‘You wear out’: How chronic illness grounds and inspires William Barber’s activism
Standing outside a church in rural North Carolina this spring, the Rev. William Barber II leaned on his dented and scuffed wooden cane. With one powerful hand he pushed himself up and into the seat of a long black Chevrolet Suburban, then swung his legs in, using the cane, wedged against the door, as a fulcrum. The effort left him out of breath, his expansive chest heaving as he lay back in the seat, reclined to afford him space. No sooner had an aide closed the door before a man from the church rapped gently on the window. “Rev. Barber,” he said, “you’ve been a role model, an inspiration.”
Personality: Dr. Monroe E. Harris Jr.
Spotlight on Virginia Higher Education Fund’s ‘Jazz Inside Out’ honorary chairman
When it comes to charitable, arts or education-related events that take place in Richmond, it’s not uncommon to see Dr. Monroe E. Harris Jr.’s name listed as a donor, participant or leader.
Jan. 6 hearings:
What we’ve learned, and what’s next
The House committee investigating The Capitol insurrection heard from election workers and state officials on Tuesday as they described former President Trump’s pressure to overturn his 2020 election defeat. On Thursday, the nine-member panel will hear from former Justice Department officials who refused Trump’s entreaties to declare the election “corrupt.”
(RE)Framing exhibit tells a story of community
When George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis Police in 2020, the world erupted in protest. As far away as Pretoria, South Africa, and Sydney, Australia, millions took to the streets demanding justice for Mr. Floyd, and other Black Americans and people of color around the world also killed by police.
Vanishing notebooks
RPS officials report 12,100 laptops missing
On the heels of a scathing audit report, Richmond Public Schools is admitting that its own internal check has found that more than 1,600 laptops that were purchased have vanished, and that it does not know the whereabouts of another 10,558 laptops that are listed in the inventory.
U.S. failed to stop fraud in COVID loan program, Clyburn says
The U.S. failed to take basic steps at the start of the coronavirus pandemic to prevent fraud in a federal aid program intended to help small businesses, depleting the funds and making people more vulnerable to identity theft, the chairman of a House panel examining the payouts said Tuesday.
Holding people accountable, by Ben Jealous
Some extremely important truth-telling is happening in Washington, D.C. right now.
Freedom then, freedom now, by Dr. E. Faye Williams
Juneteenth is known by many names. It’s officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, but is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day. On that day we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved persons of African descent and celebrate the richness of the African-American culture.
Good news
LEGO Group will build its first U.S. factory producing its hugely popular plastic building blocks for children to create and build anything they can imagine in Chesterfield County.
Real or not
Last week, Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney went to the top floor of City Hall to eagerly reveal the results of a secretive yearlong project led by the West Cary Group, an advertising and marketing organization.
Richmond Folk Festival announces dates, first group of artists
The Richmond Folk Festival will return Oct. 7-9 to Richmond’s downtown riverfront to showcase more than 30 local, national and global acts that will perform music and dance across six stages. The free, three-day event attracts some 200,000 people over the weekend and is presented by Venture Richmond Events in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts, the Virginia Folklife Program, the Center for Cultural Vibran- cy, Children’s Mu- seum, and the City
Exhibit features works of Free Press photographers
The summer of 2020 was a turning point in the history of Richmond and the nation. Richmond activists joined others across the country and around the world to protest the murder of George Floyd and amplify the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mellody Hobson, a Black woman, joins Broncos ownership group
The Waltons, heirs to the Walmart fortune and America’s richest family, have won the bidding to purchase the Denver Broncos in the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world.
Another coach with ties to Richmond lands in Charlotte
The NBA’s Charlotte Hornets are taking on a Richmond look.
Bellemare’s easy to find in Stanley Cup playoffs
In viewing the ongoing Stanley Cup playoffs, it’s hard not to notice Pierre-Edouard Bellemare because he is the only Black player on either team.
Dallas’ legendary running back Don Perkins dies
Don Perkins, the running back that helped the Dallas Cowboys earn the label “America’s Team,” died on Thursday, June 9, 2022. He was 84.
Keeping up with Wilson is a hurdle
Even as Britton Wilson’s impressive track and field resume continues to grow, she’s just warming up.
Consistency, power and speed drive baseball’s roster of diverse talent
With Luis Arraez high stepping at the head of the pack, players of color are displaying a parade of excellence in big league baseball.
State Department officials meet with Griner’s WNBA team
State Department officials met Monday with members of Brittney Griner’s WNBA team about the Phoenix Mercury star’s months long detention in Russia and the Biden administration’s efforts to secure her release.
John Marshall High School’s Class of 2022
Richmond Public Schools’ Class of 2022 started high school two years before the COVID-19 pandemic and spent part of the last two years as virtual learners. Now equipped with perseverance and resilience, these new graduates are primed for their next chapter.
