Photo courtesy of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation // Immersed in history // Fifth-graders from Richmond’s Carver Elementary School join Principal Kiwana S. Yates and teachers around an indoor fountain at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington. The students also visited the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, which hosted the Feb. 22 trip in partnership with The New Y-CAPP, Youth Challenged Advised & Positively Promoted. At the foundation, they learned about efforts to advance the global black community and the separate work of members of the Congressional Black Caucus. The goal of the trip: To enable the students to gain a better understanding of the contributions of African-Americans.

Virginia Union University Coach Jay Butler, CIAA Men’s Coach of the Year, watches forlornly as his team loses to Bowie State University.

Virginia Union University Coach AnnMarie Gilbert, CIAA Women’s Coach of the Year, directs from the sidelines.

The Bowie State Bulldogs celebrate their 62-54 championship victory over Fayetteville State University last Saturday.

Mr. CIAA, Abraham “Ham” Mitchell of Suffolk, sports one of his custom outfits around the arena in Charlotte. The colors are those of the Bowie State Bulldogs.

The Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls women’s team celebrates its tournament title and 68-59 victory over the Virginia State University women’s team.

Jazz artist Najee performs the national anthem before last Saturday’s championship game.

Virginia State University President Makola M. Abdullah stops for a photo with CIAA Commissioner Jacqueline “Jacqie” McWilliams.

ESPN sportscaster Charlie Neal, right, a member of the CIAA Hall of Fame, interviews 2017 CIAA Hall of Fame inductee Derrick Johnson, a former Virginia Union University basketball standout.

R&B group En Vogue performs during the championship game last Saturday.

The Virginia State University women’s basketball team celebrates last Friday after making it to the CIAA finals

The Virginia Union University Rah-Rahs bust a move during a tournament performance.

James River dam near Pony Pasture

Johnetta Jackson takes advantage of the unseasonably warm winter weather to study outdoors last week. Location: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Like many other Richmond area residents and visitors, the Virginia Commonwealth University student and personal trainer found a way to enjoy the unexpected winter warmth. High temperatures are expected to be in the chillier 50s heading into the weekend, but then warm up again into the 70s by Monday before beginning another run of cooler days.

Richmond Free Press Publisher Jean P. Boone receives a citation from 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin — a copy of his remarks placed in the Congressional Record commemorating the newspaper’s 25th anniversary. The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. In remarks he delivered Feb. 13 on the House floor, Rep. McEachin lauded the independent, black-owned Free Press as a “voice for all people since its inception.” He recalled the newspaper’s late founder, Raymond H. Boone, and noted that the Free Press “has altered the media landscape of Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy,” with its award-winning coverage. The Free Press, he said, “does not only chronicle history, it has made history for the last 25 years.” The newspaper celebrated its silver anniversary on Jan. 16.