Richmond Free Press October 31-November 2, 2024 edition

High court sides with Youngkin Richmond Free Press

voter purge

Decision allows thousands to be removed from rolls ahead of election

By Markus Schmidt and Charlotte Rene Woods

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday granted a temporary stay in the ongoing legal dispute over Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order that resulted in the removal of over 6,000 Virginians from the state’s voter rolls.

The stay pauses a lower court’s ruling that would have required the state to restore 1,600 voters to the rolls, allowing Youngkin’s directive to remain in effect and voter removals to continue as the case proceeds. The high court’s decision drew praise from Youngkin and laments from the voter rights groups suing him and the state.

The court’s six conservative justices supported the stay, with the three liberals dissenting.

Youngkin in a statement hailed the court’s decision as “a victory for common sense and election fairness.”

“I am grateful for the work of Attorney General Jason Miyares on this critical fight to protect the fundamental rights of U.S. citizens. Clean voter rolls are one important part of a comprehensive approach we are taking to ensure the fairness of our elections,” Youngkin said, adding that the ruling would ensure a secure election Nov. 5.

“Virginians can cast their ballots on Election Day knowing that Virginia’s elections are fair, secure and free from politicallymotivated interference,” he said.

The order comes after the Virginia Republican Party filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting Youngkin’s efforts, arguing that removing noncitizens from the voter rolls should not be delayed due to the federally mandated “quiet period” — a buffer period around elections meant to avoid disruptions to voter records.

The Republican brief argues that the governor’s order was based on data from the Department of Motor Vehicles and focused on noncitizens, and thus does not constitute a “systematic” voter purge restricted by the quiet period.

Lawsuit against VUU broadens after new plans for Richmond Community Hospital emerge

By George Copeland Jr.

One week after Virginia Union University announced a sudden change in its plans for the former Richmond Community Hospital building, concerns and questions remain about the historic property and the university’s role in its future.

A lawsuit filed by former Richmond City Council member Sa’ad El-Amin hours before VUU announced its changes will be amended Thursday in response to the new plans for the building. The property was initially set to be demolished with only the facade remaining, but will now be fully preserved and incorporated into a housing development planned for the area, according to university officials.

El-Amin said the amended suit will focus on the university’s and the building’s nonprofit status, challenging VUU’s intent to convert it into a profit-making asset as evidence of self-dealing and a violation of IRS regulations.

The revised plan includes using the building as a community fitness and wellness center, a choice El-Amin said still makes it part of a profitmaking venture.

The suit also will now request a receivership to transfer ownership of the property from VUU for failing to maintain the building. As part of this request, VUU and the City of Richmond would be required to provide funding

Religious and civic groups rally to inspire early voting

By George Copeland, Jr

Richmond’s religious and civic groups united Sunday to bring congregations and residents to the ballot box as part of the Souls to the Polls initiative organized by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy.

First Baptist Church of South Richmond, Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church, the Masjid Bilal mosque and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church were among the churches and organizations who contributed volunteers, transportation and support to the effort to bring people to polling locations throughout the city.

The event was a festive one, as people cast their ballots and socialized, with a fish fry, food trucks and music present across multiple locations.

The initiative is not the first to use the Souls to the Polls name, as noted by primary organizer Robert Lester, who works with VICPP as their civic engagement coordinator. The phrase has been part of efforts by Black churches throughout the South to gather and encourage people to vote for decades, and has been used by other organizations for similar ends.

With early voting sites open for a special weekend, a decline in early voting in 2024 compared to previous years and the need

Religious and civic groups came together Sunday for the Souls to the Polls initiative, encouraging early voting in Richmond. The event resulted in nearly 1,000 voters casting their ballots.

By Brodie Greene

Floyd faces scrutiny amid calls for investigation into campaign claims

By George Copeland Jr.

A variety of Richmond groups, officials and community members have reacted with condemnation and concern over allegations related to Tavares Floyd’s history and campaign as he runs for the 6th District City Council seat.

On Sunday, fellow 6th District candidate Willie Hilliard called for Floyd to recuse himself from the race. Hilliard made the demand alongside formal requests to investigate Floyd’s campaign and employment in city government during a news conference at the Gold Lion

Community Cafe.

“Whatever information that he falsely put on his application to run for office should immediately disqualify him from running,” said Hilliard, who is seeking the seat alongside Floyd and incumbent candidate Ellen F. Robertson. Recent reporting on Floyd’s campaign has challenged several of his claims and the integrity of his

operations, including his familial connection to George Floyd, his work as an attorney, ownership of a funeral home and his campaign donations.

On Monday, the Richmond Crusade for Voters withdrew their endorsement for Floyd, citing these reports and an inability to contact him for “clarification and understanding of circumstances made public.” The Richmond Education Association and the local chapter of the Sierra Club also have withdrawn their support for Floyd.

Please

Tavares Floyd

Gov. Glenn Youngkin

Sa’ad El-Amin

Ben Wasserstein

The condition of a dilapidated hallway inside the former Richmond Community Hospital, as seen in 2019.

Ayasha Sledge

Black History Museum of Virginia joins network for historical sites

Free Press staff report

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia has achieved international recognition as one of the inaugural sites in UNESCO’s Network of Places of History and Memory. The museum is among just four U.S. locations selected for the first group of 22 places added to this prestigious network established by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). As part of this global network, BHMVA will collaborate with other member sites to share best practices in historical preservation, cultural promotion and educational programming.

“I’m thrilled that UNESCO has recognized the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia in their work to advance the essential memory and education of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and its victims through the creation of this new network,” said Shakia Gullette Warren, executive director of BHMVA.

The first 22 places joining the Network of Places of History and Memory were unveiled at an event at UNESCO headquarters in Paris last week, as part of the 30th anniversary of the organization’s flagship program called “Routes of Enslaved Peoples.” Since its creation by UNESCO in 1994, “Routes of Enslaved Peoples” has contributed to the production of innovative knowledge and education programs, the development of high-level scientific networks, and to remembering the experiences of enslaved peoples.

Earlier this year, BHMVA was designated as a member of the National Park Service’s African American Civil Rights Network.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues

For the week ending Saturday, Oct. 26, COVID-19 accounted for 0.6% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with trends stable from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID19 were reported within that timeframe at time of publication. Data on COVID-19 wastewater showed levels below detection in Richmond and Henrico County as of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:

• Thursday, Oct. 31, 2-4:30 p.m. - Calvary United Methodist Church, 1637 Williamsburg Road

• Friday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Southside Woman, Infants and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts’ resource centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at these locations:

• Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, 804-371-0433

• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., 804-786-4099

• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., 804-786-1960

• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., 804-230-7740

• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., 804-786-0204

• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road, Unit #B, 804230-2077

• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., 804-786-0555 For Virginia Department of Health testing locations, visit vdh. virginia.gov. Additional testing site information can be found at vax.rchd.com.

Individuals interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts by calling 804-205-3501. Vaccines.gov provides a list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine. Residents can also find locations by texting their ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a vaccine locator at vaccines.gov. Residents can also order four free at-home COVID test kits at covidtest.gov, while supplies last. The CDC recommends the new COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are approved for persons age 6 months and up, while Novavax is for those 12 and older. These updated vaccines are now available at pharmacies and health care providers. Health officials encourage eligible individuals to get their boosters. For those who received previous doses, the CDC advises waiting at least two months before getting the new vaccine. Exceptions exist for people completing an initial vaccination series, immunocompromised individuals, those who recently had COVID19 and individuals receiving an initial series of Novavax doses. Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Cityscape

Free Press staff report

The University of Richmond’s Bonner Center for Civic Engagement recently named Duane Brown and Faith Walker as community partner-in-residence fellows for the fall semester.

The residency program provides leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors with the time and resources to fuel inquiry, encouraging the exploration of creative solutions and ideas that Richmond change-

Free Press staff report

Southside ReLeaf has received a $25,000 grant from the Robins Foundation to strengthen its work in creating green spaces and advancing environmental justice in South Richmond. The funding will help the organization expand its outreach, grow its staff, and enhance its ability to engage with the community.

“We’re grateful for our relationship with Robins Foundation and the support they’re providing, including critical resources to build our infrastructure,” said Sheri Shannon, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf. “We’ve been able to fund new positions, start fundraising, and see much new growth, both within Southside ReLeaf and our broader community of neighbors.”

The partnership with Robins Foundation began in early 2023 and already has led to significant developments. A previous mini-grant helped Southside ReLeaf hire its first paid staff member and provided access

makers may not have the opportunity to fully consider in their daily work.

Brown, director of vocational education at Rise Academy (formerly CHAT), will research best practices for providing high school students access to industryrecognized certifications, particularly in Richmond’s East End.

Walker, executive director of RVA Rapid Transit, will study the community benefits of zero-fare transit in Richmond to help advocate for its continuation in the region.

“We are excited to have these two community experts on campus this semester tackling important issues affecting our community,” said Derek Miller, associate director of community-engaged research, scholarship and relationships. “While on campus, they will engage with faculty, staff, and students to share their knowledge, expertise and passion, inviting our community to participate in addressing the problems on which they are working.”

Free Press staff report

As October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, approaches its conclusion, the Richmond and Henrico health districts (RHHD) are urging women 25 and older to discuss their breast cancer risks with health care providers. Women age 40 and older are particularly encouraged to undergo regular breast screenings.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is dedicated to educating the public about breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, and emphasizing the significance of early detection and access to timely, quality care.

“Breast cancer screening helps find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat,” said Dr. Elaine Perry, director of RHHD. “We encourage people to talk to their health care provider about which breast cancer screening tests are right for them.”

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women begin breast cancer screenings at age 40, continuing every

two years until age 74. Recent data from the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates a concerning 2% annual increase in breast cancer diagnoses among women in their 40s from 2015 to 2019. In 2023, an estimated 43,170 women died from breast cancer. The highest incidenT rates are found among non-Hispanic White women, while non-Hispanic Black women experience the highest mortality rates.

According to the National Cancer Institute’s State Cancer Profile, the rate of new breast cancer cases in Virginia saw a slight increase between 2017 and 2021. Richmond’s rate was comparable to the state’s, while Henrico reported a slightly higher rate.

