Thursday, January 27
Milton A. Marriott, former choir leader and musician for local churches and VUU, dies at age 62
Jamaican-born church key- board artist and singer Milton Anthony Marriott, who led the music ministry and directed choirs at First Baptist Church of South Richmond for 32 years, has died.
RPS joins lawsuits that challenge Youngkin's push to stop mask mandates
Richmond Public Schools is among six school districts to block Gov. Glenn Young- kin’s executive order to repeal mandates for masking in schools to protect students from spreading the Covid-19 virus.
National president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority dies after recent illness
Cheryl A. Hickmon, national president of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and chair of its National Board of Directors, passed away peacefully last Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 at the age of 60, following a battle with a “recent illness,” according to the sorority’s national website.
Double down
City Council's yes vote is still a gamble for South Side casino
If at first you don’t succeed, ...
Personality: Maxwell L. ‘Max’ German
Spotlight on board president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond
“An opportunity to serve the community and support those in need.”
Eyeing state title, John Marshall's Justices rule the courts
John Marshall High’s basketball Justices likely held a winning hand without any outside help this season.
Richmond area will host numerous events for Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African-Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
A vote may soon come on George Wythe High School contract design
The Richmond School Board is poised to award a design contract for a new 1,600-student building to replace aging George Wythe High School in South Side, the Free Press has learned.
Feb. 3 award ceremony to honor publishers of Richmond Free Press
The Virginia Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will present its 2020 George Mason Award to Jean Patterson Boone, publisher of the Richmond Free Press, and her late husband, Ray Boone, who founded the award-winning weekly, during a ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 3, at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Bonuses arriving for bypassed city employees
Pandemic bonuses of up to $3,000 apiece are on the way to Richmond city employees who were excluded from the first round.
Housing authority suspends evictions for now
The board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has temporarily halted its administration from filing eviction lawsuits before its next scheduled meeting Feb. 16.
Fort Lee barbers win strike for full pay
Unionized barbers at Fort Lee and Fort Pickett are again providing military haircuts after winning a prolonged strike that began in July.
Gov. Youngkin's administration taps retired army colonel, physician to oversee state health department
The first few weeks of Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s administration has brought changes big and small to Virginia’s approach to COVID-19, with executive orders on masking requirements and vaccines leading to debate in the General Assembly, confusion in schools and multiple pending lawsuits.
Lusia Harris, the first woman drafted by NBA, dies at age 66
Lusia Harris, the only woman ever drafted by an NBA team, has died. Mrs. Harris was 66 and residing in Greenwood, Miss.
Former local players on NFL Final Four teams
Protecting quarterback Joe Burrow is a top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s where Quinton Spain comes in.
Hampton becomes first HBCU to join the CAA
Colleges and universities throughout America, particularly in Virginia, have long played musical chairs, and the game is far from over.
Bryant's laser focus on basket nets wins for NSU
As sure bets go, Joe Bryant at the foul line is about as close as you’ll find.
Sundance: 'Descendant' chronicles a Black history uncovered
Rarely have past and present mingled in a documentary the way they do in “Descendant,” a nonfiction account of the last known ship to bring African captives to the American South for enslavement.
Black History Month and the audacity to achieve
Black History Month. Dare we say those three words alone or in a sentence?
More now than ever, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
By now you have heard what was forecast as the inevitable — all Senate Republicans and two Senate Democrats believe the Senate Filibuster Rule to be more significant than the right of millions (actually all) of Americans to participate in free and impartial elections.
New governor’s policy is killing our kids
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin used his wealth to purchase the job of Virginia’s governor and he also bought and paid for many Virginia parents.
Protecting voting rights, by Sen. Tim Kaine
I’ve served in elected office since 1994 — first on the Richmond City Council, then as mayor, then lieutenant governor, governor, and now U.S. senator. The Senate seat I currently hold was occupied for 50 years, from 1933 to 1983, by Harry F. Byrd Sr. and Harry F. Byrd Jr. It became known as the “Byrd seat.” The Byrds were supporters of the Massive Resistance movement against desegregation and opponents of civil rights and voting rights legislation. Harry F. Byrd Sr. was one of 27 U.S. senators to vote against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And he was one of only 19 senators to vote against the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Eunice M. Wilder, former city treasurer, dies at age 83
Eunice Montgomery Wilder, the former Richmond city treasurer who held the post for 25 years, has died after a brief illness, her family reported.
