Richmond Free Press August 29-31, 2019 Edition

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Missy Elliott brings it home

Putting families first B1

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VOL. 28 NO. 35

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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AUGUST 29-31, 2019

Surviving the journey Thousands of people gather in a weekend of reflection and healing in Hampton to remember, honor the first Africans brought as captives to English North America 400 years ago By Brian Palmer

As day broke last Saturday, tides of people of all ages and colors flowed down the promenade at Hampton’s Buckroe Beach. Some were dressed for a day at the shore in shorts and T-shirts, with windbreakers or sweats. Others, all of them black people, were clad in white — gowns over skirts and dresses for many of the women; shirts and loose pants for the men. The line of people gave their names to two black women sitting at a table, the last step before they would begin the African cleansing ritual and name ceremony for which they had registered long before this day. A few yards away, three black men in colorful ceremonial robes stood silently on the beach, something they and every

Photo feature on A4 and A5 black person gathered there would not have been able to do a little more than 50 years ago because Buckroe was, by law, for whites only. Another robed man, Ancestral Master Drummer Joseph Ngwa from the central African nation of Cameroon, beat his drum to bring together the milling crowd, now in the hundreds. He then blew a horn to signal the pouring of a libation that would summon the ancestors. Professional photographers and videographers jockeyed for position with observers wielding their cellphone cameras. Then everyone settled in place, encircling the robed chiefs. Chief Asam Asam Eyong of Cameroon’s Bamoun people led the ritual, pouring liquid from a cow horn onto the sand, then bowing deeply onto a tortoise shell and animal pelt he laid on the ground. Please turn to A6

Brian Palmer

Queen mothers from the Institute of Whole Life Healing in Kentucky anoint participants at a sunrise cleansing and healing ceremony at Buckroe Beach in Hampton as part of the 400th anniversary commemoration of the first Africans landing in English North America. Left, Lariah Harris, 2, of Hampton walks with confidence Saturday along Fort Monroe’s waterfront, where the first “20 and odd Negroes” came ashore as captives at Point Comfort in 1619. The youngster was following her grandmother, Dee Wesley, a resident on the Fort Monroe property, which is now a part of the National Park Service. Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Yes, no and maybe Coliseum plan likely would fail if vote was taken today

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Navy Hill District Corp. plan to replace the Richmond Coliseum and bring more than $1 billion in new development nearby has yet to gain the backing of City Council. Despite a full-court lobbying press and continued op-eds from supporters close to the project published in Richmond’s daily newspaper, which is backing the plan, the project likely would fail if City Council were to vote on it after returning from the summer recess. As it now stands — and as a citizens’ group continues to battle to get the proposal on the ballot so voters can weigh in — at least four council members, and potentially five, would likely reject the proposal at this time, based on their public statements. The plan calls for taxpayer funds to build a new 17,500-seat arena, a linchpin of the proposal that the Navy Hill group led by Dominion Energy’s top executive, Thomas F. Farrell II, has presented and that Mayor Levar M. Stoney has embraced. At least seven council members are needed to support the ordinances that were introduced by the Stoney administration earlier this month because a key element of the plan involves the sale of municipal property, including parcels located north of Broad Street in the area bounded by Marshall, Leigh, Please turn to A6

New school year, new principals at 14 Richmond schools By Ronald E. Carrington

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Coliseum in Downtown Richmond

Fourteen new principals will lead public schools in Richmond when the school year starts next week. The appointments are designed to help Richmond Public Schools move toward greater accreditation. Currently, only 19 of the city’s 44 schools are fully accredited. RPS now has a mix of veteran administrators who have been named teacher or principal of the year in their previous school systems; have turned around poor performing schools where a majority of students are from low-income families; and have experience in English as a second language and/or worked in Spanish-speaking countries. Officials said the entire group of new principals consistently has worked closely with their school communities to improve communications. The administration looked for administrators working in environments similar to RPS

and demonstrating success. Each of the new principals was vetted through a rigorous, seven-step selection process, including panel interviews with teachers, staff and community members and formal interviews with RPS Superintendent Jason Kamras and members of the RPS leadership team. “First and foremost, we were looking for principals that could lead with love,” Mr. Kamras told the Free Press. “That means creating a culture in the schools that is positive and affirming, not just for students, but also for the staff. “For example,” he said, “Greene Elementary, where 90 percent of the families speak Spanish as their native language, wanted to prioritize candidates speaking their language.” This marks the third straight year that nearly a quarter of city schools have been appointed a new principal. The schools and their new principals: Please turn to A7

KKK targets Henrico neighborhoods, hits Hanover again By George Copeland Jr.