To assist women in accessing screening services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides a tool for locating mammography providers by ZIP code. Individuals can visit rhhd.gov/connect-pc to find primary care providers in Richmond and Henrico.

The Virginia Department of Health

offers the Every Woman’s Life (EWL) program, which provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured, income-eligible women. Early detection is crucial, as it reduces death rates, improves treatment options, and significantly increases survival rates.

To qualify for EWL, a woman must be a Virginia resident between the ages of 18 and 64, meet federal income guidelines, and be uninsured. Women age 18 to 39 must either be symptomatic or deemed high-risk for breast or cervical cancer to be eligible. The EWL program includes clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams, Pap tests and any necessary diagnostic tests. Additionally, the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation supports a Screening and Diagnostic Services Fund, which covers diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, and MRIs for income-eligible, uninsured, and underinsured Virginians. For more information on finding an EWL provider, visit vdh.virginia.gov

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia joins UNESCO’s Network of Places of History and Memory, selected for its role in preserving and promoting the history of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Courtesy Southside ReLeaf

Members of South ReLeaf during a recent tree-planting event at James H. Blackwell Elementary School.

Faith Walker Duane Brown

WHEN WE VOTE, WE WIN.

When our rights are on the line we fight and when they’re on the ballot we vote, because we’re not going back.

The economy is on the ballot.

Health care is on the ballot.

Criminal justice reform is on the ballot.

Reproductive freedom is on the ballot.

Environmental justice is on the ballot.

The right to vote is on the ballot.

If we do our part and show up to the polls, we will make history (again)!

Let’s vote for progress and the future we deserve.

Vote for the leader who’s been fighting for us for years.

Election Day is November 5th.

Vote for Kamala Harris.

voting information

The presidential election, as well as contests for the U.S. Senate, Congress, Richmond Mayor, City Council and School Board take place: Tuesday, Nov. 5

Early in-person voting ends Saturday, Nov. 2

For voting details, contact the Virginia Department of Elections at elections. virginia.gov or 1-800-552-9745. They can provide information on early inperson voting, voting by mail, and acceptable forms of ID for voting.

chesteRfield county

Early in-person voting

• Central Library, 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd. – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Friday, Nov. 1, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Four satellite locations open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Friday, Nov. 1. They include: • Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive; Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd.

• LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road

• North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road • Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road.

Nov. 2. Details: (804)646-5950, vote@ rva.gov or rva.gov/elections/ voting

henRico county Early in-person voting • Henrico Western Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Nov. 1.

• Henrico Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, through Nov. 1.

• Varina Library, 1875 New Market Road, Monday through Friday through Friday, Nov. 1. Both locations open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Drop box locations for mail-in ballots

• Administration Annex building at the Henrico County Government Center, 4305 E. Parham Road

• Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road

• Deep Run Park Recreation Center, 9900 Ridgefield Pkwy.

• Varina Library, 1875 New Market Road

• Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive All locations will be outdoors and accessible 24 hours a day. Details: (804)501-4347, registerandvote@henrico.gov or henrico.gov/registrar

All five locations open for early voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. Drop box locations for mail-in ballots

• The Chesterfield Office of the General Registrar, 9848 Lori Road through Friday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, Saturday, Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Central Library and the four satellite locations will provide drop boxes when early voting begins at their locations. Drop boxes at regular polling places will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Curbside voting will be available at all early voting locations when early voting begins and at all polling locations on Election Day, through Tuesday, Nov. 5. Details: (804)748-1471 or .chesterfield.gov/Registrar hanoveR county

Early in-person voting

• Early Voting Center in the Wickham Building, Hanover Courthouse Government Complex, 7497 County Complex Road – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday, Nov. 2. Curbside voting options will be available. Drop box location for mail-in ballots • Outside the Wickham Building at the Hanover County Government Complex through Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. Details: (804)365-6080, HanoverVoting@hanovercounty.gov or hanovercounty.gov/365/voting

Religious and civic groups rally to inspire early voting

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to accommodate the lives and jobs of citizens, organizers saw an opportunity to ensure the public’s part in the elections.

“We just want the people to come out and vote,” said Lester, who is collaborating with the VICPP to continue promoting voting and civic engagement after the event. “That’s the only thing that matters.”

The results of the initiative have paid off, with 997 people voting in person in Richmond on Sunday according to the Virginia Public Access Project, almost doubling numbers for the last Sunday voting opportunity in 2022, where an average of around 500 residents cast ballots.

Virginia Interfaith’s work to encourage early voting came as controversy continues to surround the state’s voting operations ahead of Election Day. Days after the event, the Supreme Court allowed the Youngkin administration to continue its purge of voter registrations for at least 1,600 people in Virginia, an effort the state claims is aimed at stopping non-citizens from voting.

Floyd faces scrutiny amid calls for investigation into campaign claims

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“The Crusade’s decision came after a stream of revelations revealed questions regarding campaign donors and his relationship to George Floyd, amidst other allegations,” the group wrote in a statement announcing its decision. “We regret what has occurred in his campaign and cannot in good conscience continue to offer support to Mr. Floyd.”

Hilliard’s request for an investigation of possible election law violations by the Floyd campaign was sent to the offices of Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin, City Registrar Keith Balmer, the Richmond Electoral Board and the Virginia State Board of Elections.

Hilliard also filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the City of Richmond for information on Floyd’s hiring and “any reports or suspicion of unethical or illegal behavior” during his time as a council liaison for Robertson.

Officials in the City Clerk’s Office and the Council Chief of Staff’s Office confirmed Hilliard’s request was received and is being processed. In response to inquiries from the Richmond Free Press, McEachin provided a statement released last week.

“The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney is aware of the recent media coverage of the campaign finance filings submitted by Mr. Tavares Floyd, candidate for the 6th District City Council seat,” McEachin wrote.

“My office has communicated with a number of local and state law enforcement and electoral entities to determine the most timely and productive means to address the allegations. My office does not publicly comment on the existence of any investigation and we will continue to maintain that policy.”

Floyd’s campaign has not responded to the reports, Hilliard’s demand or the withdrawn endorsements.

Decision allows thousands to be removed from rolls ahead of election

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Opposition to the order has come from various groups, including former GOP lawmakers such as Barbara Comstock, Denver Riggleman, and Adam Kinzinger, who filed a separate brief urging the Supreme Court to deny the stay. They argue that hastily removing voters could lead to eligible citizens losing their rights, citing concerns over the potential exclusion of legitimate voters.

Miyares and Youngkin’s administration maintain that the executive order is a necessary step for election security.

In a statement released Wednesday, Miyares called the Supreme Court ruling a win for election integrity and the rule of law.

“While I am gratified the court moved so quickly, I remain deeply concerned and alarmed that the Biden-Harris administration chose to execute this maneuver just 25 days before an election,” he said of the lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Justice Department that challenges Youngkin’s executive order.

Critics, however — including the Virginia Center for Immigrant Rights and the League of Women Voters’s Virginia chapter, who are suing Youngkin and the state — argue that the purge risks disenfranchising Virginians and disproportionately impacts minority voters, calling the move part of a larger trend of restrictive voting policies.

Representatives of the groups and their lawyers said they were “disappointed” with the Supreme Court’s decision in a virtual press conference held Wednesday afternoon.

Ryan Snow, counsel with the Lawyers Committee For Civil Rights Under Law, called the decision by the nation’s highest court an “abuse of power.”

Bert Bayou with African Communities Together said that the state’s and high court’s actions are “sending a disturbing message that (immigrant’s) voices are not valued, not wanted, and not American.”

“We are living in a political climate that is fanning the flames of xenophobia,” he added.

Orion Danjuma, counsel with Protect Democracy, noted how a similar situation was also recently settled in Alabama. A federal judge blocked Alabama’s voter roll purge program after the Department of Justice had filed a similar suit last month as it did to Virginia. When Virginia requested its stay to the U.S. Supreme Court, Alabama’s Attorney General signed onto an amicus brief in support of the request.

Danjuma stressed that the programs “disenfranchise eligible voters” and that organizations like his will continue to challenge them.

“While this is a serious setback to voters for this election, we want to make clear that we will be continuing to expose problems with the state’s program so that they can be corrected in the future,” he said.

State lawmakers react

Virginia’s statehouse leaders shared a variety of responses to the news on Wednesday, reflecting both support for SCOTUS’ decision and dismay due to it.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, who has been outspoken in his opposition to Youngkin’s executive order, posted to X that the stay SCOTUS granted “does not equal a win.”

“Unfortunately, The Governor’s scheme to block legal eligible (Virginia) voters has temporarily worked. It’s a sad day for the Commonwealth and the country,” he added.

In a statement, state Sen. John McGuire, a member of the body’s Privileges and Elections Subcommittee and a candidate for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District seat, commended the Youngkin administration for “leading the charge to keep our elections secure.”

“This is simple: noncitizens shouldn’t be able to vote, and I’m glad the Supreme Court agrees,” McGuire stated.

As chair of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee, Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach had written a letter to Commissioner of Elections Susan Beals on Sep. 27, seeking more information on how the removals were handled under Youngkin’s Aug. 7 executive order and whether non-citizens were facing prosecution for attempting to register.

In his letter Rouse referenced a Fox News interview Youngkin did the day of his executive order where he claimed that his order would lead to “immediate” removal of people and subsequent prosecution.

Rouse asked Beals if registrars were referring people to commonwealth’s attorneys. In her Oct. 8 response to Rouse, Beals did not answer whether registrars had referred non-citizens to local prosecutors.

Plaintiffs in the case against the state argue there has been no evidence of people being prosecuted for attempting to vote illegally.

“I have tried to get straight answers from this Administration,” Rouse said Wednesday. “It took the U.S. Department of Justice filing suit and a federal judge forcing the Youngkin administration to disclose the names of those removed and confirm what we feared: that in fact eligible Virginia voters have been stripped from the rolls.”

He added that he and members of his committee will “work to ensure that these disenfranchised voters are educated as to the procedures for casting a valid provisional ballot.”

What it could mean for Virginia voters

With the stay in place, the case is likely to continue drawing national attention as the election nears, spotlighting debates over voting rights, citizenship and electoral integrity.

It also could lead to confusion at the polls next Tuesday, because it remains unclear

what information voters who have been purged would need to show for same-day registration, said Henry Chambers, a professor for constitutional law at the University of Richmond School of Law.

