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Boston University names Melissa L. Gilliam 11th president
‘I lead by listening, collaborating and empowering’
Melissa L. Gilliam, the executive vice president and provost of The Ohio State University and a distinguished educator, scholar, research scientist, and physician, will be Boston University’s 11th president, the Boston trustees announced on Wednesday. She will assume the post July 1, 2024.
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Brotherly love
TJ’s Stovall plays in slain sibling’s honor
Whenever Dashawn Stovall steps onto a football field, he is fueled by flesh, bone and a full tank of emotion. He carries the pigskin and makes tackles for Thomas Jefferson High School, but also for his slain brother, Davonte, who was murdered in 2019 in a shooting on Selden Street.
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Purging the voice, will of the people, by David Marshall
Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, or Independent, President Joe Biden needs to be re-elected regardless of whether you like him.
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Park dedication provides lasting legacy for Markiya Dickson
For Ciara Dickson and Mark Whitfield Sr., Saturday, May 20, was filled with mixed emotions. They were in Fonticello Park for the dedication of the Markiya Dickson Imagination Zone, which recently was installed in honor of their deceased daughter.
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The ridiculous retiring Republicans, by Julianne Malveaux
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson needed Democrats to narrowly avert the government shutdown that loomed if Congressional budget legislation was not passed by Saturday, March 23. Many Republicans did not vote for the budget legislation; Democrats saved the day.
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School Board’s Dawn Page not running for re-election; board considers training
In a statement sent to the Free Press, the Richmond School Board’s 8th District representative Dawn Page announced that she will not run for re-election.
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What’s the meaning of antisemitic?, by Clarence Page
Who would oppose legislation to outlaw antisemitism? More people than you might think.
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Black wealth remains elusive, by Charlene Crowell
For America, Black History Month brings opportunities to revisit our nation’s lessons, achievements, and unfulfilled promises, capturing our attention as well as our hopes. Yet nothing hits home harder than the painful reminders of how so much of Black America continues to struggle financially, despite an economy that reports low unemployment, a robust stock market, and low inflation.
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One word says it best: ‘Mahomes!’
Chiefs win Super Bowl on Mahomes’ clutch play
Give the man a cape. He’s become the “Superman of the Super Bowl.” Patrick Mahomes now has three Super Bowl MVPs to go with a trio of Super Bowl victories following Kansas City’s 25-22 win over San Francisco on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.
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Black women and pay inequality, by David W. Marshall
Taraji P. Henson is speaking out, and people are listening. It remains to be seen if the award-winning actor will become a catalyst for major changes within the entertainment industry, but her message is much needed.
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Virginia Senate Democrats postpone work on constitutional amendments and kill GOP voting bills
A Democrat-led Virginia Senate panel on Tuesday defeated a handful of Republican-sponsored voting bills and moved to put on hold consideration of several proposed constitutional amendments until after this year’s session.
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VCU retires Burgess’ number; Graham hopes to be next
In its storied basketball history, Virginia Commonwealth University has retired the numbers of five players. Their jerseys now hang from the Siegel Center rafters. They are No. 3 Eric Maynor, No. 5 Calvin Duncan, No. 22 Gerald Henderson, No. 23 Kendrick Warren and, just this past Saturday, No. 20 Bradford Burgess. Sometime in the future, look for Treveon Graham’s No. 21 to be among the rafters display. The Rams’ foes probably wish the university would retire Graham’s jersey right now, preferably with Tre in it.
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Hampton takes on No.1 Kentucky in NCAA
Hampton University is in position to make basketball history. After triumphantly clinching the MEAC title and winning its first-round game in the NCAA Tournament, the Pirates will play undefeated and No. 1 overall seed University of Kentucky on Thursday, March 19, in Louisville, Ky. Hampton is the 68th and last seed overall in the NCAA tournament. CBS will televise the game about 9:40 p.m. Thursday, March 19.
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Beyond T-shirts and hoodies
Recollections of my 1995 article on the business of college athletics danced in my head when I heard the news about the University of Missouri football team’s refusal to play until the president of that university, Tim Wolfe, resigned or was dismissed.
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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.
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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.
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Richmond School Board elects new chairman
“I think we are at a critical time at our tenure and at a critical juncture in making progress in Richmond Public Schools. I felt compelled to continue the progress that we have made.” Jeffrey M. Bourne, 3rd District, told the Free Press on Tuesday that’s why he agreed to serve as chair of the Richmond School Board.
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Gun control for cops
Last week, we used this space to advocate for tougher gun control laws and increased data collection to protect the safety and health of the people.
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$6.4M to Freddie Gray’s family
Baltimore agrees to pay before trials of police officers
Baltimore city officials on Wednesday approved a $6.4 million civil settlement to the family of Freddie Gray, whose death from an injury in police custody triggered protests and rioting.
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Judge throws out felony charges against Morrissey
Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey no longer has four felony charges hanging over his head. Judge Alfred D. Swersky threw out the indictments facing the former General Assembly member Wednesday at a hearing in Henrico County Circuit Court. Judge Swersky, who was appointed to hear the case, agreed with defense attorney Anthony Troy that a previous plea deal that resulted in Mr. Morrissey serving 90 days in jail included a grant of immunity that blocked prosecutors from bringing any new charges related to that case.
