Richmond Free Press April 25-27, 2024 edition

Virginia State University lands presidential debate

By Deborah Timms and Jennifer Robinson

When the presumptive Democratic and Republican nominees enter the Multi-Purpose Center on the campus of Virginia State University on Oct. 1, history will be made.

VSU will become the first HBCU to host a U.S. presidential debate.

Last November, the Commission on Presidential Debates announced Virginia State University as one of three debate sites. VSU, located in Ettrick near Petersburg, will host the second such event.

VSU won through a comprehensive review process, beating an untold number of colleges and universities. According to VSU, the commission found that the university had the facilities and accommodations to be an ideal debate host site. University officials also said VSU’s history,

VSU debate info

The Virginia State University presidential debate will take place Oct. 1, in the VSU MultiPurpose Center at 20809 2nd Ave. in Ettrick. It will be preceded by a Sept. 16 presidential debate at Texas State University in San Marcos, and a vice presidential debate on Sept. 25 at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. The VSU debate is followed by a presidential debate on Oct. 9 at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

All debates will start at 9 p.m., running 90 minutes uninterrupted and will be broadcast on cable and TV networks.

More information, including the names of moderators, is expected in coming months.

The Associated Press

Mayor Levar Stoney announced Tuesday he is dropping his bid for Virginia governor in 2025, avoiding a nomination contest with U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, and will run for lieutenant governor instead.

Mayor Stoney said he had wrestled with the decision since he and his wife welcomed their first child in March. While his campaign sought to make the case in a memo just weeks ago that a StoneySpanberger primary would be competitive,

commitment to academic excellence, diversity and reputation for shaping future leaders contributed to its selection.

Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, VSU president, said the debate application process was pretty straightforward.

“We applied for it,” he said.

He explained that VSU hosted the first televised Democratic gubernatorial debate in 2021. During the event, he was seated next to the university’s director of government affairs, Eldon Burton.

“I just kind of leaned over to him and said, ‘You know ... we should have the presidential debate here,” Dr. Abdullah said, chuckling. “I don’t think I ever mentioned it again, but he remembered it and submitted an application.”

1,

165,941-square-foot facility will play host to one of three U.S. Presidential 2024 debate sites. The venue has a seating capacity of 5,100 to 6,100, and earned ASID Carolinas Excellence in Design First Place Award in 2017.

he said Tuesday that “while there was a path to victory it was a narrow path.” “After careful consideration with my family, I believe that the best way to ensure that all Virginia families do get the change they deserve is for our party to come together, avoid a costly and damaging primary and for me to run instead for

Setting the stage

Virginia State University not only will host October’s presidential debate, but also will serve as a polling location during the general election.

“For me, the debate is a way for all of us in the community to come together around a single vision,” said VSU President Makola M. Abdullah. “It speaks volumes about what we’re trying to do at Virginia State University.”

As the first HBCU to host a general election U.S. presidential debate, VSU will provide students and the community opportunities to learn about U.S. politics. The university also will engage as many students as possible.

“We are infusing numerous courses into our

School Board reviews conduct proposal for members Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, will run for lieutenant governor

By George Copeland Jr.

Despite calls to increase funding for Richmond Public Schools and address capital improvement issues, Richmond City Council delayed adopting its proposed $2.9 billion 2025 budget until May 6.

In a unanimous vote, City Council members opted to postpone a vote on six ordinances focused on economic concerns, including Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposed budget for 2025, the adoption of a

lieutenant governor,” Mayor Stoney said in a statement. With the gubernatorial primary more than a year away, there’s still time for another Democratic candidate to emerge. But Rep. Spanberger, a former CIA officer who launched her campaign in November, is seen by Democrats and Republicans alike as a formidable candidate, with strong name recognition, a record of winning tough races and a centrist identity

President Biden signs $95B bill for war aid in Ukraine

Funds include $26B in aid for Israel, $1B in for Palestinians in Gaza

The Associated Press

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hotspots.

The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine, with President Biden promising that U.S. weapons shipment would begin making the way into Ukraine “in the next few hours.”

“We rose to the moment, we came together, and we got it done,” President Biden said at a White House event to announce the bill signing. “Now we need to move fast, and we are.”

But significant damage has been done to the Biden administration’s effort to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion during the funding impasse that dates back to August, when the Democratic president made his first emergency spending request for Ukraine aid. Even with a burst of new weapons and ammunition, it’s unlikely Ukraine will immediately recover after months of setbacks.

President Biden immediately approved sending Ukraine $1

Courtesy of ClarkNexen Virginia State University completed its $84-million Multi-Purpose Center in 2016. On Oct.

the

2 RPS high schools celebrate top honors

Two Richmond Public Schools high schools, Open High School and Richmond Community High School, recently garnered significant recognition. U.S. News & World Report has acknowledged them as standout institutions among Virginia’s educational community.

Open High School, clinched the top spot in the Metro Richmond rankings and secured third place out of 329 high schools across the state. Meanwhile, Richmond Community High School claimed the second position in the Metro Richmond rankings and an eighth place statewide among the 329 ranked schools.

The U.S. News Best High Schools rankings, which encompass nearly 25,000 public high schools nationwide, evaluate schools based on various criteria. These include college readiness, reading and math proficiency, performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. With approximately 17,660 schools assessed the recognition highlights the exceptional performance of both Open High School and Richmond Community High School in preparing students for success.

Summer Academy offers students lessons in leadership, public service

Richmond high school and college students can

July

hosted

School of Government and Public Affairs

Virginia Commonwealth University. During the academy, students will learn a range of topics and skills courtesy of policy experts, professors and critical figures in the policy process, including how to form and analyze policies, economics, research methods, critical thinking, advocacy and effective writing. Participants will then apply what they’ve learned and further hone their knowledge with a capstone project, where they will collaborate with other students in the program on tackling real world, relevant policy issues and topics. “I am most looking forward to watching how a new cohort of students will absorb the information they receive and translate that knowledge into action after completing the course,” Policy Pathways President and CEO D. Pulane Lucas stated. This year’s academy will be offered in person for the first time. The program began with virtual classes in 2020, Dr. Lucas noted.

Applicants must be between 15 and 25 years old, and a rising high school sophomore, junior or senior, high school graduate, or community and undergraduate college student.

To apply online, visit policypathways.org/apply-now. Applications should include a statement that features the student’s interests, academic work and community involvement. Transcripts should also be included to verify academic enrollment, though standardized test scores are not required.

Tuition is $2,000 for lunch, snacks and course materials. There is a $70 administrative fee with the application. Full and partial scholarships are available for the program, with Richmond Public Schools students able to get full scholarships.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 15. Late applications will be accepted on a space-available basis. More information can be found by contacting Policy Pathways at (804) 814-7197, 1-866-465-6671 or on policypathways.org

Delegate Delores McQuinn of the 81st District will host her free annual Community Resource Day event on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Bridge Baptist Church, 5807 Nine Mile Road. The event will allow constituents to receive assistance with local, state and national resources and programs, according to Del. McQuinn. Attendees also will received information about future events and hear from various community leaders. GRTC, the Virginia Employment Commission and the Virginia Departments of Health and Veterans Services are among the agencies that will be in attendance. To attend, call Delegate McQuinn’s office at (804) 698-1081. For directions and parking information, visit newbridge-church. com.

Free Press staff report

College graduations start throughout Virginia in the next two weeks, with thousands of students receiving their diplomas and taking their hard-earned knowledge out into the world. Below are some of the upcoming ceremonies:

Virginia Commonwealth University will recognize graduating students with a university-wide commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center at 403 N. 3rd St. Gov. Glenn Youngkin will serve as the commencement speaker. A livestream link for the ceremony can be found at vcu. edu when the ceremony begins. Spring graduates at Virginia Union University will be celebrated across multiple venues and times, with the main commencement held at Hovey Stadium on Saturday, May 11 at 9 a.m., Anthropologist, educator and past college president Johnnetta B. Cole is the commencement speaker. Separate school ceremonies for the School of Arts and Sciences and the Sydney Lewis School of Business will be held at the Stadium at 1 and 3 p.m. Graduates in the Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology will be recognized at ceremonies in Coburn Hall at 1 and 3 p.m. All ceremonies will be streamed online via VUU’s various social media pages. More information is at www.vuu.edu

The University of Richmond hosts its main commencement ceremony, celebrating the School of Arts and Sciences, the Robins School of Business and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies on Sunday, May 12, in the Robins Center at 365 College Road at 2 p.m., with doors opening at noon. Ceremonies will also be held for the Richmond School of Law and School of Professional & Continuing Studies on Saturday, May 11. Sherwin-Williams CEO and UR 1997 alum Heidi Petz will serve as commencement speaker for the main ceremony, while Judge Kelley Hodge of the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania will address law graduates. Graduating student Zariah Chiverton, alumna Annette Ardler and adjunct professor Elisabeth E. Wray also will speak at the SPCS graduation ceremony. More information is at: commencement.richmond.edu/main/ index.html

The 2024 Reynolds Community College Commencement Ceremony for students will occur on Tuesday, May 14, at 2 p.m. in the VCU Stuart C. Siegel Center at 1200 W. Broad St. The ceremony will be available to view live online, and the link will be posted at go.reynolds.edu/ graduation the day of the ceremony. In lieu of a commencement speaker, Reynolds President Paula P. Pando, Faculty Senate President Karen Neal and graduating student Samantha Carter will provide greetings. More information can be found at www.reynolds.edu

Virginia State University will host its Spring 2024 Commencement with two ceremonies on Saturday, May 11, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Center at 20809 2nd Ave. The College of Education, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences will be the focus of the 9 a.m. ceremony, while the Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering & Technology, Natural & Health Sciences and RFL College of Business will be part of the 2 p.m. ceremony. More information, can be found at www.vsu. edu/graduatio n Hampton University will host its 154th Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m. at the Hampton University Convocation Center at 700 Emancipation Drive. Pastor Howard Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church will serve as the commencement speaker. The

By Jonel Aleccia The Associated Press

The nation’s school meals will get a makeover under new nutrition standards that limit added sugars for the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday.