“The administration is claiming that there is sufficient evidence to knock someone off the rolls. If that’s true, and if a registrar has said this person shouldn’t be on the roll, I’m not sure what kind of information would convince the registrar that the person should be on the rolls and should have their provisional ballot counted. And that’s a tricky issue.”

Chambers added that it also remains unclear what the Supreme Court ruling means for the federal suitfiled by the Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights and the League of Women Voters of Virginia earlier this month which alleges that the process used to purge the rolls violates the 90-day quiet period and therefore disenfranchises eligible voters while raising concerns over transparency and accuracy in the state’s voter registration system.

“In theory, the case goes back to the drawing board and you need to run it as a sort of a regular merits case as opposed to just an injunction case. But the problem with that is that the point of the case is that the 90-day quiet period is going to be over once election day is done,” Chambers said. “Then the question becomes, is the purge program in and of itself unlawful in general?’”

Some state lawmakers have signaled they are ready to tackle that question, and the law that undergirds it.

State Sen. Travis Hackworth, R-Tazewell County, said in a phone interview Wednesday that in the 2025 legislative session, he would “be open to looking at anything” in the 2006 law that would limit potential confusion at the polls.

“The bottom line is, if you are a U.S. citizen, we want you to vote, it’s your right and duty to vote,” said Hackworth, a member of the Senate Privileges and Election Committee who was “very disheartened” when the lower court ruled to halt Youngkin’s order.

If any among the affected 1,600 Virginians believe they have been removed from the voter rolls in error, Hackworth urged them to still cast a provisional ballot bringing documentation proving their citizenship status and let the local electoral board “figure that out.”

“I think that maybe we are kind of overcomplicating this process, because anybody still has the right on the day of to say, ‘I have been purged from the voter rolls, I am a citizen of the United States, and I want to vote.’ If you have that much conviction to go to the polls and vote provisional, you will bring something that’s going to back up your claim that you are a citizen.”

Virginia Mercury editor Samantha Willis contributed to this report, which originally appeared at VirginiaMercury.com.

Lawsuit against VUU broadens after new plans for Richmond Community Hospital emerge

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to “stabilize” the building, as El-Amin put it, with the city included for not enforcing housing and structural codes.

“They’ve ignored it for over 47 years and to the detriment of this historic place,” said El-Amin, who joined preservation efforts in early October after hearing from advocates such as radio host Gary Flowers and Save Community Hospital co-founder Viola Baskerville. “They cannot be trusted to maintain this historic place and give it the honor and respect that it’s required.”

Richmond Community Hospital was founded in 1907, with the building first opening in 1934 when the hospital moved to Overbrook Road. For decades, the property served as a refuge for residents of color excluded from other medical establishments and helped build and nurture the skills of generations of African

American doctors. In the decades since VUU was given the property by RCH officials, the building has visibly deteriorated, with open windows on the rear of the building, and overgrowth and broken brickwork.

Photography of the interior from 2019 further highlights the damage the building has weathered.

For those who have advocated for the building’s preservation for months, VUU’s changes have further validated their efforts.

“By its statement that it will not demolish the building, Virginia Union University has admitted that the hospital is worth saving,” Baskerville said in a statement.

“Virginia Union now needs to secure the structure and stabilize it from any future deterioration. This is the next crucial step that needs to be performed.”

When reached for a comment on how

VUU came to its decision, and for any insight into the current state of the building and its interior, Lucas referred to the statement VUU released last week announcing the change in redevelopment.

El-Amin, for his part, saw VUU’s announcement after the lawsuit filing as evidence that they know they wouldn’t prevail in court and are attempting to get ahead of the matter. He also saw the suit as a tool for other communities to challenge HBCUs and their leadership when they commit to actions or decisions that “don’t mean them any good” for them or historic properties.

“The amended suit only expands the remedy,” El-Amin said. “You’ve got to take that property out of the hands of the bad people who let it go. This is a method of doing that.

“What we’re stressing is the uniqueness of these properties as historical, and once you knock them down, they no longer exist.”

Check your home for lead pipes

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for are privately owned and connected to residential properties.

The survey provides step-by-step instructions on how to check if your home has lead pipes. Materials needed will include a smartphone to take pictures for the city, a penny or a key to scratch the pipes and a magnet to check magnetic properties of pipe material.

Although the use of lead pipes was federally banned in 1986, some older buildings contain pipes from the past. Lead can get into tap water through lead solder, home service piping, and brass fixtures, according to the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

Lead consumption can cause a range of health issues. Exposure can cause brain and liver damage, in addition to interfering with the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for delivering oxygen to the brain. The Environmental Protection

Agency states there is no amount of lead consumption that can be considered safe.

Infants and children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead consumption. Doses of lead that would have a low impact on adults have a larger impact on children, according to the EPA.

In children, low levels of exposure have been associated with damage to both the central and peripheral nervous systems, learning disabilities, reduced height, hearing impairment and issues with blood cell formation and function.

Lead accumulates within the body over time and is stored in the bones. During pregnancy, this poses risks, including reduced fetus growth and premature birth, according to the EPA.

The Department of Public Utilities’ efforts to replace lead pipes with safer materials spans decades, beginning in 1992.

According to their website, water does not contain lead when it leaves the

treatment plant. However, with many buildings in Richmond being older, the city is seeking help to identify lead pipes in order to prevent the contamination of drinking water.

“The Department of Public Utilities takes its mission to provide safe, clean and reliable drinking water to its customers very seriously,” said April Bingham, DPU senior director in a press release. “We play a critical role in ensuring the public health of our community is always foremost and eliminating lead service lines is part of our mission work.”

Previously, the city has used a grant from the Virginia Department of Health to help property owners cover most of the cost of replacing aged water pipes. The program reopened in July of 2024 but has since “exceeded funding capacity.” The city intends to use the results of the survey to develop an inventory of where lead pipes pose a threat in hopes of developing a comprehensive replacement plan.

Harris promises to ‘represent all Americans’

By Will Weisert and Chris Megerian The Associated Press

Kamala Harris called Wednesday for Americans to “stop pointing fingers at each other” as she tried to push past comments made by President Biden about Donald Trump’s supporters and “garbage “ and keep the focus on her Republican opponent in the closing days of the race.

“We know we have an opportunity in this election to turn the page on a decade of Donald Trump, who has been trying to keep us divided and afraid of each other,” the Democratic nominee said.

Harris was holding rallies in a trio of battleground states as part of a blitz in the closing week of the election, with stops Wednesday in Raleigh, N.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; and Madison, Wis.

She stressed unity and common ground, expanding on her capstone speech Tuesday in Washington, where she laid out what her team called the “closing argument” of her campaign.

“I am not looking to score political points,” the vice president said. “I am looking to make progress.”

Meanwhile, Biden and the White House rushed to explain that the president was talking about the rhetoric on stage at Trump’s recent Madison Square Garden rally, not Trump’s supporters themselves. Biden did not answer questions about his comments Wednesday during an Oval Office meeting with the president of Cyprus, but press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said he “does not view Trump supporters or anybody who supports Trump as garbage.”

Harris was introduced at the North Carolina rally by a former Republican voter who previously supported Trump, another example of her campaign’s effort to welcome disaffected conservatives who are uneasy about re-electing the former president.

It was a message that Biden threatened to undermine on Tuesday — at the same time Harris was speaking near the White House — when he participated in a campaign call organized by the Hispanic advocacy group Voto Latino.

Biden used the opportunity to criticize the Madison Square Garden rally, where a comedian described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage.”

“The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters. His demonization of Latinos is unconscionable, and it’s un-American,” Biden said. “It’s totally contrary to everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been.”

Harris told reporters before boarding Air Force Two for her flight to Raleigh that she disagrees “with any criticism of people based on who they vote for.”

“I will represent all Americans, including those who don’t vote for me,” she said.

Her words were an attempt to blunt the controversy over Biden’s comments and put some distance between herself and the president, something she has struggled with in the past.

Republicans have seized on Biden’s comments, claiming they were an echo of the time when Hillary Clinton, as the Democratic nominee in 2016, said half of Trump’s supporters belonged to a “basket of deplorables.”

“We know what they believe. Because look how they’ve

treated you,” Trump said at his rally in Rocky Mount, N.C.

“They’ve treated you like garbage. The truth is, they’ve treated our whole country like garbage.”

He also said “without question, my supporters are far higher-quality than Crooked Joe’s,” using his nickname for the president.

In attacking Biden — and by extension, Harris — Republicans have glossed over Trump’s own history of insulting and demonizing rhetoric, such as calling the United States a “garbage can for the world” or describing political opponents as “the enemy within.” Trump also has described Harris as a “stupid person” and “lazy as hell,” and he’s questioned whether she was on drugs.

Trump has also refused demands to apologize for the comment about Puerto Rico at his rally, acknowledging that “somebody said some bad things” but adding that he “can’t imagine it’s a big deal.”

Political attack lines have a history of occasionally boomeranging back on people who use them. For example, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, now Trump’s running mate, once described Democrats as beholden to “a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made.”

Vance’s 3-year-old comments resurfaced once he became the vice presidential nominee, energizing Harris supporters who

repurposed the label as a point of pride on shirts and bumper stickers — much like Trump’s supporters once cheerfully branded themselves as “deplorables.”

On Wednesday morning, Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, downplayed Biden’s comments in television interviews.

“Let’s be very clear, the vice president and I have made it absolutely clear that we want everyone as a part of this,” he told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric is what needs to end.”

In Harrisburg, Harris parried repeated interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters objecting to her support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

“Ours is about a fight for democracy and your right to be heard,” Harris said as one protester shouted. “That is what is on the line in this election.”

She added: “Look everybody has a right to be heard, but right now I am speaking.”

As she waited for Harris to take the stage in Raleigh, 35-yearold Liz Kazal said she was “cautiously optimistic” about the election. She’s tried to volunteer for the campaign every week, including making phone calls, knocking on doors with her toddler daughter and raising money for Harris’ candidacy.

“You hope for the best and plan for the worst,” Kazal said.

Allison Joyce

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally Wednesday, Oct. 30, in Raleigh, N.C.