Thursday, January 20
‘We call him Mr. Poitier’
Actors, poets and graphic/ visual artists are engaged in a continual quest to touch the hearts, minds and souls of their audiences. It’s a daunting challenge and, if successful, leads to respect, admiration and adoration.
Turning back time
Thousands of people attended last Saturday’s inauguration of Virginia’s new GOP leaders – Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares
“The spirit of Virginia is alive and well,” Glenn Allen Youngkin declared as after being sworn in as Virginia’s 74th governor.
Youngkin gets widespread pushback on attempt to lift mask mandate in schools
Just days after his inauguration, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin is getting major pushback from legislators, parents and public school systems around the Commonwealth – including the Richmond area – over his executive order to end school mask mandates.
Red Lip Theology: Candice Benbow’s love letter to Black women in the Black church
Candice Marie Benbow came to be a theologian by way of the death of Whitney Houston, who she considers “the ultimate church girl.”
Rayford L. Harris Sr., longtime educator, policymaker, adviser and GOP activist, dies at 97
Rayford Lee Harris Sr., who touched the lives of untold thousands of Virginia students as an educator and policymaker, has died.
Judge rules pastor improperly fired church trustees, finance committee chair
A Richmond judge ruled Tuesday that the pastor of historic but embattled Fourth Baptist Church in Church Hill acted without proper authority when he fired six members of the church’s Trustee Board and the chair of the Finance Committee 19 months ago.
VUU beats VSU 88-70 in rivalry without fans
Minus any roar of the crowd or stomping feet, Virginia Union University made all the noise it needed in last Saturday’s game against Virginia State University, swishing balls through the nets.
’Who We Are’ offers a searing view of racism in U.S.
“If you’ve ever owned a slave, please raise your hand,” Jeffery Robinson asks a live audience at the beginning of “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America,” a searing documentary based on a lecture he has spent a decade perfecting.
3 people of color in Youngkin’s cabinet
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin began his new job this week promising bold steps in his “movement” to reverse the political agenda of the last decade and to put the state’s government back on conservative wheels.
New GOP leadership takes office to applause of largely white and conservative crowd
By 9:30 a.m. last Saturday, a line of people extended outside the gate of Capitol Square from 9th and Grace streets all the way to 8th street as they waited to be screened by Capitol Police and allowed to enter the inauguration of Gov.-elect Glenn A. Youngkin.
Scandal-scarred Sen. Joseph ‘Joe’ Morrissey pardoned by Gov. Northam
Richmond state Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey received a pardon from former Gov. Ralph S. Northam for his misdemeanor conviction eight years ago that stemmed from his sexual relationship with his 17-year-old receptionist who later became his wife. -
Inmate receives conditional pardon by former governor, freeing him after 15 years of inequitable sentence
“Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty, we are free at last.” For Henry C. Brailey, those words have real meaning after his release from prison a week ago.
Teacher raises, central office cuts are key to Kamras’ proposed 2022-23 RPS budget
Richmond teachers would get a 5 percent raise, the largest in years, while 33 new people would be added to the Richmond Public Schools payroll.
VSU women’s team comes back to post 62-59 win over VUU Lady Panthers
The tide has turned, at least temporarily, in the women’s basketball rivalry between Virginia Union University and Virginia State University.
Cristhian Vaquero, 17, signs with Washington Nations
Most 17-year-old baseball players are looking forward to their junior or senior season of high school play.
RRHA re-starts eviction process, impacting hundreds of families
More than 700 families now living in Richmond’s public housing communities could be facing eviction in the coming months.
No jail time for community organizer and housing advocate
Veteran community organizer and housing advocate Omari Al-Qadaffi will not have serve any jail time for his role in an anti-eviction protest July 1, 2020, at the John Marshall Courts Building in Downtown.
5th Annual Virginia Prison Car Caravan and Rally slated for Jan. 22
A caravan through Richmond and speeches in Monroe Park will highlight the 5th Annual Virginia Prison Justice Rally on Saturday, Jan. 22, it has been announced.
