The big reveal/ Ahkbar Jordan, 6, reacts to seeing how his face was painted by artist Kenita Wooten last Saturday during “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” at Manchester Dock in South Side. The three-day festival featured a bevy of fun and educational events. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Call it a brand new look for the site of the former Armstrong High School in the 1600 block of North 31st Street in the East End, where these nearly complete apartments now line the street. In all, 105 units are under construction in the first phase of what is called Church Hill North, including 60 family units and 45 senior apartments. Over time, 256 units, including some single-family homes, are to be part of the new mixed-income community. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Cone flowers in North Side (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Imani Bell, left, teaches youngsters African dances with the accompaniment of drummers. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Dr. W. Neal Holmes, an adjunct political science professor at Virginia Union and Virginia State universities, offers lessons in a learning circle. Dr. Holmes facilitates a monthly study group at the Elegba Folklore Society, 101 E. Broad St. in Downtown. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Mary Williams sits in reflection at the site, which once served as a landing point for slave ships on the James River. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press).

Pool's open! Gianni Harris, 7, jumps into the Battery Park pool Saturday to enjoy the cool water with family and friends. The joyful noise and splashes of youngsters marked the official opening last weekend of the City of Richmond’s seven outdoor swimming pools. (Clement Britt/Richmond Free Press)

Learning the ropes/ Many youngsters dream of being firefighters when they grow up. Ralph Lee Harris III got to live out the dream during Richmond Fire Station 21’s Community Day event last Saturday at the station, 2505 Jefferson Davis Highway. Oscar Escobar, field operations supervisor with the Richmond Ambulance Authority, instructs Delisia Johnson on the correct way to do chest compressions during CPR. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Learning the ropes/ Many youngsters dream of being firefighters when they grow up. Ralph Lee Harris III got to live out the dream during Richmond Fire Station 21’s Community Day event last Saturday at the station, 2505 Jefferson Davis Highway. Dressed out, the youngster helps Firefighter Brianna Robinson of Engine Co. 11 during a hose drill. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

'In the Sun Again'/ Me’Kel Williams leads a cardio hip-hop session during the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center’s “In The Sun Again Community Block Party” last Friday at the Church Hill center. Mr. Williams demonstrated the workout he leads weekly at the center, where he is assistant director. The block party continues the theater’s efforts to be a place that creates connections between residents and supports diversity and inclusion. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

‘In The Sun Again’ At the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center’s “In The Sun Again Community Block Party” last Friday at the Church Hill center, Jameer Dickerson, 8, and his dad, Ken Dickerson, enjoy ice cream cones at the party. The block party continues the theater’s efforts to be a place that creates connections between residents and supports diversity and inclusion.

‘In The Sun Again’ At the Robinson Theater Community Arts Center’s “In The Sun Again Community Block Party” last Friday at the Church Hill, Karen Wells, right, introduces children to art activities at the PBS “Ready to Learn” table in her role as East End manager for the PBS program. The block party continues the theater’s efforts to be a place that creates connections between residents and supports diversity and inclusion. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Honorary street sign for Fire Chief -Ronald C. Lewis Leslie A. Lewis, foreground, celebrates the unveiling and dedication of an honorary street sign honoring her late husband, former Richmond Fire Chief Ronald C. Lewis. Dozens of friends, neighbors, firefighters and supporters turned out for the sign’s unveiling last Saturday at the intersection of Birdwood and Bathgate roads in South Side’s Brookbury neighborhood, where the Lewis family lives. The trailblazing Chief Lewis was Richmond’s first African-American fire chief, serving in the top position from 1978 to 1995. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Honorary street sign for Fire Chief -Ronald C. Lewis/ Dozens of friends, neighbors, firefighters and supporters turned out for the sign’s unveiling last Saturday at the intersection of Birdwood and Bathgate roads in South Side’s Brookbury neighborhood, where the Lewis family lives. The trailblazing Chief Lewis was Richmond’s first African-American fire chief, serving in the top position from 1978 to 1995. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)