Henrico affordable housing program to offer first 30 units for first-time buyers

Free Press staff report

Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund is set to launch with 30 townhomes becoming available for first-time homebuyers who meet income and eligibility requirements. The initial offerings include 25 units in the Parkside Townes community in Sandston and five units in Discovery Ridge in Western Henrico,

officials announced this week. County officials, representatives from the development companies and other stakeholders unveiled the initiative at Parkside Townes, a 123-unit townhouse community under development by HHHunt on Whiteside Road. Discovery Ridge, located at Gayton Road and Lauderdale Drive and developed by Mungo Homes, will also participate in the program.

CarMax Park job fair to connect employers with local job seekers

Free press staff report

J&G Workforce Development, in collaboration with the City of Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building and Gilbane, hosts the CarMax Park Job and Resource Exhibition on Nov. 1. This event offers a chance to engage with the historic CarMax Park development, which will become the future home of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

Scheduled from noon. to 4 p.m. at 1500 E. Main St., the exhibition will feature more than 20 contractors and employers, providing a range of job opportunities and training programs. The event is open to individuals at all experience levels, making it an ideal opportunity for those seeking employment or professional development. Attendees can also enjoy food, music and learn more about the CarMax Park project while networking with potential employers. Starting wages for avail -

able positions begin at $16.85.

“We’re excited to work with our partners to provide jobs and resources that will benefit the entire Richmond community,” said Grace Washington, CEO of J&G Workforce Development. “This is a fantastic opportunity to support economic advancement and inclusivity.”

CarMax Park will serve as the centerpiece of Richmond’s Diamond District, a 67-acre development poised to bring new housing, retail and public spaces to the city. For more information about J&G Workforce Development and the event, visit jgworkforce. com or connect on Facebook and LinkedIn.

“Between Parkside Townes and Discovery Ridge, we’ll soon have 30 new townhomes that will be affordable and available to qualifying first-time homebuyers, like hard-working nurses and others in health care, restaurant staff, and office employees,” said Tyrone E. Nelson, chair of Henrico’s Board of Supervisors. “Just a few months ago, Henrico County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund was an idea. Now, it’s a reality that’s helping us build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.”

The Board of Supervisors established the trust fund with $60 million in initial funding sourced from unbudgeted revenues generated by data centers, one of Henrico’s fastest-growing industries. The Partnership for Housing Affordability (PHA), which administers the program, developed eligibility guidelines with Henrico’s Department of Community Revitalization and began accepting applications in September. A review committee recently granted conditional approval for Parkside Townes and Discovery Ridge.

“HHHunt is excited to partner with Henrico County and the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust for funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which will provide 25 homes in our newest community, Parkside Townes,” said Jonathan Ridout, vice president of real estate development at HHHunt. “Parkside Townes was designed with the goal of affordability.”

“We, at Mungo Homes, are very excited to participate in this program,” said Tim Parent, market president for Mungo Homes. “Opening the doors for additional first-time homebuyers

in the Henrico housing market and providing quality dwellings buyers can call home is so very important to us.”

The Affordable Housing Trust Fund aims to bridge the gap between home prices and what working adults can afford, as home prices and interest rates have surged in recent years. According to county data, the household income required to afford a home in Virginia has risen by 76% over the past four years, with Henrico’s median home price reaching $355,000 in 2023—a price affordable to fewer than one-third of county households.

To participate in the program, builders and developers must meet specific requirements, including reimbursement for eligible costs associated with construction, utility hookup fee waivers and an expedited review of plans. Applications are reviewed by PHA, which then sets maximum sales prices and buyer income limits. Eligible participants must have household incomes between 60% and 120% of the area median income, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. All qualifying homes must be owneroccupied with deed restrictions for at least 10 years. If sold during this period, new buyers must meet the same requirements as the original purchaser. Some units, such as those in Parkside Townes, may retain affordability in perpetuity.

Henrico officials expect the program will support the construction and sale of 100 to 150 homes annually as awareness grows. For more information, visit pharva.com/henricotrust-fund.

Left, Developer HHHunt is constructing 123 townhomes on 26 acres off Whiteside Road, near the Chickahominy Family YMCA and Taylor Farm Park. Site work is wrapping up, with home construction underway. Discovery Ridge, developed by Mungo Homes, is located on 7.7 acres at Gayton Road and Lauderdale Drive, behind Discovery Methodist Church. The development will feature a total of 24 townhomes.

LGBTQ+ nonprofit hopes to drive support with new Va. license plate

By Katie Farthing Capital News Service

Diversity Richmond, a local nonprofit that supports the Greater Richmond area’s LGBTQ+ community, released a preliminary design for its new “Celebrate Diversity” state license plate.

Diversity Richmond hopes the license plate will increase visibility for the community, according to the Rev. Lacette Cross, who also is executive director of the organization.

“We wanted to do it because that is the vision — to create a region where we’re all welcome, included and safe, and we do that through visibility,” Cross said.

The organization wanted a license plate that reflected the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community across Virginia. Staff input and community responses contributed to the final design. It was in the works for around 15 months, and then released in September, right after Diversity Richmond’s 25th anniversary, according to Cross.

“Everything just came together at the right time,” Cross said.

Diversity Richmond is the first to propose an initiative like this in Virginia, according to Cross.

Any special license plate by law requires 450 applications

and payments before the start of the next General Assembly session, which is Jan. 8, 2025. The effort also needs a legislative sponsor, who will be Delegate Betsy Carr, D-Richmond, according to Cross.

The estimated timeline for customers to receive the plates is approximately nine months after the General Assembly approves the legislation, according to DMV

The organization has sold around 15% of the plates necessary for submission and plans to host Zoom and in-person application

parties to encourage people to apply, Cross said.

All applicants will be refunded if Diversity Richmond is unable to meet the minimum number of applications for approval, according to its website. Plates are $25, or $35 with personalization. Personalized plates can have six characters maximum, though handicapped plates have a maximum of five, according to the DMV

From every plate purchased, pending approval, $10 goes toward the organization, which in turn supports the Greater Richmond LGBTQ+ community through events, an art gallery and funding other nonprofits, according to Cross.

“We are about the potential to have a way to raise visibility and continue to bring in donations and financial support for the ongoing mission for Diversity Richmond,” Cross said.

The organization’s Instagram will have dates for application parties, and the applications are available at diversityrichmond. org. Only the organization can collect the application and fees at this phase in the plate development process, not DMV.

There are over 100 revenue-sharing license plates in Virginia, which generate funds for colleges around the state and organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Friends of Tibet, the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance and others.

RVA Fashion Week ends fall showcase, shifts focus to spring events

By Paula Phounsavath

Richmond Fashion Week (RVAFW) recently announced it will end its Fall showcase and focus exclusively on spring events, bringing its long-running biannual format to a close after 16 years. The shift, shared via social media by RVAFW’s executive producer and co-founder Jimmy Budd, aims to enhance production quality by dedicating more time and resources to the annual spring event.

“This change is intended to allow us to concentrate our efforts and resources on creating an even more impactful and memorable event each spring,” Budd wrote in the announcement, shared on social media. “While this decision marks a shift in our traditional approach, we believe it will enhance the quality and experience of our fashion week, allowing us to better serve our designers, partners and the Richmond community.”

LaToya Parham, owner of the clothing brand Luxury Professionals, expressed her disappointment over RVAFW’s decision to end the fall showcase. Parham, who launched her brand in 2021 and joined RVAFW in 2022, noted the

platform has been pivotal in allowing her to share her creative vision.

“It was the one place that I often find myself and I’m able to display my talent,” Parham said. “RVA Fashion Week taught me. It taught me what it is to participate in a fashion show and it gave me that gateway.”

However, Parham said she understands why RVAFW made the decision.

“It takes time to plan for how you want to display your brand, how you want it to be represented,” Parham said.

Meanwhile, Richmond’s fashion scene remains active this fall with two upcoming events. Streetwear brand Urban Academy will host the “Varsity Club Fashion Show” featuring designer Sherry Nguyen at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at Brickwood restaurant, 2401 Main St. Tickets are available through Urban Academy’s website.

Additionally, artist and RVAFW partner Ryan Azia will present his second annual art exhibition, “Flowism,” on Nov. 16 at the Deco at CNB Apartments, 219 E. Broad St. Fashion designer Noel Calubaquib will present a futurist-inspired collection during a fashion show held alongside the exhibition.

Free Press

No surprise

We’ve entered the part of the election cycle where new information about candidates leaks into newscasts and newspaper articles. In the political world, such revelations, which are seldom helpful to the candidates they’re about, are called “October surprises.” We’ve had a few here in Richmond, and you may have noticed them.

On the national scale, there have been rumors of a “bombshell” story about presidential candidate Donald Trump that has the potential to sink his campaign. So far, nothing has materialized. Some of the rumors aren’t fit to repeat and involve conduct that would be reprehensible for a typical politician, but on-brand for the convicted felon who also was found liable for sexual assault in 2023. Some of his supporters are locked in to the Republican candidate and seem willing to excuse the most depraved behavior and egregious conduct.

It was Trump who boasted in 2016 at a campaign stop in Iowa that the loyalty of his fans would even excuse him of a blatant violent act, if he were to commit one. “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and wouldn’t lose any voters, OK? It’s, like, incredible,” he said.

It’s incredible that our political discourse includes such crass and dangerous comments. We hope to be rid of them soon. However, we’re not hoping for a story that will shake up the campaign, as after all the former president has said, done and been accused of doing, news about his poor behavior would be no surprise to anyone.

We do, however, think his followers have a limit to their allegiance, despite his comments that suggest otherwise. We don’t think he needs to go as far as cold-blooded murder to test the faithful. There are three words he could utter that might be his political undoing forever: “Black Lives Matter.” Go ahead, we dare you.

‘Democracy dies in darkness’

As owner of the Washington Post, one has to wonder if Jeff Bezos reads his own newspaper with any sense of appreciation or concern.

For the first time in over 30 years the Washington Post announced its editorial board will not endorse a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. The Post has regularly endorsed presidential candidates since 1976, starting with Democrat Jimmy Carter.

As a nation we have a free press. As responsible journalists, newspapers have a professional obligation to state the facts and the truth to the public, but newspapers are also allowed to express their opinions. In addition, the owner of any newspaper has the right to weigh in on decisions made by its editorial board.

this toxic environment of “fake news.” It has always fulfilled its role in sustaining democracy by being a reliable and consistent source of information.

