sister, Sydney, stole 51 bases in 53 tries this spring for Florida Southwestern State College, while hitting .347. The Flying Squirrels’ record for most steals in a season is 50, set by outfielder Johneshwy Vargas in 2019. Vargas is now playing in Mexico. Richmond’s all-time record for pilfering bags likely won’t be broken soon. In 1969, Ralph Garr, “The Roadrunner,” stole 63 bags in 76 attempts for the AAA Richmond Braves. Negro Leagues remembered The Flying Squirrels return to The Diamond for a six-game series, June 25-30, against the Somerset Patriots, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees. On Saturday, June 29, the 6:05 p.m. game promotion will be Negro Leagues Heritage Night, followed by fireworks.
Richmond SPCA offers free pet adoptions through Friday
The Richmond SPCA is waiving adoption fees for adult pets through June 14 to make space to help overcrowded municipal shelters across Virginia.
RPS partners with health district for student immunizations
The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are partnering with Richmond Public Schools to provide immunization and physical clinics for students entering seventh and 12th grades this summer.
Pick your shots
The sudden rise in the popularity of the WNBA seems to have caught the usual commentators on television and the internet off guard. For many of them, this a new game, although the league has been around since 1996. But that hasn’t stopped them from making the same kind of “hot takes’’ about players and teams that they have been known for. I
Black woman’s bid to buy Virginia Beach home faces illegal barrier, echoes of the past, by Roger Chesley
People who overstate the racial progress America has witnessed over the past several decades need to be reminded, every so often, of the discrimination that still lurks in housing, education, employment and the like. An African-American woman’s quest to buy a pricey condo near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront – impeded by the white homeowner’s refusal because of her race – is just the latest example.
Basketball Hall of Famer dies at 84
Chet Walker, a key component on one of the most illustrious teams in NBA history with the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers, died Saturday, June 8, 2024. He was 84.
Neugebauer smashes NCAA decathlon record, aims for Olympic gold
With his chiseled 6-foot-7, 240-pound physique, Leo Neugebauer looks like he could be a basketball power forward, football tight end or even heavyweight boxing champ. Instead, the 23-year-old excels at the decathlon, a 10-event, two-day grind that challenges every muscle in the body.
Ex-Norfolk State star Mauricio one step from Yankee Stadium
Should the New York Yankees need to add a relief pitcher later this season, Alex Mauricio would be glad to oblige.
WNBA shoots, scores with crowds, ratings as they welcome rookies to ranks
The first month of the WNBA season drew its highest attendance since the league’s second season in 1998 and the best television ratings in its history, the WNBA announced Tuesday.
Moore named executive director of The Latin Ballet of Virginia
The Latin Ballet of Virginia recently appointed Arianna Moore as its new executive director. Moore, a College of Charleston graduate with a bachelor’s in arts management, has a long history with the dance company. “I’m excited to return to The Latin Ballet of Virginia, where my love for dance truly grew, and lead this esteemed organization into a bright future,” said Moore. “I look forward to working alongside Marisol to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Latin dance and continue the legacy of Ana Ines King.” Moore began her dance training with The Latin Ballet’s Junior Company, where she performed under Sotolongo’s direction and King’s mentorship. She went on to choreograph her own works while still a student. Though injuries cut short Moore’s dancing career, she remained involved in the arts. She choreographed extensively in high school and spent summers training at the renowned Joffrey Ballet School in New York. In addition to her dance background, Moore brings strong administrative experience from roles at The Lonon Foundation, Apple, Charleston Music Hall and other organizations. Her achievements include planning fundraising events and managing marketing strategies. As executive director, Moore will oversee all operations, productions, tours and educational programs for The Latin Ballet of Virginia.
Movies in the Outfield series returns to the Diamond
The Richmond Flying Squirrels’ Movies in the Outfield series returns with four movie nights at the ballpark this year, the team announced Monday.
Personality: Lindsay Kylene Bunting Eubanks
Spotlight on board chair for ReEstablish Richmond
Throughout her career, Lindsay Kylene Bunting Eubanks has prioritized service to others. As an attorney with Sands Anderson, a Richmond-based law firm, she supports their Litigation Group. She said her work as a legal ally requires being proactive and remaining nimble. In her five years with the firm, she’s enjoyed many professional highlights. However, through her philanthropic work, as board chair of ReEstablish Richmond, Eubanks is able to combine her faith-based values with her drive to give back to the community.
