Saint Paul’s Baptist hosts community forums
Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County is hosting a series of forums in May designed to bring citizens, law enforcement officials and faith leaders together. The theme: “Everybody Matters: A Community Discussion about Race, Justice and the Church.” The purpose: “For all persons and leaders to understand the criminal justice system and better engage with one another,” according to event organizer and church member Antoinette Irving, president of the AVI Foundation Inc., a Richmond-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide programs for youths in disadvantaged communities.
Butler officially named basketball coach at VUU
Jay Butler has proven to be an exceptional college basketball coach for women’s teams. Now he’s out to achieve similar success coaching a men’s team. Butler is the new Virginia Union University men’s basketball coach after spending the past 13 seasons — 11 as head coach — directing the women’s program at the University of the District of Columbia.
Judge Conyers to speak at VSU commencement
Virginia State University will launch graduation season for colleges and universities in the commonwealth. The historically black institution will mark its 133rd year by awarding 750 degrees during ceremonies 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Richmond Coliseum.
Re “From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times,” April 23-25 edition: I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Free Press for the article on Barksdale Haggins and Barky’s Spiritu
Re “From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times,” April 23-25 edition: I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Free Press for the article on Barksdale Haggins and Barky’s Spiritual Store.
Federal act requires reporting of deaths while in police custody
Re “Help from high court,” April 23-25 edition: While your editorial was enlightening and informative, it did not really do justice to the point of the editorial — unnecessary deaths while in law enforcement custody. Yes, the traumatic death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police was dismal and emotionally bruising. It also was, at first glance, totally undeserving.
When Freedom Came series ‘educational and inspirational’
Re “When Freedom Came” series, March 26-28, April 2-4 and April 9-11 editions:
An unexpected partnership
When Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stepped before a bank of microphones last Saturday for a hastily called news conference, she was surrounded by people she credited with helping keep this city calm during a weeklong protest over the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who died after suffering a spinal injury while in police custody.
Black women’s lives matter, too
You know their names — Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice — because these African-American men were unarmed and killed by law enforcement officers. Their names have been part of a litany invoked when police shootings are discussed. Their deaths have been part of the impetus for the Black Lives Matter movement, especially because the police officers that killed these men — and a little boy — have paid no price for their murders.
Transparency, accountability
As Richmond City Council wrestles with the critical task of completing a budget for the city for 2015-16, we call on Mayor Dwight C. Jones to address unsettling issues regarding the expensive outsourcing of city work to outside companies.
Inflamed
The fires that burned Monday and Tuesday night in Baltimore have pushed the nation toward the crucial, but much avoided introspection necessary to address critical issues of race and justice in America.
Spotty CARE van service leaves riders in limbo
Roderyck Bullock has somewhere to go almost every day, but he doesn’t always make it. His ride sometimes arrives late. Occasionally, it doesn’t show up at all.
Eruption
Baltimore wracked by outrage as protesters turn violent. City, nation look for answers about race, police brutality.
Just hours after Loretta Lynch’s historic swearing in as the new U.S. attorney general and the first African-American woman to lead the Justice Department, mayhem erupted Monday in the streets of Baltimore following the funeral for Freddie Gray. The 25-year-old Mr. Gray died of severe injuries on April 19, a week after being arrested, handcuffed and tossed into a police van. His spine was nearly severed and his larynx was crushed while in police custody, authorities have reported.
Foundation honors 8 Richmond schools alumni
Eight outstanding alumni of Richmond Public Schools were honored at the fourth annual Pride of RPS: Living Legacies Breakfast. The event, sponsored by the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation and held April 24 at a Downtown hotel, recognizes former Richmond schools students who have made significant accomplishments in their professional and personal lives and correlate their success to their formative years in public schools.
Dr. Boykin Sanders honored for distinguished career, service
Dr. Boykin Sanders wore a huge smile as he walked into the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University Saturday night, where about 200 people were gathered for a reception and banquet in his honor. Attendees broke into applause as he strode in holding his 3-year-old granddaughter, Sage, in his arms. Many were his former students at VUU, where Dr. Sanders has served as a professor and mentor for the last 32 years. The event also was a celebration of Dr. Sanders’ 70th birthday.
Karen Clark Sheard, Grammy Award winner, to speak at local church
Grammy Award-winning singer, musician and songwriter Karen Clark Sheard is scheduled to speak at Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in the East End at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, the church has announced. She is one of three women scheduled to lead weekly Women’s Month services at the church at 2301 Cedar St. that is led by Dr. Anthony M. Chandler Sr.
VUU concludes its 150th celebration
Virginia Union University honored its past and celebrated its future with the unveiling Wednesday of a monument symbolizing 150 years of academic excellence at the institution. The monument was designed by renowned sculptor Ed Dwight of Denver, and is displayed on the Lombardy Street campus between the Belgian Building and Ellison Hall.
Jenner’s confession stirs up memories of tennis star Renée Richards
In a highly anticipated TV interview last week, Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner told ABC’s Diane Sawyer that “for all intents and purposes, I am a woman.” Jenner’s revelation he is transitioning from male to female stirs recollections of another sports-related, transgender shocker — the case of Dr. Richard Raskind becoming Renée Richards.
Wallace places 12th at RIR
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is hopeful that Talladega, Ala., will provide more racing satisfaction than he found in Richmond. Wallace finished 12th in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Toyota Care 250 on April 24 at Richmond International Raceway. The event was won by local favorite Denny Hamlin, a graduate of Manchester High School.
‘Money’ Mayweather versus ‘Pac-Man’ Pacquiao
Public interest in boxing is firing up ahead of the scheduled fight between two of the sport’s greatest fighters: Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao.
Rams rebuild team under Wade
The process of restocking Virginia Commonwealth University’s basketball roster is an ongoing task. New Rams Coach Will Wade has added Korey Billbury, a 6-foot-3 transfer from Oral Roberts University, and 6-foot-7 Gerron Scissum, a high school senior from Huntsville, Ala., to VCU’s roster for 2015-16.
