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EGACY Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

WEDNESDAYS • Dec. 21, 2016

Positive read

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INSIDE

How minority girls advance - 4 NN ‘gangster’ convicted in killing - 5 Positive black male identity - 11 PHEN encourages prostate trials- 14

Richmond & Hampton Roads

LEGACYNEWSPAPER.COM • FREE

Once homeless, he is now at the top

JAMES IRWIN Devin Baker went to New York in 2007 to advance a budding career in the entertainment industry.

When he arrived, he found his housing arrangement had fallen through, leaving him without a place to live.

“Some things didn’t work out with family that I had in the area,” said Baker, 32, now an advertising student in the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University's College of Humanities and Sciences.

“I ended up homeless for a little while until I found a room for rent in Brooklyn.”

It was an early experience in Baker’s long and circuitous path toward a career in advertising. He spent seven years in New York, mostly working at Universal Records, before moving to Richmond and going back to school at VCU. This past spring, he landed a summer creative internship with the advertising agency BBDO, and turned it into a full-time job as an art director by the end of July.

He views it all as a series of steps.

“I worked toward a specific goal — getting into VCU, getting the internship,” Baker said. “I would accomplish that step and keep going to the next thing.”

Music man Baker attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, from 2003 to 2006. He started working for Universal while he was in college, doing promotional work for concerts and major events — including the 2006 NBA All-Star Game in Houston. Later, after he moved to New York, he was an artists and repertoire rep, working with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

“Akon, David Banner, Colbie Caillat, Wu Tang, Pharrell, a bunch of others,” Baker said.

His move to New York began with the hard stumble of seeing his housing setup disappear at the last minute. Baker was homeless for nearly three months. He slept in the office at Universal.

He slept in Central Park. He stayed with friends when he could. Eventually he found that room in Brooklyn.

“It taught me no matter how far you fall, there’s always a way to get back up.”

“It changed me as a person,” Baker said. “It

taught me no matter how far you fall, there’s always a way to get back up.”

Baker worked in marketing and brand management. Then he decided to move into art direction. His girlfriend (now wife) lived in Richmond and Baker moved to the West End and researched VCU’s advertising program. He met with employees at the Martin Agency. He met with Mike Hughes, the Martin Agency president and longtime chairman of the VCU Brandcenter board. Hughes, who died in December 2013, helped Baker weigh his options.

“I was trying to get an understanding of the industry,” Baker said. “Mike Hughes was a major person for me when it came to even getting into the VCU program. He thought it was a great program and I trusted him.”

‘I was nervous’ Baker was 28 when he arrived on the Monroe Park Campus in 2013 as a creative advertising student. He was surrounded by classmates nearly a decade his junior. And he was trying to break into an industry in which only 5.8 percent of working professionals are black.

“I was nervous,” Baker said. “I had this fear.

Would I make it? You’re starting a new career completely from scratch and going back to school.

It’s extremely scary.”

That is a common fear for nontraditional students, said Kim Hanneman, assistant director of career and industry advising in the VCU Career Services office. Among a wide range of services and professional development resources, her office helps students prepare for the transition to employment after graduation.

Nontraditional students sometimes don’t believe in their own talent, Hanneman said.

“They feel that they might not be as worthy,” Hanneman said. “What’s great about advertising is you don’t need a permission slip or degree; your talent matters. So I ask nontraditional students, especially in advertising, about their fears, because I want to know if they believe in their talent.”

Baker had plenty of talent. Hanneman noticed that when they first met in March 2016. By then, Baker’s nerves had settled. He had developed relationships with his instructors, especially Marcel Jennings, an assistant professor of advertising. And Baker’s age turned out to be an advantage in the classroom.

“The way [a professor] explains and teaches is based on their experience,” Baker said. “The problem for most kids is they don’t have any experience. A lot of things can go over their heads.

It was like they were speaking specifically to me.”

The road to BBDO Baker approached VCU Career Services looking to speak with someone who could help him launch his career. Hanneman helped him better articulate his process, a critical step for someone looking to break into advertising.

“The challenge he had with his portfolio was showing how he can solve problems with creative storytelling,” Hanneman said. “Storytelling is the business we’re in, helping students link who they are with what they want to do.”

When Baker was offered a summer internship at BBDO, he knew it was an opportunity he had to take. He returned to New York. He slept on his wife’s cousin’s couch. He volunteered for assignments and met with as many people as possible, from his fellow interns to the chief creative officer.

Baker wanted to turn the internship into a full-time job. “I wasn’t going to wait for someone to give me something — I wanted to take it,” he said. “As soon as I walked into the door, a job became a serious goal.”

About six weeks into the internship, BBDO offered Baker a full-time job as an art director.

Though not unprecedented, it was a rare step for an employer to take.

“How do you keep your confidence low after that?” Baker said. “You bust your butt for everything — I changed my life to come into this industry. This wasn’t me finding a job; it was me finding my life, my career.”

‘Hard work means everything’ Baker unpacks the past 10 years of his life — Nashville, Universal, homeless, New York, VCU, BBDO — and believes it gave him valuable perspective.

“Those 10 years, there was so much that happened,” he said. “Being homeless in New York changed my life. Everything else after that was, ‘I know what I want to do, I know what I have to do to get it.’ It was all a series of steps.”

He wants to be a creative director, the guy people call to tackle complicated issues.

“As an art director, I’m not limited to one thing,” Baker said. “I can do anything I want to do — photography, film, digital, graphic design, build things, gaming. Anything you allow me to do I’m willing to try it.”

His advice for current students? “Don’t expect that someone is going to take you in and just teach you,” Baker said. “Sometimes people want to see that you are willing to learn and teach yourself. I never thought I would be coming out of school and getting a job with a top agency. Hard work means everything.” - VCU

The LEGACY

2 • Dec. 21, 2016

News Mass incarceration contributes to racial achievement gap In Mass incarceration and children’s outcomes, EPI research associates Leila Morsy and Richard Rothstein outline the connections between mass incarceration and racial achievement gaps. There is overwhelming evidence that having an incarcerated parent leads to an array of cognitive and noncognitive outcomes known to affect children’s performance in school.

Independent of other social and economic characteristics, children of incarcerated parents are more likely to misbehave in school, drop out of school, develop learning disabilities, experience homelessness, or suffer from conditions such as migraines, asthma, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Simply put, criminal justice policy is education policy,” said Morsy.

“It is impossible to disentangle the racial achievement gap from the

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extraordinary rise in incarceration in the United States. Education policymakers, educators, and advocates should pay greater attention to the mass incarceration of young African Americans.”

African American children are six times as likely as white children to have a parent who is or has been incarcerated. One-in-four African American students have a parent who is or has been incarcerated, and as many as one-in-ten have a parent who is currently incarcerated.

Because African American children are disproportionately likely to have had an incarcerated parent, the authors argue, the United States’ history of mass incarceration has contributed significantly to gaps in achievement between African American and white students.