Henrico County Branch NAACP officials and top county officials urged residents to push back against white supremacy as the Ku Klux Klan targeted Glen Allen neighborhoods to distribute recruitment fliers in the dead of night last weekend. “We condemn their hate-filled messages and Mr. the disgusting mythology they represent,” said Henrico County Manager John A. Vithoulkas during a news conference Tuesday outside the Central Police Station off Brook Road near St. Joseph’s Villa. Mr. Vithoulkas was joined by the Rev. Tyrone Nelson, chairman of the Henrico County Board of

Vithoulkas

Rev. Nelson

Mr. Beasley

Supervisors, and Raiford Beasley, president of the Henrico NAACP. “The message that these fliers are pushing will find no fertile ground to grow here,” Mr. Vithoulkas said. The news conference was called after recruitment

fliers from the Roanoke-based Confederate White Knights of the KKK were found on Sunday morning in more than 100 driveways in the Bluebell Court area off Mountain Road in Glen Allen. Along with the Klan’s typical racist invective, passages from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible were included on the fliers. Henrico Police was alerted around 9 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Mr. Vithoulkas. “I challenge every Henrico citizen to stand up and protect the quality of life that we are entitled to by standing against all hate organizations and individuals,” Mr. Beasley said. Please turn to A6

Richmond Free Press

A2  August 29-31, 2019

Local News

Labor Day holiday schedule In observance of the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 2, please note the following:

Government offices: City, state and federal offices will be closed. Courts: Closed. Schools: Closed. Classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 3, for Richmond and Henrico County public schools. In Chesterfield County, students in grades 1 to 6 and 9 start classes on Tuesday, Sept. 3, while 7th, 8th and 10th through 12th-grade students start on Wednesday, Sept. 4. City of Richmond’s outdoor pools: Open noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1; and noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2. Public libraries and the Li-

brary of Virginia: Closed. Trash and recycling: No pickups; all will be delayed by one day. Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions: Closed. U.S. Postal Service: Closed. No delivery. Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers: Closed. Mall, major retailers, movie theaters: Varies; check with specific locations. ABC stores: Open until 6 p.m. GRTC: Operating on a Sunday schedule. Free Press offices: Closed.

Big back-to-school shoe giveaway on Monday By Ronald E. Carrington

Many Richmond students will be well-heeled and ready with school supplies when classes start next week, thanks to donations by the community. Students in kindergarten through high school can start school with a new pair of shoes from the 14th Annual Labor Day New Shoes for Back to School, a program started by a women’s ministry at Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church in Jackson Ward. The church, located at 614 N. 3rd St., will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2, for the first-come, first-served event. Another free shoe donation program, The Launch Entertainment Back 2 School Sneaker Drive, collected 120 brand new pairs of sneakers at eight locations across the Richmond area. Six city schools — Miles Jones, Oak Grove, Westover Hills, Blackwell, Bellevue and Swansboro elementary schools — will each receive 15 pairs of sneakers, distributed by Communities In Schools of Richmond. CIS of Chesterfield will distribute the balance to three Chesterfield County schools. The new sneakers were collected by businesses, residents and police and fire departments in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield. Earlier this month, 14,000 backpacks filled with school supplies were donated to elementary schools and middle schools in Richmond. The Ultimate Backpack program was sponsored by the Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni Association in conjunction with CIS. More than 700 volunteers helped as backpacks were collected and stuffed on Aug. 14 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. UPS also delivered free of charge 8,000 of the backpacks to elementary schools and 6,000 to middle schools in Richmond. Timmy Nguyen, VCU’s coordinator for the project, said the program focused on Richmond’s Title I schools with a high concentration of students from low-income families. Each school will distribute the backpacks to students in need, he said. The program has gone from 3,500 backpacks in its inaugural year in 2018 to 14,000 this year, he said. The involvement of so many volunteers and sponsors “demonstrated their desire for Richmond Public Schools students to succeed,” Mr. Nguyen said.

Crusade for Voters to host 5th District candidates forum The Richmond Crusade for Voters is hosting a forum for the candidates seeking to replace Parker C. Agelasto as representative for the 5th District on the Richmond City Council. The forum, which is free and open to the public, will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St. All eight candiates have been invited, according to organizers. The forum will be moderated by radio personality Clovia Lawrence, with closing remarks by former City Councilman Sa’ad El-Amin. “The forum will give not only the residents of the 5th District, but all Richmond city residents and taxpayers the opportunity to hear from the candidates who, if elected, will vote and pass legislation on issues that will affect” all city residents and their families, said John Dixon, chairman of the Crusade’s Research Committee. The committee also will hold one-on-one interviews with the candidates before making an endorsement recommendation at the Crusade’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24. Details: Mr. Dixon, (804) 513-5644 or jdixon5644@gmail.com or Stephanie Rizzi, Research Committee vice chair, (804) 300-1207 or stephanierizzi27@gmail.com.