The final rule also trims sodium in students’ meals, although not by the 30% first proposed in 2023. And it continues to allow flavored milks — such as chocolate milk — with less sugar, rather than adopting an option that would have offered only unflavored milk to the youngest kids.

The aim is to improve nutrition and align with U.S. dietary guidelines in the program that provides breakfasts to more than 15 million students and lunches to

nearly 30 million students every day at a cost of about $22.6 billion per year.

“All of this is designed to ensure that students have quality meals and that we meet parents’ expectations,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters.

The limits on added sugars would be

required in the 2025-2026 school year, starting with high-sugar foods such as cereal, yogurt and flavored milk. By the fall of 2027, added sugars in school meals would be limited to no more than 10% of the total calories per week for breakfasts and lunches, in addition to limits on sugar in specific products.

New WIC rules include more money for fruits and veggies. They also expand food choices

Officials had proposed to reduce sodium in school meals by as much as 30% over the next several years. But after receiving mixed public comments and a directive from Congress included in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill approved in March, the agency will reduce sodium levels allowed in breakfasts by 10% and in lunches by 15% by the 2027-2028 school year.

Delegate McQuinn

Virginia State University lands presidential debate

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Dr. Abdullah said debates often are hosted at universities because of the opportunity it presents to involve and engage students. He said the selection team also was impressed by VSU’s history and the quality of its venue.

But he also believes the strength of his team sealed the deal.

“Once we were told we were selected, we were just so thankful that I’m honestly not sure we ever asked why,” he said.

Partnerships abound

Dr. Abdullah added a disclaimer about VSU’s good fortune— that talking about his achievements is impossible without considering how many people contributed to the work.

He mentioned VSU’s partnerships with the governor’s office and General Assembly and points to the fact that, although still lower than its 30-year high of more than 6,200, VSU has seen increasing enrollment numbers for the past three years after nearly a decade of steady decline. The school also has improved graduation and retention rates.

“Our HBCUs, even the ones that have challenges, are graduating an incredible cohort of young people who are going out to change the world,” Dr. Abdullah said. “I’m excited about the future of HBCUs and Virginia State.”

Similar thoughts are being spoken in Richmond.

“Governor Youngkin is thrilled that Virginia State University will have the distinguished honor to be the first historically black college and university to host a presidential debate,” said Christian Martinez, the governor’s press secretary.

“This honor not only reflects VSU’s pivotal role in the Commonwealth’s higher education ecosystem but also underscores the vital role HBCUs play in our nation’s educational and cultural landscape. Gov. Youngkin is proud that VSU will be standing at the forefront of the national dialogue, providing a critical platform for candidates to present their visions for the future

City Council postpones budget adoption

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among speakers who begged city council to tackle needed repairs and other crucial needs.

Mayor Stoney’s proposed budget would allocate $2.5 million in Capital Improvements Plan funding to RPS, more than $237 million in operating costs and $31 million for the special fund, with a total fiscal amount of more than $271 million. Yet, the amount is about half of the $534.5 million budget that the School Board approved in February.

“We’re facing issues with wear and tear, we have tiles that are buckling, we have bathrooms without soap dispensers, there are water pipes in the ceiling that have burst,” said Steven Strauss, a seventh-grade English teacher at the four-year-old River City Middle School and treasurer for the Richmond Education Association.

“I just wonder what our school is going to look like in five or 10 years if some of these maintenance issues aren’t addressed,” he said. I’m asking you all to fully fund the budget.”

The capital improvement funding plan drew sharp criticism from several speakers who compared it to other proposed budget items such as improvements to Brown’s Island and funding for The Richmond Police Department.

Council members, in response, thanked the audience for their advocacy and emphasized their belief in the importance of a fully funded school system, while making clear that the development of the annual budget was still very much in progress.

“I want you all to understand that the budget comes to us and it is our job as council members to look at that budget and present amendments,” Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch said.

“Every year the RPS budget has gone up $10 million, $20 million, $30 million above and beyond its operating budget and every year, we have found a way to fully fund it, because our children are our future and they are the most important and precious assets that we have in this community.”

Ms. Lynch also said City Council is working to support amendments members agreed on when they met with the group Richmond Involved to Strengthen Our Communities during its Nehemiah Action Assembly, in addition to an amendment giving the right to counsel for those facing eviction.

However, she was clear that Monday’s meeting was only the start of a long decision-making process for some of the most critical aspects of Richmond.

“The ballgame is not over,” Ms. Lynch said. “This process really starts now. Amendments are due for council members on Wednesday, and we’re not done with this budget yet.”

City Council also approved ordinances and resolutions focused on infrastructure, an application to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program to fund Safe Routes to School programs at certain schools in the city, and a grant contract for the to continue operating the Health Equity Trust Fund.

City Council’s public hearings on ordinances regarding a collective bargaining agreement between the Richmond government and the Richmond Firefighters Association, the special use of properties for family housing and a Diamond District stadium, and relocating polling places will take place Monday, May 13, at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. and Monday, June 10, at 6 p.m., respectively.

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win after win.

Meanwhile, Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials confirmed Wednesday. The U.S. is providing more of the Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, in the new military aid package, according to one official who was not authorized to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Still, longer term, it remains uncertain if

of our country.”

Much preparation goes into hosting presidential debates — safety, security, traffic management, and technology upgrades will need to be in place to support the media onslaught on the campus and surrounding areas.

The exact cost for VSU has yet to be determined. However, the school sees the debate as an investment that will benefit the university, students, community, and the state in the short and long term.

“We are in the early stages of planning. However, we have a great working relationship with our neighboring communities,” said Dr. Gwen Williams Dandridge, assistant vice president for communications at VSU. “We have been in conversations with numerous public and private partners who want to support us and be a part of this historic event.” Petersburg shares spotlight

Petersburg also is preparing for the debate. City police are meeting with VSU, State Police, Colonial Heights, and Chesterfield. According to Joanne Williams, the city’s director of communications, tourism, marketing, and tovernment relations, the city will seek assistance from the state. The $4 million budget earmarked for the city’s preparations already has been exhausted, she said.

“The governor and the legislature will have to work together to provide us with additional funding,” Ms. Williams said. “Budget decisions are happening now because there are so many things to consider. For example, the police will require special equipment for the debate, and we’ll need overtime for emergency and frontline workers. Plus, we’ll need additional sanitation pickups. But we are thrilled that Petersburg will be in the national spotlight.”

She hopes the media will concentrate heavily on Petersburg and help raise its profile on a national level. Petersburg is known for its famous Civil War battles, but she wants people to learn

more about the city.

Ms. Williams also is hopeful the debate will positively impact the city’s hospitality industry.

Examples include the Dixie Restaurant, which serves Southern food. Additionally, the four-star Hotel Petersburg’s renovation will be completed before the October debate.

“It will be good for business in Downtown Petersburg and the Historic Old Towne Petersburg District,” Ms. Williams added.

“For us to have various members of the media saying they are broadcasting live from the campus of Virginia State University will bring a lot of pride to members of our community,” Dr. Abdullah said.

At least for one day, he added, VSU “will be the center of the world.” — George Copeland Jr. contributed to this report.

Setting the stage

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curriculum to align directly with the debate and the political process,” said Dr. Gwen Williams Dandridge, assistant vice president for communications at VSU. “We are holding voter registration at the majority of campus events, and we are planning events to incorporate grades K-12 into debate activities as we recognize the significance of this historic event.”