“Despite increased national interest in criminal justice reform, Presidentelect Trump has promised to move in

Sex Offender Helpline The helpline provides support to communities on issues related to accessing sex offender registration information; responsible use of information; sexual abuse prevention resources; and accessing crime victim support services.

The tips program provides the public an opportunity to report registrants who are failing to comply with registration requirements.

Tips can also be provided at www.parentsformeganslaw.org.

This program is not intended to be used to report police emergencies.

the opposite direction by advocating for a nationwide “stop-and-frisk” program,” said Rothstein.

“While the chance of reform on a federal level may have stalled, advocates should look for opportunities for reform at the state and local levels, because many more parents are incarcerated in state than in federal prisons.”

The authors advocate for a number

of policies to address this problem by reducing incarceration, including eliminating disparities between minimum sentences for possession of crack versus powder cocaine, repealing mandatory minimum sentences for minor drug offenses and other nonviolent crimes, and increasing funding for social, educational, and employment programs for released offenders.

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

Dec. 21, 2016 • 3

Report: Sea level rise in Hampton Roads can exact ‘profound economic toll’ unless measures are taken A new research report by RTI International projects that absent any adaptive measures, sea level rise could exact a profound economic toll on the Hampton Roads region over the next 50 years, more than tripling the annual flood damages and economic impacts from coastal storms by the year 2060The study, titled “The Costs of Doing Nothing,” was commissioned by the Virginia Coastal Policy Center (VCPC) at William & Mary Law School.

The Hampton Roads region examined in the study includes 16 counties and cities in Southeastern Virginia, including the cities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Hampton, Chesapeake, and Newport News.

“We are hopeful that this study will serve as an important step in

developing a firm understanding of how a community can benefit from adaptation,” said George Van Houtven, Ph.D., senior researcher at RTI and co-author of the report.

Using what it termed as “conservative estimates,” RTI researchers concluded that if no protective efforts are made, sea level rise will substantially increase the expected cost of coastal flood damages to the region’s homes in any given year from $12 million with no sea level rise to about $50 million with a sea level rise of .5 meters (by the year 2040) and over $100 million annually with a sea level rise of .75 meters (by the year 2060).

To reach its conclusions, RTI researchers relied on two potential sea level rise scenarios: one where

Newport News Sheriff’s Office named ‘Best for Vets’ for second year The Newport News Sheriff's Office is once again be on the Military Times’ “Best for Vets: Law Enforcement” list.

“Veterans have many qualities that make them a good fit to join us,” said Sheriff Gabe Morgan.

Men and women exiting the military use the information to guide them toward their next career, publication officials said in releasing the list on Dec. 13.

The NNSO was recognized for its recruiting strategies that are focused on department culture and policies aimed at attracting veterans and reservists.

“We appreciate their strong work ethic, good character and their ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds,” said Morgan.

water levels rise by 0.5 meters (predicted by the year 2040) and another where water levels rise by 0.75 meters (predicted by the year 2060). RTI selected these sea level rise scenarios based on research and predictions from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS).

“It is our hope that the findings of this important study will help to educate the public, including political and local government leaders, on the economic risks that sea level rise presents to the future sustainability of the Hampton Roads region,” said Elizabeth Andrews, director of the Virginia Coastal Policy Center.

Addressing the impact of sea level rise on the regional and state economy, the report also estimates the impact from a 100-year storm

event under different sea level rise conditions.

With no sea level rise, such an event would reduce total household income in the region by an estimated $611 million in the year of the storm, which translates to an average of roughly $940 in lost income per household.

With sea level rise of 0.5 meters (by the year 2040), it would decrease total household income by about $1.1 billion, or an average loss of $1,760 per household in the region.

If sea level rises by 0.75 meters (by the year 2060), the researchers anticipate that household income in the region would fall by $2.2 billion, or roughly the loss of $3,370 per household.

Best for Vets: Law Enforcement 2017 is an editorially independent news project that evaluates the many factors that make an agency a good fit for military veterans and reservists. The rankings are published in full in the issues of Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times on newsstands now.

The NNSO demonstrated its commitment to extending hiring preferences to veterans in answering the publication’s nearly 100-question survey. Agencies are evaluated on their military recruiting, service member-related policies, rules for reservists and departmental culture.

The LEGACY

4 • Dec. 21, 2016

Report highlights minority female advancement under Obama From the classroom to the boardroom, young girls and women of color are often faced with obstacles.

Many of them find themselves marginalized due to their race and gender. The Obama administration has made it a priority to combat those issues. On Thursday, at a White House event, the Council on Women and Girls released a report that highlights the progress that has been made in regards to advancing equity for women and girls of color.

In 2015, the council unveiled the Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color report which detailed steps that the Obama administration would take towards creating more opportunities for girls and women of color. Among those steps were “reducing unnecessary exclusionary school discipline,” exposing girls and women to career paths in the realm of STEM, lowering the number of teen pregnancies, and creating more opportunities for economic

prosperity. The 2016 report serves as a follow-up and illustrates the impact that those steps have had on shaping the future for girls and women of color. According to the report, the teen pregnancy rate has hit an alltime low and high school graduation rates for women have reached record highs. Women also account for more than half of college graduates.

“The Obama administration has taken important steps forward in elevating, and addressing, key issues

that cause disparities for women and girls of color, and women and girls from marginalized and underserved populations,” read a statement released by The White House.

“Moreover, the call to action around this work has inspired philanthropic leaders, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to continue efforts that sustain and build upon the successes achieved in improved life outcomes for women and girls of color and their peers.”

Questions follow Petersburg’s open government ways The ACLU of Virginia has urged Petersburg City Council to correct its practices regarding announcement and scheduling of meetings following more than a dozen instances this year in which meetings were scheduled at times, places or in a manner that was inconvenient to the public or discouraged its participation.

In a letter dated Nov. 21, ACLU-VA Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga took Mayor W. Howard Myers and the rest of council to task for 13 special meetings called between March and October to address critical issues of governance and financial management that were held during regular weekday work hours, precluding many residents and others from being able to attend.

In addition, at least four special meetings between June and August were held in small rooms seating as few as six people.

“Holding meetings at inconvenient times and in small spaces that cannot accommodate the public violates the spirit of open government laws that serve to ‘promote an increased awareness by all persons of government activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government,’” Gastañaga’s letter states.

The ACLU-VA also noted some of the meetings were publicized in advance as only having agenda items for discussion behind closed doors, even though on at least one occasion the council’s attorney advised there

was no legal basis for a closed session, so the meeting was held in open session.

“When a meeting is scheduled and announced as a closed meeting, it has the result of suppressing interest in attending and participating,” the letter said. “Members of the media and the public may decide not to attend a meeting announced as including a closed session because there may be a significant portion of the meeting that they will be unable to attend or hear.”

Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) outlines how and when local governments may meet, including when they may meet in open session. The law calls for its provisions to be “liberally construed to promote an increased awareness by all persons of governmental activities and afford every opportunity to citizens to witness the operations of government.”

Holding special meetings during the day, at locations with small capacities, and publicizing them as only including closed session items for discussion undermines the spirit of FOIA, the ACLU-VA’s letter said.

