Oscars awarded to people of color during year of pandemic
The 93rd Annual Academy Awards was a mix of triumphant firsts for African-Americans, other people color and women during a glitter fest held Sunday for the first time at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.
Richmond Flying Squirrels sell out opening day for 11 years running
The Richmond Flying Squirrels have hung the “Sold Out” sign on The Diamond box office for the 11th straight home opener.
Adele C. Johnson, Black History Museum executive director, succumbs at 70
Adele C. Johnson pushed to ensure the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia lived up to its name during her four-year tenure as executive director.
Personality: Donald S. ‘Don’ Richards
Spotlight on vice chair of Autism Society of Central Virginia
After decades in broadcasting, Donald S. “Don” Richards is gearing up for a new chapter of community advocacy.
Price of new Wythe High School skyrockets to $140M
The price tag to replace aging George Wythe High School has jumped to $140 million, a 40 percent hike from the previous estimate of $100 million.
Families want answers in latest police shootings in Va. and N.C.
Families in North Carolina and Virginia are still demanding answers from law enforcement authorities fol- lowing separate shootings by sheriff’s departments that left one man dead and another fighting for his life in intensive care.
Free virtual series on preparing for reopening
ChildSavers, the nonprofit mental health and child development services agency, is hosting a monthlong series of free, virtual conversations with health and faith leaders to help caregivers navigate mental health challenges and prepare for the reopening of schools and other activities during COVID-19.
Cityscape-Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
A new addition to the Virginia Commonwealth University campus is taking shape – a building dedicated to science technology, engineering and math instruction.
101st birthday wishes
Marjorie Wilson Saunders, who touched the lives of hundreds of students during her teaching career at Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker and George Wythe high schools, is serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by family, including her daughter, Marjory, friends and former students who helped celebrate her 101st birthday on April 15.
Standing on sidelines not an option by Marc H. Morial
In the long arc of the nation’s history of racially motivated voter suppression, 2021 will stand as a clear and distinct moment that changed everything that came after. Whether it will symbolize the demise of such suppression – or its shameful entrenchment – remains to be seen.
Is America failing Millennials, Gen Zs? by Dr. Stephanie Mayers and Jan Perry
During the last two weeks of March and first week of April, Americans were shocked with alarming news of mass shootings and violent attacks in Atlanta; Boulder, Colo.; Washington, D.C.; and York County, S.C. Out of the 20 mass shootings and violent attacks during that time, one very distressing element stands out: A number of the attacks were carried out by GenZs — those ages 14 to 24 — and Millennials — those ages 25 to 38 — from diverse racial groups and regions of the United States.
‘Gun control has nothing to do with guns; it is people control’
Letters to the editor
The purpose of this letter is correct myths surrounding the AR-15 rifle, the most popular rifle in America.
Police need help to stop the violence
Letters to the editor
In Richmond lately, there have been several deadly shootings in our beloved city. Reasons for many have yet to be determined. There is never a reason, to me, to take someone’s life unless in self defense. But this does not seem to fit the motives in these cases.
Police brutality should not become the norm
Letters to the editor
We should not be looking at murders live on television of Black men and women and saying, “I’m shocked! Oh my God, another one murdered!”
A ‘bid for cheap immortality’
Letters to the editor
Re “Confederate chair held ransom: White Lies Matter group threatens to turn stolen $500,000 chair into a ‘toilet’ unless the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Richmond posts banner on anniversary of Confederate surrender,” Free Press April 8-10 edition:
School Board should focus on education, not school construction
Letters to the editor
Re “School Board taking control of new building construction,” Free Press April 15-17 edition: Members of the Richmond School Board are putting politics over people.
Area commencements will be mix of in-person and virtual celebrations
Universities and colleges throughout the Richmond area have announced commencement plans designed to keep people safe while allowing for graduates and their families to celebrate.
Celebrating 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward
Hundreds of people gathered in Jackson Ward last Saturday for “Illuminating Legacies: Giles B. Jackson Day,” the kickoff of The JXN Project’s celebration commemorating the 150th anniversary of Jackson Ward. Known as the “Black Wall Street,” Jackson Ward was a thriving center for Black commerce, entertainment and life in Richmond following the Civil War.
Personality: Dr. Madeline G. McClenney
Spotlight on president-founder of Exodus Foundation.org
Baptist minister, prison abolitionist and self-described “mass clemencyist.”