Sour note: Four Tops member sues hospital for restraining him, discrimination
The lead singer of the Four Tops said a Detroit-area hospital restrained him and ordered a psychological exam after refusing to believe that he was part of the Motown music group.
Richmond Symphony hires Anderson as marketing/sales VP
The Richmond Symphony recently named Christopher Anderson as its new vice president of marketing and sales, effective June 17.
Thursday, June 6
Project 2025 is an attack on Black people, by Julianne Malveaux
Project 2025 is a conservative manifesto if a Republican is elected president in 2024. Crafted by the Heritage Foundation, the 900-page book comprehensively addresses every agency that the president can influence, with suggestions for the agencies that should be eliminated or altered.
Alito sullies integrity of high court, by Marc H. Morial
“Professional baseball would never allow an umpire to continue to officiate the World Series after learning that the pennant of one of the two teams competing was flying in the front yard of the umpire’s home. Nor would an umpire be allowed to call balls and strikes in a World Series game after the umpire’s wife tried to get the official score of a prior game in the series overthrown and canceled out to benefit the losing team. If judges are like umpires, then they should be treated like umpires, not team owners, team fans or players.” – U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, June 1, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia rose 5.4% from the previous week. One death associated with COVID-19 was reported statewide that week. COVID-19 wastewater levels in Central Virginia remain below detection.
VMI Grad Walton named director
Virginia Military Institute has hired alumnus Jamaal Walton as director of intercollegiate athletics.
Land trust makes homeownership affordable
Maggie Walker Community Land Trust set to make its 100th home sale soon
Maggie Walker Community Land Trust set to make its 100th home sale soon
Danger: Trump moves from man to symbol
Last week’s historic verdict is worth rehearsing. On May 30, Donald J. Trump became the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Twelve ordinary citizens unanimously found him guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in an attempt to conceal hush money he paid to a porn star with whom he allegedly had an affair— all driven by a desire to protect his 2016 presidential campaign.
Boston hopes to add jewel to crown
At least unofficially, professional basketball’s high throne sits at 100 Legends Way in Boston, draped in green.
More charges reduced in death of Irvo Otieno
Murder charges against three people for their role in the death of Irvo Otieno have been downgraded to involuntary manslaughter.
Jackie Robinson rebuilt in bronze after theft of statue
As he coats a mold of Jackie Robinson with wax, metalsmith Alex Haines reflected on the extra importance of a project that will soon give the city of Wichita, Kan., a replacement bronze statue of the baseball icon after thieves brazenly destroyed the original.
Juneteenth events highlight freedom, heritage
In recognition of the fourth official Juneteenth celebration on Wednesday, June 19, the following events are being held throughout the month to recognize and celebrate the holiday in a variety of ways.
Community gathering focuses on future of former hospital
Hazel R. Stamps, Viola Johnson, Hazel N. Robinson, Ida Ruth Robinson. These nurses and others were remembered during the third community gathering at the former Richmond Community Hospital on Sunday morning.
NAACP hosts ‘Day Out’ against gun violence
The Richmond Branch NAACP will bring its efforts to end gun violence to the places most affected in the city this Friday, during National Gun Violence Awareness Day, as they and over 15 city and community partners participate in a “Local Day Out.”
As hurricane season begins, officials urge preparation
In September 2003, Hurricane Isabel slammed the East Coast and thrashed Virginia and North Carolina most severely, prompting widespread power outages, 4-to 6-foot storm surges, flooding, and billions in damage. The storm caused at least 50 direct and indirect deaths. Lasting memories of that disaster now loom large, as the federal government forecasts this year’s hurricane season, June 1 to Nov. 30, will be a tumultuous one.
Personality: Avanti Kollaram Yamamoto
Spotlight on Virginia’s 2025 Teacher of the Year
As the daughter of Indian immigrants, Avanti Kollaram Yamamoto didn’t always dream of becoming a teacher.
Fish for free this weekend, no license required
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources invites anglers to take part in the upcoming Free Fishing Days, scheduled for June 7 through 9. During this three-day event, no fishing license will be required for recreational rod and reel fishing across the state.
Rating agencies reaffirm Chesterfield’s top bond status
The nation’s three leading bond rating agencies have reaffirmed Chesterfield County’s AAA credit rating, a distinction achieved by only about 1% of U.S. localities.
