
Public engagement sessions on casino for Richmond start March 9
Richmond residents will be able to voice their opinions at virtual meetings City Hall plans to hold on the prospects of becoming a casino mecca and on the six proposals for casinos an internal committee has begun reviewing.

Richmond and Henrico to get 2 new Black judges
Black female attorneys are continuing to make judgeship gains in Richmond and Henrico County.

Conservancy turns up small, Black family cemetery on protected land
Nine years after the Civil War and his enslavement ended, Abraham Truman scraped up the money and bought a 40-acre farm plot for his family in the historically African-American Gravel Hill community in Eastern Henrico.

Answers to questions about new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine
With 69,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson, single-dose COVID-19 vaccine scheduled to be distributed throughout Virginia this week, the Richmond Free Press sought answers to questions about the newest vaccine that was granted emergency use authorization last Saturday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be offered free to the public.

Late actor Chadwick Boseman, others win Golden Globes as foreign press group called out for lack of diversity
The organization that hosted the Golden Globes said it is developing a plan to recruit Black members after falling under sharp criticism for lacking diverse members.

Footwear and talent carry Atlee’s Jada Foreman to victories
Atlee High School junior Jada Foreman is easily spotted at track and field meets. She’s likely the one carrying the most medals—and also the most shoes.

Bloody Sunday memorial March 7 to honor late civil rights giants
This year’s commemoration of a pivotal moment in the fight for voting rights for African-Americans will honor four giants of the Civil Rights Movement who died in 2020, including the late Congressman John Lewis of Georgia.

Bienvenidos to VUU
The historically Black university plans to enroll 450 Hispanic students by 2024 to obtain federal designation as a Hispanic-serving institution, according to VUU President Hakim J. Lucas
Within three years, Virginia Union University wants 25 percent of its undergraduate students to be Hispanic, according to university President Hakim J. Lucas.

RPS to reopen April 12 to 800 students
After hours of debate, an attempted amendment and process clarification, the Richmond School Board voted Monday night to reopen schools to 800 students April 12.

High rollers
6 companies roll the dice in hopes of landing Richmond’s sole casino license
A gusher of tax revenue for Richmond and potentially 1,400 or more new jobs for city residents.

Hip-hop artist Prince Markie Dee of Fat Boys dies at 52
Prince Markie Dee, a member of The Fat Boys hip-hop trio who later formed his own band and became a well-known radio host, died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, the day before his 53rd birthday.

Changing Va.’s laws would honor the work of HIV advocates, by Deirdre Johnson
For more than 20 years, organizations around the country have commemorated National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day as a moment to raise awareness, spark conversations and highlight the work being done to reduce HIV in Black communities.

President and the pandemic, by Glenn Ellis
Dear President Biden, It’s no secret to any of us that Black Americans have carried a disproportionate burden throughout every stage of the pandemic. As you undertake the daunting task of leading the efforts to lift all Americans out of the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all prayerful for your success in accomplishing your goals.

No way equal
We cannot sit by without commenting on the announcement by the University of Richmond regarding its examination into possibly renaming two campus buildings that honor white supremacists who were instrumental in the school’s history. UR President Ronald A. Crutcher has announced that the university will not change the name of Ryland Hall, an academic building, one wing of which is named for the Rev. Robert Ryland.

Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s star to shine on Hollywood Walk of Fame
A dream of most people in the movie business is to get a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ruth E. Carter is getting hers this week.

5 honored with annual ‘Strong Men & Women in Virginia History’ award
Dr. Lerla G. Joseph, a Richmond physician and community health advocate, is among five African-American leaders named as this year’s “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History.”

8th Annual Black Book Expo to feature author talks Feb. 27 and 28
Tables full of new books and an opportunity to meet various authors. Those will be among the highlights of the 8th Annual Black Book Expo this weekend at the Elegba Folklore Society in Downtown and virtually on Facebook Live.

Hampton alum becomes first Black head football coach at Marshall University
Hampton University alumnus Charles Huff has become the first Black head football coach at Marshall University.