The non-endorsement comes off as unfinished business. Similar to a court case, the newspaper endorsement would have served as the final argument presented to the jury of voters. By failing to provide a much needed summation, the silence resulting from a non-endorsement has become

David W. Marshall

from his position as the Post’s editor at large in response to the paper’s decision.

publishing an endorsement for Kamala Harris.

A retired Washington Post metro reporter, Robert McCartney, wrote on social media that there is “speculation in the newsroom that owner Jeff Bezos may want to avoid risk of endangering Amazon’s government contracts if Trump wins.”

Intensive care

We applaud Virginia Union University for their recent commitment to preserve and repurpose the former Richmond Community Hospital, located on their campus. At the school, we see a leadership that is willing to change course and make the right decision – when they’re boxed into a corner with few other options.

Once a lawsuit over their plans for the property was announced, it didn’t take long for the university to change course and congratulate itself for doing so:

“We have listened closely as the community has spoken throughout this year,” VUU President and CEO Hakim J. Lucas stated in a press release. The engagement process has worked, and we can all be proud that the community has shaped this plan together.”

These comments suggest a finality to the “engagement process” that is premature. The lawsuit will continue and we don’t expect the people who have pressed this issue to quietly fade away.

While the hospital has been given a good prognosis for survival, the road to recovery may be long and arduous. Fortunately, it won’t be a path that school officials and developers will walk alone. The community will be watching closely and walking alongside them every step of the way. u u u

But this election cycle is different. This presidential election is unlike any from previous years. The surprising non-endorsement ignores the paper’s own factual reporting which, for years, outlined in specific details Donald Trump’s threat to the future of American democracy.

Politically, the Washington Post is a center-left newspaper which is respected for its accuracy and presentation of events in

itself an endorsement. The non-endorsement was a one man decision, according to a statement from the Washington Post Guild. It states, “According to our own reporters and Guild members, an endorsement for Harris was already drafted, and the decision not to publish was made by the Post’s owner, Jeff Bezos.” Columnist Karen Attiah wrote that “today has been an absolute stab in the back.” Attiah is not alone in feeling betrayed. Readers of the paper also feel betrayed. The Post is already seeing subscription cancellations from loyal readers. Current and former staff members feel betrayed. Robert Kagan –a former advisor to Republican John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, who last year warned that a ”Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable” resigned

Apparently, Jeff Bezos didn’t heed the warning. Michele Norris followed Kagan by also resigning as opinion columnist, a position she held since 2019. After multi-billionaire dollar Amazon CEO Bezos bought The Washington Post in 2013, the Post’s news operation used its abundant resources to thoroughly investigate the danger of a second Trump presidency. “Democracy Dies in Darkness” became the newspaper’s official slogan in 2017. It illustrates how good journalism is essential to democracy. When journalism is at its best, it helps citizens to hold those in power accountable, uncovers corruption and ensures transparency. If the press is silenced, democracy will suffer. Darkness represents ignorance, lack of knowledge and oppression. The phrase “Democracy Dies in Darkness” is a warning to us all. If people are kept in the dark, their ignorance could lead to oppression. Amazon holds contracts with the government worth billions. Amazon and the space exploration company Blue Origin are among Bezos-owned businesses that still compete for lucrative federal government contracts. Executives from Bezos’ aerospace company met with Donald Trump on the same day the newspaper prevented its editorial team from

Is Donald Trump a fascist? Close enough

Donald Trump and MAGA loyalists may scoff at the charge that he’s a fascist, but let’s face it, he at least offers a remarkably good imitation.

The F-word came up prominently as radio host Charlamagne Tha God inter viewed Vice President Ka mala Harris in mid-October about her vi sion compared to that of her Republican rival.

“The other is about fascism,” Charlamagne interjected regarding Trump. “Why can’t we just say it?”

“Yes,” Harris responded. “We can say that.”

It’s not just Charlamagne and Harris who say it. Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Trump, is quoted in a new book by journalist Bob Woodward (of Watergate fame) describing the former president as “fascist to the core.”

That mention of the F-word struck me as a startling violation of the unofficial but widely embraced political etiquette that sees the word as too volatile for public use, even though Trump has used the word – and just about every other word that grabs his fancy – against Harris.

Using the word to describe one’s rivals can come with a political risk. Just as the AntiDefamation League has discouraged the practice of calling anyone “Hitler” except Adolf Hitler,

Democrats have long avoided “fascist” as possible linguistic overkill. After all, they remember how Hillary Clinton’s dismissal of Trump supporters in 2016 as “a basket of deplorables” became a rallying cry for the MAGA movement.

President Biden, for example, who has long called attention to

Trump’s threats to democracy, only went far enough to scorch Trump’s movement in 2022 as “like semi-fascism.”

But in this year’s campaign Trump has considered no epithet too vile to be off limits. He has persisted in ratcheting up his own rhetorical overkill, stirring up nativist fear and racial resentment, and making threats to use the military against “the enemy from within.” It’s no wonder many Democrats no longer hesitate to use frank language to describe Trump.

Earlier this month, the previously constrained Hillary Clinton chimed in with a media post on X, formerly Twitter, that “Trump’s rhetoric has become blatantly fascist.”

Trump, too, has used the F-word, albeit not very much, perhaps because he doesn’t feel it serves to excite his crowds in the direction he seeks. Indeed, Trump surrogates have tried to portray Democrats’ use of the word “fascist” as some kind of dangerous provocation.

In his role as campaign attack dog, Trump’s running mate, Sen.

JD Vance of Ohio, said this shortly after the apparent second attempt to shoot Trump in September: “(I) t’s time to say to Democrats, to the media, to everybody that has been attacking this man and trying to censor this man for going on 10 years, cut it out or you’re going to get somebody killed.”

Of course, Vance neglected to mention that Trump has used the same word to attack Harris at least five times.

I offer my apologies to any Trump supporter who feels unnecessarily offended by my candor on this touchy topic. Fascism does not always announce itself with drums and trumpets at high volume.

Besides, in my experience, everyone defends free speech as long as it is their own. The greatest value of the First Amendment is in protecting the rights of others and views that are not the most popular.

It would be truly tragic for our system to be undone by the very freedoms it was intended to protect. But it’s always possible.

Already we see reports that Milley fears being recalled to uniform and court-martialed for retribution if Trump gets reelected. Although Milley does not appear to have broken any laws, a president with the nearimperial powers today’s conservative Supreme Court has granted shouldn’t have much trouble finding something.

Of course, we voters have the power to avert this threat to our democracy. We should use it.

The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

Regardless of who wins or loses the election, the Washington Post, as a strong pillar in the free press, took a major credibility hit. The Washington Post reporters and editors who remain the light that illuminates the darkness may not be able to overcome its owner who places the business interest of Amazon and Blue Origin ahead of American democracy. The writer, a columnist for the Trice Edney News Wire, is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body.

Clarence Page

Richmond Community Hospital

Commentary/Letter to the Editor

Empowering Black homeownership in Richmond through collective action

forced out.

I’m a fifth-generation Black Richmonder and I grew up in the East End, where family wasn’t just close — they were everything. My parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles lived within blocks of each other. When I think back, it was a beautiful thing — Black families like mine, generation after generation, building a strong, tightknit community we could call our own in spite of pervasive forces tearing down our homes

and businesses. But over time, we’ve watched that legacy slip away, as rising housing costs and property taxes have pushed out families like the one I grew up in. What’s happening to Black

Tavarris Spinks

families in Richmond is a crisis. The homes our parents and grandparents worked their whole lives for are now being sold off to real estate investors for a fraction of what they’re worth. These investors knock on doors, make incessant phone calls, and try to intimidate older Black residents — people

who’ve been in their homes for 30, 40, 50 years — and offer them deals that sound good, but in reality, are robbing them of their wealth. And what happens next? They take the deal, thinking it’ll help them, only to find out they can’t afford to buy another home in this city because the prices have gone up too much. This is how we lose our homes, our neighborhoods, our fellowship.

This isn’t just bad luck; it’s the result of a system that has never been built for us to succeed. For generations, Black Richmonders have been shut out of homeownership through redlining and racist lending

Marsh calls for leadership committed to justice, progress

It was my honor to serve the people of Richmond for 48 years as an elected official on City Council (1966-1991) and in the state Senate (1992-2014). This included my service as Richmond’s first Black mayor from 1977 to 1982. I entered politics to fight for the equal, civil, political and economic rights of all people in Richmond and Central Virginia. Challenging and overcoming the legacy of entrenched racial segregation has been the battle of my lifetime.

Over the decades and across many different issues, I found that making progress requires courage, long-term commitment to a vision of justice, and the willingness and ability to work with all people.

Dr. Danny Avula has all three qualities.

He has spent the last 20 years working to uplift and empower people across our city and state. He has connected public housing residents to vital resources and named poverty and racial disparities as urgent public health issues requiring our focused attention. And he took on the responsibility and burden of helping lead our city and state through the pandemic.

That’s why I am endorsing Dr. Avula for mayor on Nov. 5. He is the proven leader with a heart for justice that we need to heal what remains broken in our city, and to carry Richmond forward to a brighter future that leaves no one behind.

HENRY L. MARSH, III Former City of

Richmond

Mayor

Richmond Virginia Branch NAACP ELECTIONS

practices. Today, the same forces are pushing us out through skyrocketing home prices and predatory investors. Our elders are being taken advantage of and our young people can’t even imagine buying a home here because the prices are so high. This is the same old story of keeping Black wealth out of Black hands.

But we have the power to change this. Vice President Harris is proposing real housing solutions for our community. She’s committed to offering first-time homebuyers up to $25,000 in down payment assistance, which could open the door for young Black families to finally own a piece of this city we’ve built. Her plan would also build 3 million new affordable homes — giving us more opportunities to stay in our communities instead of being

And here in Richmond, we’ve got Andreas Addison, a candidate for mayor who’s proposing real solutions to these issues including a plan to reduce the tax burden for homeowners, and deliver critical repair programs for our elders and families who can’t afford to maintain their homes. That’s real help for Black homeowners who are struggling to keep up with rising costs. His plan would also punish real estate speculators who sit on valuable unused land and encourage development, including housing our people can actually afford. These are the kinds of policies that will stop the displacement and keep our neighborhoods intact.