BLM757 organizer announces fun for Congress at Lobby Day gun rally
Using the annual pro-gun rally on Lobby Day at the General Assembly as a backdrop, JaPharii Jones, lead organizer with Black Lives Matter 757, announced his intention to run for Congress in Virginia’s 3rd District, a seat that has been held by Democratic Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott since 1993.
Comfort Anderson-Miller, who charity helped thousands in Liberia, dies at 60
For 30 years, Chesterfield County resident Comfort Yjakpai Anderson-Miller led a charity that shipped essential supplies and educational materials to her native Liberia. The founder of the nationally recognized Robert and Mary Anderson Charitable Organization succumbed to cancer after a 16-month fight on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. She was 60.
Tuskegee Airman Charles McGee dies at 102
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Charles E. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman who flew 409 fighter combat mis- sions over three wars, died Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022, in Bethesda, Md. He was 102.
Bodybuilder Chris Dickerson, first Black Mr. America and Mr. Olympia, dies at 82
Bodybuilder Chris Dickerson, the first Black Mr. America and Mr. Olympia, died Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Mr. Dickerson was 82 and died of heart failure.
Lessons from warrior lawyer Lani Guinier, by Julianne Malveaux
Lani Guinier, the amazing attorney, law professor, lawyer, author and activist made her transition on Jan. 7, 2022, even as Black folks and our allies were engaged in the legislative battle to solidify our voting rights.
Kelee Ringo gives Georgia Bulldogs another reason to bark
Herschel Walker was the freshman sensation in 1980 when the University of Georgia won the national college football title.
NFL’s Black head coaches dwindle to one
If the NFL were to throw a party today for its Black head coaches, just one invitation would be sent.
Deion Sanders wins Eddie Robinson Award; son wins Jerry Rice Award
Coach Deion Sanders is going to need to clear more room in his family trophy case.
Elvatrice Belsches to speak on history of Black Richmond Jan. 29
Public historian, researcher and author Elvatrice P. Belsches will speak about the history of Black Richmond during a virtual event 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Richmond Metro Area’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Pharrell Williams calls for economic equity during MLK event
Singer and music producer Pharrell Williams is challenging corporate America to “do more” by supporting entrepreneurs of color and adopting economic equity measures.
Sidney Poitier suffered from multiple health problems
Academy Award-winning actor Sidney Poitier, who died Jan. 6 at his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., at age 94, suffered from several health issues, according to information listed in his death certificate that was obtained Tuesday by TMZ and several other media outlets.
Recognizing the real Dr. King
As we commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us remember all that he stood for and all that he fought against.
No more ‘bites of the apple’ on the Richmond casino
Re “Councilwoman Trammell takes steps toward 2nd referendum on city casino,” Free Press Jan. 13-15 edition:
Personality: James W. Warren
Spotlight on chairperson of the board of directors of BridgePark Foundation
Amid the ongoing transforma- tion of Richmond’s landscape and infrastructure, James W. Warren is looking to create bridges in more ways than one.
Thursday, January 13
Trailblazing actor Sidney Poitier changed movies and lives
We go to movies not just to escape, but to discover. We might identify with the cowboy or the runaway bride or the kid who befriends a creature from another planet.
Civil rights lawyer, legal scholar and professor Lani Guinier dies at 71
Lani Guinier, a civil rights lawyer and legal scholar whose nomination by President Bill Clinton to head the U.S. Justice Department’s civil rights division was pulled after conservatives criticized her views on correcting racial discrimination, has died. She was 71.
Free Press mission to educate and empower continues
From its start, the Richmond Free Press has relentlessly sought to impact and improve life for Black Richmonders on a variety of issues.
Personality: Shemicia L. Bowen
Spotlight on board chair of the Urban League of Greater Richmond
At a time of change and need locally, statewide and nationally, a 100-year-old advocacy organization in Richmond is in the midst of a revival, courtesy of Shemicia L. Bowen.
VUU’s transfers plan to make a difference in Saturday’s game against VSU
Coming out of high school, Robert Osborne and Keleaf Tate took the sce- nic route in arriving at Virginia Union University.
City Council authorizes mayor to accept Lee monument and land from state
The traffic circle at Monument and Allen avenues where the giant monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee once stood will soon belong to the City of Richmond.
New quarters honor Maya Angelou
The United States Mint said Monday it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.