The ACLU-VA , in 2015, filed suit against the council on behalf of Linwood Christian, a resident who was prohibited from speaking during a public comment period because of an unpaid fee associated with a prior run for public office. The case was settled out of court, with the council agreeing to pay Christian’s legal fees and make a public statement.

“B2” gives back The holiday season is a time for giving back and that’s what Newport News City Council Member Marcellus L. “B2” Harris III in hosting “Time 2 Stand” at Colossians Baptist Church in Newport News. Harris and friends, including the partnership of Rev. Peter Evans, Pastor of Colossians Baptist Church and community leaders provided an intimate special dinner for local families in Newport News. The event provided families who have experienced recent challenging times an elegant meal for the holidays. The families had the opportunity to be served in a formal dining style.

Dec. 21, 2016 • 5

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

DOJ opens probe into jail in Portsmouth The Justice Department recently opened an investigation into the conditions at the Hampton Roads Regional Jail in Portsmouth.

The investigation, according to DOJ, will focus on whether the jail violates the constitutional rights of inmates to adequate medical and mental health care; violates the constitutional rights of inmates who have mental illness by secluding them in isolation for prolonged time periods; and violates the rights of inmates who have mental illness by denying them access to services, programs and activities because of their disability.

“All prisoners, including those with mental illness, have a constitutional right to receive necessary medical care, treatment and services,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney

Claire Guthrie Gastañaga General Vanita Gupta, head of the

Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department will conduct a thorough investigation, led by the facts and the law, to review conditions in the jail.”

“We are committed to protecting the civil rights of all citizens, including those who are incarcerated,” said U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente of the Eastern District of Virginia.

“Prisoners with mental illness are a particularly vulnerable population, and their rights must be safeguarded.

We look forward to conducting a full and fair investigation of this matter in partnership with the Civil Rights Division.”

ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga applauded the move.

“We are encouraged that the U.S. Department of Justice has seen fit to fully investigate whether the Hampton Roads Regional Jail violates prisoners’ rights, particularly those in need of medical and mental health care. It is our belief that any mentally ill inmate at

HJJR is at serious, imminent risk, and we appreciate the urgency with which the Justice Department is now pursuing answers and solutions to a mountain of troubling human, procedural and operational issues.”

The ACLU, which requested the probe in a June letter, encouraged DOJ to “act swiftly and leave no stone unturned to bring justice to Mr. Mitchell and look beyond his case to examine generally the process of incarcerating rather than treating mental illness.”

Meanwhile, DOJ noted that it has not reached any conclusions regarding the allegations in the matter. The investigation will be conducted under the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) and under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under CRIPA, the department has the authority to investigate violations of prisoners’ constitutional rights that result from a “pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights.”

Newport News man convicted of racketeering and murder A federal jury recently convicted a Newport News man on charges of racketeering conspiracy, including acts of murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy and attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and other charges.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Michael Hopson, 39, (aka “Hop” aka “Big Homie”) was the founding member and leader of the P-Stones, also referred to as the P-Stone Bloods and Cobra Stones, that operate primarily in the Denbigh area of Newport News. The P-Stones engage in violent crimes including murders, illegal drug trafficking, obstruction of justice and robberies that often target narcotics dealers and use stolen currency and inventory to purchase firearms and fund gang members’ court dues.

Evidence presented at trial indicated that as the leader, Hopson planned, directed and participated in recruitment of members, including minors; collected monthly gang dues; carried out and ordered violations;

ordered and presided over meetings; and organized other firearm and marijuana distribution. Hopson also served as a security officer at Denbigh High School, in which he used his security officer position to further the Black P-Stones gang by recruiting minors and selling narcotics to high school students.

Hopson personally ordered multiple shootings and murders between October 2007 and June 2009, including: On Oct. 31, 2007, Hopson ordered P-Stone members to murder A.J., a member of the rival Thugs Relations street gang. At Hopson’s direction, the P-Stones members attempted to lure A.J. from the home while armed.

A.J. did not come out of the house and the P-Stone members left.

On Nov. 6, 2007, a P-Stone, acting on Hopson’s orders lured E.S., a 17-year-old P-Stone member, to a location in Newport News to kill him.

Hopson had previously given him the “green light” for the killing of E.S. for his relations with Thug Relations.

Once E.S. arrived he was shot and killed, and Hopson rewarded the P-Stone member with a promotion.

On Dec. 10, 2008 Hopson authorized the murder of J.W., a Crip who was disrespectful to members of the P-Stones. Acting on those orders, two P-Stone members went to the home of J.W. and fired multiple rounds into the home. J.W.’s father, who was sitting in the living room when the assault occurred, was hit with debris from the bullet shrapnel and suffered injury to his eye.

On March 9, 2009, Hopson ordered the murder of two members of 10-1 Mafia Crips, rivals of the P-Stones, for the beating of a P-Stone member.

Acting on Hopson’s orders, two P-Stone members shot multiple times into the home of the two 10-1 Mafia Crips.

On April 17, 2009, Hopson ordered two P-Stones to fire multiple rounds into a home he knew to be occupied because the individuals inside the home were disrespectful to him.

On June 12, 2009, Hopson ordered the murder of A.J., a Thug Relations member who was responsible for the murder of a P-Stone member. A P-Stone member acting on Hopson’s orders shot and wounded A.J. Hopson faces a mandatory

penalty of life in prison when sentenced on March 3, 2017. The maximum statutory sentence of life is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the statutory penalty, the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; and Special Agent in Charge Martin W. Culbreth of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Norfolk, Virgina, Field Office made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric M. Hurt and Trial Attorney Marianne Shelvey of the Organized Crime and Gang Section in the Justice Department’s Criminal Division prosecuted the case. FBI’s Safe Streets Peninsula Task Force investigated the case, with the assistance of the Newport News Police Department and the James City County Police Department.

6 • Dec. 21, 2016

Op/Ed & Letters

The LEGACY

‘Advancing Equity for women and girls of color’ VALERIE JARRETT We [have released] a new report on our progress to advance equity for women and girls of color throughout the Obama administration, and on the work that remains ahead.

We are proud of what it represents, as a marker of how far we’ve come through the culmination of the work the White House Council on Women and Girls was founded to do.

President Obama created the Council on Women and Girls in March of 2009 to ensure that in every aspect of our work, every agency, department, and office in the Federal Government takes into account the needs and aspirations of women and girls.

Since its inception, we have fought for equality by challenging disparities and believing that change is possible. The Council’s work has always been personal to the president. He was raised by his mother and grandmother, and watched as they fought against the sturdy glass ceilings they tried to break. He is married to a bright, highly accomplished wife. So he has watched her struggle to balance the needs of their children with the demands of her work, knows that she bears the disproportionate responsibility in caring for their children, and he wants his daughters to grow up knowing that they can compete on a level playing field.