In February, VSU hosted a Zoom talk with Dr. Meldon Hollis, an advocate for HBCUs who served in Presidents Jimmy Carter’s and Barack Obama’s administrations. In March, the university staged an HBCU Voter Empowerment Conference that featured political commentators Symone Sanders-Townsend, a host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” and Dr. Wendy Osefo, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and one of the stars of Bravo TV’s “The Real Housewives of Potomac.” — Jennifer Robinson

Mayor Stoney drops Va. governor bid, will run for lieutenant governor

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in a state that’s tended to reward moderate candidates. Her bid could also be a history-making one: Virginia has never had a female governor

Rep. Spanberger, who was first elected to Congress in 2018 as part of a wave of female candidates who helped Democrats retake the U.S. House that year, recently secured the nomination of Clean Virginia.

The big-spending advocacy group founded by a wealthy investor to counter the influence of Dominion Energy at the state Capitol has given enormous sums to candidates it has backed in recent years and pledged an initial contribution of $250,000.

Her campaign said in a statement that Virginians were uniting behind her candidacy “because they know she has the experience to bring people together, get things done, and lead the Commonwealth forward.”

All three of Virginia’s statewide state government offices — governor, lieutenant

governor and attorney general — are currently held by Republicans and will be on the ballot next year. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, like all Virginia governors, is prohibited from seeking a second term.

While no Republicans have formally announced statewide campaigns yet, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are seen as likely contenders in the gubernatorial race.

Mayor Stoney will join what’s shaping up to be a crowded race for lieutenant governor, a role that involves presiding over the state Senate and is often a stepping stone to higher office.

Shortly after Mayor Stoney announced his decision, Democratic state Sen. Aaron Rouse formally announced his own candidacy for lieutenant governor. Sen. Rouse, a retired NFL player and former Virginia Beach councilman, said he has secured the support of more than two dozen elected officials around the state, including the state Senate budget committee chairwoman, Sen.

L. Louise Lucas, and Sen. Mamie Locke, the Senate Democratic caucus chair. “I’ve built my career on winning in tough spots when it matters — whether it be under the glare of NFL lights or flipping the State Senate seat needed to ensure we blocked Republicans’ assaults on reproductive freedom and voting rights,” said Sen. Rouse, who had a hand in some of this year’s high-profile legislation.

Dr. Babur Lateef, an ophthalmologist and surgeon who serves as chairman of the Prince William County School Board, entered the race last month and other candidates from both parties are expected to join.

Mayor Stoney, who launched his gubernatorial campaign in a video that highlighted his modest upbringing and the struggles he overcame to become the first in his family to graduate from high school and college, said he would use the lieutenant governor post to ensure every Virginia family gets the same “fair shot at success.”

School Board reviews conduct proposal for members

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The revisions are based on board member suggestions relating to the conduct of its own members during interactions with students. The current conduct policy does not address board member behavior when interacting with students.

Among the proposed revisions discussed, board members must not:

• Unnecessarily invade students’ personal privacy, such as encouraging students to disclose personal or family problems or relationships.

• Have a conversation about or disclose personal, sexual, family or other private matters to students.

• Have physical contact with students, such as touching, grabbing, rubbing or hugging.

• Communicate or interact with students in a way that may be perceived as overly familiar nor should they address students or allow students to address them with personalized terms of endearment, pet names or otherwise in an overly familiar manner.

Single out a specific student or group of students for personal attention or friendship beyond professional interactions.

• Engage in banter, illusions, jokes or

Ukraine — after months of losses and sustaining massive damage to its infrastructure — can make enough progress to sustain American political support before burning through the latest influx of money.

“It’s not going in the Ukrainians’ favor in the Donbas, certainly not elsewhere in the country,” said White House national security spokesman John Kirby, referring to the eastern industrial heartland where Ukraine has suffered setbacks.

“Mr. Putin thinks he can play for time. So we’ve got to try to make up some of that time.”

Tucked into the measure is a provision that gives TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, nine months to sell it or face a nationwide prohibition in the United States. The Biden administration and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have called the social media site a growing national security concern, which ByteDance denies.

The bill also includes about $26 billion in

innuendos of sexual nature with students or engage in what could be perceived as flirtatious interactions with students.

• Conduct private conversations with students unrelated to school activities or the well-being of students, and that take place in locations inaccessible to others.

• Take photographs of students with their own device or post any photographs with or of students on social media without the consent of the parent, guardian or student unless the student is 18 years of age or older.

• Board members also are required to be mindful of personal space when interacting with students and be vigilant about whether their conduct is causing discomfort, distress or emotional harm.

During the meeting, board members raised concerns around the proposed rules about taking photos with students. Stephanie Rizzi, 5th District, suggested the revisions should include the opt-out policy for photos. The opt-out policy allows parents and guardians to opt-out of their student having photos taken at school. Without this policy mentioned in the revisions, Ms. Rizzi noted that board members would not be able to take photos with students even if parents and guardians do not opt-out of photos.

aid for Israel and a surge of about $1 billion in humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza suffering as the Israel-Hamas war continues.

President Biden said Israel must ensure the humanitarian aid for Palestinians in bill reaches Gaza “without delay.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson delayed a vote on the supplemental aid package for months as members of his party’s far right wing, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, threatened to move to oust him if he allowed a vote to send more assistance to Ukraine. Those threats persist.

Former President Trump, the presumptive 2024 presidential GOP nominee, has complained that European allies have not done enough for Ukraine. While he stopped short of endorsing the supplemental funding package, his tone has shifted in recent days, acknowledging that Ukraine’s survival is important to the United

Mariah White, 2nd District, suggested there could be different interpretations of the policy based on the proposed revisions. Ms. White said she will make a motion to accept the policy in the next meeting once further revisions are made.

The School Board also discussed staffing shortages. There are currently 185 teacher vacancies, including 84 for the elementary level, 62 for the middle school level and 39 for the high school level, according to a presentation by Chief Talent Officer Maggie Clemmons.

Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, was questioned why there are so many vacancies that are not actively being recruited for. Ms. Gibson recalled receiving a list of 272 vacant positions not being pursued for recruitment, including 111 teacher positions.

“The job of the talent office is to fill vacancies,” Ms. Gibson said. “So to see a list with 272 positions that are currently vacant that we’re not recruiting for does cause some pause.”

Ms. Gibson requested a detailed breakdown for more clarity on why there are so many vacancies and where the funds from the budget meant for staff pay is going if the vacancies are not being targeted for recruitment.

States.

Indeed, many European leaders have long been nervous that a second Trump presidency would mean decreased U.S. support for Ukraine and for the NATO military alliance. The European anxiety was heightened in February when Mr. Trump in a campaign speech warned NATO allies that he “would encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to countries that don’t meet defense spending goals if he returns to the White House.

President Biden lamented that the package did not include money to bolster U.S. border security. The White House had proposed including in the package provisions it said would have helped stem the tide of migrants and asylum seekers coming to the U.S. Republicans, however, rejected the proposal at the urging of Mr. Trump, who did not want to give President Biden the win on an issue that’s been an albatross for the Democratic administration.

size

and incorporate

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden plans $31M expansion

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is breaking ground on a two-year expansion project. Called “Thrive,” the $31 million project will nearly double the size of the existing Conservatory, add 7.5 acres of new gardens, and incorporate an additional lake into the Garden experience. The result will be increased opportunities for connections, wellness, learning and resiliency.

“The reason behind the expansion is to better serve our community and beyond,” said Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s President and CEO Brian Trader. “The Garden has seen dramatic growth and a reach extending across the Commonwealth. Thrive is the natural next step in the Garden’s work supporting lifelong learning and environmental sustainability.”

Herbs Galore descends on Maymont

Free Press staff report

Maymont’s Herbs Galore plant sale event on Saturday promises that herb lovers will find everything they need to freshen up their gardens. The fun occurs between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the Carriage House Lawn, 1700 Hampton St. This year’s festivities include a bounty of herbs, annuals, perennials, vegetables, trees, plus garden accessories and garden-inspired goodies from large nurseries and specialty plant growers, too. More than 90 vendors will sell native and exotic plants and unique gift items, including yarrow, the 2024 Herb of the Year.

Local food and beverage vendors and live music and vendor demos will be available for shoppers, plus activities for all ages at the Education Station presented by Genworth. Be sure to check out the Historic Garden Tour, a narrated audio tour available for purchase in the Stone Barn Welcome Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 16, and free for children under age 3. Maymont members pay no admission.

Advance ticket reservations may be made in person by visiting The Robins Nature Center, 2201 Shields Lake Drive, or Stone Barn Welcome Center, 1700 Hampton St. Museums for Participants may reserve free admission for themselves and up to three guests by presenting an EBT card.

Yarrow, 2024 Herb of the Year Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a summerblooming member of the aster family that produces multiple long-lasting blossoms in flat-topped clusters in a variety of colors. Popular with pollinators and herbalists, yarrow has been selected by the International Herb Association as the 2024 Herb of the Year. It’s found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and easily identified by its feathery, fern-like leaves. Over millennia, people of many cultures have found hundreds of beneficial uses for yarrow for medicinal and digestive potions and dyeing fabrics.