Dominion Energy announces recycling incentive for old refrigerators, freezers Customers hanging on to old, energy-guzzling but still-working refrigerators and freezers are being offered a new incentive to have them recycled. Dominion Energy has announced a program to pay customers $20 to allow a partner recycling company to pick up refrigerators and freezers that are at least 10 years old, still operating and that have 10 to 32 cubic feet of capacity. The partner is Recleim LLC, a seven-year-old South Carolinabased recycler that operates three plants to break down outdated refrigerators and freezers and sell the material for use in a host of other products. Under the partnership, Dominion customers can call (877) 7856681 or go online at www.dominionenergy.com/fridge to schedule a free pickup of up to two old working appliances. After an inspection to verify the condition, Recleim will take away the qualifying equipment for recycling. Dominion then will send a $20 check to participating customers within four to six weeks. According to Dominion and the company, Recleim uses methods to safely remove harmful materials from obsolete appliances and 95 percent of the remaining components to be marketed for use in laptops, cell phones, concrete mixes and soda cans. Recleim on its website notes that old appliances also are being turned into motorcycle parts in Detroit, plumbing in Syracuse and carpet fibers in Houston. Participants could see savings on their energy bill with newer, energy-efficient appliances. Dominion estimates an old refrigerator or freezer can cost $10 to $12 a month to operate.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

A line of people marches along a portion of the Richmond Slave Trail beside the James River on their way from the Old Manchester docks to Downtown. The walk on Aug. 20 was led by Janine Y. Bell of the Elegba Folklore Society and was symbolic of the many slave coffles in Richmond, which was one of the largest markets for the sale of enslaved people before the end of the Civil War. The walk was one element of the three-day Black Lives Global Summit that the Connecticut-based Community Healing Network sponsored. The summit, held largely at Virginia Union University in concert with other events related to the 400th anniversary of the forced arrival of the first Africans in English North America, focused on providing emotional and psychological healing from the lingering impact of slavery and included a range of speakers focusing on the past, present and future for people of African descent.

AG opines that gun-toting militia groups can face arrest under certain circumstances By Jeremy M. Lazarus

generally assumed the appearance of law enforcement officers. Openly carrying weapons is not illegal, “By your account, these militia members even on the grounds of the State Capitol. were not in line to enter the building and But members of privately organized mi- were not seeking to engage with members litias who assume law enforcement duties of the General Assembly,” Mr. Herring without permission can be arrested and wrote, but instead “were patrolling a line charged with a misdemeanor “of falsely of citizens waiting to engage with legislaassuming or pretending to be” a tors and project(ing) authority to sworn officer of the law. manage the crowd.” That’s the opinion of Virginia If that accurately described Attorney General Mark. R. Herwhat happened, Mr. Herring ring, who has been raising alarms stated that “by engaging in about the paramilitary activity crowd control or purporting to of white supremacist militias secure a public area, private and similar groups. militia members usurp(ed) a His official opinion, issued role specifically reserved to law Mr. Herring Aug. 16, in response to a quesenforcement.” In this case, it was tion from Delegate Charniele L. Herring, the Capitol Police, although Mr. Herring a Democrat from Alexandria, who is chair never mentioned them. of the House Democratic Caucus. That “improper assumption of law The opinion represents an implied enforcement authority” that “can be used rebuke of the Capitol Police Division’s to intimidate or chill … rights reserved allegedly lax operation on July 9, when the to our citizens … to speak, assemble and General Assembly was in special session petition the government” is prohibited to consider gun control laws. conduct under the state Constitution and Capitol Police stoutly rejects the re- state law, he wrote. buke. However, Capitol Police is pushing Delegate Herring asked the Attorney back against the notion they gave private General’s Office whether the conduct of militias free rein to act like police officers. armed militia members who came to the Capitol Police officials rejected Delegate Capitol on July 9 violated one or more Herring’s description of the activities on state laws, even though no arrests were July 9. made at the time. “At no point on or after July 9, did the According to the delegate, as sum- (Capitol Police) receive any complaints to marized by Mr. Herring, private militia our communications center about alleged members in military fatigues entered intimidation by armed individuals (or) Capitol Square carrying assault-style of people allegedly patrolling crowds or weapons, patrolled the crowd, took posi- people allegedly taking positions suggestions suggestive of a security force and tive of a security force,” Capitol Police

spokesman Joseph Macenka stated Monday in response to a Free Press query. He stated that the Capitol Police division “for more than four centuries has been charged with the important and vital public safety mission of making sure all citizens are able to safely visit their seat of government and have their voices heard. As such, the division is committed to enforcing all laws accordingly. “The division takes great pride in maintaining a safe environment not only for all elected officials, but employees and visitors as well,” he added. He also urged “anyone who witnesses a violation of law to contact the division at (804) 786-2120.” However, in a statement issued with his opinion, Mr. Herring, a Democrat, indicated that, in his view, the Capitol Police failed to take appropriate action, although he again did not mention the division. “The private militias we saw purporting to be police outside of the General Assembly building during the special session were there to intimidate Virginians from exercising their right to meet with their representatives,” he stated. “Seeing a group of people all dressed alike in military garb and carrying large assault-style weapons, like the white supremacist militia and paramilitary activity we saw in Charlottesville, can be intimidating and terrifying. “I hope,” he continued, “that this opinion will help law enforcement better understand the tools that they have at their disposal to handle these private militias when they show up to events,” including a meeting of the legislature.