So he understands why investing in women is important. He understands The LEGACY NEWSPAPER Vol. 2 No. 51 Mailing Address 409 E. Main Street 4 Office Address 105 1/2 E. Clay St. Richmond, VA 23219 Call 804-644-1550 Online www.legacynewspaper.com

the impact it has on families and communities, that we cannot do it alone, and that this is all the more important when more than 50 percent of women are in the workforce, and more than 40 percent of working moms are the primary or sole breadwinners.

This work is personal for us too.

We are single moms and the sole breadwinners. We’ve seen first-hand how a lack of paid family or sick leave, or affordable childcare, or equal pay, or workplace flexibility can hurt mothers and fathers alike.

We have worked in male dominated workplaces and seen how double standards around negotiating for pay can hurt women and their families.

So we came into the White House with an intimate sense of why these issues are important – and a cleareyed view of both the challenges and opportunities.

We’ve also known that we don’t have all the answers – and that the best solutions are informed by the American public. So over the past eight years, we have brought in thousands of stakeholders to hear from them about the pressing challenges they face, and learn from them about what solutions make sense.

We have worked with women from all walks of life – from immigrants and those in low income and marginalized communities, to cisgender and transgender women, veterans, and women with disabilities – and we have given them The LEGACY welcomes all signed letters and all respectful opinions.

Letter writers and columnists opinions are their own and endorsements of their views by The LEGACY should be inferred. The LEGACY assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

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all a seat at the table. Their voices and experiences have informed our priorities, and we’re proud of our work together.

So, we have prioritized investing in early childhood education, improving K-12 schools, and making college affordable and accessible.

We’ve prioritized expanding STEM education, including by identifying disparities that disproportionately affect girls of color. We’ve expanded the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, and the college tax credit, and lowered taxes for hard working Americans while asking those who can most afford it to pay a little more.

We’ve helped build a national movement for criminal justice reform, and focused on issues such as the sexual-abuse to prison pipeline and juvenile justice disparities that affect women and girls of color. We’ve championed It’s On Us to combat sexual assault on college campuses and given K-12 schools a better way to fight it there as well. And we are proud of the new tools to protect against violence that were contained in the reauthorized Violence Against Women Act. On this journey, we’ve also thought critically about who is most vulnerable to being left behind.

That’s why in 2014, we intensified our focus on women and girls of color, convening an additional working group to hone in on data-driven interventions that can better help women and girls of color succeed. We

held several listening sessions with outside groups and stakeholders to talk specifically about the issues that women and girls of color face, and how we could really make progress on those issues.

In November 2014, we released a report titled “Women and Girls of Color: Addressing Challenges and Expanding Opportunities” to identify barriers and disparities facing women and girls of color.

This report addressed work done over the first six years of the Administration that has improved the lives of women and girls of color.

It discussed important issues, such as educational attainment, economic security, health and safety, violence against women, and criminal and juvenile justice. It also announced that a federal interagency working group would begin work to develop opportunities for advancement.

One year later, in November 2015, the Council released a new report, “Advancing Equity for Women and Girls of Color” to highlight some of the additional steps taken by the administration on issues faced by women and girls of color from 2014 through 2015. In that report, the Council on Women and Girls identified five data-driven issue areas where interventions can promote opportunities for success at school, work, and in the community. The five issues included: • Fostering school success and

(continued on page 7)

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

Dec. 21, 2016 • 7

P.T. Hoffsteader, Esq.

Ready to fight

Whenever I hear Donald Trump or see his face or even read one of his ridiculous tweets I get so angry I can’t wait to help organizations that work against his policies.

And I've seen that a lot of women feel the same way I do.

Which is good — because there is some amazing work when this community gets fired up. It might be our best work, in fact.

Here’s an example: In 1991, Anita Hill testified before an all-white, all-male panel of senators about being sexually harassed at work by Clarence Thomas, her former boss. The panel's lack of compassion shocked women across the country, and thenRepresentative Barbara Boxer led a cohort of House women over to the Senate to demand they take Anita's testimony seriously.

Women were outraged. Donations and calls started pouring. And a year later, we elected a record number of women to the Senate — sending four women to join Barbara Mikulski — including Barbara Boxer herself.

The outrage, anger, and disbelief I'm seeing today is far greater than I even knew was possible in 1991. And we're going to need to channel it all — because the stakes are even higher this time around.

I'm fired up to fight back against Republicans and send another record wave of women — not just to the Senate, but to every level of government.

Over the last few years we've seen Republicans ramp up their attacks on choice.

Of the 1,074 state abortion restrictions enacted since Roe v.

Wade, more than A QUARTER

were enacted between 2010-2015.

Republicans directly attack Planned Parenthood, trying to defund it at the state and national level. Every time an anti-choice law passes in one state, it gives new energy to conservatives in others.

And I’ll be honest, we need to do a lot more to fight back. We added four new pro-choice women to the Senate this year who will join our other senators to protect Planned Parenthood from being defunded.

But we need to fight for every elected woman in every state who is willing to stand up to these horrendous attacks that put women and families at risk.

The good news is that people are really paying attention. It helps when the next president is a man who can’t keep his disturbing opinions to himself, unmasking the anti-woman focus behind his party’s relentless assault on choice.

If there’s any hope of protecting the last 40 years of progress in America, we need to channel all of our energy into a wave of action.

So here we are — we have a choice to make. Do we accept our fate, or do we fight back with everything we’ve got?

Ellen R. Malcolm Founder, EMILY’s List

Perspective changes

I was saddened when I saw the report of a group of little children hiding in a basement in Aleppo, Syria. Sadly this is where most of Aleppo’s remaining children are located. They are holding on to life, hopefully another day.

Many of us grew up loving the Santa Claus story and honestly I’m still holding on just a little bit. I don’t

have a big list for him. However, most of what I’m hoping for is really out of Santa’s league.

Santa Claus is good for fun and games.

Christmas lists change with age.

What I hoped for at five became very different throughout the years. I had wish lists pertaining to career, children and other aspirations.

Today I’m so very happy to simply enjoy health, trips to the grocery store and a warm house. Amazingly what makes me happy today is far more complicated than when I was preparing my toy lists for Santa.

Looking back I can now see more clearly that his perspective was that of a struggling adult.

We also have national concerns.

We are blessed in America where so much of what we enjoy is almost a miracle every day. With all that we see and hear about in Syria and so many other troubled places in the world surely to just sleep and live in peace has to mean everything to all of us. I think this is something we grow into in America.

The news about little children hiding in a basement in Aleppo fearing for their lives was heartbreaking. They hold onto hope of their lives being spared and maybe a better day. However, a night of peace and rest is almost inconceivable to them.

Whatever you have this Christmas in America cherish and respect it.

Thank God for everything you have.

The perspective of everything we have changes throughout life from a five year old child to someone barely holding on to life in a nursing home or a family huddled together in a basement in Aleppo.