But none of this matters if we don’t vote. We’ve seen it time and time again—when we show

up at the polls, we can change the future of our communities for the better. This election, our votes are crucial. We have the opportunity to elect leaders who will fight to stop the displacement of Black families, protect our homes, and invest in affordable housing. If we don’t act, the Richmond we know could disappear forever. Our elders fought, bled and gave their lives so we could have the right to vote, to own homes and to build wealth. They’ve earned the right to stay here. Now, it’s on us to protect that legacy. We can’t afford to sit this one out. Vote for candidates who have real plans to solve the housing crisis and protect our community. Our homes, our families and our future depend on it. The writer is a former candidate for City Council.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

(Ref: Virginia Code § 58.1-3321)

The City of Richmond proposes to increase property tax levies.

1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 6.68 percent.

2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.136 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

3. Effective Rate Increase: The City of Richmond proposes to adopt a tax rate of $1.16 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.024 per $100, or 2.1 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the City of Richmond will exceed last year’s by 3.6 percent.

A public hearing on the increase will be held on November 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

(Ref: Virginia Code § 58.1-3321)

The City of Richmond proposes to increase property tax levies.

1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 6.68 percent.

2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.136 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

3. Effective Rate Increase: The City of Richmond proposes to adopt a tax rate of $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.064 per $100, or 5.6 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the City of Richmond will exceed last year’s by 5.2 percent.

A public hearing on the increase will be held on November 12, 2024 at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

WNBA outlook is promising after record-setting year

By Doug Feinberg

The Associated Press

The WNBA looks promising heading into the offseason after a banner year with record ratings, attendance and a first-time champion in New York.

Soon after the confetti stopped falling on the sellout crowd at Barclays Center following Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, the league and its players turned their attention to 2025.

Days before the Liberty’s championship parade last Thursday, the players’ union opted out of the current collective bargaining agreement. The decision was expected with a new 11-year media rights deal worth approximately $200 million per year beginning in 2026. The players are looking for a bigger share of the revenue pie among other things, including pensions and higher salaries.

The current CBA will still be in effect throughout next season, but both sides would like to get a deal done sooner rather than later.

Negotiations are always intense, but those associated with the WNBA have much to be excited about.

The league is expanding and will increase the number of regular season games to 44. The WNBA will hold an expansion draft for Golden State in December. The Valkyries will be the league’s 13th franchise. The league will add franchises in Toronto and Portland in 2026, with at least one other team starting in either 2027 or 2028.

Although the WNBA could lose one of its iconic stars if Diana Taurasi announces her retirement, league officials are looking forward to another highly anticipated draft. The draft lottery is next month. It will determine who gets the first pick and potentially Paige Bueckers, who

21 years after Taurasi could become the next UConn guard to be selected No. 1. Many of the league’s top players will remain in the U.S. this winter and play in January in Unrivaled — the 3-on-3 league started by WNBA Finals standouts Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier. The Stewart and Collier championship showdown led to strong ratings, with all five

Free Press staff report

Virginia State University’s Volleyball Team clinched a 3-0 sweep over Lincoln University (Pa.) and followed up with a 3-2 victory over Shaw University on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, handing the Bears their first regular season conference loss since 2022. The Trojans took on Lincoln at 1 p.m., followed by Shaw at 5 p.m.

The Trojans dominated Lincoln from the start, taking the first set 25-9 and preventing the Lions from scoring consecutive points. VSU maintained control in the second set with a 25-14 win and wrapped up the sweep with a

narrow 25-23 victory in the third set. Standout performances came from Helena Eubanks and Gracie Darville, who each recorded 16 kills, while Amaya Cooper contributed 15 kills.

The Trojans opened against Shaw in a competitive first set, edging out the Bears 26-24 with clutch kills from Morgan Green and Darville. Set two was another tight contest; with the score tied at 17, both teams went on fivepoint runs to reach 22-22. VSU then capitalized on a Shaw service error and back-to-back kills from Darville to win the set 25-22. Shaw rebounded to control the third set, winning it decisively at 25-17. The Trojans responded

games having more than a million TV viewers. The decisive Game 5 drew an average of 2.2 million viewers, peaking at 3.3 million, which made it the most-watched WNBA game in 25 years. The league as a whole had its most-watched regular season in 24 years and best attendance in 22 seasons. During the 40-game regular season, 22 telecasts topped at least a million viewers on

with a strong start in the fourth, scoring 10 of the first 13 points.

However, Shaw surged ahead on a 14-3 run, eventually capturing the set 28-26.

In the deciding fifth set, VSU jumped to an 8-2 lead and secured the win with a 5-1 run, ending with kills from Eubanks for a 15-6 victory. Defensive standout Kellee Craig led with 28 digs and three service aces.

VSU improved to 9-7 overall and 7-3 in conference play, marking their first win over Shaw under Head Coach Amanda Walker.

The Trojans travel to Bluefield State to round out October before hosting the Big Blue on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Free Press staff report

Free Press staff report

Virginia Union University’s Jada Byers had a record-setting day as VUU defeated Bowie State 56-28 on Saturday, Oct. 26, in Bowie, Md.

First, Byers became the Panthers’ alltime leading rusher by rushing for 324 yards, giving him a career total of 5,311 rushing yards. This broke the previous record of 5,008 set by Andre Braxton from 1997 to 2000.

Then, Byers scored six rushing touchdowns to set a new school record of 66 career rushing touchdowns, eclipsing the old mark of 63, also held by Braxton. Byers’ six TDs also broke a 93-year-old school record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single game. The old record was five, done three times previously.

Finally, Byers’ 324 rushing yards also broke his own school record of 319, set against Valdosta State in 2022.

Virginia Union’s Mark Wright completed 13 of 17 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, while teammate Reginald Vick Jr., caught seven passes for 148 yards.

On the defensive side, VUU’s William Davis had eight tackles while Shamar Graham had seven tackles and an interception.

“It was a great team win today,” said VUU Coach Alvin Parker. “I am extremely proud of Jada for his individual performance, the records he broke today have stood the test of time. He will forever be remembered as

Nominations are open for the fourth annual RVA Sports Awards — an event that celebrates Richmond’s top athletes and sports leaders. The online nomination portal is up and running, and it’s open until Dec. 1.

The RVA Sports Awards program honors athletes and coaches across all levels, including youth, high school, college and pro sports in the Richmond region. Award categories include Female Athlete of the Year, Male Athlete of the Year, Team of

a host of networks.

The league’s rookie class, led by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, was a big part of that success — and all should come back stronger and better next year.

“When Caitlin Clark announced she was going to enter the draft, I remember ... the wave of enthusiasm that came from a player that wasn’t even going to play for the Lynx,” Minnesota Coach Cheryl Reeve said. “So there was a lot of excitement and momentum for the WNBA. But to see it actually translate business-wise across the league, whatever the reasons were. There’s one really big reason and a lot of other little reasons why. And I think the movement that we’re in now is exciting.”

Not everything has been positive around the league’s growth.

Nearly half of the WNBA franchises have fired coaches in the past month. Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Washington are all looking for new leaders on the sidelines. All of the coaches who were let go had three years or less with their teams.

Off the court, players say they were targets of increasing online racial and homophobic threats, including one to Stewart and her wife during the WNBA Finals.

Commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed the rising number of abusive comments players have dealt with on social media at her state of the league address before the start of the WNBA Finals. She said the league will work with the players’ union to figure out what they can do together to combat it. The online abuse and the CBA are two of the offseason issues the WNBA and its players must address, but they have arguably the strongest foundation since the league’s launch to build on.

one of the greatest in VUU history.”

Next Up: Virginia Union returns home to face Bluefield State University for homecoming and Senior Day at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.

the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Moment of the Year, Youth Athlete of the Year, Youth Team of the Year and Event Impact of the Year. Following the nomination deadline, the top three finalists in each category will be announced Dec. 15. Then the public votes for the winners through the Fan Voting Poll on wtvr.com. The award recipients will be honored at a special ceremony Feb. 8, 2025, at the Altria Theater. Presented by Rosie’s Gaming Emporium and Colonial Downs, the event will spotlight those who have

made big contributions to Richmond’s sports community. There’ll also be a silent auction at the ceremony. Proceeds will go to the Richmond Region Tourism Foundation Sports Grant Program, which supports local youth sports initiatives. Organizers are welcoming auction item donations like gift cards, merchandise, memorabilia, services and cool experiences. Donors will get recognition through the event promotions. Head to visitrichmondva.com/rvasports-awards for more info on nominations, tickets and auction contributions.

AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura

New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu holds up the WNBA basketball championship trophy while riding down Broadway during a parade celebrating the team’s season championship, Thursday, Oct. 24, in New York.

Waugaman

Jada Byers

Personality: Maria Dolores “Dhol” Tuason

Maria Dolores “Dhol” Enciso Tuason, a Filipino immigrant, spent most of her life in the U.S. working as a nurse. Since retiring in 2022, she has dedicated her time to sharing her heritage with younger generations by founding Sayaw Diversity, an organization that celebrates cultural traditions.

The volunteer organization enables her to share the rich traditions of ethnic, folk and contemporary dance, along with other performing arts. As the artistic director, Tuason choreographs and mentors younger dancers, guiding them in theater and production work while immersing them in Filipino culture.

“Like me, many Filipinos have been in the U.S. longer than they’ve lived in the Philippines, Tuason said.“The Philippines consists of 7,641 islands, and the beauty of the landscape is majestic. Much has changed and improved as we are still developing as a country.”

Earlier this month, in celebration of Filipino American History Month, which represents the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental U.S., Sayaw Diversity was invited by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., to represent the Philippines on the Culture Day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Spouses Circle.

“It was an honor for us to be recognized and invited to the event,” she said.

Spotlight on founder and choreographer of Sayaw Diversity

Tuason migrated to the U.S. in 1982, two years after completing her nursing education. In the Philippines, young people are often encouraged to pursue nursing as a pathway to immigrate to the U.S., where the demand for nurses, higher wages, better working conditions, and favorable visa provisions make it an appealing destination. A nursing career also enables many Filipino immigrants to support their families back home, contributing significantly to the Filipino economy. However, decades of migration have contributed to a nursing shortage in the Philippines.

