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Personality: Rodney A. Robinson
Spotlight on RPS 2018 Teacher of the Year
History, dedication, duty and fulfilling the dream of his mother paved the way for Rodney A. Robinson to become Richmond Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year.
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Fighting the corruption of power, by Ben Jealous
We keep learning more about the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. And we keep learning more about the many schemes former President Trump and his team tried to use to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
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Richmond jail staffing shortage blamed for rise in injured deputies, inmates
In the past four weeks at the Richmond City Justice Center, one deputy had his shoulder dislocated after he was thrown to the ground while trying to stop two prisoners from assaulting another inmate. Another deputy was head-butted by an inmate after refusing to provide the inmate with another prisoner’s food tray, according to information provided to the Free Press. In addition, the Free Press has learned another inmate was stabbed during this period, apparently the fourth this year. And early Monday, the jail reported to Richmond Police the third death of an inmate this year, though the identification was not released. For the second time since late October, an inmate who was transported to the John Marshall Courts Building was found to be carrying a concealed blade, according to information provided to the newspaper.
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Personality: Lakeshia X. Allen
Spotlight on winner of Sports Backers’ first Raymond D. Patterson Award
Empowering students and their families is more than a job for Lakeshia Allen — it’s a life mission.
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The ghosts of truth
The allegations of sexual assault lodged against Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax seem to follow him like unwelcomed ghosts. The latest appearance of these apparitions arose earlier this week in television interviews with Oprah’s bestie, Gayle King, that were broadcast over three days by CBS News.
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Sen. Dianne Feinstein offered a valuable voice in a divided Senate, by Clarence Page
Amid the multitude of tributes that poured out after her death at age 90, one description of California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Senate’s oldest sitting member, was appropriately prominent. “A true trailblazer,” said President Biden, “a pioneering American,” and “for Jill and me, a cherished friend.”
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Personality: Bianca Stewart Williams
Spotlight on board president of Dress For Success Central Virginia
Whether it’s finding profes- sional attire for a job interview or receiving a guiding hand to stay employed, Bianca Stewart Williams is making sure area women are well-equipped and prepared for the world of work. Ms. Williams has been lead- ing Dress for Success Central Virginia as its board president since 2018, bringing to the community the not-for-profit organization’s mission of em- powering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of sup- port, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive personally and professionally. “Thousands are disadvan- taged and need resources to gain employment and economic status,” Ms. Williams says. “Our purpose is to offer long- lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty.” Ms. Williams joined Dress for Success in November 2015, three years after the Central Virginia affiliate was started. She says she was a client at first. After being displaced from her job, she volunteered helping women with suit fittings and started using the organiza- tion’s Career Services program, which provides help with career coaching, résumé reviews, job searches and interview practice. She landed a new job, and from that point, Ms. Williams says, Dress for Success has been “near and dear to my heart.” Currently, Dress for Success Central Virginia operates from 210 E. Clay St. in Downtown. But Ms. Williams wants to find a building the organization can
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More bad news
As consultant points out flaws, City Council majority gives Mayor Stoney a choice to withdraw the $1.5B Coliseum and Downtown development plan or have it stricken
The bad news just keeps coming for the doomed $1.5 billion proposal to replace the Richmond Coliseum and develop an area of Downtown around it.
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Manchester’s Bacot guards the family business
Introducing King Bacot. He’s got the name and he’s got the game.
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Personality: Monica Brinkley Davis
Spotlight on first African-American president of Junior League of Richmond
Monica Brinkley Davis does not take lightly her role as a trailblazing officer of the Junior League of Richmond. The Henrico County resident is the first African-American president of the 89-year-old organization, whose mission is to train strong female leaders through community service and to strengthen communities.
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Cary C. Mitchell, clothing designer to athletes and a Richmond legacy sports backer, dies at 62
Top Black athletes found their way to Richmond native Cary C. Mitchell when they wanted to look their best.
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City School Board reviewing Patrick Henry’s charter for renewal
Parents connected with the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts must wait another 10 days or so to learn whether their children’s elementary charter school will be open for the 2018-19 school year.
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Stanford’s Fran Belibi makes record dunk during NCAA game
Dunking in basketball has become commonplace—for male players, that is.
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Stanford women win title for first time since 1992
Instead of home sweet home, let’s hear it for “Home Sweet Hotel.” That could be the theme for Stanford University’s women’s basketball team that defeated the University of Arizona 54-53 for the NCAA title last Sunday.
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An hour can save a life
More diverse blood donors needed amid emergency shortage nationwide
National Blood Donor Month might have ended Jan. 31, but ongoing shortages in Virginia and nationally mean that the need for donors remains critical.
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High prescription drug prices hitting hardest in communities of color
Dr. Leonard L. Edloe, a pharmacist of 50 years and pastor of a predominately Black church in Middlesex County, knows well the personal and professional sides of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. He also knows the astronomical costs of prescription medications and the related financial struggles.
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Ora Lomax, longtime NAACP leader, civil rights advocate, dies at 86
For decades, black women could only work behind the scenes at white-owned retail stores in Richmond during the harsh era of segregation. Ora Mae Perry Lomax helped change all that.
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Explanations sought on City Council's consulting contract cost
When a divided Richmond City Council voted 5-4 on Dec. 9 to proceed with hiring C.H. Johnson Consulting to review the $1.5 billion Richmond Coliseum replacement plan, most members had no idea that the company’s bid had come in 13 percent higher than the amount council had approved to pay a consultant.
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Personality: Quanda Lashun Baker
Spotlight on local president of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Almost five years ago, Quanda Lashun Baker was among the charter members of the Richmond Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, establishing a branch of the women’s nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the community.
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Personality: Dr. Peter Henry
Spotlight on board president of Opportunity Alliance Re-entry
People are not born with the desire to be incarcerated or to be on the wrong side of the justice system. In many cases, a person’s circumstances puts them there. But with thousands of people incarcerated each year in Virginia alone, most will need help when they eventually are released.