Wick Lake: Will be incorporated into the guest experience, including Martha’s Way, a walking trail that encircles the lake. Enhancements will increase the lake’s size to four acres, adding wildlife habitat, creating a living classroom, and serving as a filtration system for water pollutants.

Kroger Community Kitchen Garden: Expansion to include a demonstration garden growing produce for Feed More, plus more fruit trees, berries and vegetables.

Since construction is behind the Conservatory in areas not normally accessible to the public, there will be minimal impact on Garden guests. The Conservatory will stay open throughout 2024. However, the Garden will not have the Butterflies LIVE! exhibit in 2024 or 2025, according to Garden officials.

Also, the expansion is not related to the Garden’s purchase of 6.2 acres from Lakeside Baptist Church, which Henrico County is supporting. Ownership of that property will not transfer until July 2025, and master site planning must be done before any plans are envisioned. Updates about the “Thrive” expansion project will be shared at lewisginter.org.

Specifically, the project will provide muchneeded space for new guest experiences and programming; increase outdoor classroom learning opportunities; advance collections and create more diverse gardens; and expand the Kroger Community Kitchen Garden, allowing for more produce to be grown for regional food bank Feed More. Details include: Conservatory: Nearly doubling in size with the addition of tropical and subtropical houses, including a permanent butterfly house; conversion of existing houses to Mediterranean and desert climates. New Gardens: 7.5 acres of new gardens around the Conservatory and Wick Lake.

Wed., May 15 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Courtesy of VMFA

The

Courtesy Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s $31 million expansion project will nearly double the

of the existing Conservatory, add 7.5 acres of new gardens,

an additional lake into the Garden experience.

Free Press staff report

Palpable relief doesn’t ease the pain

For anyone who owns a home or land, it has become common to receive a text or letter from a persistent real estate agent or investor offering to purchase their property. In most Black communities, where homeowners have labored long and hard to acquire a home for themselves or family members, the response to such predators is a polite — or not so polite — “no.”

So imagine the distress experienced by so many Black families when Christopher Newport University, propped up by the city of Newport News, came along several decades ago claiming eminent domain. In short, eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property and convert it to public use.

Last fall, journalist Brandi Kellam’s well-researched and well-written articles for the Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism and ProPublica provided a stunning look at how CNU expanded its campus, increased student enrollment and grew its reputation on the backs of Newport News’ middle-class Black residents, who were forced from their homes by eminent domain some 60-plus years ago.

Over a two-year period, Ms. Kellam met with former residents of the Shoe Lane community, learning about their lives through interviews and decades-old photographs. Many of the community’s residents or their ancestors had owned property in the community since the early 1900s.

Ms. Kellam and her colleagues pored through countless land, legal and municipal documents and records, retracing the steps taken to expand CNU, which, in 1964, moved to its current location housed on a 75-acre tract of land. Today, CNU’s expansion has reduced the Shoe Lane neighborhood in Newport News to just five houses, Ms. Kellam noted.

Ms. Kellam’s VCIJ and ProPublica report garnered wide attention not just in Virginia, but in other Virginia cities and other states where similar actions occurred involving Black communities.

One result of Ms. Kellam’s probe came earlier this year when a Virginia commission was established to scrutinize four decades of CNU’s property acquisitions, probing the decisions that led to locating and expanding its campus in the midst of a once-thriving Black community.

In January, Delegate Delores McQuinn, 81st District, introduced legislation to establish the commission. It is to include 10 legislators, the state’s two top education officials and seven members of the public, according to news reports. The commission’s funding will be $28,760 per year for members’ expenses. Commission staff will be paid separately by the state Division of Legislative Services.

The Virginia legislature’s action represents a milestone for the budding national movement to seek compensation for families dispossessed by university expansion, Ms. Kellam’s subsequent reporting revealed.

Yet the fact that Black land and property were so willfully taken will never soothe the pain of Shoe Lane’s former homeowners.

In a recent interview, Delegate McQuinn said that after she read the VCIJ and ProPublica articles last fall, “it made my blood boil.”

Rather than let her anger fester, she was compelled to act.

“The bottom line is that land had been in the Black community forever,” she said. “The land was unfairly confiscated by Jim Crow tactics described by Blacks as being ‘slicked out of their land,’ by white people.

After exploring the matter further and speaking with a couple of attorneys, Delegate McQuinn quickly gained support in her efforts to find a way to repair some of the damage inflicted upon dozens of Black families. Ultimately, she was successful in introducing House Bill 1066.

The Bill reads: The Commission to Study the History of the Uprooting of Black Communities by Public Institutions of Higher Education in the Commonwealth establishes the 19-member legislative Commission to Study the History of the Uprooting of Black Communities by Public Institutions of Higher Education for the purpose of studying and determining (i) whether any public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth has purchased, expropriated, or otherwise taken possession of property owned by any individual within the boundaries of a community in which a majority of the residents are Black in order to establish or expand the institution’s campus and (ii) whether and what form of compensation or relief would be appropriate for any such individual or any of his lineal descendants.

“I was surprised that it happened the first time that it was introduced,” she said of the measure.

“I have to thank my colleagues, the appropriations chair (Delegate McQuinn just so happens to sit on that very committee) and the Speaker of the House (Don Scott, Virginia’s first Black Speaker of the House.)”

Delegate McQuinn’s relief for the support she gained is palpable.

“I’m grateful we were able to get this process done,” she said. “It’s imperative that we look at these issues because it still impacts us today.”

Black voters traditionally have been pivotal to the fortunes of the Democratic Party, but some recent polls have suggested that they are proving less bankable for President Biden than in the past. Whether or not as many as 20% of Black voters have in fact deserted the Democrats, as some recent polls suggest, is a contested matter. But it’s probably fair to say that Demo crats currently are in more of a defensive than a growth mode with that portion of the electorate.

But what of Donald Trump and evangelicals? Does the same apply?

Historically, what we used to know as the evangelical bloc has meant a lot to the GOP base, much like Black voters have been crucial to the Democratic base. But both of these truisms are looking less reliable this time around as we see churchgoing declining in America and more factions developing within a previously homogenous bloc. Abortion politics comes into play

here too, and Mr. Trump’s stance on the issue not only has been near impossible to pin down, but also has appeared to many evangelicals to be a matter of political expediency, not sincere moral conviction. That said, it’s also true that the idea of a single evangelical point of view is looking increasingly dated as cultural and political earthquakes have erupted inside the church just as they have

within our current presidential race. Clearly, some of former President Trump’s statements in recent months have driven a wedge between his campaign and religious voters, particularly those all-important evangelicals.

In April, for example, he said he believed abortion should be regulated at the state level, with very little interference from the federal government. His statements were met with strong backlash from the very same anti-abortion rights groups that had celebrated his appointment of the Supreme Court justices who helped write the landmark decision to overturn the Roe v.

Wade ruling.

Mr. Trump’s head-spinning logic was impossible to follow. He took credit for the decision the three Trump-appointed justices helped make, but he then appeared to turn against its consequences, saying the states should make their own decisions about regulating abortion.

Mr. Trump’s new position infuriated the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America organization, which favors a federal ban on abortion nationwide and condemned Mr. Trump’s comments as a “morally indefensible position for a self-proclaimed pro-life presidential candidate.” That should hardly have come as a surprise. The issue now for Republicans, and Mr. Trump, is whether it will matter. And there’s a growing sense within Mr. Trump’s presidential campaign that he actually can afford some erosion of the traditional Republican support coming from evangelicals. That’s because Mr. Trump’s most impactful base of support in the 2016 primary contest came from a rising group in the GOP whose impact has been largely unnoticed: Republicans who are thoroughly disinterested in

churches, synagogues or other places of worship.

It’s reasonable to assume that in 2024, the number of churchgoing Republicans has declined even further. Significantly so.

And thus, they matter less to the ever-expedient Mr. Trump’s campaign for president.

Dozens of books and other media have been produced to try to explain the unexpected bond between white evangelical Christians and Mr. Trump’s populist MAGA movement. Or so everyone has been thinking.

But it might well be that they are missing the bigger point.

There simply are fewer Republican evangelicals these days, and the MAGA crowd now is better able to get along just fine without them.

The writer is a columnist for The Chicago Tribune.

it’s funny. And it’s true. But I’m not lazy; I just wonder a lot. As a farmer, I’m exposed to so many things in nature that just leave me in a state of awe.

I asked Jeanne, “What gives you a sense of wonder?” She didn’t hesitate: “Daffodils and young calves running.”

I wonder at those, too. A bunch of newborn calves running with their tails in the air and their mothers chasing after them is a sight to behold.