Glenn Mollette

(from page 6) reducing unnecessary exclusionary school discipline by implementing supportive school discipline strategies and policies, including through public awareness of the impact on girls of color • Meeting the needs of vulnerable and striving youth by recognizing and responding appropriately to the finding that many girls enter intervening public systems through a route that begins with sexual abuse and trauma • Increasing access to inclusive STEM education to meet 21st century workforce demands and reducing opportunity gaps that affect women broadly in science, technology, engineering and math education and fields, but often affect women and girls of color the most • Sustaining reduced rates of teen pregnancy and building on success through expanded access to knowledge about birth control and preventive health services • Expanding pathways to economic prosperity through opportunities for job mobility and investments in fair, equitable workplace policies This report serves as both a follow up to the 2014 and 2015 reports, as well as a summary of the Obama administration’s accomplishments.

We have taken important steps forward to elevate and address key issues that disproportionately affect women and girls of color, including women and girls from marginalized and underserved populations.

Moreover, the call to action around this work has inspired philanthropic leaders, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations to continue efforts that sustain and build upon the progress we’ve seen over the past eight years.

8 • Dec. 21, 2016

Faith & Religion

Holiday lunch for the homeless The Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) Clean Comfort Program hosted an annual Holiday Luncheon for the Homeless on Friday at the Julius Conn Gym, Newport News.

Va. inmates on Yuletide list...

Everyone deserves a good Christmas.

That;s the reasoning behind Temple of Judah Ministries’ plan to distribute 33,000 care packages to Virginia inmates.

Led by Bishop Melvin Williams Jr., Temple of Judah, is asking if you will give Jesus a gift this year?

“Remembering others during the ‘Yuletide Season’ satisfies an innermost peace by knowing to do good; you actually have to do something,” notes the ministry, which has partnered with several churches and businesses to reach out to distribute the care packages to inmates. Care packages are prepared and purchased by a private vendor in collaboration with the Department of Corrections codes. Each package includes toothpaste, deodorant, mouthwash, and soap; whereas the female inmates receive new undergarments. “Everything that we basically take for granted can be a necessity to others,” notes the ministry.

For over 40 Years 80,000 care packages have been donated to the Richmond City Jail through Williams and volunteers.

The year, the ministry hopes to have expanded its reach beyond the city of Richmond to the entire state of Virginia. Estimated cost to purchase items is $38,000.00. Packages were accepted through Dec. 19.

For the past 40 years, Williams has been an advocate to the oppressed where hunger and hardship go hand-in-hand, notes the ministry.

“The mission is simply to help the poor, widows, hurting, abused and the broken,” according to the organization. “The impoverished are not always in a third-world country: they can be as close as your neighbor.

“In a world that seems remiss, Bishop Williams believes in the future as in the past; that there are people who truly care and will take the time to help others.

The LEGACY

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

Dec. 21, 2016 • 9

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10 • Dec. 21, 2016

The LEGACY

The Spinners are coming to town

The Spinners will perform at the Beacon Theater in Hopewell on Thursday

Dec. 29, with doors opening at a at 6:30 p.m.

See https://www.facebook.com/TheMightySpinners/

The Valentine’s ‘One Love’ exhibit spotlights local LGBTQ families KENDALL BAZEMORE As the understanding of what a “traditional family” is expands with LGBTQ equality, it can be hard to find folks who represent these new civil rights. But the Valentine’s newest exhibition, One Love: LGBT Families, shows how the LGBT community in Richmond reimagines the way families can be constructed.

One Love: LGBT Families is a 20-image photography exhibit of LGBTQ families in the Richmond metropolitan area.

Portraits feature different family units in an area around the city with a short quote. One Love was created collaboratively by the Valentine, Richmond Region Tourism’s OutRVA campaign and photographer Michael Simon, with sponsorship from Altria Group, Inc., Capital One, Diversity Richmond and Virginia is for Lovers.

One Love came about during a chance conversation among project partners during a spring 2016

interview on WRIR’s Diversity Richmond Speaks! radio show.

Michael Simon and Katherine O’Donnell, VP of Community Relations for Richmond Region Tourism, were discussing their collaboration for the 2016 OutRVA project, “Say I Do LGBT Wedding Expo” and the city’s LGBTQ tourism campaign.

Domenick Casuccio, Director of PR & Marketing for the Valentine, was at the same interview, discussing the Valentine’s upcoming exhibition It’s All Relative: Richmond Families (1616-2016). The three floated an idea to include the photography exhibition as part of the OutRVA tourism campaign. Meg Hughes, Curator of Archives for the Valentine, signed on to the project, and One Love was born.

“I thought One Love’s content would complement our concurrent exhibition, It’s All Relative” said Hughes, who became the show’s curator. ”[It] provided an opportunity

to focus on Richmond’s LGBT community, specifically families, building on the recent historic legal passage of marriage equality,” Family as a social construct in America has been traditionally seen within a very heteronormative gaze, being a one man, one woman, multiple children set up, known as the “Nuclear Family.”

In both the mass media and various

religious spaces of the mid-20th century, this setup was considered ideal financially and to produce more children. The man of the house would go off to work, while the woman was the homemaker and stayed with the children.

But, as the American economy and societal norms changed, this

(continued on page 15)

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

Dec. 21, 2016 • 11

New book a clarion call for cultivation of ‘overlooked’ positive black male identity In 1993, Richard Majors shook the world of urban culture and sociology with the release of ‘Cool Pose: The Dilemma of Black Manhood in America’ – the first book brave enough to openly critique the sore subject of manhood among black men. It changed the face of the African American community but, almost a quarter century later, males of color still battle at their very core with the enigma of their identity.

It’s a subject that has fascinated educator Theodore S. Ransaw, PhD., his entire career. In his new book, Ransaw continues Richard Majors’ good work, by furthering his study and holistically guiding today’s modern males of color through the empowering journey of learning how to thrive.

‘The Art of Being Cool’ addresses the challenges facing adolescent black males. It analyzes and stresses the importance of identity development. The author believe it can help educators and parents

Theodore S. Ransaw, PhD. understand the importance of cultivating a positive black male identity and how this overlooked aspect of childhood development impacts young adults. Solutions for

finding a balance between academics and social activities are also provided.

“The school-to-prison pipeline is still too prevalent, and it’s mostly down to how young black males are perceived by the rest of society,” said Ransaw. “I dig right to the bottom of the intricacies fueling this fire, push them out into the open and force readers to confront them.

“Believe me, the potential of today’s young black men is bursting at the seems – but it’s up to us to open up the conversation so it can finally be unleashed.

“I heavily respect Richard Majors’ work and this new volume is by no means intended to replace it.

Instead, I am furthering what he started by bringing in facets of society that modern young black men can resonate with such as literary, mentorship and Hip Hop. The results are extremely powerful.”

Some readers agree. For example, Brian Boggs has revieved that

Ransaw provides a “very insightful” look into the role of the black male and social perspectives that can help educations in urban areas.

“He has a great writing style and provides ways in which teachers can build rapport and educational capacity among black males,” noted Boogs. “He stress the importance of balance between academics and social activities, while considering relationships and trust.”

Another reader, AA adds that the book is “very informative and helpful”. “I have learned a lot and seriously recommend that everyone read it!” AA opines.

