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Schools chief calls for $ to change students’ futures
In his first “State of the Schools” address, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden told an audience of about 300 people Tuesday night that education was “my ticket out of poverty.” “Part of my childhood was spent growing up in the low-income housing of Jordan Park in St. Petersburg, Florida,” he said in an address delivered at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the Virginia Union University campus.
Celebrating Father’s Day
What is your fondest memory of your father?
On Sunday, June 21, we celebrate Father’s Dayand all the love, lessons and gifts they give to their families and children.In honor of this special day, the Free Press asked people: What is your fondest memory of your father?
Redemption through food: Renowned chef changed life cooking behind bars
At 19, Jeff Henderson was running a $35,000 a week cocaine operation in San Diego. Now 51, he has become a New York Times best-selling author and stars in a nationally syndicated television cooking show. He credits 10 years in prison as his “blessing in disguise.” That’s where he learned to cook and appreciate that he had a lot to offer in the outside world.
Praying to put an end to ‘senseless acts of violence’
Kenneth Williams said he was compelled to take a leap of faith to stem the city’s homicides after he attended the funeral last month of 12-year-old shooting victim Amiya Moses. “It was the saddest thing I witnessed in my life,” said Mr. Williams, a trustee at First Baptist Church Centralia in Chesterfield County and CEO and director of the Richmond-based Adult Alternative Program to help ex-offenders re-integrate into society. “I was so angry about her senseless death.”
Religious community comes together to reflect on the Resurrection
Evangelist Michelle Turner of All Saints Episcopal Church in Henrico County held a wooden cross that she made as she walked with 50 others in the Stations of the Cross community walk Downtown to mark Good Friday. “It’s my way of giving back my love to the Lord,” Ms. Turner said.
Retired airman recounts saga to remove racist flag from Virginia Air National Guard
Leon Brooks, a retired sergeant with the Virginia Air National Guard, was honored Sunday “as a real living hero” in an emotional tribute at Greater Brook Road Baptist Church on South Side during the church’s Heritage Celebration. “I’m really honored,” Mr. Brooks humbly told the small congregation at the church led by the Rev. Grace E. Tolliver. “This is the first time anyone has asked me to speak about this publicly.”
Faith led pastor through challenging times
Pastor Donald Coleman has a resurrection message he likes to share with young people who are mired in tough circumstances. “I tell them I once was where they are, and if I can overcome it with God’s help, they can, too,” said Pastor Coleman. He is the lead pastor at East End Fellowship, a multiethnic Christian congregation of about 100 people whose mission is spiritual empowerment and racial reconciliation in Church Hill. He also has served on the Richmond School Board since 2008 and is in his second term as board chairman.
TIME features photo by Regina H. Boone
Award-winning photographer Regina H. Boone has pricked the nation’s conscience with her poignant photograph of a rash-covered child affected by the lead-contaminated water in Flint, Mich. The former Richmond Free Press photographer’s image of 2-year-old Sincere Smith is featured on the cover of the Feb. 1 edition of TIME magazine.
Faith helped police sergeant through childhood trauma
Richmond Police Sgt. Carol Adams says not a day goes by that she doesn’t have flashbacks of her father viciously beating her mother.
A mother’s grief
Catherine Uwasomba seeks clues, answers to her daughter’s disappearance, death
Catherine Uwasomba seeks clues, answers to her daughter’s disappearance, death
Toasting the new year
Staying clean, sober can be daunting during the holidays for those in recovery
Shooting survivor carries own message of forgiveness
A Henrico County man who survived being shot eight times in 2004 — and later forgave the shooter — said he was moved to tears as family members of the nine victims of the Charleston, S.C., church massacre appeared last Friday in a Charleston courtroom and told Dylann Roof, the racist gunman, they forgave him.
Officer’s jobs program puts men on right side of law
Jeffrey Perry served 18 years in prison for his role in an armed robbery. Shaun Moore served two separate stints behind bars — seven months for possession of drugs with intent to distribute and, later, four months for failure to pay child support.
Family relapses into system
Mother, son in jail at same time; they want to break cycle
The mother and son were separated by the walls and windows at the Richmond Justice Center in Shockoe Valley.
Stained by dishonor
Henrico student launches growing effort to remove segregationist’s name from school
Jordan Chapman said her jaw dropped in incredulous disbelief the day she learned in her Hermitage High School history class about the late Harry F. Byrd Sr., the former Virginia governor, U.S. senator and avowed white separatist for whom H.F. Byrd Middle School in Henrico County is named.
A war hero comes home
After 64 years, Cpl. Lindsey C. Lockett laid to rest with full military honors
Sixty-four years after Army Cpl. Lindsey Clayton Lockett died from insufferable conditions in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea, his remains were brought home and laid to rest in an emotional ceremony Saturday in Richmond, surrounded by tearful but proud family members.
Dr. Boykin Sanders honored for distinguished career, service
Dr. Boykin Sanders wore a huge smile as he walked into the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the campus of Virginia Union University Saturday night, where about 200 people were gathered for a reception and banquet in his honor. Attendees broke into applause as he strode in holding his 3-year-old granddaughter, Sage, in his arms. Many were his former students at VUU, where Dr. Sanders has served as a professor and mentor for the last 32 years. The event also was a celebration of Dr. Sanders’ 70th birthday.
Area pastors split on view of court ruling
Law versus theology
While gay and lesbian couples celebrated their new right to marry in Virginia, several area ministers were expressing reluctance to marry same-sex couples.
Student apologizes for playing racist song
The neatly attired African-American teenager somberly stepped to the podium at the Henrico County School Board meeting last week at New Bridge School in East Henrico.
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