I stand in amazement every time our border collie does an outrun to bring a herd of cattle to the barn. Tree swallows arrived on our farm this year on March 14. Each year, I wonder when they will come; that’s when spring begins for me. They migrate here from Florida, Cuba and Mexico to nest and raise their young. When I see rays of sunshine beaming through holes in big white and gray puffy clouds, I have to stop and wonder. It’s just so beautiful and awe inspiring. A ray of that light starts one of the greatest natural processes on the planet: photosynthesis. It’s what gives us green pastures for our cows to graze in. It’s what makes trees’ leaves grow and then fall into streams to feed the aquatic ecosystem. We had

thousands of native trees and shrubs planted along the water courses on our farm to support this miraculous process and to provide wildlife habitat.

My wife and I are regen farmers. “Regen” is short for “regenerative,” meaning we produce wholesome food while regenerating our land’s ecosystem services, such as the production of clean water, clean

air, wildlife habitat and renewable energy. We raise beef cattle — they’re ruminants, which have multiple stomachs that make them capable of digesting the cellulose in grass. Cows, and other grazing ruminants such as sheep and goats, are mobile cellulose-digesting protein and fertilizer factories. These animals harvest their own food and fertilize the soil, which makes the grass grow more vigorously. This regenerative cycle helps the planet too: The more vigorously a plant grows, the more carbon it captures from the air, reducing greenhouse gasses. The rays of sun beam down. The grasses and trees grow, capturing carbon from the air. The rays of sun also beam down on the solar panels we installed on one of our barns, producing renewable energy. I stand and wonder as the direct current from the solar panels hums through the inverters, converting it to alternating current before it enters the grid. We would like to install more solar panels, but our utility company limits the production of renewable energy that can go

into its grid.

Those human actions inspire a different kind of wondering: Why would the utility companies and the government restrict our ability to produce renewable energy? And that kind of wondering should lead to action, not standing around.

Senate Bill 697, introduced this past legislative session, intended to remove local government authority for utility scale solar until the locality reached a cap of 4% of its land in panels. Control of solar siting rested with the State Corporation Commission. The bill was tabled until next year because it met with so much resistance from local governments, but that gives us an opportunity to work together and get the bill right. I wonder: Can we reduce the cap to 1% or 2% with the caveat that localities adopt stringent siting ordinances?

We don’t have time to stand around. The demand for electricity in Virginia has never been higher or more complicated. The Virginia Clean Economy Act sunsets fossil fuel electric generation by 2050. And Virginia is now the world’s epicenter for data centers, which suck at least 20% of Dominion Energy’s supply, and plans for more data centers are in the unsecured “nobody’s watching” pipeline.

As the country observes Earth Day, our Virginia legislators could — and should — remove barriers for properly sited solar installations.

The writer is a farmer in the Shenandoah Valley, a watershed restoration consultant and an award-winning author. This commentary originally appeared on VirginiaMercury.com.

Clarence Page

Bobby Whitescarver

An American lament

It’s tough being an American. It’s hard to know your worth when you’re Black, or Latino, Native American or Asian, Muslim, gay or whatever. Seems today’s patriotic ideal American isn’t any of “those people,” as the powerful spend considerable time and nefarious energy to exert dominance by any means possible.

to not harbor patriotic mindsets is arguably a clear and present danger to our democracy’s best interests.

It’s tough being an American, considering that only about 1% of adult Americans are in uniform, with most young people saying they don’t want to engage in some dreamed-up war, or they just don’t want to die for their country.

contemporary concepts of patriotism now worn with skewed stripes of red, white and blue. Red states, blue states — but White Supremacy is trying to reign throughout.

It’s done through gerrymandering, through restricting hard-won voting rights — but most of all through intimidation. Witness armed Americans challenging the Michigan Legislature, and then going criminally further with a faux militia plot to kidnap the governor. Of course, nothing can approach feeling less than American as we watched an armed mob storm the United States Capitol in the immediate aftermath of a presidential election. They were led by folks with such lovely monikers as Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Even the wife of a Black Supreme Court Justice took part in that beauty.

Remember, some called it an insurrection. Others called it a riot. Many of our congresspeople euphemistically and unapologetically called it a whimsical stroll through the Capitol — when mere days earlier they were hiding, fearing for their lives as the Confederate flag waltzed through the National Statuary Hall.

It’s tough being an American when you see spiraling homelessness in the world’s most prosperous country. It’s tough being an American when there’s 50% more carbon dioxide in the air than before the Industrial Revolution. It’s tough being an American taxpayer when one’s disappearing wages go to Uncle Sam in outsized amounts compared to the wealthy. It’s tough being an American woman who has no say-so over her fertility or pregnancy in an increasing number of states.

It’s tough being an American when schoolchildren engage in duck-and-cower exercises in case of an active-shooter scenario. It’s tough to be an American parent when teachers and librarians fear for their livelihoods if they promote equality or diversity. American parents also must contend with the sad trend of declining test scores in math and reading among fourthand eighth-grade kids.

American patriotism has faced a steep decline among young adults over the last decade, and now sits at a record low, according to a recent Gallup survey. Bigger picture: Younger adults are significantly less proud to be an American than older generations; only 4 in 10 U.S. adults say they are “extremely proud” to be an American, also near a record low.

National service is a relic, a thing of a more harmonious past. And for today’s populace

The all-volunteer military is in a crisis, with 2024 on track to see a record low in military recruitment, our government

Dwight Cunningham

says. Consequently, we will have the smallest active duty force since 1940.

Defense Department officials are at wit’s end after last year’s 41,000 shortfall, which hit the Army, Navy and Air Force. (Only the Marine Corps and Space Force met recruiting goals.)

Things are so bad that the Air Force last October raised its maximum age limit for recruits to 42.

Moreover, the military has to contend with drawing recruits from a stressed-out society.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, global conflicts, racism and racial injustice, inflation and climate-related disasters are all weighing on the collective consciousness of Americans,” according to the latest “Stress in America” survey conducted by the Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association.

What once was pride in our nation has been hijacked, with

How can we be considered great as the nation struggled through a pandemic where 1 million Americans died, in large measure because their government promoted lies and conspiracies led by a president who trumpeted drinking bleach and shining light inward instead of wearing masks?

It’s tough being an American when that same former president and presidential candidate today sits in a criminal courtroom, with a bevy of federal and state trials on his horizon — including storing top-secret war plans in his bathroom.

Why on earth would anyone want those? Except Iran, where we are in a proxy war with Israel leading the genocidal charge. And with our nation’s blessing, more than 33,000 Palestinians have died — so far. Most of them were women, children and the elderly as Israel uses American-made munitions to kill, maim and otherwise obliterate the Gaza homeland and Palestinian culture.

It is tough being an American living with such unpatriotic and undemocratic actions — and fearing for our collective future. It is just so un-American.

The writer is a retired journalist, an Air Force veteran, emergency manager and former university instructor. He lives in South Carolina.

The Associated Press

Google recently fired at least 20 more workers in the aftermath of protests over technology the company is supplying the Israeli government amid the Gaza war, bringing the total number of terminated staff to more than 50, a group representing the workers said.

It’s the latest sign of internal turmoil at the tech giant centered on “Project Nimbus,” a $1.2 billion contract signed in 2021 for Google and Amazon to provide the Israeli government with cloud computing and artificial intelligence services.

Workers held sit-in protests last week at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, Calif. The company responded by calling the police, who made arrests.

The group organizing the protests, No Tech For Apartheid, said the company fired 30 workers last week — higher than the initial 28 they had announced.

Then, on Tuesday night, Google fired “over 20” more staffers, “including non-participating bystanders during last week’s protests,” said Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For

Apartheid, without providing a more specific number.

“Google’s aims are clear: the corporation is attempting to quash dissent, silence its workers, and reassert its power over them,” Ms. Chung said in a press release. “In its attempts to do so, Google has decided to unceremoniously, and without due process, upend the livelihoods of over 50 of its own workers.”

Google said it fired the additional workers after its investigation gathered details from coworkers who were “physically disrupted” and it identified employees who used masks and didn’t carry their staff badges to hide their identities. It didn’t specify how many were fired.

The company disputed the group’s claims, saying that it carefully confirmed that “every single one of those whose employment was terminated was personally and definitively involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”

The Mountain View, Calif., company had previously signaled that more people could be fired, with CEO Sundar Pichai indicating in a blog post that employees would be on a short leash as the company intensifies its efforts to improve its AI technology.

The Associated Press

A cyclist rides past the sign outside Google offices in Sunnyvale, Calif., last Thursday. Google has fired 28 employees who were involved in protests over the tech company’s cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

Drake Maye

Watch your step.

Few revolving doors have spun as fast as the door leading to the Washington Commanders’ quarterback room.

Since 2018, the NFL’s D.C. franchise has employed 12 different starters, most recently Sam Howell in 2023.