NAACP declines to challenge redistricting; encouraged by meeting with new GOP administration
The new boundaries for Virginia’s election districts for Congress and the General Assembly will not face any immediate legal challenge from the Virginia State Conference NAACP.
Henrico’s Andre McCallum Jr. shows why he’s ‘King of the Ring Jr.”
Andre McCallum Jr. is only 13 and already shares rights to the title of “King of the Ring Jr.”
Events to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the nation’s “drum major for justice,” will be celebrated in person, virtually and on television during the annual national holiday Monday, Jan. 17.
Councilwoman Trammell takes steps toward 2nd referendum on city casino
Richmond’s plans to allow a private company to create a gambling mecca in South Side collapsed in November when voters opposed to a casino narrowly defeated it by just under 1,500 votes. Now one of the biggest supporters of the project, 8th District City Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, wants a do-over.
School Board votes in new leaders
The Richmond School Board voted in a new chair and vice chair—Shonda Harris- Muhammed, 6th District, and Kenya J. Gibson, 3rd District, respectively.
‘Call to the Hall’ honoring Bob Dandridge canceled
The “Call to the Hall” honoring Richmond native Bob Dandridge has been canceled due to the current spike in COVID-19.
Jackson State lands another top football prospect
Jackson State University football Coach Deion Sanders has landed another top prospect.
City CAO: Hold on; bonuses coming
Yes, we plan to award pandemic bonuses of up to $3,000 each to city employees who worked through the pandemic.
City workers launch campaign for collective bargaining
City Hall employees this week launched their campaign to gain the right to collectively bargain over wages and working conditions.
Sen. Lucas to receive $330K settlement
The City of Portsmouth will pay state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, the highest ranking Black in the Virginia Senate, $300,0000 under a settlement in a lawsuit she filed after she was charged with damaging a Confederate monument during a 2020 protest.
King holiday closings
In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 17, please note the following:
Virginia to join vax mandate challenges under new GOP governor, AG
Virginia will join other Republican-led states and business groups in challenging Biden administration mandates intended to increase the nation’s COVID-19 vaccination rate once GOP Gov.-elect Glenn A. Youngkin and Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares take office, the two said in a statement last week.
Executive producer of National Black Theatre Festival dies
Sylvia Sprinkle-Hamlin, who succeeded her late husband as board chairman and executive producer of the National Black Theatre Festival, has died. She was 76.
Mo Alie-Cox takes blocking from the basketball court to the football field
The NFL’s premier ball carrier has a former Virginia Commonwealth University Ram helping to clear his runways to first downs and touchdowns.
Honoring Dr. King
We remember with awe and deep gratitude the selfless leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose vision and commitment to justice and equality for all people helped bend the arc of the moral universe in the right direction.
Area colleges make changes in wake of omicron variant
Virginia State University is moving its spring semester courses online for the first two weeks because of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Memories of Archbishop Desmond Tutu
As we experience the news of the homegoing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, we celebrate the life, love and legacy of a great theologian.
‘Moral and ethical imperative to combat climate change’, by U.S. Rep. A Donald McEachin
The climate crisis is the greatest existential threat we face.
‘I’m tired of fighting people who look like me’
Lt. Gov.-elect Winsome Sears rails against criticism she said is leveled against her by the Black community
Just days before Winsome Sears’ historic swearing in Saturday, Jan. 15, as Virginia’s first female lieutenant governor and the first African-American woman elected to statewide office in the Commonwealth, she sounds more like a woman under siege than someone poised to enter the history books.
Thursday, January 6
Tips to deal with holiday, post-holiday blues
Holiday depression, also called the “holiday blues,” is a real thing, and it can last long after the holidays. It affects 1 million people every year.
Former VCU standouts ‘Bones’ Hyland, Justin Tillman making noise in NBA
The Denver Nuggets may have struck gold with their No. 1 draft pick, former Virginia Commonwealth University Rams player Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland.
What will 2022 bring?, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Far too many in our community fail to look to the future seriously. My greatest disappointment is in those who have so very much to lose and who demonstrate so little concern about the futures they must face.
An honest accounting
Richmond writer reveals story of her family’s interracial heritage that has been shrouded in history
Richmond novelist Ellen Glasgow gained fame for her realistic depictions of women, their relationships and their efforts to gain indepen- dence in a male-dominated world.