‘Cool Pose: The Dilemma of Black Manhood in America’, from African American Images, is available now on Amazon.

Ransaw is a research specialist in Residential College of Arts and Humanities, Affiliated Faculty in African American and African Studies, at Michigan State University.

excited to finally experience all of the Christmas time traditions and activities in the snow in Erietown.

While celebrating with his cousins and new friends, he experiences another unexpected, magical and amazing moment during one of the last days of the “Silver Season!” Young

readers will enjoy Kolby’s magical Christmas adventure in the snow!

“We hope you enjoy this magical Christmastime journey - sunshine and snowtime style,” said the Hitt family. Alexandria and Zoe Hitt have worked on these children’s stories for over seven years, according to the family. What began as a fun activity in the backseat of their parent’s car on the way to elementary school in Miami, has now developed into one huge Christmas story. So big, they had to create a “Part One” and a “Part Two.” Alexandria served as the lead author for part one of this magical Christmas adventure which introduces the character Coco the Magic Rock. Zoe took the helm as the lead author for part two which continues in the snow with Coco the Sand Girl!

Alexandria is now a freshman in college working on her international finance career while younger sister Zoe is home schooled.

#itsChristmasTime Just in time for the holidays, the Hitt family invites you and yours to take part in the celebration of two unique, exciting and dynamic books written by Alexandria and Zoe Hitt.

The first book, entitled “Christmastime In The Sunshine With Coco The Magic Rock!” is a celebration of the Golden Season: Part One. This enchanting story is about a boy named Kolby who lives in Miamitown. Kolby is curious about seeing snow during Christmas.

Although his wish to see snow this year during Christmas becomes a challenge, he and his friends still have a great time. While celebrating in Miamitown, they experience an unexpected, magical and amazing moment during one of the last days of the “Golden Season!” Young readers will enjoy how Kolby celebrates Christmas traditions and activities in the sunshine!

The second book, entitled “Christmastime In The Snowtime With Coco The Sand Girl!” is a celebration of the Silver Season: Part Two. This delightful story is about how Kolby finally gets his wish to see snow during Christmas for the very first time. Kolby is so

12 • Dec. 14, 2016

The LEGACY

SCLC leads charge to terminate NN manager Bourey STAFF & WIRE Theres a push by some Newport News residents to terminate City Manager Jim Bourey.

Last week, community members rallied at the Newport News city council meeting demanding change.

This, after rumors surrounding the future of an old prison facility in Newport News.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter president Andrew Shannon and several others who live in the city say their concern is that Bourey is excluding them in the decision making process regarding the future of the city farm property in Newport News.

“We’re calling for him to step down today,” said Shannon. “We’re concerned about decisions he has made without receiving input from citizens of Newport News.”

Recently, a city spokesperson said that the city has no plans to build on the property. However, the city has since received an unsolicited proposal to buy and develop the city farm property.

The developer presented their proposal to council, but council made no decision.

The city will have someone come in to do an archeological study of the city farm property in January, to see if any historical significance can be

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Bourey said in published reports that Shannon is entitled to his own opinion, and that this rally, is “All about Andrew Shannon.”

However Shannon is not remaining silent.

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14 • Dec. 21, 2016

The LEGACY

PHEN launches prostate cancer clinical trials rally The Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN) has initiated a special “Clinical Trials Rally” initiative to increase African American participation in prostate cancer clinical trials.

The prostate cancer death rate among black men is 2.3 times greater than for men of any other racial or ethnic group within the United States according to National Cancer Institute statistics; this is the largest racial disparity for any type of cancer for men or women. However, this population's participation in clinical trials for new treatments rarely reaches the level of statistical significance, meaning that the data from these trials do not definitively determine the effectiveness of these treatments for black men. This is an increasingly urgent problem for the population most impacted by prostate cancer and in need of treatment breakthroughs.

Pharmaceutical organizations that are currently providing prostate cancer therapies and leading the research efforts to develop new therapies are supporting the launch of this new PHEN initiative.

These include: Astellas, Bayer Healthcare, Janssen Biotech, Inc., and Medivation (now part of Pfizer).

Other organizations will be invited

to join this effort after it is launched. (visit: www.phentrials.com) PHEN implements education, awareness and support initiatives within communities throughout the country by working with African American churches, pharmaceutical partners and cancer treatment and research institutions. In addition, PHEN has a national network of African American prostate cancer survivors and caregivers who support its efforts. These are key parties needed to carry out successful prostate cancer clinical trials, currently working together through PHEN. The Clinical Trials Rally expands PHEN’s ongoing activities with these partners to include a focus on increasing the participation of African American men in clinical trials.

“With important partnerships already in place, PHEN is uniquely positioned to tackle one of today’s most pressing challenges for developing new prostate cancer therapies that will meet the needs of black men based on scientific evidence,” said Thomas Farrington, PHEN’s founder and president.

“Astellas is pleased to expand our collaboration with PHEN and support the Clinical Trials Rally.

We are committed to working with

PHEN to increase awareness of clinical trials within the African American community," said Dr. Hong

Tang, Astellas executive medical firector, Oncology.

Zika virus replicates and persists in fetal brains, etc.

Zika virus can make thousands of copies of itself in fetuses’ brains and in the placentas of pregnant women, which may help explain how the virus causes devastating birth defects and pregnancy losses even if a woman had only a minor illness. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the first to show Zika virus RNA (genetic material of the virus) replicating in brain tissues of infants with microcephaly who later died and in placentas of women who suffered pregnancy losses.

CDC scientists found Zika virus RNA persisted in fetal brains and in placentas for more than seven months after the mothers contracted Zika. The researchers also found evidence of the virus replicating in an infant with microcephaly who died two months after birth. The RNA levels were about 1,000 times higher in the infants’ brains than in the women’s placentas, according to the study published last week in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal.

“Our findings show that Zika virus can continue to replicate in infants’ brains even after birth, and that

the virus can persist in placentas for months – much longer than we expected,” said Julu Bhatnagar, Ph.D., lead of the molecular pathology team at CDC’s Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch and the study’s lead author. “We don’t know how long the virus can persist, but its persistence could have implications for babies born with microcephaly and for apparently healthy infants whose mothers had Zika during their pregnancies. More studies are needed to fully understand how the virus can affect babies.”

The study sheds light on how the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus’s brain. The researchers found Zika virus infects and proliferates in Hofbauer cells, a type of migratory immune cell in the placenta. Because the Hofbauer cells can move freely throughout the placenta, they may help transfer the virus to the fetus’s brain. Once there, the virus can infect various types of brain cells.

The CDC researchers tested tissues from 52 patients with suspected Zika virus infection, including brain

(continued on page 17)

Dec. 21, 2016 • 15

www.LEGACYnewspaper.com

ACLU: Public school systems must support, protect immigrant students The ACLU of Virginia has warned public school officials of their legal responsibility to not just properly deal with incidents of harassment and bullying, including those in which undocumented immigrants are victimized, but to head them off before they occur.