Howell has since been traded to Seattle.

Which brings us to 2024 and “the next” starter in the Burgundy & Gold …

That will almost certainly be decided Thursday, April 25, with the second pick in the NFL draft from Detroit.

After Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams is named first overall by the Chicago Bears, Washington is highly likely to select one of these three QBs with pick No. 2.

Here are the tantalizing options:

Jayden Daniels (LSU): 6-foot-4, 210 pounds; won Heisman Trophy on strength of 3,812 yards passing with 40 touchdowns, and 1,134 yards rushing with 10 TDs. LSU went 10-3 overall, defeating Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Drake Maye (North Carolina): 6-foot-4, 230 pounds; the 2022 ACC player of year, he passed for 3,608 yards and 24 TDs in 2023 with 449 rushing yards and nine TDs. UNC went 8-5, losing five of its last seven, including a setback to West Virginia in the Mayo Bowl.

J.J. McCarthy (Michigan): 6-foot-2½, 219 pounds; completed 72 percent of his passes for 2,991 yards and 21 TDs; ran for 202 yards and three TDs. Led Michigan to the national championship with a win over the University of Washington and posted a 27-1 winning percentage in Ann Arbor. Washington hasn’t enjoyed much QB continuity since Kirk Cousins started all 16 games in the 2015-2017 seasons.

This year’s selection is likely to be Washington’s fourth, first round QB pick this century, following Patrick Ramsey in 2002; Jason Campbell in ’05; Robert Griffin in ’12; and Dwayne Haskins in ’19.

The Virginia Union University golf team has earned the right to point to the sky and shout: “We’re No. 1.”

Led by medalist Travon Willis, the Panthers won the eight-team, CIAA Golf Tournament held April 15-16 in Southern Pines, N.C.

A graduate student, Willis took top honors with rounds of 69, 70 and 70 for a 54-hole total of 209.

He was followed by teammates Alkin Barkley (215); Joseph Graham (220); Zaccheus Spann (224); and Brady Wood (234).

VUU’s overall team score of 868 bested runner-up Fayetteville State’s 873. Virginia State was fourth at 910.

Willis was named CIAA Golfer of the Year while VUU’s E. Lee Coble won Coach of the Year accolades.

Morgan Price has made gymnastics history – just like her coach did decades earlier.

A sophomore at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn., Price on April 13 became the first HBCU athlete to win the USA Gymnastics All-Around title.

The Lebanon, Tenn., native prevailed with an overall score of 39.225 in West Chester, Pa. She scored 9.85 on the floor, 9.85 on the vault, 9.8 on bars and 9.75 on balance beam.

In 2023, Fisk (nickname the Bulldogs) became the first HBCU in the nation to sponsor a gymnastics team – known affectionately as the “Gym Dogs.”

Fisk’s coach is Corrinne Tarver, who in 1989 was the first Black woman to win the same all-around title while competing for the University of Georgia.

The Gym Dogs’ fame is spreading. Price, 18, was interviewed April 15 on CBS Mornings. Price told her TV audience that Tarver was her first Black coach since taking up the sport at age 2. Price’s brother, Chris Price, played baseball in the Kansas City Royals’ farm system and her mother, Marsha, is a former Vanderbilt University cheerleader.

Stories by Fred Jeter

Joel Embiid sports the colors red, white and blue for his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers.

So it’s fitting he’ll wear red, white and blue for the United States for the upcoming Olympics in Paris.

Born in Cameroon, the 7-foot Embiid could have played for either the U.S., France or his native land when the Olympics commence July 26. He has citizenship in all three nations but never committed to the Olympics until now.

“It was a tough decision, obviously,” he told the media. “I love all the options.”

With the third and seventh picks of the WNBA draft, the skies brightened over Chicago.

The new-look Chicago Sky has added the towering presence of 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardozo (picked third) and 6-foot-3 Angel Reese (No. 7 selection).

Cardozo, who earned the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) award for leading South Carolina to an undefeated season and NCAA championship, hails from Brazil.

Baltimore native Reese was MOP a year ago in helping LSU to the NCAA crown. This season, she was Southeastern Conference player of year.

Reese, famous for her long eyelashes and flowing locks, has changed her LSU nickname of “Bayou Barbie” to “Chi Barbie,” to fit the occasion.

The Sky was 18-22 a year ago but has since hired a new coach, Teresa Weath-

The

erspoon, and new general manager, Jeff Pagliocca. Here’s what Pagliocca said about his promising newcomers: On Cardozo: “We are beyond excited about Kamilla. She has everything we want, and we can’t wait for her arrival.”

On Reese: “We are absolutely thrilled to be adding Angel. She fits the identity and culture of our city. Welcome to Chi Town.”

Reese and Cardozo will make their pro debuts May 15 against the Dallas Wings in Dallas.

As expected, Iowa sensation Caitlin Clark (the all-time NCAA scoring champ) was drafted first overall by Indiana.

The Fever will open its pre-season schedule on May 3 at Dallas. Clark’s official debut will be May 14 when the Fever travels to play the Connecticut Sun.

Clark’s four-year, escalating contract

calls for $76,535 this season and $97,582 by 2027. There is plenty of revenue to rake in other than salary.

As in Iowa, where her No. 22 jersey became a bestseller, she will wear No. 22 for Indiana, where there is already a hot market for anything Caitlin. Her endorsement potential is off the charts.

The only state of Virginia selection was Virginia Tech’s 6-foot-6 Elizabeth Kitley, chosen by Las Vegas with the 24th overall pick.

Kitley, the three-time ACC player of year, must sit out this season due to a knee surgery. Her pro debut will be in 2025.

Angel Jackson of Jackson State was the 36th and final pick of the draft by Vegas. She was the lone HBCU selection.

The 6-foot-6 Jackson, who transferred to Jackson State from Southern California, was a three-time SWAC defensive player of the year.

Finishing

Africa.

Boston Marathon, as usual, had an East African flavor.

second among men was Ethiopian Mohamed Esa while Kenyan Catherine Ndereba was the women’s runner-up. Every men’s winner since 2019 has been from East Africa while all the women’s champions since 2018 have hailed from East

Jayden Daniels

Travon

Personality: Rhonda Keyes Pleasants

Spotlight on chair of Family Representative Council of East Marshall Street Well Project

Rhonda Keyes Pleasants entered the funeral industry in 1996 and became a fully licensed funeral director and embalmer in December 2000.

“For me, becoming a mortician was a calling,” Mrs. Pleasants said. “I reached a point in my professional trajectory that it was time for me to answer the call.”

Her journey in the field did not come without its challenges, however.

As a Black female mortician in a male-dominated industry, Mrs. Pleasants, 59, dealt with resistance from her male counterparts, some of whom found humor in her career aspirations. Mrs. Pleasants did not let such attitudes distract her.

“I have proven myself to be knowledgeable and, because I function with a sense of integrity and grace, I feel very comfortable about who I am and what I do, not just as a Black female but as a person,” she said.

Shirley Jean Moore Keyes, Mrs. Pleasants’mother, has been her biggest influence and “has always been the one standing at the finish line, waving me in with every endeavor I have attempted,” Mrs. Pleasants said. Her mother also gave her encouragement on her journey to become a mortician.

“When I made the decision to pursue this career, (my mother) very plainly stated, ‘Always carry yourself like a Christian young lady and don’t sell your soul to move ahead in this male-dominated profession,’” Mrs. Pleasants said.

Mrs. Pleasants has managed the Henry W. Dabney Funeral Home in Ashland since 2017. She also serves as the chair of the Family Representative Council of the East Marshall Street Well Project.

The Well Project was created by Virginia Commonwealth

University (VCU) to memorialize and rebury the unidentified remains found inside the East Marshall Street well in 1994.

The remains are thought to have been discarded by MCV medical staff in the 1800s.

The Well Project’s planning committee created the Family Representative Council to represent descendants of the unnamed individuals. The council makes recommendations on how to study, memorialize and rebury the remains with dignity. Mrs. Pleasants was selected as the chair of the council through the consensus that she would be the best fit for the role.

VCU has made both public and private apologies for the “wrong that was done” and Mrs. Pleasants said she believes the university is doing its part to remedy the situation. She says the “best and most pressing thing” VCU can do to help is provide funding for reburials of the ancestral remains.

“This is very important work that will not cease when the remains are properly buried,” Mrs. Pleasants said. “This is a part of history that should be taught and shared for eternity.”

Meet the chair of the Family Representative Council of the East Marshall Street Well Project and this week’s Personality, Rhonda Keyes Pleasants:

Volunteer position: Chair, Family Representative Council of the East Marshall Street Well Project.

Occupation: Licensed funeral director and embalmer.

Date and place of birth: May 30 in Washington, D.C. I was raised in Virginia Beach.

Where I live now: Henrico

County.

