Story
Photographing history: Richmond native Lawrence Jackson returns home with book about his years as President Obama's official White House photographer
Photojournalist Lawrence Jackson had covered national and international news events for the Associated Press for eight years. But he could feel that something was different when he rushed to Washington’s Lafayette Park on Election Night 2008. A spontaneous celebration of hundreds of people had erupted at the park across from the White House when Barack Obama was proclaimed the winner of the presidential election.
Story
No vacation from education, by Julianne Malveaux
Students everywhere are anticipating, or already experiencing, their summer vacation. It means freedom from daily classes and the opportunity to break, “chill” and perhaps attend a summer program for many. We know, however, that there is knowledge erosion over the summer, especially for students who don’t continue to read or learn.
Story
Hundreds turn out for equal rights
Hundreds of social justice advocates, community members and students marched for women’s rights last Saturday in Richmond.
Story
True colors
Shameful. That’s the best word to describe Monday’s action by Richmond City Council to roll over and play dead when it comes to the Confederate statues on Monument Avenue.
Story
Monacan’s Megan Walker ends high school career as nation’s top player
In her final Monacan High School game, Megan Walker showed she was human — but more importantly that she was great.
Story
Grammy-winning singer Betty Wright succumbs at 66
Betty Wright, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter whose influential 1970s hits included “Clean Up Woman” and “Where Is the Love,” is dead at age 66.
Story
Gabby poised for gold at 2016 Summer Olympics
Gabby Douglas is seeking to become the first gymnast since Romanian Nadia Comaneci to win gold medals at back-to-back Olympics.
Story
Reversal of misfortune
Kemba Smith, whose prison sentence was commuted in 2000, dines with President Obama after meeting with White House aides
When U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was making his initial bid to become president of the United States, Richmond native and 1989 Hermitage High School graduate Kemba Smith was among the thousands volunteering in his ambitious history-making campaign.
Story
‘Finding Boaz’
Richmonder produces Christian comedy film about the highs and lows of finding love
When the lights went down, the laughs went up at a private screening last Saturday of the new, Virginia-produced film, “Finding Boaz.”
Story
Education battle cry: Put kids first!
“Put kids first!” A diverse gathering of educators, parents and students made that impassioned plea at a rally Saturday organized by the Virginia Education Association and the Virginia PTA.
Story
Youths take action to promote healing, peace
When Alton Sterling was killed by police July 5 in Baton Rouge, La., the nation watched as his 15-year-old son cried inconsolably at the loss of his father.
Story
Icon Angela Y. Davis unleashes her thoughts on Trump, Clinton and future
The election of Donald Trump as the nation’s 45th president “was the future we really dreaded,” said scholar and activist Angela Y. Davis.
Story
Celebrating black women on the federal bench, by Ben Jealous
President Biden’s first year in office has brought both triumphs and disappointments. There’s no question that the administration has work to do on voting rights and on passing the critical social infrastructure pieces of the Build Back Better plan. But firmly in the “wins” column is the president’s extraordinary success nominating and confirming to the federal bench extraordinarily qualified judges with a demonstrated commitment to civil rights, especially Black women judges.
Story
NASCAR’s big bucks stop at raceway
Twice a year, Melvin Crawley Jr., owner of Crawley’s Funeral Home on Meadowbridge Road on North Side, opens his business parking lot and an adjoining property to NASCAR fans, where they park their vehicles for race weekends at Richmond International Raceway.
Story
Personality: William ‘Danny’ Robinson
Spotlight on board chair of Feed More
During the COVID-19 pandemic that has thrust thousands of Virginians into joblessness and unemployment assistance providing some but not total relief, the need for food aid has rarely been greater. Fortunately, this is where Feed More, led by board chairman William “Danny” Robinson has stepped in to address the community’s needs.
Story
Woodland Cemetery is a quiet gem of beauty
Nestled between Richmond’s Highland Park neighborhood and the Henrico County boundary lines lies Woodland Cemetery, a quiet, somewhat isolated cemetery that is a gem of a beauty.
Story
The race factor: What color was Jesus?
’Tis the season for depictions of baby Jesus and other biblical figures in movies and plays, on cards and in churches.
Story
Mary F. Conyers, former RPS teacher, dies at 87
Mary Foster Conyers never forgot a promise she made to her father when she got married — that she would complete her college degree.
Story
VSU spring enrollment brings optimism
Enrollment at Virginia State University has dropped less than initially projected — good news for the school and a relief to Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, the interim president. The latest figures indicate nearly 4,500 students are en- rolled and validated as meet- ing their financial obligations. That’s about 130 students fewer than projected for the spring semester in the university’s budget. Earlier this month, Dr. Hammond and VSU’s board of visitors were advised that fewer than 4,250 students might be enrolled this semester. Dr. Hammond told the Free Press last week the higher enrollment means she will not have to consider additional personnel actions to balance the budget. After taking office Jan. 1, she ordered a freeze on hiring and other spending to stabilize finances and those freezes are still in place. She said the freezes should keep spending in line with revenue through the rest of the fiscal year.
Story
Dems need winning formula
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel just got spanked. Despite a campaign war chest of more than $15 million and the support of President Obama, the former congressman and White House chief of staff could not avoid a runoff in the non-partisan election. Garnering 45 percent of the vote to runner-up Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s 34 percent, he did not clear the 50 percent bar for victory. Mr. Emanuel, the darling of the mainstream Democratic Party, has earned the dubious distinction of being in the first Chicago mayoral runoff in nearly 20 years. He also runs the risk of being the first incumbent mayor ousted since Harold Washington beat Jane Byrne in 1983.
