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Free Press staff report

Stories by Free Press

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VCU Women’s Basketball adds Daija Preston

The Rams just got a major boost. VCU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Beth O’Boyle has officially signed Daija Preston, a dynamic 5-foot-9 guard from Douglasville, Ga., who’s set to make an impact.

National anglers set sights on Richmond in 2025

Anglers across the country will have their sights set on Richmond in April when the James River serves as the third stop of the 2025 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance.

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Virginia Union wins CIAA Football Championship, advances to NCAA Playoffs

Virginia Union University clinched its second consecutive CIAA Football Championship with a thrilling 17-13 victory over Virginia State University on Saturday, Nov. 16, in Salem.

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Johnson named interim AD at Va. State

Felicia Johnson has been appointed interim athletic director at Virginia State University, officials announced. Johnson, who has been with the university since 2021, previously served as senior associate athletic director for compliance and senior woman administrator.

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Salisbury Presbyterian Church hosts ‘Singin’ to the World’ concert

Joyful Voices Chorus, a Richmond area choir for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia and their caregivers, will play its fall concert, “Singin’ to the World,” on Thursday, Nov. 21, at Salisbury Presbyterian Church.

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VCU alum and restaurateur Chris Tsui named commencement speaker

Founder of Eat Restaurant Partners will address graduates in December

Chris Tsui, founder and president of Eat Restaurant Partners, will be the keynote speaker at Virginia Commonwealth University’s December commencement.

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Virginia Housing launches $75M workforce housing program

Virginia Housing has announced a new $75 million Workforce Housing Investment Program to expand housing options for middle income workers in areas experiencing job growth.

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Craft + Design show marks 60 years of celebrating contemporary craft

Craft + Design, a premier contemporary craft show, is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary this weekend at Richmond’s historic Main Street Station. The event, which runs Nov. 22-24, will feature the work of more than 160 artists from across the country, offering shoppers a chance to explore and purchase museum-quality crafts.

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Homeownership dream becomes reality with Richmond Habitat

For Najiyyah Abdullah, a child development services specialist and mother of five, owning a home has always been a dream.

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Valentine Museum exhibition wins 4 top design awards

The Valentine museum and Studio Joseph have won four prestigious design awards for their exhibition “Sculpting History at the Valentine Studio: Art, Power and the ‘Lost Cause’ American Myth,” which opened in January.

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Richmond Kickers’ Sawatzky nominated for Coach of the Year

USL League One recently announced that Richmond Kickers’ Chief Sporting Officer and Head Coach Darren Sawatzky was nominated for the league’s Coach of the Year award.

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Virginia State defeats Virginia Union, setting up championship rematch

In a battle of two of the top teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Virginia State University defeated Virginia Union University 35-28 on Nov. 9 in Ettrick. The win sets up a rematch between the two teams in the CIAA Championship Game on Nov. 16 in Salem, Va.

City prepares for 47th annual Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon

The Allianz Partners Richmond Marathon is set to celebrate its 47th edition Nov. 16. Known as “America’s Friendliest Marathon,” the event will feature over 20,000 participants across the marathon, half marathon and 8K races.

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Visual Arts Center hosts ‘The Shape of Water’ exhibition

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, in partnership with the nonprofit Crafting the Future, hosts “The Shape of Water,” a group exhibition exploring themes of human embodiment, land connection and lasting impressions. The exhibition continues through Jan. 12.

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Papa Johns awards $15,000 to city organizations

Three local Richmond organizations have been awarded $15,000 in grants to support their efforts in youth leadership and entrepreneurship. The funding, provided by the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community, will help advance programs that aim to strengthen the community.

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Hanover County to host free Caregiver Expo

Hanover County will host its third annual Caregiver Expo on Thursday, Nov. 14, in recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. The free event to provide resources and support for caregivers of older adults will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Montpelier Recreation Center and Library, 15302 Clazemont Road.

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CIAA announces 2024-25 All-CIAA preseason women’s bowling team

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the 2024-25 All-CIAA Preseason Women’s Bowling Team and Predicted Order of Finish, as voted on by the Sports Information Directors Association. This year’s preseason team is composed entirely of returners from the 2023-2024 All-CIAA team, showcasing the depth of talent in the conference.

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Grant earns CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors

University of Richmond redshirt senior defensive end Jeremiah Grant was named the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week after playing a pivotal role in Richmond’s 35-24 win over Towson on Nov. 2.

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Virginia Union ties record with 91-0 victory over Bluefield State

Virginia Union University’s football team made history Saturday, Nov. 2, tying a 108-year-old record by defeating Bluefield State University 91-0 at Hovey Stadium. This impressive victory not only matched the largest margin of victory in school history but also equaled the 1916 team’s 91-0 win over Saint Paul’s College.