Education: B.S., office automation management (VCU);

A.A.S., funeral services (John Tyler Community College); M.S., disaster science (University of Richmond); and certificate in Christian ministry (Richmond Theological Seminary).

Family: Husband, Charles; two adult children.

East Marshall Street Well

Project (EMSWP): A project conceived by Virginia Commonwealth University to address the discovery of remains and artifacts found in a well during the construction of the Kermes A. Kontos Building on the Medical College of Virginia Campus.

Brief history of the East Marshall Street Well: In 1994, physical remains and artifacts were discovered in a mid-19th century well during the construction of the Kontos medical sciences building. The remains were eventually sent to the Smithsonian Institution and then returned to Richmond in November 2019.

Brief description of well

discovery: The well contained the skeletal remains of over 50 individuals, including nine children (age 14 and younger). Additionally, these remains are those of AfricanAmericans who were used as cadavers for training and then dumped in the well.

Exact location of where the well: The well was located 30 feet below ground near the southeast corner of the Kontos building, closest to East Marshall Street. There is a tree with a wrought-iron fence around it in the approximate location on the plaza between the Kontos building and the Egyptian building.

When and how interest resumed about the remains found in the East Marshall Street Well: VCU mobilized a planning committee and a series of community meetings were held to make the public aware of this discovery and create a process for moving forward with research, interment and memorialization.

The Family Representative Council: A group that was convened in August 2015 and charged with “serving as representatives of the descendant community of the remains that were discovered, to make recommendations to the VCU EMSWP Planning Committee to support the appropriate study, memorialization and reburial with dignity.”

The members: Stacy Burrs; Jennifer Early; Lillie A. Estes (deceased); Carmen Foster; Christopher Green; Joseph Jones; Stephanie Smith; Janet “Queen Nzinga” Taylor; and myself. Crystal Noakes served as a

member of the FRC as well.

When elected chair of the Family Representative Council: I was humbled that my “family members” trusted me to serve in this role. I knew we had a lot of work to do and that I had some big footsteps to follow from our initial chair, Joseph Jones.

Why this is meaningful to me: Being a mortician, I am a staunch advocate for the dead and the ethical treatment of the dead. Everyone deserves a decent final disposition, therefore, it is professionally and ethically important that I be an advocate for these, my ancestors.

No. 1 goal and strategy as chair: The answer is simple: TO GET THE ANCESTRAL

REMAINS BURIED!

Biggest challenge: Working around and through all the moving pieces of such a large project. While this is not something that can be completed hastily or without deep thought, I believe at times things could move a little faster. The COVID-19 pandemic played a huge role in the project stalling.

The joy I have witnessed since being a part of the Family Representative Council: Accompanying the ancestral remains back home to Richmond from the Smithsonian in November 2019.

How community members can get involved with the EMSWP: Keep up with our website, emsw.vcu.edu and watch the newspapers and other media outlets for upcoming events and updates.

Ways I envision ancestral remains being properly celebrated and respected: We plan to incorporate West African burial customs as well as multi-denominational religious customs when burial takes place. Additionally, there will

individuals for medical research.

How I start the day: Prayer, scripture, stretching and a big glass of water all give me a sense of grounding and an attitude of “I Can Handle Anything That Comes My Way!”

The three words that best describe me: Driven, organized, deep thinker.

Best late-night snack: Gummy bears. My music playlist: Roberta Flack, Will Downing and The Winans, to name a few.

A quote that inspires me: Philippians 4:11 – Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.

The best thing my parents taught me: Always act like a lady, tell the truth, and stand for right, even if I have to stand alone.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Shirley Jean Moore Keyes.

Book that influenced me the most: “Becoming” by Michelle Obama. Reading her book, I learned that I can do and be anything if I put my mind to it and continue to “become.”

Next goal: To relearn how to play the piano. I learned as a youngster but didn’t practice enough, so I lost the skill.

Happenings

Jackson Ward preservationist

steeled by cultural bearings and designs

By Jennifer Robinson

By tackling

design and restoration projects no one else would touch, Zarina Fazaldin brings her love of art and historic preservation to the arts community in Richmond.

Kenyan-born, Ms. Fazaldin wanted to pursue the American Dream while growing up in Tanzania. In 1987, she arrived in Richmond for graduate school at Virginia Commonwealth University after attending college in India in 1986.

With dogged persistence, she worked with resolve to make ends meet—from waitressing at the Jefferson Hotel to teaching Swahili at VCU. Other pursuits included elder care and teaching special education courses. She toiled to remain in America because returning to Tanzania meant few opportunities in her homeland.

“I had to either work or go back home, and I didn’t want to return home,” she explained. “There was nothing for me there. I wanted to do more with my life. Many immigrants work hard to stay in the U.S. because we don’t take the opportunities here for granted.”

Ms. Fazaldin and her team at L&Z Historic LLC have

had ideas about being a designer but didn’t want to tell her family about those desires. Her father was in construction in Tanzania. Although she wouldn’t have been able to work in construction in her home country as a woman, she believes her experiences with him — watching him work — gave her the confidence to pursue a career renovating historic structures in Richmond.

She now lives in the former Hughes home, along with tenants who occupy four units in the building. Her apartment is a three-bedroom unit with an office. The large, open-concept living, dining, and kitchen area serves as a hub for arts and culture — her vision for the space she meticulously renovated and designed. “I want this to be a welcoming space for everyone. I want

to life so everyone can appreciate its historical significance, keeping everything intact—the windows, doors, everything,” she said.

Fallen into grave disrepair, the home was designed by Black architect, Charles Thaddeus Russell, in the early 1900s for

spent the last 20 years successfully preserving and designing historic Richmond properties, which she’s turned into affordable housing. Her latest project—a three-year restoration of a historic Jackson Ward home—received a Golden Hammer Award for Best Restoration from the Historic Richmond and Storefront for Community Design partnership in 2021.

The 10,000-square-foot project on St. James Street in Jackson Ward is the culmination of her restoration work that started in 2016. Project development was hampered by COVID-related material delays. She was challenged with labor shortages for highly skilled preservation workers who could preserve every detail of the original structure, which is her highest priority when restoring a structure.

“I wanted to bring it back

Dr. William Hughes, a prominent Black Richmond doctor. It is one of Black Richmond’s historical and architectural treasures and a testament to Jackson Ward’s thriving economic success during that time. In 1948, after Dr. Hughes’death, the house became the Richmond Workshop for the Blind. As such, it was the first African-American workshop and training center for the blind and visually impaired in Richmond.

“I’m so excited that I’ve lived to see this renovation,” said Shirley Hawkins, former assistant supervisor and secretary at the Richmond Workshop for the Blind. Ms. Hawkins recently published a book that chronicles the history of the workshop.

“There was never a dull moment at the workshop and I’m so happy to see the transformation.”

At a young age, Ms. Fazaldin

50 years of service and sisterhood

Women who attended Virginia Commonwealth University and were initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Theta Rho Chapter celebrated their 50th Chartering Anniversary April 20 at the university with a commemorative bench dedication on the university’s main campus. Several of the chapter’s 13 chartering members were in attendance. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was the first Black Greek letter sorority. It was founded at Howard University on Jan. 15, 1908. The Theta Rho Chapter was chartered on the campus of VCU on April 21, 1974, and since that time has engaged in civic and social action and environmental and educational initiatives that represent the sorority’s objectives of improving the conditions and stature of girls and women.

to open my home to artists and musicians who come to Richmond,” adds Ms. Fazaldin, a champion for the Richmond arts scene. “I want them to have a nice place to stay while they’re here.”

In March, she hosted a farewell dinner and fundraiser for Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko, Cicilia Seleyian and Kilenyi John Parsitau, who came to Richmond from Maasailand in Kenya. Money raised that evening from the sale of handmade beaded jewelry and colorful indigenous textiles will help a Maasai school for girls in Kenya. She’s also hosted musicians from Mexico and Ethiopia.

The open-concept living, dining, and kitchen where Ms. Fazaldin hosts events is in the extension of the property that served as the subcontract department for the Richmond Workshop for the Blind, according to Ms. Hawkins.

“I love that the space is now used for weddings, book signings, and all types of events,” Ms. Hawkins said. “The workers did assembly-type work in that room for many local companies like R.J. Reynolds, Phillip Morris and A.H. Robbins. They enjoyed the work and were able to support themselves with their earnings.”

Ms. Falzaldin mentors other women interested in historic renovation but warns that the work requires an interest and a passion for a historic preservation project to be successful.

“Historic credits help, but it all starts with your relationship with bankers,” she said. “Providing bankers with knowledge of historic renovation and preservation will give them the confidence that you know what you’re doing.”

The renovation of the Hughes home marks the end of Ms. Fazaldin’s restoration work. She’s now focused on new construction in historic Carver and Jackson Ward, which will begin later this year.