Federal judge upholds city ambulance monopoly By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond has won its legal fight to maintain a monopoly over providing emergency and non-emergency ambulance service after Richmond City Council forced Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to mount a vigorous defense. U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. handed the city the victory in rejecting a private company’s claims that the city was illegally preventing it from gaining a permit to operate non-emergency transport service to and from the McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center in South Side. The company, Western Star Hospital Authority of Atlanta and its Henrico-based subsidiary, Metro Health EMS, argued that the city created through its RichmondAmbulance Authority an illegal monopoly on ambulance service that interfered with the company’s

business and violated its rights. In his Aug. 8 decision, Judge Gibney agreed with a 22-year-old decision that upheld RAA’s monopoly in the first test of this issue. In the1997 case, the federal district court found that Richmond and other localities were immune from suit as a valid state law authorized them to set up monopolistic authorities to conduct ambulance operations to ensure quality emergency service to all residents. “The city has done precisely what the state law contemplates, determining that ‘(it) is in the best interest of the city to create and to regulate a unified emergency medical service,’ ” the judge wrote. Along with again finding that the city and RAA were immune from antitrust suits, Judge Gibney also dismissed Western Star’s other arguments involving violation of due

process, equal protection and its right to do business without interference. Last year, the Stoney administration sought to settle the suit by proposing to award a franchise to Metro Health EMS to operate in the city. But the council, led on this issue by 8th District Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, chair of council’s Public Safety Committee, blocked the action. Ms. Trammell and other members killed the legislation after RAA’s chief executive Chip Decker argued that allowing Metro Health to operate non-emergency service in the city would cost the authority crucial revenue that it uses to support the more expensive citywide emergency service. Non-emergency transports contribute more than $1.6 million a year to RAA’s bottom line, which helps keep down the city’s annual subsidy to RAA for emergency service.

Eastern Henrico schools town hall slated for Sept. 1 Henrico School Board member, the Rev. Roscoe D. Cooper III, who represents the county’s Fairfield District, is hosting a town hall to discuss improving support for schools and families in Eastern Henrico. The town hall will be held 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Rev. Cooper’s church,

Rising Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2705 Hartman St. The meeting seeks to bring together school officials, teachers, Henrico community members and families to discuss academic performance and achievement gaps, perceptions and inequities in Hen-

rico schools, the needs and challenges of parents and resources to help families and students. Henrico Schools Superintendent Amy Cashwell, County Manager John Vithoulkas and other administrators are also scheduled to attend.

Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019

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Richmond Free Press

A4  August 29-31, 2019

400th Anniversary of First Africans

400th anniversary First African Landing Commemoration Thousands of people paid tribute to the first Africans who were brought to Virginia in 1619 as captives aboard an English pirate ship. They arrived at Port Comfort in what is now the site of Fort Monroe in Hampton and were traded in exchange for food and provisions. The four-day commemoration held Thursday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 25, in and around Fort Monroe featured a mix of activities, speakers, panel discussions, a luncheon, libation and healing ceremonies, and remembrances and honor through African dance and drumming, spoken word, a concert and a nationwide bell-ringing ceremony.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Susan Taylor, former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine, poses for a photograph on Sunday with Chester Williams of Newport News. She was among several celebrities who attended the weekend commemoration events.

Ava Reaves

African-American dancers, drummers and flag bearers parade at Fort Monroe on Saturday following more than two hours of speeches.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Sounds of Blackness turns up the energy before Common takes the stage at the Hampton Coliseum.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Left, rapper Common sets the vibe for a free concert enjoyed by several thousand fans Saturday night at the Hampton Coliseum as part of the four-day commemoration organized by “American Evolution” under state and federal commemoration commissions, the Fort Monroe Authority, the National Park Service, the City of Hampton and Project 1619, a black-led nonprofit. Above, the crowd responds to Common during Saturday night’s performance, with many people rapping along with him.

Left, water is poured from an animal horn during a traditional libation ceremony Saturday by representatives of various African nations. Below, Tracy Richardson of Hampton looks at some of the marked gravesites at the Tucker Family Cemetery nestled in a residential area at 1 Sharon Court in Hampton. The cemetery holds the descendants of William Tucker, the first African-American born in the English colony of Virginia in 1624. According to records, William Tucker was the child of Anthony and Isabella, two of the first Africans brought to Virginia in 1619. Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019

A5

400th Anniversary of First Africans

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

A state historial marker outlining the history of the “First Africans in Virginia” stands near the seawall at the Fort Monroe National Historic Site. The area was known as Point Comfort in 1619 when the “20 and odd Negroes,” captured by the Portugese in Africa and then stolen by pirates on the English ship White Lion, were traded in Virginia for food and provisions.

Ava Reaves

Brian Palmer

African chiefs lead a sunrise cleansing and African naming ceremony that drew hundreds to Buckroe Beach in Hampton. The solemn event, organized by Roots to Glory, included libations to the ancestors.

