Roses to remember
Army medic honors fallen soldiers by crafting steel roses for Gold Star families
As a combat medic in the Army, Anthony Vella witnessed the agonizing deaths of fellow soldiers killed in Afghanistan. When he returned to the United States and was stationed at Fort Lee in 2013, he sought to escape the memories of a “living hell” but honor his lost comrades.
City workforce center can help those denied federal job assistance
Re “Ignoring call to duty: Failure to sign up for Selective Service hurts thousands,” May 5-7 edition: A Richmond Free Press article informed readers how failing to register for the Selective Service can hinder men from receiving federal financial assistance, such as workforce services and Pell Grants for education.
Investing in black men
Mayors and community leaders in cities across the country are working every day to create vibrant and healthy communities where all of our youth, families and neighbors can thrive. All too often, though, the promise of safe, healthy and hopeful communities for all is not being realized for African-American men. Indeed, while they represent significant populations in many of our cities, these men face a disproportionate impact from violence.
‘Something bigger than myself’
“We’ve got a justice gap when too many black boys and girls pass through a pipeline from underfunded schools to overcrowded jails … Black men are about six times likelier to be in prison right now than white men.” Those words rang in my ears and lingered in the air like a heavy, heavy fog that morning. As I stared at President Obama, I kept repeating to myself, “Right now?”
60 years back, 60 years ahead
Education is the great equalizer, so it has been said. Take for example Irving L. Peddrew III. He was a teenage honors student at his all-black high school in Hampton whose future seemed limitless. He received offers to attend numerous schools across the nation. Yet he chose Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
‘Success is … in the lives that you impact,’ Delegate Aird tells VSU graduates
Virginia State University President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah was beaming like a proud father during this, his first, and the university’s 130th commencement held last Sunday at the Richmond Coliseum.
El ignites passion, inspires VCU grads
“Go make the world a better place for people everywhere,” was the recurring message to the more than 5,000 graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University at commencement exercises last Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum. “This begins not only a new chapter in your life, but a new chapter for humanity,” said VCU President Michael Rao. In addition to congratulating the graduates, he thanked them for the opportunity to be a part of their educational lives. “What you’ve done here extends beyond our campus boundaries,” Dr. Rao continued. “Lives will be changed — not just courses completed.”
Yoga behind bars
Relaxation, meditation techniques can help heal inmates
Yoga and meditation are being offered at Richmond’s jail to help prepare inmates for positive re-entry into the community — and help keep them from returning to jail.
‘Celebrate Jackson Ward’ this weekend
The Richmond Symphony and a host of community arts groups will spend the weekend entertaining the public at a festival in Abner Clay Park called “Celebrate Jackson Ward: Past, Present and Future.”
First African-American student to attend Va. Tech finally gets degree
More than 60 years after Irving Linwood Peddrew III of Hampton broke the color barrier to become the first African-American student to attend Virginia Tech in rural Blacksburg, he finally received his degree. Mr. Peddrew, now 80, was awarded an honorary bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering during the university’s commencement Friday, May 13, at Lane Stadium.
Armstrong tennis players honing their game
At Richmond’s Armstrong High School, the only girls sport involving a net has been basketball. After Armstrong High School merged with and moved into the former John F. Kennedy High School building on Cool Lane in 2004, girls tennis practically vanished. The sport had little traction previously at either school.
For Toronto Raptors fans: Fast facts
Maybe it’s time for the National Basketball Association to shift its name to the International Basketball Association. With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors have reached the NBA Eastern Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.
3 of 9 quarterbacks chosen in NFL draft are black
A wave of talented African-American quarterbacks has emerged as NFL headliners in recent years. But what are the prospects for the next wave?
Few HBCU quarterbacks drafted by NFL
The last quarterback from a historically black college or university to be drafted by the NFL was Alabama State University’s Tarvaris Jackson in 2006. Virginia Union University’s Shawheem Dowdy would like to end that decade-long drought. There’s no faking the tape measure, scales or radar gun, and Dowdy has what the scouts generally covet — a large, durable frame and a howitzer for an arm.
MJBL registration open
Registration is under- way for the upper age groups of the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League.
BeBe Winans’ life story on stage
BeBe Winans, the seventh son of the famous gospel singing Winans family, owes much of his fame to 1980s televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Meeting called for May 23 to unite city
Uniting the City 2, a meeting called to bring Richmonders together, will be held 6 p.m. Monday, May 23, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St., in the West End.
World’s oldest person dies at 116 in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world’s oldest person, has died in New York at age 116. Ms. Jones, who was affectionately known by family and neighbors as Miss Susie, died Thursday, May 12, 2016, at a public housing facility for seniors in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she had lived for more than three decades, according to Robert Young, a senior consultant for the Los Angeles-based Gerontology Research Group.
Personality: Dr. Susan T. Gooden
Spotlight on president of American Society for Public Administration
Being in leadership is not always an easy thing. Leaders must tackle the tough decisions and issues for their organization. But Dr. Susan T. Gooden, professor of public administration and policy at Virginia Commonwealth University’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, is up to the challenge.
Future of food
VSU Harding Street Urban Agriculture Center uses cutting-edge technology to grow fish, vegetables
A former recreation building in historic downtown Petersburg has been transformed by Virginia State University into an innovative center for urban food production.