Twist of fate
Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia to get Confederate statues removed from Monument Avenue
What do you do when you don’t want to make a difficult decision? Let someone else make it.
Nikole Hannah-Jones: ‘We’ve been taught the history of a country that does not exist’
Following a year of professional mile- stones born of her work on America’s history of slavery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she is clear-eyed about her mission to force a reckoning around the nation’s self-image.
bell hooks, writer and groundbreaking feminist thinker, dies at 69
NEW YORK bell hooks, the ground- breaking author, educator and activist whose explorations of how race, gender, economics and politics intertwined helped shape academic and popular debates over the past 40 years, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021.
Foremost wishes for 2022:
With the start of 2022, the Richmond Free Press invited select officials to share their foremost wishes for the new year. Here are their responses:
All eyes will be on quarterbacks at College Football Playoff National Championship Jan. 10
Since its inception in 2015, the College Football Playoff National Championship has been a shining showcase for quarterbacks.
Personality: Myra Goodman Smith
Spotlight on board chair of the Annabella R. Jenkins Foundation
With the rise of the omicron variant of COVID-19, focus again is being directed toward the systemic issues surrounding health care and health care delivery systems. These types of issues have been a lifelong focus for Myra Goodman Smith.
Quiet in the stands for VUU
Virginia Union University has announced a “No Fans/Spectators Rule” for its upcoming men’s and women’s basketball games at Barco-Stevens Hall.
How young people can save America, by Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.
My new year’s wish this year is that across the country, every high school gives each graduate a diploma and a voter registration card, and every center of education and training — whether community college or four-year university, technical training or business school — ensures that every entering student is registered to vote.
RPS set to reopen Thursday after weather delay and early run on COVID-19 test kits
As school districts across the country consider postponing reopening following the holiday break or instituting remote instruction because of the new wave of COVID-19 infections, Richmond Public Schools stands fast in promoting vaccinations and testing to keep their doors open for in-person instruction.
Wanda Young, member of Motown’s The Marvelettes, dies at 78
Wanda Young, a member of Motown’s chart-topping The Marvelettes, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021, in suburban De- troit. She was 78.
2021 Year in Photos
The year 2021 was a tug of war between the life changes precipitated by the COVID-19-related shutdowns of 2020 and efforts to return to a pre-COVID way of life.
Democratic AGs continue fight seeking recognition of ERA
Three Democratic attorneys general on Monday sought to persuade a federal appeals court to revive a lawsuit to force the federal government to recognize Virginia’s 2020 vote to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and add it to the Constitution.
City Council expected to provide $300,000 ‘seed money’ for planned slavery museum in Shockoe Bottom
Richmond is poised to pour $300,000 into a new attempt to create a national slavery museum.
Sen. Kaine, Delegate Aird among thousands of motorists stuck in I-95 catastrophe
“I’m frustrated, but not in serious trouble.”
Capitol Square offices to be named for Dr. William Ferguson ‘Fergie’ Reid
Dr. William Ferguson “Fergie” Reid, a Richmond surgeon and activist for voting rights, made history in 1967 when he won election to the House of Delegates. He was the first Black person to break through the legislature’s whites-only ranks in more than 76 years.
Artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui, whose projections on the Lee monument gained national attention, receive grant for new works
Richmond lighting artists Dustin Klein and Alex Criqui drew national attention 18 months ago in projecting the faces of Black thinkers, activists and victims of police violence nightly on the pedestal of the Lee monument on Monument Avenue.
Herring sues Town of Windsor, alleging discriminatory policing
The police department in Windsor, a small southeastern Virginia town located in Isle of Wight County, has operated in a way that led to discrimination against African-Americans and violated their constitutional rights, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring alleged in a lawsuit filed last week.
NBA, HBCU legend Sam Jones dies at 88
HBCU and Boston Celtics legend Sam Jones died Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, at his home in Florida. Mr. Jones was 88.
Richmond, meet the Church Hill Academy Phantoms
Introductions are long overdue. It’s time for Richmond’s high school basketball fans to meet the Phantoms.
City utility field technicians miffed about exclusion from city bonuses
Field technicians from the Richmond Department of Public Utilities are upset that City Hall failed to include them among the first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, who received pandemic bonuses of up to $3,000 each during the holidays.