In the 1980s, when Tuason arrived in the U.S., she could only secure a one-year visa, so she had to renew her visa continually, creating uncertainty. By the early 1990s, she gained U.S. citizenship, allowing her to bring her parents here for extended visits. She moved them here permanently to care for them as they aged.

Tuason started her career at Johnston Willis Hospital with nine other Filipino nurses. She retired from VCU Medical Center, and she’s grateful that her career in nursing has allowed her to have a better life and care for her family.

“I had to make lots of adjustments,” Tuason said. There were a lot of challenges, but I was very well prepared to do the work.”

Meet the Filipino immigrant who is exploring her roots while

providing an informative peek at Filipino culture through the performing arts and this week’s Personality, Maria Dolores “Dhol” Enciso Tuason:

Volunteer position: Founder and artistic director of the volunteer group Sayaw Diversity, a Philippine cultural dance group based in Richmond. I am an officer and board member of the Philippine Nurses Association of Richmond Virginia that promotes health and community outreach. I’m also the sociocultural chair for the University of Santo Tomas Nursing Alumni Association and participate in fundraising activities for the medical mission in the Philip

Virginia

Holocaust Museum unveils interactive exhibit

The Virginia Holocaust Museum recently announced the opening of “Dimensions in Testimony,” a permanent exhibition featuring interactive Holocaust survivor biographies developed by the USC Shoah Foundation. Located on the museum’s second floor in the newly constructed Alan and Halina Zimm Theater of Remembrance, this exhibit brings a unique approach to Holocaust education.

“Dimensions in Testimony,” allows visitors to engage with pre-recorded video interviews of Holocaust survivors, simulating a Q&Astyle conversation through AI technology. This innovative experience enables visitors to learn about survivors’ stories firsthand, with the museum featuring five rotating biographies that change monthly. Starting Nov. 1, the exhibit will highlight Richmond resident and Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm, whose story was recorded over 15 hours, during which she answered nearly 1,000 questions

about her life during the Holocaust.

“We are honored to be one of the few U.S. museums to feature a “Dimensions in Testimony” exhibit,” said Samuel Asher, executive director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum. “This program allows visitors to hear firsthand accounts from Holocaust witnesses, and to converse with them about their experiences.”

The museum first approached the USC Shoah Foundation in 2020 about hosting the exhibit in a dedicated theater.

Creating these interactive biographies is a labor of love,” said Catherine E. Clark, senior director of programs at the USC Shoah Foundation. “We hope ‘Dimensions in Testimony’ will enrich the community’s understanding of the Holocaust and its lasting impact.”

Showings of the “Dimensions in Testimony” exhibit run hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Seating in the 46-seat theater is limited, and reservations are required. For more information, visit vaholocaust.org.

LARRY ROEDER

Dirt Don’t Burn: A Black Community’s Struggle for Educational Equality Under Segregation

pines.

Occupation: Retired nurse at VCU’s Cardiac Surgery ICU where I worked for 38 years. I also was a member of the professional dance company, the Latin Ballet of Virginia for 14 years.

Date and place of birth: March 26 in Naga City, Philippines.

Where I live now: North Chesterfield.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Santo Tomas, Philippines.

Family: I have a sister in the Philippines and a brother here in the U.S. Sayaw Diversity is: We are a volunteer group of performers in the city, whose mission is to promote Filipino culture through dance and other forms of visual art. Our work primarily focuses on capturing different traditional Filipino identities through balancing ethnic and folk movements with contemporary ones. With dancers coming from varied ethnic Filipino backgrounds, its repertoire is noticeably richer, more colorful and one of a kind. Sayaw Diversity strives to create vibrant, inspiring and emotionally charged dances that exemplify the true heart of Filipinos.

When and why founded:

in 2017 after I retired from professional dance. It was the Filipino’s love of music and dance in events and love for their country that reignited my desire to rediscover my roots as a Filipino.

Meaning of the name: Sayaw means to dance or dance and diversity represents the different influences that the Philippines have acquired in history.

Sayaw Diversity is meaningful to me because: It opened the creative part of me, and the possibilities are endless. Sayaw Diversity marked a different level in my dance passion, it allows me to look at my mission of promoting the Filipino culture, researching and collaborating with other Filipinos to represent our roots.

How to get involved: Be a member of the dance group, an auxiliary member or supporter and collaborate with us. Bring your passion to dance, work hard during rehearsal, be a great team player and open to learning.

Experience required to join: No dance experience needed — just the passion and love for dance and arts.

and support. We were the first Asian group to perform for the governor during Asian Heritage Month. When we did our show ”Pamana” last year, the audience was a very diverse mix. We were able to showcase our culture and how there are so many similarities with other cultures. Embracing and respecting the similarities of different cultures is a joy to watch.

Upcoming events: Our biggest event for Sayaw Diversity will be the showing of the video “Pamana (heritage)” on Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. It’s a two-hour cultural presentation of Philippine culture. Tickets are $10 through Eventbrite.

How I start the day: A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you.

Three words that best describe me: Passionate, patient and people-friendly.

Best late-night snack: Fruits.

Top three on my playlist: “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor; “Dancing Queen” by ABBA; and “Proud Mary” by Ike and Tina Turner.

A quote that inspires me: “You cannot give from an empty vessel. To give to others, you must fill yourself.”

Joy I have witnessed with Sayaw Diversity: Richmond is bursting in the arts community and inclusion of the different cultures in the community is amazing. This year we have been asked to perform in multicultural events and galas. We are embraced with an openness Thurs., Nov. 14 | 6:00–7:30 p.m. Library of Virginia Lecture Hall

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Perseverance. Most influential person: My mother.

Chris Cunningham Photography Holocaust survivor Halina Zimm stands next to her interactive image in the Alan and Halina Zimm Theater of Remembrance at the Virginia Holocaust Museum where visitors can engage with her powerful story.

Free Press staff report

Will Downing returns for VUU homecoming with memories and music

By Jennifer Robinson

Virginia Union University alumnus

Will Downing will close out the weeklong homecoming festivities with a performance at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Sunday, Nov. 3. Known for his signature “sophisticated soul” style, Downing will entertain alumni, friends and fans.

“It’s always good to come back to Richmond because I always run into someone I knew from my days at Union,” Downing said.

Before the 26 jazzy neo-soul albums, extensive music tours, Grammy nominations and a career spanning more than three decades, Downing was just a teenager in Brooklyn, N.Y., trying to figure out what life was all about. After graduating from his performing arts high school in Brooklyn, he and a friend attempted to enlist in the Marines, but his father refused to sign the papers to allow him to join as a 17-year-old.

“It didn’t occur to me then that I could have a music career,” he said. “We didn’t have anyone in our immediate circles who had a music career. Growing up, I just thought that all Black folks could sing and dance. My parents didn’t encourage me. They didn’t allow me to think I was special.”

Street

and

J’s

After his father halted his plans to join the military, Downing found himself without a backup plan. Fortunately, he ran into a former high school teacher, who asked about his future plans. Downing admitted he had none, prompting the teacher to suggest applying to Virginia Union, recognizing his talent. Following this advice, Downing soon secured a scholarship. Just weeks later, his father drove him to Richmond, where he settled into Huntley Hall on Virginia Union’s campus.

“My dad dropped me off and gave me $100 and a box of condoms,” Downing said. “He told me don’t keep calling me about money. He said you’ve got your meal card, so you can eat. And don’t bring any of these girls home pregnant.”

Downing quickly adjusted to Richmond’s small-town, southern life while at VUU.

“Attending an HBCU was an eyeopening experience,” Downing said. “It was exactly what I needed. I was surrounded by people who looked like me, but everybody was doing different things. And there were no distractions like the big city.”

Downing was a music major at VUU but jokingly says he minored in Spades. He recalls being humbled as a poor college

student, washing his clothes in the bathroom sink when he ran out of money.

“I had a ball at Union from the moment I got there,” Downing said. “It was exactly what I needed. I grew up there.”

After less than two years at VUU, Downing returned to New York. He started hearing about his high school classmates and friends getting recording contracts.

“I thought to myself that ‘I could do that!’ I can sing better than him,” Downing said. “I’m going back home to give it a try.”

Disappointed by his departure from Virginia Union, Downing returned home and enrolled at Brooklyn College to satisfy his parents. Balancing part-time jobs, he focused on securing a recording contract. After several years of persistence, he finally landed his first contract.

“I think I was born at the right time, before the internet and streaming,” Downing said. “I can afford to put out music continuously. It doesn’t matter if it hits or not. People who attend my concerts really want to hear my old stuff.”

Will Downing performs at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. Saxophonist Jeanette Harris opens. Tickets are $94.50 and available at JSAffair.com.

Batiste, Jaouad help VCU Massey celebrate 50 years of care

Free Press staff report

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center celebrated its 50th anniversary last Thursday night, raising $6 million and announcing a new endowment to help minority cancer patients access treatment.

More than 600 guests attended the Golden Gala at Main Street Station, featuring Grammy winner Jon Batiste and his wife, Emmy-winning writer and cancer survivor Suleika Jaouad. The couple participated in a fireside chat discussing Jaouad’s cancer journey and the importance of accessible clinical care, followed by a live performance from Batiste.

The Massey Family Foundation announced a $100,000 lead gift to establish the Suleika Jaouad Endowed Fund for Access and Equity in Cellular Therapies and Transplantation. The fund will work to increase bone marrow donor diversity and enhance support for minority patients seeking transplants.

“This endowment from the Massey Family Foundation is a testament to the importance of building a health care system that serves everyone, regardless of their background,” said Becky Massey, representing the Foundation.

“We’re making things happen today for the actual impact and treatment of care tomorrow,” said Robert A. Winn, director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at Massey.

John McCarty, medical director of the Cellular Immunotherapies and Transplant Program at Massey, said the fund “marks a new chapter in our efforts to ensure that every patient, regardless of their background, has access to the lifesaving care they need.”

The cancer center, established in 1974 at what was then

the Medical College of Virginia campus, received National Cancer Institute designation in 1975.

Last year, it earned NCI’s highest ranking as a comprehensive cancer center, placing it among the top 4% of cancer centers nationwide.

Massey opened Virginia’s first bone marrow transplant unit in 1988 and continues working to expand access to advanced therapies for blood and bone marrow disorders. The anniversary fundraising

campaign remains ongoing, accepting both unrestricted gifts for research and restricted donations for specific programs. The gala was co-chaired by volunteer leaders Ellen and Jim Bonbright and Patricia and David Lyons.