Calvin Pearson, founder of Project 1619, holds a bowl of rose petals in preparation for a ceremony in which people dropped the petals in the water off the pier at Fort Monroe in honor and remembrance of the millions of Africans brought to these shores during the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Brycen Dildy, 11, of Larkspur Middle School in Virginia Beach, wows the crowd as he speaks during last Saturday’s main commemoration ceremony at Fort Monroe.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Brian Palmer

Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, a grandson of slaves and the first African-American elected governor in the nation, autographs a placard for a guest at the “African-American Political Pioneers” luncheon Friday at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

Ora McCoy, 76, of Appomattox, and Terry E. Brown, superintendent of Fort Monroe National Monument, launch the nationwide bell-ringing ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday at Fort Monroe as part of the ceremony. Bells at national parks, churches and other places across the country rang for four minutes — one minute for each century — in honor of the first Africans in English North America 400 years ago. The bell belonged to Ms. McCoy’s family.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Hundreds of people amass for the National Park Service’s bell-ringing ceremony, a part of Sunday’s Healing Day events at Fort Monroe.

Richmond Free Press

A6  August 29-31, 2019

News

Reflection, healing in honor of first Africans Continued from A1

Chief Eyong and the other chiefs then led the assembly in a call and response: “Africa must rise! Africa must rise again!” With Mr. Ngwa beating his drum, women dressed in white robes and head wraps, known as the African-American queen mothers from the Institute of Whole Life Healing in Lexington, Ky., led the crowd to the water’s edge. There, with water from a calabash, pairs of queen mothers anointed the heads of the whiteclad men and women who came to them one at a time. One of the queen mothers would gesture, pulling apart her fists as if ripping a cloth. She was breaking the chains of slavery. The solemn, yet emotional ceremony at Buckroe Beach was among the most powerful events of the “First African Landing Commemorative Weekend,” four days of speeches, panel discussions, ceremonies and performances marking the 400th anniversary of the 1619 arrival of the first captive Africans in English-occupied North America. With the exception of Saturday’s daybreak cleansing ceremony at Buckroe Beach and a few others, most events took place at Fort Monroe in Hampton, where “20 and odd Negroes” aboard an English pirate ship, the White Lion, were traded in 1619 for food and provisions at what was then known as Point Comfort. It, essentially, was the beginning of the slave trade in English North America, a barbaric inhumane practice that would last for centuries, its evil legacy persisting today. By the mid-1800s, more than 12 million Africans had been captured, sold and transported across the Atlantic to the Americas and the Caribbean. Some who participated in Saturday’s beach ritual beamed, while others stood silent and reflective. Wendell Shannon of Baltimore sighed and paused when asked about the ceremony’s significance. “It connects me to the painful experience of the trans-Atlantic slave trade — the bowels of the ships, the jumping off the ships and suicides. Now it’s time for liberation and reconnection to our mother Africa,” Mr. Shannon said. Jermaine Nelson, a young man also from Maryland, said he was looking for his roots and for a more profound connection to Africa. As part of the ceremony that accompanied the anointing, he received a new name, “Guiawang,” drawn from the Tikar people of Cameroon. “I’m looking for home,” he said. Organizer Ada Adagho Brown of the African heritage group Roots to Glory said afterward that

it was important the morning was planned and executed by Africans and African-Americans. So much of the schedule didn’t appear to be geared to either group, ostensibly the focus of the weekend. “I didn’t feel us in here,” Ms. Brown said. “I actually felt that there were two different events. One for them”— white people — “what they want the world to know, what they want the world to see. And one for us.” The weekend was organized under the flag “American Evolution” by state and federal commemoration commissions, the Fort Monroe Authority, the National Park Service, the City of Hampton and Project 1619, a black-led nonprofit. But at times, it seemed politicians — many of whom were white people — sought to hijack

that he was well aware that slavery in the “New World” didn’t begin in 1619. It started long before in Spanish-occupied North America. But what the English gave the young colony of Virginia, he said, was its legal system — a framework that white male colonists tailored to construct the brutal system of American chattel slavery. “It wasn’t destined by God. It wasn’t destined by the crown. We had to create it,” Sen. Kaine said. He then spoke about the Declaration of Independence, which Virginians helped to write. “What does it say about Virginians — Americans — all are created equal? This is like Virginia’s greatest gift to the world, and at the same time the people who were signing that document were creating the architecture of slavery and secession and then Massive Resistance.”