Yet her passion for historic renovation is everlasting.

“It’s a labor of love,” she said. “You never know what you’ll find when restoring a property. For the Hughes house, we had to deal with major waterproofing in the basement. The joists were rotted from termites and water damage. Finding skilled workers to do the restoration of the brick or windows can be extremely challenging and costly.”

Dr. Colita Fairfax, Alpha Kappa Alpha Mid-Atlantic Archivist and Archives Committee chairperson, speaks during the 50th Chartering Anniversary at VCU on April 20. Charter members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapter at VCU, below, included Gloria Reeves Spratley, Ruth Thompson Hill, Betty Waller Gray, Forrestiner Adams Dickerson and Valerie Warner (left to right). Below left, Dr. Lillian H. Gilliam cuts the ribbon to celebrate the sorority’s 50th Chartering Anniversary at VCU.

Photos by Clement Britt

Bonnie Newman Davis/Richmond Free Press

In March, Zarina Falaldin hosted a farewell dinner and fundraiser for Chief Joseph Ole Tipanko, Cicilia Seleyian and Kilenyi John Parsitau, who came to Richmond from Maasailand in Kenya. Money raised that evening from the sale of handmade beaded jewelry and colorful indigenous textiles will help a Maasai school for girls in Kenya.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press Zarina Fazaldin and her team at L&Z Historic LLC have spent the last 20 years successfully preserving and designing historic Richmond properties, which she’s turned into affordable housing. Her latest project—a three-year restoration of a historic Jackson Ward home—received a Golden Hammer Award for Best Restoration from the Historic Richmond and Storefront for Community Design partnership in 2021. The home’s bright, festive colors remind Ms. Fazaldin of her homeland, Tanzania.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press Zarina Fazaldin poses for a portrait in the home that she bought, restored and now celebrates at 508 St. James St., in Historic Jackson Ward. The home originally was commissioned in 1915 for Dr. William Henry Hughes, pictured in a painting behind her, by Black architect Charles T. Russell.

Hospital Chaplain J.S. Park’s new book explores grief

“The biggest myth I see is that grief is a poison to get past”

By Kathryn Post Religion News Service

“Everything happens for a reason” might be one of the least helpful things you can say to someone who just lost a loved one, according to veteran hospital Chaplain J.S. Park.

But while Chaplain Park understands why people grasp for what he calls “Swiss cheese theology” in moments of loss, working as an interfaith chaplain at a Level 1 trauma center in Tampa, Fla. has taught him that grief is less about letting go and moving on, and more about letting in and moving with.

In his latest book, “As Long as You Need: Permission to Grieve,” Chaplain Park draws on nearly a decade of sitting with people on the worst day of their lives, offering vivid stories from the bedside and his own life to show why an unrushed, authentic approach to grieving allows people to honor their loss for what it is.

Religion News Service spoke to Chaplain Park about how not to talk to the grieving, how Chaplain Park lost and found his Christian faith as a chaplain and where he finds moments of resurrection in a career that routinely faces death.

RNS: What are some of the myths about grief you hope to debunk in this book?

Chaplain Park: The biggest myth I see is that grief is a poison to get past. There’s positive intent there, because the sadness of grief is so hard to deal with. But grief is part of our human process. Trying to insert future hope in the present loss can only harm us, because it’s rushing us toward a conclusion that so many of us are not ready for. The first step out of that myth is to not look away from grief, but to let it in. The reason that loss hurts so much is because that person, that dream, the thing that we lost meant so much to us. How do we honor that?

RNS: What have you found to be some of the most unhelpful ways to respond to grief?

Chaplain Park: There are sugar-coated cliches we use: This is God’s will for your life. Everything happens for a reason. God is using this to refine you. God needed another angel in heaven. We’re offering Swiss cheese theology. It’s handing someone a cobweb on the way down this abyss. I’ve seen it in pop culture too. Be strong. Just think positive. Phrases that try to wrap up grief in a single sentence can be some of the most harmful

things you can say. What you’re really telling this person is, if you just believe this, then your grief will be gone. And it’s almost telling this person their loss doesn’t matter. Instead, the helpful thing would be to look it in the face, name what it is and validate feelings.

RNS: What responses do you find more helpful?

Chaplain Park: Everyone grieves differently. We know the people we love. And if we pause for a moment and empathize, we can find what they need. It’s not necessarily going to be words. Sometimes we’re tired, we’re hungry, or we just want to do something fun. I remember one time I was going through something particularly difficult, and I texted my friend and said: Can I just call you, but I don’t want you to say anything? Just once in a while, breathe kind of loud on the phone so I know you’re there. That’s what I needed at the time. RNS: You write that you lost your faith in two parts. How so?

Chaplain Park: I did lose my faith during my residency, and since then, I probably lost my faith a couple more times. It’s come back, but each time very different. That first time, I lost it in two stages. The first stage was that sugary scaffolding or Swiss cheese theology. Ideas like, if I remain positive, or if I read the Bible enough, things will turn out all right. These kind of transactional ideas about God all fell through. My patients’ suffering just seemed random and haphazard. I would say the harder loss of faith was my loss of a complete sense of safety and security in the universe. I was questioning, is everything

Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47

The Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on “American Idol” and won a Grammy for her 2013 album “Overcomer,” has died. She was 47.

A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tenn., on Thursday. The representative said the cause of Mandisa’s death was not yet known.

Mandisa, whose full name was Mandisa Lynn Hundley, was born near Sacramento, Calif., and grew up singing in church. She gained stardom after finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006.

As she left, host Ryan Seacrest told the singer that she was “a great spirit on the show.”

Mandisa moved on, releasing her debut album in 2007 called “True Beauty,” which

received a Grammy nomination that year for best pop and contemporary gospel album. She went on to release five more albums, including a Christmas album. In 2014, she won a Grammy for best contemporary Christian music album for “Overcomer,” her fifth album.

Mandisa spoke openly about her struggles with depression, releasing a memoir titled “Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy” in 2022

On Friday, the Christian radio network K-Love paid tribute to the singer on social media, stating: “Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles.”

without meaning or purpose? I see what the nurses and doctors do, I even see what the machines do, but what does God do? My trust in this person was broken. It almost felt like at the heart of the universe was this neglectful force.

RNS: What did you come to believe about God?

Chaplain Park: I do want to believe there is this cosmic constant at the center of the universe. That there is inalterable love from God, even when we suffer, and we don’t know why. What’s important for my role as a chaplain is that I’m a presence in the middle of suffering. And I think that’s perhaps what God is. I think of 1 John 4:12: “No one has seen God. But if we love one another, then God’s love lives in us and is made alive in us.” That’s where I’ve landed. It’s hard to believe, but I think it’s also hard not to.

RNS: As a chaplain, you’ve prayed many unanswered prayers. So why pray?

Chaplain Park: I still pray for my patients, and in my own life. As a chaplain, I don’t bring up religion unless they do. But when they ask, I will offer prayer. I can’t say anymore that prayer is a thing where we ask something and God answers in a tangible, physical, outcomes-driven way. Prayer is this avenue of communication with God and a reminder of God’s love for us, regardless of what happens. There are times when I pray and I’m like, gosh, I know what the doctors and nurses said, and this is real bad. I don’t think it’s going to be OK. But if it’s going to bring this patient comfort, I will do it. And I still pray in my own life because I need to talk to God a lot of days. There are times it’s so overwhelming. My prayer has changed from expectation of outcome, to now holding hands with the one I love.

RNS: You write that you tend to live in the loss of Good Friday and Holy Saturday, rather than in the Resurrection of Easter. Where, if anywhere, do you see glimpses of resurrection these days?

Chaplain Park: As chaplains, we do next-of-kin searches. Sometimes our patients are transient, and it’s hard to identify them and find family. But sometimes, a resurrection happens. I’ve found adults who’ve been estranged from their parents for 20 years, and they’ll take the red-eye flight in to be at the bedside. Acting as that connection point, that’s a little resurrection. One of our chaplains would ask, how can we relocate our hope? Sometimes a family wants resuscitation, CPR, the shocks, the chemicals, the compressions. But then you realize that after several attempts, there’s not going to be a resurrection. The question then becomes, how do we dignify our loved one? Sometimes we would bring in their pet to say goodbye, or another patient might want ChapStick. These are small resurrections, life-giving moments. I’ve seen some very beautiful moments of love and grace and dignity. I think how we die is just as important as how we live.

Religion News Service

Hospital Chaplain J.S. Park says the biggest myth about grief is that it is “a poison to get past. There’s positive intent there, because the sadness of grief is so hard to deal with. But grief is part of our human process.”

The Associated Press Mandisa was born near Sacramento, Calif., and grew up singing in church. She gained stardom after finishing ninth on “American Idol” in 2006.

that detailed her experiences with severe depression, weight-related challenges, the coronavirus pandemic and her faith.