Story
‘You wear out’: How chronic illness grounds and inspires William Barber’s activism
Standing outside a church in rural North Carolina this spring, the Rev. William Barber II leaned on his dented and scuffed wooden cane. With one powerful hand he pushed himself up and into the seat of a long black Chevrolet Suburban, then swung his legs in, using the cane, wedged against the door, as a fulcrum. The effort left him out of breath, his expansive chest heaving as he lay back in the seat, reclined to afford him space. No sooner had an aide closed the door before a man from the church rapped gently on the window. “Rev. Barber,” he said, “you’ve been a role model, an inspiration.”
Story
Personality: Lucia Anna ‘Pia’ Trigiani
Spotlight on the Library of Virginia Foundation’s board president
Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani is working to tell the story of an institution built around stories and histories.
Story
Personality: Richard Allen Jackson Sr.
Spotlight on VHEF’s honorary co-chair for 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out
Richard Allen Jackson Sr., M.D. describes himself as compassionate, caring and supportive. The decision to be the honorary chair for the 12th Annual Jazz Inside Out, along with his wife, Eucharia “Ukay” Jackson, fits right in with those ideals.
Story
13th Senate District primary candidates discuss their platforms
The issue of abortion and a woman’s right to choose has been front and center in the Virginia primary race in which Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey and Lashrecse Aird are vying to become the Democratic candidate for the state 13th Senate District.
Story
Personality: Larry Williams
Spotlight on 6th Annual Black Pride RVA Weekend planning committee co-chair
An end of college trip in 2014 with a former partner brought Larry Williams to Richmond, but the Black Pride community he found here made him stay.
Story
Personality: Zenobia Cardwell
Spotlight on founder of 125 Black Women at Boushall Middle School
Zenobia Cardwell says she always has been active and involved in the community, so much so that she won the School Spirit Award her senior year as a student in the International Baccalaureate Program at Thomas Jefferson High School.
Story
Personality: Scottessa A. Hurte
Spotlight on Metropolitan Business League board chair
Scottessa A. Hurte has been a source of aid and guidance for Virginia’s small, women and minority-owned businesses during years of struggle.
Story
Personality: Genevieve A. Roberts
Spotlight on board president of YWCA Richmond
The presence of COVID-19 hasn’t slowed down YWCA Richmond, which is preparing to celebrate 40 years of recognizing women leaders in education, volunteerism and more with its Outstanding Women Awards on Friday, Oct. 16.
Story
Personality: Kenda Sutton-EL
Spotlight on co-founder and board president of Birth in Color RVA
Kenda Sutton-EL knows that all births aren’t equal in Virginia.
Story
Foremost wishes for the new year
With the start of 2023, the Richmond Free Press invited select local officials to share their foremost wishes for the new year. Here are their responses:
With the start of 2023, the Richmond Free Press invited select local officials to share their foremost wishes for the new year.
Story
Personality: Brian Bell
Spotlight on Keep Virginia Cozy founder
Picking up trash and litter while hiking and backpacking trails throughout the United States may sound like a strange hobby. But Brian Bell said he has always felt compelled to do it from the time he was a Boy Scout.
Story
A Jackson Ward Journey
Unearthing the history and legacy of civil rights attorney Roland J. ‘Duke’ Ealey
When my wife, Sasha Finch, and I purchased the 1880s East Clay Street building on Jan. 4, 2012, it had been dormant for more than 10 years. Plywood covered its outside window and inside the level of disrepair was undeniable. A fire on the second floor had caused considerable damage to much of the property. Yet something drew us to this building. We saw beauty in this wonderful old brick structure. For five years we worked steadily on the property’s exterior, rebuilding damaged brick walls while preparing the interior for its eventual renovation.
Story
Personality: Shirley H. Scarborough
Spotlight on Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up founder
For the past two years Shirley H. Scarborough has worked, in her own words, to create “Beauty for Ashe,” through her organization Cry Loud, Spare Not, Speak Up.
Story
From Senate subcommittee to Easter sermon: Raphael Warnock on life as a pastor-politician
Raphael Warnock, U.S. senator and Baptist pastor, was wrapping up his time on Capitol Hill before heading back to his native Georgia in time for what is perhaps the busiest week of the year for Christian clergy.
Story
Personality: Utibe O. Bassey
Spotlight on honorary chair of Centennial American Heart Association 2024 Richmond Heart Ball
Nigerian-born Utibe O. Bassey grew up in Connecticut and has family scattered far and wide, but none in Virginia. When she moved to Richmond in the summer of 2020 for a job with Dominion Energy, she was all alone and the pandemic was raging.
Story
Personality: Brent Timberlake
Spotlight on Greater Richmond Bar Foundation board president
The three words that Brent Timberlake used to describe himself — curious, hopeful and hard-working — play a role in many aspects of his life.
Story
Personality: Dr. Kenneth S. Kendler
Spotlight on winner of National Academy of Medicine prize
Dr. Kenneth S. Kendler says three things “get me up in the morning to come in to work.” “The first is my intense curiosity about how the mind and brain of human beings work,” says the director at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics.
Story
Personality: Reginald D. Ford
Spotlight on new head of Richmond Crusade for Voters
Reginald D. (for Darnell) Ford revs himself up for the day by going on a 10-mile run after waking at 5 a.m.
Story
Personality: Coach R. Vance Harmon
Spotlight on the Henrico High Warriors’ winning coach
As a basketball player at Virginia Union University, R. Vance Harmon drew attention for his shooting, his passing, his passion for the sport … and, oh yes, for the color of his skin. One of only two Caucasians ever to suit up for the historically black university, Coach Harmon played for the Panthers from 1990 to 1993, and was a member of VUU’s 1992 NCAA Division II national championship team.
Story
Personality: Gary L. Flowers
Spotlight on local coordinator of ASALH 101st annual convention
Black history — for people of all ethnic backgrounds — is a requirement and not an elective in understanding the common origins of all people, says Gary L. Flowers.
