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Personality: Gigi Amateau
Spotlight on recipient of YWCA’s Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice
Gigi Amateau was born in Mississippi, the same year President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That’s the landmark law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin.
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Da’Vine Joy Randolph wins Oscar for ‘The Holdovers’
Trained opera singer never dreamed of being an actor
While tears rolled down Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s face, she collected her first Oscar then delivered a powerful speech about her realizing that she’s good enough as an actor.
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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.
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New day, new year
Journey of past year filled with health challenges and separations brings Mechanicsville family closer together
During the past 19 months, three generations of the Lewis family have experienced what many families fear – infection with the COVID-19 virus and cancer.
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Russell Wilson finalist for NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year
Former Richmonder Russell Wilson is one of 32 finalists for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
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Personality: Robin Ann Brewster
Spotlight on Leadership Metro Richmond’s board chairwoman
A key factor in good leadership is being “a servant leader first and a good listener who seeks to learn and understand and whose actions demonstrate integrity, empathy and inclusion.” That’s the perspective and leading principle of Robin Ann Brewster, board chairwoman of Leadership Metro Richmond.
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Impeachment: Just another reality show
Growing up in Spotsylvania County, I was labeled a retard in my adolescence. In my 20s, I was branded a pansy with many other derogatory titles for unmanliness. Now, I have matured into obsolescence. Whatever branding life has bestowed upon me, I know enough to realize that the current impeachment hearings are no more than appeasement, not only to the losing Democrats of four years ago, but also to all the so-called tolerant who’ve disrespected the president.
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Raising a fist for the ERA
Re: “Questions, lawsuit arise as Va. ratifies ERA,” Free Press Jan. 30-Feb. 1 edition:
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Support for Virginia Grocery Investment Fund
Re “First Lady kicks off initiative to attract grocers to Va.’s food deserts,” Free Press Aug. 31-Sept. 2 edition: As a lifelong resident of North Side, I was elated to attend the “Closer to My Grocer” roundtable where the Virginia Grocery Investment Fund was presented by First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, state legislators and other advocates to win support from the General Assembly.
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Personality: Lashawnda S. Singleton
Spotlight on president of the Richmond Chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers
From Miami to New York and finally Richmond, Lashawnda Shanell Singleton has seen and experienced the struggles of the poor and disadvantaged.
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Fire Department 40-year veteran Earl Dyer dies
‘He was a dedicated public servant,’ Fire Chief Carter said
Battalion Chief Earl Dyer of the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services is being remembered as a “consummate professional and a man of the highest integrity” following his death after experiencing a medical emergency at work.
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VT’s Edmunds brothers make NFL draft history
Lots of brothers have made it to the NFL. Some have played on the same team or been selected in the same draft. But siblings Tremaine and Terrell Edmunds of Danville made history April 26 as the first brothers selected in the same opening round.
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Black women and the pay gap, by Julianne Malveaux
It takes Black women until Aug. 3, or 19 months after the start of the previous year, to earn what a white man earns in a year. Most years, Pay Equity Day happens in March—this year on March 24—when all women finally make as much as white men.
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Officials hope President Obama’s ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ program will remain under next administration
President Obama has seven months left in office. One of the leaders of one of his key initiatives is hard at work ensuring the president’s legacy will continue after he leaves the White House.
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Remembering gun violence survivors by Marc H. Morial
On Jan. 8, 2011, I was performing my favorite duty as a congresswoman — meeting with my constituents — when it happened. In a matter of seconds, a gunman shot and killed six people, injured 12 others and shot me in the head outside a Safeway in Tucson, Ariz. I keep the memories of those we lost that day — 9-year- old Christina- Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, Gabe Zimmerman and Judge John Roll — close to my heart. And I will be forever bonded to my fellow survivors who will spend the rest of their lives dealing with injuries and trauma. — Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords
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Personality: Daniel Harthausen
Spotlight on HBO Max competition show winner
From pop-up food events to TV stardom and back, Daniel Harthausen is cooking up a unique culinary presence in Richmond.
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Hospital Chaplain J.S. Park’s new book explores grief
“The biggest myth I see is that grief is a poison to get past”
“Everything happens for a reason” might be one of the least helpful things you can say to someone who just lost a loved one, according to veteran hospital Chaplain J.S. Park.
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Personality: Edward G. Hamlin Jr.
Spotlight on 2019 Astorian of the Year
An award from one of Richmond’s oldest African-American organizations would be an extraordinary honor for just about anyone. For Edward Ganon Hamlin Jr., his award reaffirms his close connection to a group that has helped him “define what a man should contribute to a community organization.”
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Personality: Monica L. Ball
Spotlight on founder of RVA Community Fun Day
Monica Ball saw a community that was underserved. She worked for years to offer a solution. That’s the origin behind her founding RVA Community Fun Day, a free festival that seeks to mix entertainment and education while fostering a sense of community in a multicultural metropolitan area.