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Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace open enrollment begins

Open enrollment on Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace began Friday, Nov. 1, offering Virginians the opportunity to enroll in new health insurance plans or make changes to existing ones without a qualifying life event.

Richmond hires new leaders for Department of Finance

The City of Richmond has appointed Jamie Atkinson as the new director of revenue and Thomasena Gadson as deputy director of Finance. Both appointments aim to enhance leadership within the Department of Finance.

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Proc Foundation’s Beautillion celebrates youth achievement

The Professionals Reaching Out to the Community Foundation (PROC) will host its 28th Annual Beautillion on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event, themed “Young Men Built for Success … The Legacy Lives On,” will present four young men who have completed the foundation’s program.

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River Road Church welcomes Amanda Tyler for discussion on religious liberty

Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), will present “How to End Christian Nationalism” on Sunday, Nov. 24, as part of River Road Church’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The event, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 8000 River Road, will address the rising tide of Christian nationalism and offer an essential guide for Christians seeking ways to counter this ideology.

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Virginia State dominates Lincoln University in 55-0 shutout

The Virginia State University football team scored over 30 points for the fourth straight game, shutting out Lincoln University 55-0 on Nov. 2.

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Faith Forum bridges faith, environmental action

A two-day Faith Forum took place Oct. 16-17 in Richmond, bringing together spiritual leaders and environmental experts to equip religious communities with tools to address climate change.

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Henrico teachers receive REB grants to pursue global learning, innovation

Six Henrico County Public Schools educators have received the 2024 REB Award for Teaching Excellence, earning grants of $10,000 to $15,000 to pursue transfor- mative learning experiences. The Community Foundation, which recognizes Richmond area teachers who stand out for their inspiring classroom work, awarded these grants to support hands-on study across a range of fields. A seventh HCPS teacher was honored as a finalist. This year’s awards celebrated 18 teachers regionally, with 14 finalists chosen from a pool of 85 nominees submitted by students, parents and colleagues. The HCPS recipients were surprised at their schools with announce- ments attended by division leaders, administrators, fellow educators and students. Among the winners, Glen Allen High School’s Ryan Conway will use his $14,900 grant to study teacher train- ing programs and advanced instructional methods in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, focusing on strategies tailored for Generation Alpha, the population born since 2010. Highland

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Talk to explore lives of slaves and free persons in 1860

On Nov. 9, an online audience will explore the everyday lives of enslaved and free African Americans on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, guided by a historical lens on housing and community resilience. Historian Douglas W. Sanford will present “Interpreting the Evidence for African American History: Virginia’s Slave Quarters and Free Blacks on the Middle Peninsula in 1860,” hosted by the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society at 11 a.m.

Va. museums partner for major exhibition on America’s 250th anniversary

Two of Virginia museums, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, are teaming up to present “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation,” a landmark exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary. The exhibition will debut at the VMHC on March 22, 2025, in line with the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s historic “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech. Sponsored by VA250, Virginia’s official semiquincenten- nial planning commission, the exhibition will be displayed in Richmond before embarking on a statewide tour. “Virginia’s history is essential to understanding the American founding,” said Jamie O. Bosket, CEO of the VMHC. “This exhibition presents a full narrative of our national story, covering its victories and struggles and amplifying the many voices that together built our Commonwealth and our nation.” “Give Me Liberty” will be one of the first major exhibits in the nation commemorating the anniversary, with a focus on Virginia’s role in the American Revolution and the global influences that inspired democratic government. Important items, including a por- trait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale and Patrick Henry’s spectacles, will showcase Virginia’s enduring legacy. The exhibition also will include voices from lesser-known groups, such as enslaved and free Black people, Indigenous communities, women and youths. These perspectives, according to Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Executive Director Christy S. Coleman, will provide visitors with an opportunity to view the Revolution’s legacy in a fresh light. In addition to notable artifacts like Dunmore’s Proclamation Broadside from 1775 and Thomas Jefferson’s 1774 “Summary

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Flying Squirrels announce home game times for 2025

As the baseball world turns its attention to the World Series, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are already looking ahead to their 2025 season, announcing game times for their home contests on Wednesday.

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Black History Museum of Virginia joins network for historical sites

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia has achieved international recognition as one of the inaugural sites in UNESCO’s Network of Places of History and Memory.

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Batiste, Jaouad help VCU Massey celebrate 50 years of care

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center celebrated its 50th anniversary last Thursday night, raising $6 million and announcing a new endowment to help minority cancer patients access treatment.

