HCPS announces new chief of equity, diversity and opportunity
After the search for a new leader of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity, Henrico County Public Schools has appointed Tiffany Lewis, an education specialist from within the same office.
First AME pastor defends bankruptcy filing for FAME Corp
In response to the recent financial decisions, Pastor Robert Shaw from First AME Church in Los Angeles has issued a statement in defense of the church’s choice to file for bankruptcy protection for three of its entities: Fame Assistance Corporation, Fame Housing Corporation, and FAME/Good Shepherd Center Housing Development as of May 1.
2 VSU mothers graduate alongside their children at commencement
At Virginia State University, the tradition of academic pursuit across generations is a tangible reality. The Spring 2024 Commencement witnessed a significant milestone as two families celebrated graduating together.
Mural by MLK Middle School students to be unveiled at park
For the past five weeks, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students have collaborated on a nature-inspired mural in Jefferson Park as part of an after-school program. The completed mural will be presented 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the park.
Virginia’s skill game debate could stretch into the summer
‘What we decided was that we would pick that up at another day’
After finishing work on almost everything else taken up during the 2024 session, the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin have decided to keep talking about skill games.
Investigation reveals more than 1,000 deaths from police use of non-lethal tactics
More than 1,000 people have died in the past decade after encounters with law enforcement, despite officers using non-lethal tactics, according to a recent investigation by The Associated Press, the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, and PBS’ Frontline. The findings again show systemic issues within policing and raise questions about accountability and reform.
PH “Cruz” Sherman announces bid for 8th District School Board seat
PH “Cruz” Sherman officially entered the race for the 8th District School Board seat, currently held by Dawn Page. Mr. Sherman filed his Declaration of Candidacy with the Richmond City Office of Election on Wednesday, May 8. Page announced that she would not seek reelection last week.
Walk their way
College graduations have come to an end, and it’s not just the students who are breathing sighs of relief as the semester concludes.
Legislating the obvious
Before School Board member Jonathan Young resigned a few weeks ago, the rest of the School Board recognized they had a problem.
A special choice
Chesterfield County officials deserve kudos for announcing their plans for a sports hall of fame, dedicated to athletes with ties to the county.
Black-owned businesses face obstacles made worse by anti-racial justice efforts, by Marc H. Morial
“Recent legal challenges have targeted programs aimed at alleviating the obstacles faced by marginalized communities, particularly those designed to promote equity in entrepreneurship … With this analysis, we can create and implement strategies that catalyze informed policymaking, advocacy efforts, and targeted interventions aimed at reversing systemic barriers and fostering a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.” — Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity, The State of Black Business 2024
What’s the meaning of antisemitic?, by Clarence Page
Who would oppose legislation to outlaw antisemitism? More people than you might think.
Oliver Hill’s haunting thoughts on landmark court case, by Carol A.O. Wolf
As we approach the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of the U.S. Supreme Court outlawing segregation in public schools, I remain haunted, and yet hopeful, by the words the late Oliver W. Hill, one of the lawyers who helped bring the case to our nation’s highest court, shared with me one afternoon at his North Side home.
Library of Virginia hosts ‘knit in’ to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day
The Library of Virginia will host a “Knit In Public Day at LVA” on Saturday, June 8, in honor of the annual Worldwide Knit in Public Day. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library’s lobby and conference rooms.
Degrees of Excitement
Virginia Union University’s undergraduates walk in and later turn their tassels symbolizing their transition from candidate to graduate during the 125th commencement exercises Saturday, May 11, the University’s campus.
Coming Together Virginia hosts dinner talk on race and psychiatry
In a culmination of a three-part series exploring the intricate relationship between race and mental health, Coming Together Virginia presents its Tuesday Dinner Gathering on May 21 at 6 p.m. at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. This event features guest speaker Dr. Shawn Utsey, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Black History Museum to host film screenings in honor of Brown v. Board
Marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will host a special event titled “Our Past, Our Present, Our Future.”
Riverrock brings music and sports Downtown
Dominion Energy Riverrock, an annual outdoor sports and music festival, returns this week with a new layout and an expanded footprint.
Council members host honorary street naming ceremonies
Richmond City Council members plan to honor two esteemed citizens this week with honorary street namings.
The new guy
In this edition of the Richmond Free Press I introduce a new managing editor who I think inaugurates an exciting new era for this publication and for its readers in Metropolitan Richmond, the Old Dominion and beyond.
