For a thriving Richmond, start at home, by Danny Avula
For more than 20 years, my wife, Mary Kay, and I have raised our family in Richmond’s East End. It’s the place where we cheered on our kids as they played soccer for the Powhatan Community Center, made lifelong friends sitting on our neighbors’ porches, and connected with families at regular events at Chimborazo Elementary School. But for too many people – residents who have lived here for generations and newcomers alike – the neighborhood we love calling home is becoming unaffordable and out of reach.
VUU Panthers dominate Shaw University in Willard Bailey Classic
The Virginia Union University Panthers showcased a commanding performance in the Willard Bailey Classic, overwhelming Shaw University 42-7 on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Willie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium.
VCU women’s soccer extends unbeaten streak
The Virgnia Commonwealth University Women’s Soccer team extended their unbeaten streak to five games after a 1-1 draw against St. Bonaventure in Atlantic 10 play on Sunday at Sports Backers Stadium. VCU remains undefeated in conference action with a 1-0-3 record.
Virginia State bounces back with 35-18 win over Fayetteville State
After two consecutive losses, Virginia State University (2-2, 1-0 CIAA) returned to the win column with a 35-18 victory over Fayetteville State (2-2, 1-1 CIAA) on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Trojans used a strong offensive performance led by quarterback Romelo Williams and wide receiver Kevin Gayles to secure the conference win.
Pitner to lead discussion on ‘Altar America’ at Gallery 5
Philosopher, writer and educator Barrett Holmes Pitner will speak at Gallery 5 in Richmond on Thursday, Oct. 3, to discuss the Altar America Project, a cultural and ancestor remembrance initiative. The event, part of Gallery 5’s “Community Care Night,” runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with Pitner’s talk beginning at 7 p.m.
Standing up
Young voters urged to participate
Early voting is underway for the November general election. Over 54,000 people completed a ballot on the first day of early voting, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
Registrar faces scrutiny as early voting begins amid investigation
With early voting underway, Richmond Registrar Keith Balmer is focused on getting people to the polls, as other officials call for his removal or continue to investigate his misconduct in office.
Native tree distribution event held at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Interfaith Power & Light and Mosby Memorial Baptist Church gave away 200 native trees and shrubs to Richmond residents last Saturday.
Mississippi mayor says a Confederate monument stays in storage during lawsuit
A Confederate monument that was removed from a courthouse square in Mississippi will remain in storage rather than being put up at a new site while a lawsuit over its future is considered, a city official said Friday.
6 NFL teams saved their season Sunday by earning their first win
That’s no overstatement considering only six teams since 1979 have made the playoffs after starting 0-3, including just one since 2000, and none have won a Super Bowl.
Personality: Joan Porte
Spotlight on President of the League of Women Voters of Virginia
When 3,400 eligible voters were purged from Virginia’s voting roles last year by Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s administration, the League of Women Voters of Virginia President Joan Porte, sprang into action. She called for an investigation and urged that their rights be restored.
Huguenot graduate brings acclaimed short to RIFF
Richmond native Tamika Lamison screens her award-winning short film, “Superman Doesn’t Steal, ” at the Richmond International Film Festival this weekend. The film draws on Lamison’s experiences growing up in Richmond, while a series of murders of Black children were being committed in Atlanta in 1979.
Spanberger and Earle-Sears tied in first 2025 gubernatorial poll
Survey also found 22% of voters remain undecided, did not plan to vote or would back another candidate
A little over one year before the 2025 gubernatorial election, Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Prince William, the two leading declared candidates for governor, are tied at 39% support each, according to a new statewide poll by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
A Black con
The recent comments unearthed by reporters at CNN that were attributed to the first Black lieutenant governor of the state below us, are beyond excusable. We read some of what was deemed fit to print and we wish we hadn’t. The depraved thoughts and ideas of this public official aren’t fit for public consumption and belong on the dark corners of the internet, which is where he allegedly left them.
NAACP forum addresses Project 2025’s impact on Black communities
Local NAACP leaders and pastors gathered for a forum at St. Paul’s Baptist Church last Thursday evening to inform voters about Project 2025 and its potential impact on local Black communities.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending on Saturday, Sept. 21, COVID-19 accounted for 1.6% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, trending down from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported within the same timeframe. Data on COVID-19 wastewater levels in the Greater Richmond area showed plateaus starting Sunday, Sept. 8. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following location: • Thursday, Sept. 26, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - Calvary United Methodist Church, 1637 Williamsburg Road. RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at select locations: • Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433. • Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099. • Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960. • Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740. • Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204. • Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road, Unit #B, call 804- 230-2077. • Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555. The Virginia Department of Health testing locations are listed at vdh.virginia.gov. For more information on testing sites, visit vax. rchd.com. Want a COVID-19 vaccine? Individuals interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico health districts by calling (804) 205-3501. Additionally, vaccines.gov provides a list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine. You also can find locations by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers a vaccine locator at vaccines.gov. Residents can order four free at-home COVID test kits at covidtest.gov. The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines. Everyone age 6 months and older can get the new COVID- 19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, while the Novavax vaccine is recommended for those age 12 and older. New vaccines are available at pharmacies and healthcare providers, with health officials encouraging eligible individuals to receive their booster doses. People who received doses prior to the release of the updated vaccine should wait at least two months before getting the new doses, according to the CDC. Exceptions exist, however, for those who are completing an initial vaccination series, the immunocompromised and those who’ve previously had COVID-19 and those receiving an initial series of Novavax doses. Compiled by George Copeland Jr.
Voting Information
The presidential election, as well as contests for the U.S. Senate, Congress, Richmond Mayor, City Council and School Board, take place: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Lies too easy to tell, not dispel, by Clarence Page
Sometimes amid the hoopla and hogwash of political events, I find myself jerked alert by an accidental truth that manages to break through.
What James Earl Jones can teach us about activism and art in times of crisis, by Dominic Taylor
The death of James Earl Jones has forced me to consider the end of an era.
Communities need more doctors, by Julianne Malveaux
Unequal access to high-quality health services is one of the most pervasive problems in America’s health care system. Far too often, communities of color face reduced access, higher costs, and less comprehensive care and support than their predominantly white counterparts.