Warner and Kaine announce $1M to train health care workers
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine recently announced a $1 million grant to enhance training for primary care and supportive care workforces, focusing on providing age-friendly and dementia-friendly care to older Americans.
Jubilation in June returns with music, fireworks
The city of Richmond will host the 3rd Annual Jubilation in June Weekend, a series of free public events featuring live music performances and community resources.
Marian Robinson, the heart of the Obama family, remembered fondly
Marian Robinson, mother to former First Lady Michelle Obama, died on Friday, May 31, at 86. Her loved ones said she leaves behind a void in the hearts of many. As a steadfast figure in the Obama White House, Robinson’s presence extended far beyond familial ties, touching the lives of all who knew her.
Honoring the past
We have an important update regarding how we write our stories at the Richmond Free Press. We’ve decided to stop using courtesy titles like “Dr.,” “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Ms.”
Mother of Congresswoman dies
Lois Jean Dedeaux McClellan, the mother of U.S. Congresswoman, Jennifer McClellan, died on Friday, May 24, 2024. She was 91.
Virginia War Memorial opens new exhibit on D-Day Landings
A new Virginia War Memorial exhibit, “D+80: Virginians in the Normandy Invasion,” opens on June 6 the 80th anniversary of D-Day when American and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in France in 1944 during World War II.
Solar-powered apartments set to rise in Henrico
A groundbreaking ceremony on May 30 marked the start of construction for The Helios, an affordable housing project in Henrico County. This solar-powered apartment complex is a collaborative effort between Richmond-based Spy Rock Real Estate Group and Crescent Development, aimed at increasing affordable housing units in the region by 2040. The development will occupy the site of the former Days Inn motel at 5701 Chamberlayne Road, with an expected completion by the end of 2025.
Rural housing workshop addresses land use and attainable housing
Tired of city life? A free workshop Saturday, June 8, will offer an insightful look into the distinct challenges and opportunities of country living, focusing on rural housing issues such as land inheritance and affordable housing shortages. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Powhatan County Recreation Center, 4290 Anderson Highway.
‘Dine Out for Pride’ Returns to Support LGBTQ Groups
For the second year, restaurants across the Richmond region are participating in “Dine Out for Pride” to raise funds for local LGBTQ organizations during the first week of June’s Pride Month celebrations.
The high cost of housing discrimination
Last week’s report by HOME of VA (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) on discriminatory practices in the Richmond housing market is a sobering document. It confirms the thoughts, feelings and vibes that African Americans experience when we attempt to find a place to live – something’s not right.
Virginia State releases inaugural soccer schedule
The Virginia State University men’s soccer team will take the field for the first time this fall under Coach Bob Jenkins. The Trojans released their inaugural season schedule recently, featuring five home games at Rogers Stadium.
Freshman phenom Markus White claims CIAA title
An athlete doesn’t need to go to the beach to get sand in their shoes. Markus White is the “Sand Man” for Virginia State University’s track and field Trojans.
Falcons Finish Third
The Huguenot High School girls’ 4x100 relay team finished third at the State Class 4 Track and Field Championships June 1 in Lynchburg.
Gardeners’ plant sale and festival in Henrico
The Henrico Master Gardener Association holds its annual Spring Plant Sale and Pollinator Festival from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8. The free event will be held at the Recreation Center at Deep Run Park, at 9900 Ridgefield Parkway.
Artist talk to explore African-American ceramics, collaboration
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia will host an artist talk titled “Re(CLAY)mation of Collaboration Intersections” 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8.
Victory Church of God in Christ to offer free summer meals for children
Victory Church of God in Christ is participating in the Summer Food Service Program, providing free meals to children throughout the summer. The initiative aims to ensure that no child goes hungry during the school break.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee faces cancer diagnosis
“The road ahead will not be easy, but I stand in faith that God will strengthen me.” — Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has fought tirelessly for ground-breaking legislation throughout her career. She authored the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, creating the first new federal holiday in nearly four decades, and fervently championed the Violence Against Women Act, ensuring its passage for the first time in almost ten years. Now, the stalwart Texas representative is facing the battle of her life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Bishop William Barber II to visit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Bishop William Barber II, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign and founder of Repairers of the Breach, will join St. Paul’s Episcopal Church for its Sunday service of Holy Eucharist on June 9, 2024. This event is part of Bishop Barber’s national preaching tour.
