Richmond Free Press | Serving the African American Community in Richmond, VA

4:27 p.m., 2/9/2026
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Buddhist monks walk through Richmond on Monday, Feb. 2, the 100th day of their Walk for Peace, crossing from South Side over the Manchester Bridge. Thousands followed as the group made its way to City Hall, where the monks shared messages of mindfulness and peace with visitors from Richmond and neighboring cities and states.

Buddhist monks’ trek for peace draws crowds, halts traffic

Nineteen Buddhist monks reached Richmond on Tuesday, drawing thousands to City Hall on the 100th day of their 2,300-mile trek across America for peace.

News

Yosmani Rafael Valdez, left, and other students at Lloyd C. Bird High School walk out of the school into snowy weather during a student-led demonstration Friday, Feb. 6, from 2:15 to 2:55 p.m. The walkout was part of coordinated demonstrations at high schools across Chesterfield County Public Schools focused on immigration issues.

Chesterfield students, employees walk out over immigration enforcement

Defying administrators’ orders, Chesterfield students and employees walked out Friday to protest federal immigration enforcement.Students at L.C. Bird High School …

Sports

Laia Crespín (22) of Virginia Commonwealth University’s women’s basketball team defends the ball against Alicia Newell (3) of hometown rival Richmond at the Siegel Center on Feb. 1 during the third annual SupportHER game.

Richmond wins at VCU in annual SupportHER game, O’Boyle out as …

Ally Sweeney scored a career-high 27 points and Maggie Doogan recorded a double-double as Richmond defeated Virginia Commonwealth 77-65 in …

Personality

Personality: Viola Baskerville

Viola Baskerville, a retired local and state official, is now on the front lines of helping African Americans in Richmond …

Happenings

Students take part in a previous Peter Paul RVA performance. The Richmond nonprofit will host a hands-on Black History Expo on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at its Coleman Promise Center.

Peter Paul RVA to host hands-on Black History Expo on Feb. …

A Richmond nonprofit will celebrate Black excellence through science, innovation and creativity with a free community expo this month.Peter Paul …

Faith News

Augustus Tolton became the first Black man to be ordained as a Catholic priest in the U.S. Quincy University.

Remembering Augustus Tolton, the nation’s first Black Catholic priest

The first publicly recognized Black priest in the U.S., Augustus Tolton, may not be a household name. Yet I believe …

Obituaries

Dr. Royal

Frank S. Royal Sr., Richmond medical leader and VUU board chair, …

Frank S. Royal Sr., a physician and civic leader who spent decades serving Richmond’s African American community and medical institutions, …

Photo Galleries

Photos from Februray 5-7, 2026 edition