“The greatest part of this story is not where we’ve been or where we’ve come from, but where we’re going,” said Michael Rao, VCU president and chair of the VCU Health System Authority.

Veterans Day Ceremony set for Nov. 11 at Virginia War Memorial

M. Brito, commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, who will serve as the keynote speaker. Clay Mountcastle, director of the Virginia War Memorial, will serve as master of ceremonies. The program will include remarks from Virginia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. James W. Ring, a tribute to Virginia’s Blue Star families and the announcement of the winners of the 2024 Veterans Day Student Essay Contest. Music will be provided by the Virginia National Guard 29th Division Band, with

Gen. Gary M. Brito a special performance from Virginia Opry artists Gentlemen South. “The mission of the Virginia War Memorial is to honor, remember and celebrate all veterans 365 days each year, but Veterans Day holds special significance,” said Mountcastle. “With nearly 700,000 veterans plus their family members calling Virginia their home, the Commonwealth has one of the largest number of veterans per population of any state. When we say, Virginia is for

Above, Mayor Levar M. Stoney left, issues a proclamation making Oct. 27 Mama J’s Day while the Johnson Family joins him on stage. They are from left, co-owners Velma and Lester Johnson, his wife, Yolanda Johnson, and their daughter Lena. Right, Sandra Tatum displays some of the food served at the block party. The menu featured Soul Food and Southern cuisine. Below, hundreds attend the block party celebration on 1st

between Clay

Marshall to commemorate Mama

restaurant’s 15 years in Jackson Ward.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Mama J’s marks 15 years

Courtesy Will Downing

R&B singer and former Virginia Union University student Will Downing performs at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Nov. 3.

Corbin Gurkin

Singer Jon Batiste performs at the Golden Gala at Main Street Station where the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center celebrated its 50th anniversary Oct. 24.

Marie Goodman Hunter Johnson remembered for pioneering work in education, theater

By George Copeland Jr.

Marie Goodman Hunter Johnson was a trailblazer whose talents enriched and uplifted her community, from the theater stage to the classroom. Her legacy of excellence and service, both within Virginia and beyond, endures following her death Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at age 95.

Johnson was born on Oct. 16, 1929, and was adopted by Fred and Florence Goodman. She spent her early life growing up in Richmond and Petersburg, graduating from Armstrong High School and Virginia State University.

Johnson had a passion for song that began in her youth in the church and shaped her life and careers. For decades, she taught music and speech classes at John Marshall High, retiring from teaching in 1991. She also served as part of the first group of African-American teachers at William Fox Elementary School after it was desegregated. When not instructing students, Johnson also sang in various Richmond churches and furthered her education at Columbia University’s Teachers College, the University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary.

Johnson’s musical talents led her to explore acting, leading to a theatrical career with over 30 performance credits to her

name over decades of work. This included the 1956 production of “The Common Glory” in Williamsburg, where she broke ground as its first African-American cast member.

Johnson’s stagework saw her perform at the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey, the Tanglewood Barn Theatre in North Carolina, Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery and the Caux Palace Theater in Switzerland.

Johnson would earn a wide range of awards for her performances, including Phoebe Awards from Richmond outlets for leading performances in multiple productions and the Liz Marks Award for Ongoing Contribution to Richmond Theater in 2016.

Johnson was preceded in death by her husband Andrew Blair Johnson on Jan. 8, 2021.

She is survived by her daughter Kelley, granddaughter Tiana, nieces Calcine Harris and Valerie Harris-Jones, nephew Kyle Jones, a godchild, extended cousins and many other family, friends and students.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church of South Richmond, on 1501 Decatur Street, with Dr. Dwight C. Jones, senior pastor, officiating, followed by interment at Maury Cemetery.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church to host memorial service for homeless persons

Free press staff report

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in partnership with Homeward and Commonwealth Catholic Charities, will hold a memorial service on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, to honor those who lost their lives this year while facing homelessness. This marks the third annual service coordinated by the three organizations, providing the community an opportunity to remember and honor these individuals.

The service begins 4:30 p.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1100 West Grace St. On-street parking will be available. All Saints Day, observed in many Christian traditions, is a day to remember those who have passed away over the past year. Organizers invite the public to join in this service of remembrance and reflection.

For more information, contact Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s Director of Evangelism & Stewardship David Smith at dwsmith78@gmail.com.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Flying Squirrels announce home game times for 2025

Free Press staff report

As the baseball world turns its attention to the World Series, the Richmond Flying Squirrels are already looking ahead to their 2025 season, announcing game times for their home contests on Wednesday.

The Flying Squirrels will host 69 home games next season, beginning with Opening Night at The Diamond on Friday, April 4, at 6:35 p.m. against the Akron RubberDucks. For home games in 2025, most weekday games (Tuesday-Friday) will begin at 6:35 p.m.

There are a few exceptions, however. The Tuesday, April 15, game will start at 6:05 p.m., while Wednesday, April 16, and Wednesday, June 25, games will be earlier at 11:05 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. respectively. All Saturday home games will start at 6:05 p.m.

From April through June, Sunday home games will begin at 1:35 p.m. This includes the season finale Sunday, Sept. 14. In July and August, Sunday home games will shift to a 5:05 p.m. start time and will feature a Summer Music Series prior to the games.

“As we look forward to our transition to CarMax Park, we want to focus on providing an elevated fan experience at each and every home game. We’re excited to start that process in 2025,” Flying Squirrels Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Ben Rothrock said. “The game time adjustments for the upcoming season, particularly on Sundays in July and August when shade is at a premium, are part of that process as is the addition of a Summer Music Series prior to Sunday evening games.”

North Carolina Central University tops poll; top four remain unchanged in Week 9

Free Press staff report

In the latest HBCU FCS Coaches Poll, North Carolina Central University maintains its position at the top, with the top four teams remaining unchanged from last week. The poll, administered by Boxtorow, a nationally syndicated sports talk show now in its 16th year, is voted on by coaches from the HBCU Football Championship Subdivision. NCCU leads the rankings with a record of 6-2 and received 18 first place votes, totaling 180 points. Jackson State follows in second place with a similar record of 6-2 and 162 points, while Tennessee State holds third with 6-2 and 143 points. Florida A&M, which recently defeated Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division leader Southern, remains in fourth place with a record of 4-3 and one first place vote, totaling 126 points.

Significant movement occurred in the rankings below the top four.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities

FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ISAIAH BROOKS, Plaintiff v. ALICIA BROOKS, Defendant. Case No.: CL24000220-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 26th day of November, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LAUREN JOHNSON, Plaintiff v. BENJAMIN JOHNSON, Defendant. Case No.: CL24002889-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a non-resident oof the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 21st day of November, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ROBERT MONROE, Plaintiff v. COURTNEY MONROE, Defendant. Case No.: CL24002914-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a non-resident oof the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 21st day of November, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE

Plaintiff v. BLANCA GIRALDO GIRALDO, Defendant. Case No.: CL24002947-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown appear here on or before the 26th day of November, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER THOMAS STUTZ, Plaintiff v. NORA STUTZ, Defendant. Case No.: CL23002461-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who Is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 2nd day of December, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 CUSTODY

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re TREASURE LEE FORD RDSS v. TRACEY LEE FORD, MICHAEL JAMES STRASBURG, JR., UNKNOWN FATHER Case No. JJ104334-02-00, JJ104334-03-00, JJ104334-04-00

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights {“TPR”) of Tracey Lee Ford (Mother) Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) & Unknown Father (Father) of Treasure Lee Ford, child DOB 7/28/2024, child. “TPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support. It is ORDERED that the defendants Tracey Lee Ford (Mother), Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) & Unknown Father to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 12/09/2024, at 10:30 A.M, COURTROOM #4

ABC LICENSE Ashraf Gujjar Company Trading as: Doswell Country Mart 16414 Washington HWY Doswell Hanover, VA 23047

The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Convenience Grocery Store, Beer and Wine, Off Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia. gov or (800) 552-3200. Jacks Place 1 LLC Trading as: Jacks Place 1 1881 Darbytown Rd Henrico, VA 23231 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Off Premises wine and beer to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or (800) 552-3200.

and all bids. The successful bidder shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred in connection with the advertisement of this ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and shall post the bond required by the ordinance.

A copy of the full text of the ordinance, Ord. No. 2024text of the ordinance and Right of Way Agreement to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=6895825&GUID=1D28FCCF-F521-4021A3C3-A8C153FD8A74&Options=&Search= Please address any questions or bids to: Candice D. Reid, City Clerk City of

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB No. 250004964: Calhoun Community Center Renovations (ARPA)

For all information pertaining to this IFB, please logon to the Richmond website (www.rva.gov).

Bid Due Date: November 14, 2024/Time: 2:00 PM

Pre-Bid Conference: October 30, 2024/Time: 3:00PM

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available at the City of Richmond website www.rva.gov or https://procurement.opengov.com/ portal/rva. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB No. 250004517: Crooked Branch Ravine Park 42nd St Bridge (ARPA)

For all information pertaining to this IFB, please logon to the Richmond website (www.rva.gov).

Bid Due Date: November 7, 2024/Time: 2:00 PM

Pre-Bid Meeting: October 23, 2024/Time: 3:00PM

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available at the City of Richmond website www.rva.gov or https://procurement.opengov.com/ portal/rva. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

South Carolina State, now in fifth place after defeating Delaware State, has a record of 5-2 and 119 points. Hampton, after a win against Elon, slipped to sixth place with a record of 5-3 and 109 points.

All teams from last week remain in the poll, albeit with some shifts in positions. The updated rankings also highlight Alabama State in seventh place with a record of 4-3, followed by Alcorn State (4-4) and Southern (4-4) in eighth and ninth places, respectively. Grambling rounds out the top 10 with a record of 4-3. Other teams receiving votes include Alabama A&M (3-3) with 19 points, Howard (3-4) with 12 points, Bethune-Cookman (1-6) with 9 points, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-5) with 6 points, and Morgan State (3-4) with 5 points. The HBCU FCS Coaches Poll reflects the ongoing excitement and competitiveness within the league as teams vie for top positions in the standings.

F697CE23ACCB&Options=&Search= Please address any questions or bids to: Candice D. Reid, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

Associate Data Science,