Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz showcase culture and art-Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz take the stage at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 19, for a pep rally for their “Giants” art exhibition with Richmond-area high school and college students. They were welcomed by the All-City RPS Drum Line and answered questions about their careers. Students also viewed the exhibition, featuring art from the couple’s collection. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

‘Giants’ excitement-Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were welcomed by cheering Richmond-area high school and college students during a pep rally for the “Giants” exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The couple were greeted to the stage by the All-City RPS Drum Line and answered questions about their careers as musical artists. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz showcase culture and art-Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were welcomed by cheering Richmond-area high school and college students during a pep rally for the “Giants” exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The couple were greeted to the stage by the All-City RPS Drum Line and answered questions about their careers as musical artists. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

‘Giants’ excitement-Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were welcomed by cheering Richmond-area high school and college students during a pep rally for the “Giants” exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The couple were greeted to the stage by the All-City RPS Drum Line and answered questions about their careers as musical artists. Nevaeh Coles, left, and Ro’miah Short, 9th graders at Cristo Rey Richmond High School, pose together at the exhibition. The students attended the morning pep rally where Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz made a surprise appearance.(Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

‘Giants’ excitement-Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz were welcomed by cheering Richmond-area high school and college students during a pep rally for the “Giants” exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The couple were greeted to the stage by the All-City RPS Drum Line and answered questions about their careers as musical artists. Na’zjah Carter, 11th grade; Jazial Fitzgerald, 10th grade; and My’aria Griffith, 9th grade, cheer as Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz walk on stage at Cheek Theater at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.(Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Songs of Truth’ “Songs of Truth: An American Musical Resurrection,” featuring Desirée Roots as Sojourner Truth, was performed Saturday, Nov. 15, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Révéler in Carytown. The two performances featured original songs from a musical theater project and inspired by the life of Sojourner Truth. Roots and fellow cast members Kimberly Fox Knight, Wendy Miller, Wanda Fox Miller, Dale Heiskill, Milani Hopkins, Cat Johnson and Sir Rome were accompanied by a band led by Weldon Hill, bringing the abolitionist’s story to life through a fusion of gospel, blues, jazz and Americana. Sojourner Truth’s sixth-generation great-granddaughter Barbara Allen, attended the performances. Desirée Roots as abolitionist Sojourner Truth. (Photos by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Songs of Truth’ “Songs of Truth: An American Musical Resurrection,” featuring Desirée Roots as Sojourner Truth, was performed Saturday, Nov. 15, and Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Révéler in Carytown. The two performances featured original songs from a musical theater project and inspired by the life of Sojourner Truth. Roots and fellow cast members Kimberly Fox Knight, Wendy Miller, Wanda Fox Miller, Dale Heiskill, Milani Hopkins, Cat Johnson and Sir Rome were accompanied by a band led by Weldon Hill, bringing the abolitionist’s story to life through a fusion of gospel, blues, jazz and Americana. Sojourner Truth’s sixth-generation great-granddaughter Barbara Allen, attended the performances. DKeni B. Fine, creator of Songs of Truth, and Desirée Roots, portraying Sojourner Truth, dance on stage while Sir Rome, right, and Dale Heiskill, left, provide vocals. (Photos by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Squirrels quarrel over snacks in the Fan (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Driving home diabetes awareness-A brightly wrapped Estes Express Lines trailer, designed to raise awareness about diabetes, was parked outside Reynolds Community College’s Parham Road Campus as attendees arrived for the American Diabetes Association’s State of Diabetes: Central Virginia on World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14. Inside, employers, health care professionals and community members discussed the impact of diabetes and obesity and strategies for prevention and care. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Driving home diabetes awareness-A brightly wrapped Estes Express Lines trailer, designed to raise awareness about diabetes, was parked outside Reynolds Community College’s Parham Road Campus as attendees arrived for the American Diabetes Association’s State of Diabetes: Central Virginia on World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14. Inside, employers, health care professionals and community members discussed the impact of diabetes and obesity and strategies for prevention and care. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Driving home diabetes awareness-A brightly wrapped Estes Express Lines trailer, designed to raise awareness about diabetes, was parked outside Reynolds Community College’s Parham Road Campus as attendees arrived for the American Diabetes Association’s State of Diabetes: Central Virginia on World Diabetes Day, Nov. 14. Inside, employers, health care professionals and community members discussed the impact of diabetes and obesity and strategies for prevention and care. (Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press)

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond-Duron Chavis, executive director of Happily Natural Day, speaks during the announcement of a new Henrico community farm at the Runnymeade property off Willis Church Road on Monday, Nov. 17, as Stewart, the mascot of Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team, looks on. Seated are John Zannino, Henrico Division of Recreation and Parks director; Tyrone Nelson, Varina District supervisor; Stewart; Roscoe D. Cooper III, Fairfield District supervisor; and John Vithoulkas, Henrico County manager. The farm will begin with 10 acres in a pilot phase managed by the nonprofit, with potential to expand based on community interest. Farmers may apply for quarter- or half-acre plots in late fall.

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. Sam Montclair of Cary, N.C., at the finish line before winning the 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. Casey Mulroy crosses the finish line first among women at the 2025 Allianz Richmond Marathon with a victorious smile. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. Yftahe Gebru smiles after crossing the finish line of the 8K at the marathon event. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. Sadhari Cowan and Blair Jeffress celebrate after reaching the finish line of the 8K. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Finishing strong-About 21,000 runners took part in the 48th Allianz Richmond Marathon, known as America’s friendliest marathon. Crowds lined the streets, bands played along the course, and volunteers cheered runners on as they made their way to the iconic downhill finish. Runners make their way along the course during the Richmond Marathon. (Photo by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)