In a letter to every local school system superintendent in Virginia, ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastañaga referred to sections of state and federal law that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, and require schools to protect immigrant children from bullying and harassment by taking action to prevent it from occurring.

She also cited Virginia law that provides every student with the right to an education free from “substantial intimidation, harassment, or harm or threat of harm by another student,” and requires local school divisions to establish “character education programs” that inform students about the harm bullying causes.

“We are very concerned about anecdotal reports from public schools across the country in which immigrant students have been singled out as targets for bullying, discrimination and harassment,” said Gastañaga. “We have not yet received a serious complaint about an incident in Virginia, and we’d like to help keep it that way by reminding leaders in local education of their legal obligations.”

Gastañaga also reminded school administrators they cannot deny enrollment to undocumented students or consent to immigration enforcement action on school grounds, which are considered to be “sensitive locations,” according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Policy.

In the letter, educators also were encouraged to embrace the benefits of teaching diversity and inclusion.

“By encouraging staff members to teach why harassment is wrong and to teach why equality and respect are essential to a free society, schools can help prevent harassment from occurring,” the letter states.

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(from page 12) standard began to shift.

A study published by sociologist Philip Cohen in his book called “The Family: Diversity, Inequality, and Social Change” found that, “in 2010, 45 percent of households were headed by a married couple, whereas in 1960 it was close to 66 percent.”

“Family structures are and have always been more complicated than Ozzie and Harriet, the 1950s American nuclear family,” said Hughes. “There are constructed families, especially within the LGBT community, consisting of people who aren’t biologically or legally related.

People often actively chose their families, especially if they have been ostracized by their birth family.”

For the LGBT community, alternatives to the traditional family structure have existed out of necessity in many cases.

Many queer and trans individuals, youths particularly, who are either outed or come out willingly are often ostracized in some way. Reports suggest that about 40 percent of homeless youth are LGBT, most of which were forced to leave their home. These groups usually form as LGBT individuals find and create families for themselves.

“It’s very interesting looking at some of the families in the exhibition, that there’s the family that we are born into, there is the family that we choose, and there is the family that we fall into a social circle with especially in the LGBT community that we start seeing as family members,” said Casuccio.

The families featured in One Love cross all lines of racial, sexualities, gender, and identity expectation of the the old standard – some even define the concepts of monogamous relationships. The 20-portrait exhibit shows the unique structure of each family. There are families that include children, and some that do

not. There are interracial families, families that involve gender nonconforming and trans folks, families that aren’t married, single parent families, a family of drag queens, a 9-unit polyamorous family.

One particular family, Kate and Travis Hall and their three children, Piper, Forde, and Caroline (Seen below), are living proof of this change.

Over year ago their oldest child, at the age of 14, came out as trans and this past summer began socially transitioning and changed her name to Piper from Bryce. Having an openly trans child, Travis and Kate, though immediately supportive of their child’s gender identity, were concerned about the public’s view of their family.Their participation in One Love came with reluctance, but Piper felt that she wanted to be a part of the exhibit and they all followed her lead.

“There are people who will say, ‘I can’t believe they let their child do this” but we have seen Piper evolved incredibly since she socially transitioned. She’s a hundred times happier,” said Kate Hall. “When people hear our story, I hope they understand that this is who our daughter was meant to be. And that our family is just like any other.”

The Hall family, as well as the other families featured in One Love, question the traditional “nuclear family” structure that we’ve seen in the past.

“One of the drag queens Natasha Carrington said, ‘when you’re gay, you get to make your own family.’

Family has never only meant that only your blood relatives, family is a group of people that you hold dear,” said photographer Michael Simon.

“These families are changing the way we understand family by simply by existing.”

One Love: LGBT Families is on view in the Valentine’s Lower Level through Sept 4, 2017. © GayRVA

16 • Dec. 21, 2016

Calendar 12.26, 9 a.m.

The Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee and Henrico County Department of Public Utilities will accept Christmas trees for recycling into mulch through Sunday, Jan. 8.

The free service, which preserves landfill space and the environment, is available to Henrico residents only. Trees will be accepted at the following locations: • Henrico Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road, in the lower parking lot; • Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, in the front parking lot; • Springfield Road Public Use Area, 10600 Fords Country Lane, near Nuckols Road and Interstate 295; and • Charles City Road Public Use Area, 2075 Charles City Road.

Trees can be dropped off anytime at the Henrico Government Center and Eastern Government Center and from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at the Springfield Road and Charles City Road public use areas. Trees must be free of tinsel, lights, ornaments, tree stands and water bowls.

Free mulch is available to Henrico residents at the public use areas.

For information on the tree recycling program, call 804-727-8770.

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12.31, 9 a.m.

The LEGACY

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

“Running in Heels: Women’s Entrepreneurship 2.0” will allow you to meet two successful woman entrepreneurs and hear how they built their businesses, and how they use networking and branding to succeed.

Jennifer Ransaw Smith is the founding CEO of Brand id|Strategic Partners, LLC. and The Personal Elevation Lab, a division devoted exclusively for women. Angie Lockhart is the owner of STUNT VC - Visual Communications, a subsidiary of Visual Communications, Inc., a minority woman-owned small business and boutique visual marketing and design agency.

Program begins at 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 14, at Meadowdale Library. with a meet and greet and light refreshments, followed by a talk session and Q&A. Registration is required and begins Dec. 31.

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1.6, 1 p.m.

The Virginia Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) will be conducting a free workshop designed to provide an indepth overview of “How-to-Qualify” and “How to Apply” for Virginia Enterprise Zone grant incentives.

The workshop will be held on Jan. 11, 2017, in the city of Hampton at the Ruppert Sargent Building, 1 Franklin St. from 1 to 4 pm.

Parking is free in the parking deck located at the intersection of Armor Arch and Settlers Landing Road.

The workshop will provide detailed instructions on the qualification process for the 2016 Grant Year for Real Property Investment Grants and Job Creation Grants. DHCD requests that you register to attend.

Registration ends January 6, 2017.

Registration for the workshop is available online. Questions? Contact Derek E. Perry, 2400 Washington Ave., 3rd Floor, Newport News or call 757-597-2840 x6.

Call us: 804 644 1550 for details

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Dec. 21, 2016 • 17

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Comcast accepting proposals for new black owned networks Comcast Cable is now accepting proposals for two substantially African American owned, independent networks that it will launch in select Comcast markets by January 2019.

This is part of the company’s commitment to launch independently owned and operated networks as part of a series of public interest commitments made by Comcast in connection with the NBCUniversal transaction completed in 2011. Since the NBCUniversal transaction, Comcast has successfully launched over 20 independent networks, doubling the number of independent networks launches that it committed to as part of the transaction. Four of those networks were launched as a result of a public request for channels that satisfied the criteria established in several agreements between Comcast and leading diversity organizations - two African American majority owned networks (ASPiRE and REVOLT) and two Hispanic American operated networks (Baby First Americas

and El Rey). Additionally, two substantially Hispanic American owned networks, Kids Central and Primo TV, will launch on Comcast Cable systems beginning in January 2017.