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North Carolina Central University tops poll; top four remain unchanged in Week 9

In the latest HBCU FCS Coaches Poll, North Carolina Central University maintains its position at the top, with the top four teams remaining unchanged from last week. The poll, administered by Boxtorow, a nationally syndicated sports talk show now in its 16th year, is voted on by coaches from the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision.

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University of Richmond welcomes community partner-in-residence fellows

The University of Richmond’s Bonner Center for Civic Engagement recently named Duane Brown and Faith Walker as community partner-in-residence fellows for the fall semester.

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Veterans Day Ceremony set for Nov. 11 at Virginia War Memorial

The 68th Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. The public, veterans and their families are invited to attend the ceremony.

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VUU’s Jada Byers sets multiple records in 56-28 win over Bowie State

Virginia Union University’s Jada Byers had a record-setting day as VUU defeated Bowie State 56-28 on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Bowie, Md.

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Bethlehem Lutheran Church to host memorial service for homeless persons

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in partnership with Homeward and Commonwealth Catholic Charities, will hold a memorial service on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, to honor those who lost their lives this year while facing homelessness. This marks the third annual service coordinated by the three organizations, providing the community an opportunity to remember and honor these individuals.

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Virginia State sweeps Lincoln, edges Shaw to break Bears’ streak

Virginia State University’s Volleyball Team clinched a 3-0 sweep over Lincoln University (Pa.) and followed up with a 3-2 victory over Shaw University on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, handing the Bears their first regular season conference loss since 2022.

Nominations open for 4th Annual RVA Sports Awards

Nominations are open for the fourth annual RVA Sports Awards — an event that celebrates Richmond’s top athletes and sports leaders. The online nomination portal is up and running, and it’s open until Dec. 1.

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Virginia Holocaust Museum unveils interactive exhibit

The Virginia Holocaust Museum recently announced the opening of “Dimensions in Testimony,” a permanent exhibition featuring interactive Holocaust survivor biographies developed by the USC Shoah Foundation.

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Richmond, Henrico health districts encourage women to focus on breast health

As October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, approaches its conclusion, the Richmond and Henrico health districts (RHHD) are urging women 25 and older to discuss their breast cancer risks with health care providers. Women age 40 and older are particularly encouraged to undergo regular breast screenings.

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Southside ReLeaf receives $25,000 grant from Robins Foundation

Southside ReLeaf has received a $25,000 grant from the Robins Foundation to strengthen its work in creating green spaces and advancing environmental justice in South Richmond. The funding will help the organization expand its outreach, grow its staff, and enhance its ability to engage with the community.

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Henrico affordable housing program to offer first 30 units for first-time buyers

Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is set to launch with 30 townhomes becoming available for first-time homebuyers who meet income and eligibility requirements. The initial offerings include 25 units in the Parkside Townes community in Sandston and five units in Discovery Ridge in Western Henrico, officials announced this week.

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CarMax Park job fair to connect employers with local job seekers

J&G Workforce Development, in collaboration with the City of Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building and Gilbane, hosts the CarMax Park Job and Resource Exhibition on Nov. 1. This event offers a chance to engage with the historic CarMax Park development, which will become the future home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

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Baldwin symposium returns to Virginia State with Nikki Giovanni

Virginia State University is set to welcome an extraordinary lineup of scholars, artists, and literary giants for the Second Triennial James Arthur Baldwin International Symposium, headlined by the legendary poet Nikki Giovanni as artist-in-residence.

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Reform Alliance and Roc Nation connect job seekers with open positions at job fair

Reform Alliance and Roc Nation organized a job fair in Richmond that connected job seekers with over 1,500 open positions from various employers last week.

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Virginia State defeats Elizabeth City State 36-7

Virginia State University (4-3, 3-1 CIAA) secured a commanding 36-7 victory over Elizabeth City State University (2-5, 0-4 CIAA) in a revenge match after last season’s loss. The Trojans’ defense delivered a stellar performance, holding the Vikings to minus-47 rushing yards.

Wellness expo offers free health resources, workshops

Radio One Richmond and Anthem HealthKeepers Plus have joined forces to present their first Community Health and Wellness Expo, a free event designed to promote comprehensive wellness approaches for area residents.

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Squirrel-O-Ween returns to The Diamond

The Richmond Flying Squirrels will host their annual Squirrel-O-Ween event Friday, Oct. 25, at The Diamond from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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Richmond hands Delaware first loss of the season, 28-9

In a fitting conclusion to a long-standing rivalry, the University of Richmond Spiders handed No. 6 Delaware its first loss of the season on Saturday, using four first-half touchdowns to secure a 28-9 victory.

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Rev. Adkins-Jones returns to preach at Second Baptist Church revival

The Rev. Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones, a Richmond native and accomplished theologian, returns to his hometown for a special revival at Second Baptist Church (West End) on Oct. 28-29.

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