“I saw the governor. In the back, I wanted to tell him to his face what I had said behind his back. And that is, ‘Ain’t nothing better than a white boy who knows he messed up, who stays in office to fix it up.’ ” — Dr. Michael Eric Dyson the big events attended by several thousand people that also featured African drumming and dancing, spoken word and other presentations by youths, a long line of educational exhibits and vendors along the Fort Monroe waterfront and a ceremony where flower petals were dropped into the Chesapeake Bay in remembrance of the first Africans and other ancestors. Saturday’s main event, the “2019 African Landing Commemorative Ceremony,” featured 17 speakers, while Sunday’s ceremony, “Healing Day,” featured 11 speakers, including Gov. Ralph S. Northam, who used the podium on both days to continue his post-blackface rehabilitation. Gov. Northam announced Saturday that he has set up a commission to study how the AfricanAmerican experience is taught in Virginia and a separate commission to examine racial inequity in law. He also announced that sculptor-painter Brian R. Owens, an award-winning artist based in Florida, has been selected after a national search to lead the $500,000 First African Landing public art project at Fort Monroe. Mr. Owens is African-American. In his address on Saturday, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine spoke about Oliver W. Hill Sr., the pioneering civil rights attorney from Richmond, who was pivotal in the lawsuit that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education outlawing the “separate but equal” doctrine in public education. Sen. Kaine, an attorney, said before his speech

Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax spoke during Saturday’s and Sunday’s ceremony about his family history and the manumission of his great-greatgreat grandfather, Simon Fairfax, in 1798. He also recounted the story of 1619 African captives Anthony and Isabella, who gave birth to William Tucker in 1624, the first documented African-American child born in English North America. Many of the Tucker descendants participated in the weekend’s events and also hosted a reflection and commemoration ceremony on Friday morning at the Tucker Family Cemetery, tucked in a residential area of Hampton. Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, the grandson of slaves and the nation’s first African-American elected governor, was noticeably absent from Saturday’s and Sunday’s events at Fort Monroe. He had been invited to serve as an honorary chair of the commemoration, but was openly critical last month, saying his invitation “was only a polite inclusion.” “I learned that it was more ceremonial than actual in terms of what I was asked to do,” he told the audience on Friday, where he was the main attraction at a luncheon panel at the Hampton Convention Center. The luncheon, “African-American Political Pioneers,” also featured Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Newport News and other politicians whose elections were “firsts” in their communities. Rep. Scott is the first African-American to be elected to Congress from Virginia since the

Coliseum plan likely would fail if vote was taken today

 No 

Continued from A1

Ms. Trammell

Mr. Hilbert

Ms. Gray

Mr. Agelasto

Ms. Larson

 Yes  Dr. Newbille

Mr. Addison

 Maybe  Ms. Robertson

post-Reconstruction-era election of John Mercer Langston. Before his election in 1888, Mr. Langston, an attorney, educator and diplomat, helped create Howard University’s law school and became its first dean. He also had served as the first president of what became Virginia State University. Although politicians dominated the weekend program, they did not have the last word. “I came here today to honor you and all of those warriors that came before you, who have literally made the way for all of us,” Chief G. Anne Richardson, a Rappahannock woman and the first woman to lead a Native American tribe in Virginia since the 18th century, said to the largely African-American crowd of several thousand on Sunday, the final day of the commemoration. The Sunday ceremony followed a symbolic four-minute ringing of bells at Fort Monroe and national parks and churches across the country — one minute for each 100 years of African presence in the nation. Sunday’s keynote speaker, Georgetown University professor, author, preacher and radio host Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, didn’t mince words in a blistering, irreverent and thought-provoking speech about what black people have faced during the course of 400 years in America. He started, however, by addressing Gov. Northam’s blackface scandal that rocked Virginia earlier this year. “I saw the governor. In the back,” Dr. Dyson said with a preacher’s timing. “I wanted to tell him to his face what I had said behind his back. And that is, ‘Ain’t nothing better than a white boy who knows he messed up, who stays in office to fix it up.’ ” The crowd roared. He then gave a history lesson, highlighting in 100-year increments the brutalities and injustices inflicted on African-Americans. “When America says the worst act of terror happened on 9-11, you’re wrong,” he said. It was 1619 and what followed for black people, he said. Dr. Dyson took on colorism among black people, a damaging legacy of enslavement that he said needs to stop. “We better realize that we’re all in the same boat. I don’t care how light or dark you are, you still a n****r in America.” He also went after President Trump, calling him “an orange apparition,” “bigot-in-chief,” and a “white supremacist.” For all the painful truths he told, Dr. Dyson ended by calling on black people to love ourselves — and to vote.

Dr. Jones

5th and 10th streets and others located to the south in the area bounded by Franklin, Broad, 4th and 7th streets. The state Constitution requires that three-fourths of the council support any sale of city property. Whether plan backers can shift members to their side remains to be seen in the coming months. However, the lack of sufficient support is similar to the problem that former Mayor Dwight C. Jones faced several years ago when he proposed moving the city’s minor league baseball stadium to Shockoe Bottom. Within four weeks of unveiling his plan, it was clear he could not gain the seven votes needed. At least one member of the council can be listed as a hard no on the Coliseum project, 8th District Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell. She has said people in her district want to their taxes used to improve city services and oppose having the growth in taxes in Downtown earmarked to pay for an arena hosting acts many could not afford to attend. Others considered likely to oppose the plan if the vote is taken now include Council Vice President Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, and outgoing 5th District Councilman Parker C. Agelasto. While Mr. Hilbert voted at a special Aug. 14 City Council meeting against putting the proposal on the ballot as a non-binding resolution, he also said at the time that he “is very unlikely, at this point, to support this proposal because I just see way too many holes in it out of the gate.” Mr. Hilbert, who has long experience in reviewing developments as an underwriter and senior community housing officer