“We are looking forward to receiving another round of great proposals as we begin the process to launch two more African American majority owned networks,” said Justin Smith, senior vice president of content acquisition for Comcast Cable.

Criteria for selecting the next two substantially African American owned networks that Comcast will launch include the content of the network; whether the network is fully financed; whether the network’s ownership and/or management group(s) are well established, have relevant experience, and are substantially owned by African Americans; whether the network is already launched and has existing or potential multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) distribution; price; and whether the

(from page 14) tissues (tested postmortem) from eight infants who had microcephaly and later died. They also tested placental tissues from 44 women: 22 who had adverse pregnancy or birth outcomes (miscarriage, elective termination, stillbirth or babies born with microcephaly) and 22 who had babies who appeared healthy. Most of the women were U.S. residents who had traveled to countries with Zika outbreaks during their pregnancies. The eight infants with microcephaly who died were from Brazil and Colombia.

More evidence that Zika is most dangerous during early pregnancy Brain tissues from all eight infants were positive for Zika virus, and Zika virus was detected in placentas of nearly three-quarters (16/22) of women who had an adverse pregnancy or birth outcome.

Mothers of all the infants with fatal microcephaly and all of the women with positive test results contracted

Julu Bhatnagar Zika virus during their first trimester of pregnancy. Zika virus RNA was also detected in the placentas of more than one-third (8/22) of the women who had apparently healthy infants. All of these women had Zika infection during their third trimester of pregnancy, but the babies who were tested for Zika after birth tested negative. These findings further confirm that Zika virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy poses more danger for

network and its potential carriage provide value to Comcast and its customers. Comcast will accept proposals for every major genre, including general entertainment, movies, music, kids, news, and sports.

Applicants may visit corporate. comcast.com/diverseprogramming to submit a proposal and learn about the terms and conditions. Proposals are due by March 15, 2017, and the two networks will be selected in the coming months.

pregnancy and fetal development than infection contracted during the third trimester.

As part of the Zika response, CDC’s Infectious Disease Pathology Branch developed a variety of tests to detect Zika virus in human tissue samples.

The molecular tests used in this study can show evidence of Zika virus in tissues long after the virus would be undetectable by blood tests, which typically can only be used during the 12 weeks following infection.

“Our molecular tests for tissues extend the timeframe to detect Zika virus,” Bhatnagar said. “For women who contracted Zika virus during early pregnancy but were never diagnosed, these tests could help determine whether Zika virus may have caused their miscarriage, pregnancy loss, or adverse birth outcome.”

CDC recommends monitoring babies born to mothers who had Zika virus infection during their pregnancy. CDC established the US Zika Pregnancy Registry

(USZPR), in collaboration with state, tribal, territorial, and local health departments, to monitor the effects of Zika virus infection during pregnancy on fetal and infant outcomes. The data collected through the USZPR is used to update recommendations for clinical care, to plan for services and support for pregnant women and families affected by Zika virus, and to improve prevention of Zika virus infection during pregnancy.

CDC continues to recommend that pregnant women not travel to areas with Zika. If a pregnant woman travels to or lives in an area with active Zika virus transmission, she should talk with her healthcare provider and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites and sexual transmission of Zika virus.

More than 4,000 travel-associated cases of Zika have been reported in the United States. A total of 1,172 pregnant women in the United States have had evidence of Zika virus infection.

18 • Dec. 21, 2016

Richmond, VA 23219 804-644-1550 (office) - 1-800-782-8062 (fax) ads@legacynewspaper.com

Classifieds NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF RICHMOND BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS Will hold a Public Hearing in the 5th Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA on January 4, 2017, to consider the following under Chapter 30 of the Zoning Code: BEGINNING AT 1:00 P.M. 01-17: An application of 8 E 19th Street, LLC for a building permit to renovate the building for use as a two-family dwelling at 8 EAST 19TH STREET. 02-17: An application of Parkwood Mews, LLC for a building permit to construct a two-story addition to a 4-unit multi-family dwelling at 2306 PARKWOOD AVENUE. 03-17: An application of Parkwood Mews, LLC for a building permit to construct a two-story addition to a 4-unit multi-family dwelling at 2310 PARKWOOD AVENUE. 04-17: An application of Parkwood Mews, LLC for a building permit to construct a two-story addition to a 4-unit multi-family dwelling at 2308 PARKWOOD AVENUE. 05-17: An application of Steadfast Ventures, LLC for a building permit to construct an accessory structure (carport) to a single-family dwelling at 9 TOWANA ROAD. Copies of all cases are available for inspection between 8 AM and 5 PM in Room 110, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Support or opposition may be offered at or before the hearing.

Roy W. Benbow, Secretary Phone: (804) 240-2124 Fax: (804) 646-5789 E-mail: Roy.Benbow@richmondgov.com

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a pain-relieving 409 E. Main St. #4 (mailing) • 105 1/2 E. Clay St. (office) IncludesGet Internet placement Accounting Manager – A/P Richmond, VA 23219 brace at little or NO 25M00000106 804-644-1550 (office) • 800-783-8062 (fax) Please review the proof, make any needed changes and return by fax or e-mail. cost to you.

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REMINDER: Deadline Fridays @ 5 office p.m. in Newport We have opened anisadditional News, and making plans to operate an additional office in Saluda, where we’ve been offered office space, a four bedroom house and double wide trailer on 10 acres of land for transitional housing for formerly incarcerated person.

It is our vision to offer housing, job readiness training, employment and opportunity for individuals throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for a second chance at life “To Get It Right” For more information, contact Richard Walker

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The Director of Finance or his designated representative will accept written responses in the Procurement Office 1 Franklin Street, 3rd floor, suite 345 Hampton, VA on behalf of the Entity (ies) listed below until the date(s) and local time(s) specified.

HAMPTON CITY Thursday, January 5, 2017 2:30 p.m. ET – ITB 17-52/E Generator purchase for public Works Wastewater Pump Station.

1:30 p.m. ET – ITB 17-319859/CLP Installation, Maintenance & Repair of Guardrails, Pavement Markings, Traffic Signals, and CCTV Cameras for Public Works Traffic Operations Division.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017 3:00 p.m. ET - ITB 17-53/E Roof replacement at Public Works Storage Facility. A Mandatory Pre-bid Meeting will be held Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. 550 N. Back River Rd. Hampton, VA 23669.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017 4:00 p.m. ET - RFP 17-51/LDW Needs Assessment for an Indoor Firing Range. A Mandatory Pre-Proposal Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at 805 City Center Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606.

For additional information, see our web page at http://www.hampton.gov/bids-contracts A withdrawal of bid due to error shall be in accordance with Section 2.24330 of the Code of Virginia. All forms relating to these solicitations may be obtained from the above listed address or for further information call; (757) 727-2200. The right is reserved to reject any and all responses, to make awards in whole or in part, and to waive any informality in submittals.

Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned and Veteran Businesses are encouraged to participate.

Karl Daughtrey, Director of Finance

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