with the Virginia Housing Development Authority, told the audience he is skeptical of the projections for tax generation associated with the project. That includes the projected level of lodging taxes to be generated by the large convention hotel that is to be part of the development, as well as the attendance projections for the new arena that he said “would be more than Washington and Baltimore combined.” Such items, as well as the prospect of an impending recession, “give me great pause” about the project,” Mr. Hilbert said, noting that he views the project’s claims as akin to “many of the things I was told and promised (on past projects I supported) that did not materialize.” In sum, he said, “One of the best decisions you can make in life is to say no.” Mr. Agelasto, who abstained in the vote to put the issue on the ballot, did so because he said he believes the proposal is not ready at this point and should not go to the public until there is substantial improvement. Another council member who likely would oppose it at this point is 2nd District Councilwoman Kim B. Gray, considered a potential mayoral candidate next year. While she supported putting the proposal on the ballot, she also led the charge to set up an advisory group to review the proposal and would want to see the results. Those might not be in until December. A potential fifth opponent might be 4th District Councilwoman Kristen N. Larson, who also supported an advisory referendum. She, too, wants more information. Observers list only two members as a likely hard yes on the Coliseum plan, Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, 7th District, and 1st District Councilman

Andreas D. Addison. While neither has yet taken a public stand and have said they are studying the matter, the two other members, 6th District Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson and 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones, tentatively have been put in the yes camp. Ms. Robertson was moved to a likely yes after Mayor Stoney nixed a plan to move the Richmond Department of Social Services headquarters from Downtown to South Side, near the city’s boundary with Chesterfield County. The mayor pledged to keep the operation in Downtown. Ms. Robertson had made it clear she would oppose the project if the building was moved to the distant location to clear more land for the Navy Hill development. Dr. Jones has objected to being put in the yes camp at this point, saying it is too early to be put in either camp. He said that he is still studying the proposal, gathering information and listening to district residents. On the referendum front, Paul Goldman, leader of the Put Schools First campaign, filed a motion Tuesday in Richmond Circuit Court asking the court to compel city Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter to begin counting voter signatures he argues were wrongly disqualified and to bar her from completing the Richmond ballot while she reviews those signatures. Mr. Goldman told the court that he and volunteers have found 1,000 signatures of registered voters that he believes Ms. Showalter and her staff wrongly threw out in coming to the conclusion that he had submitted only 9,941 valid signatures on petitions, or 400 short of the 10,341 needed to put the Coliseum replacement plan on the Nov. 5 ballot.

KKK targets Henrico neighborhoods, hits Hanover again Continued from A1

Fliers also were found around the same time around nearby Greenwood Road in the Brookland District, according to Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt, who released his own statement on Wednesday decrying the KKK’s presence. The officials encouraged anyone with information to contact Henrico Police at (804) 501-5331.

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that hatred and the KKK’s message does not permeate or find itself welcome here in Henrico County,” said Rev. Nelson, who represents the Varina District on the board and is pastor of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond’s Jackson Ward. Klan activity has been present in the area in recent months. Members of the North Carolinabased Loyal White Knights of the KKK held a recruitment rally outside the Hanover County

Courthouse on Fourth of July weekend and distributed fliers in that county in February. Angry and concerned residents held a protest July 24 launched by the Hanover County Branch NAACP and flooded a meeting of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors to protest officials’ inaction over the KKK rally at the courthouse. Robert N. Barnette Jr., who leads the Hanover County NAACP and recently was named president of the Virginia State Conference

NAACP, told the Free Press on Wednesday that residents of Hanover’s Cold Harbor District also found KKK fliers in their driveways during the weekend from the same group that hit Henrico. “We do not support hate speech or these types of terrorist groups in the county,” Mr. Barnette said. “The KKK is a known terrorist group. They promote division. “We are going to continue to speak and make sure that our voices are heard,” he said.

Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019  A7

Local News

Ms. Hines

Dr. Anderson

Dr. Sermons

Ms. Cook

Ms. Jones

Dr. Pisani

Dr. AbregoMeneses

Mr. London

Ms. Murray

Ms. Holeman

Ms. Massenburg

Ms. Sears

Ms. Ivy

Ms. Giles

New school year, new principals at 14 Richmond schools Continued from A1

• Bellevue Elementary School — V. Tanaia Hines: A former assistant principal in Norfolk Public Schools, Ms. Hines served in a school with an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Previously, she spent nine years as an elementary schoolteacher after earning a bachelor’s in kinesiology and exercise science from Old Dominion University and a master’s in secondary education and school administration from Cambridge College. • Blackwell Elementary School — Dr. Teresa K. Anderson: A Navy veteran, Dr. Anderson has been a school administrator since 2007. Prior to her appointment, she served as an associate principal at Blackwell. She also is a former principal at Bertie High School in North Carolina and a school administrator in St. Cloud, Minn. She also has worked for the Waukegan Public Schools and the Chicago Public Schools in Illinois. Dr. Anderson has a bachelor’s in English from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a master’s in education from Barat at DePaul University, a master’s in educational leadership from East Carolina University and a doctorate in educational leadership from Fayetteville State University. • Fairfield Court Elementary School — Dr. Demetri Sermons: A former school leader in Wilmington, Del., and principal in the District of Columbia Public Schools, Dr. Sermons also has served as a gifted education specialist, a testing coordinator, advanced placement coordinator and chair of a high school English department in Georgia. The Valdosta, Ga., native has a bachelor’s in English and French education from Troy University, a master’s in education and an educational specialist degree from Central Michigan University and a doctorate in education from Liberty University. • George Mason Elementary School — Kimberly Cook: A former elementary school principal

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in Fairfax County, Ms. Cook was nominated for that system’s First Year Principal of the Year award four years ago. She began her career in Richmond Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary School. She has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University, as well as a master’s in educational leadership from George Mason University. • Ginter Park Elementary School — L. Michelle Jones: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Jones served an academic interventionist at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School supporting students’ academic achievement and social growth and increasing teacher efficacy. She previously served as a principal in Caroline County and of an elementary school in Dinwiddie County. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of North Carolina at Fayetteville, a master’s in administration and supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master’s in special education from the University of Phoenix. • George Wythe High School — Dr. Joseph Pisani: The former principal at Massaponax High School in Spotsylvania County and Washington & Lee High School in Westmoreland County has been nominated numerous times for Virginia’s Principal of the Year. He previously also worked as a building principal, associate principal and social studies teacher in New York, where he was named 2002 Teacher of the Year for his school district. He has a master’s in education and a postgraduate degree in school district administration from Dowling College and a doctorate in educational leadership from Capella University. • E.S.H. Greene Elementary School — Dr. Juvenal Abrego-Meneses: A former high school and elementary school assistant principal, Dr. Abrego-Meneses has worked in education for 18 years, including as coordinator of a migrant education program. He began his career teaching English to speakers of other languages in Panama and spent 12 years as a high school ESL and

Spanish teacher. He has worked previously with the state Department of Education and as director of the Governor’s School Residential Program for Gifted and Talented Students in Region 8. He has a bachelor’s in bilingual education for the National University of Panama; a master’s in English education and creative writing from Longwood University; a graduate certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, or TESOL, and in Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language; an education specialist degree in K-12 administration and supervision from Virginia Tech; and a doctorate in educational policy, planning and leadership from the College of William & Mary. • Henderson Middle School — Antoine London: A former assistant principal at middle schools in Suffolk, Mr. London has worked for 11 years in Hampton Roads, including as a teacher. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year at one of his previous schools. He has a bachelor’s in business education from Norfolk State University and a master’s in educational leadership from Regent University. • John Marshall High School — Monica Murray: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Murray served as assistant principal at Armstrong High School. She also taught for 22 years in Richmond Public Schools and was named a finalist for RPS Teacher of the Year and for the R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. She has a bachelor’s from Virginia Union University and a master’s and certificate in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. • Overby-Sheppard Elementary School — Shayla Holeman: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Holeman served as principal for an elementary school in Durham, N.C. She also was an elementary school principal in Person County, N.C., where she was named Principal of the Year for the school system. She began her teaching career with Richmond Public Schools. She has a bachelor’s in English and philosophy from the University of

Virginia, an MBA from Strayer University and a post master’s in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. • Richmond Community High School — Kenya E. Massenburg: Ms. Massenburg served as interim principal at Richmond Community during the 2018-19 school year. Previously, she served as an assistant principal and an associate principal in Henrico County. She has a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in education from Virginia State University and a master’s in educational leadership from George Washington University. • Thomas Jefferson High School — Cherita Holland Sears: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Sears served as both principal and assistant principal at Albert H. Hill Middle School. She previously served as dean of students at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County following a 13-year career teaching English in Richmond and Chesterfield schools. She has a bachelor’s in English education from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Liberty University. • Albert Hill Middle School — Tashiana Ivy: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Ivy served as assistant principal at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. She taught math and science for 11 years in Richmond middle and high schools. She has a bachelor’s in biology from Spelman College and a master’s in educational leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. • George Washington Carver Elementary School — Tiawana Giles: Prior to her appointment, Ms. Giles served as interim principal at Carver during the 2018-19 school year. She has spent more than 18 years in education, including serving as assistant principal at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School. She is an Army veteran. She has a bachelor’s in elementary education from Chaminade University, a master’s in reading education from Bowie State University and a postgraduate certificate in educational leadership from the University of Richmond.

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August 29-31, 2019

Labor Day On Labor Day 2019, the Richmond Free Press salutes those workers whose daily efforts contribute to the progress, vibrancy, inclusiveness, education, health, safety, vital functions and greater good of our communities, our families and our commonwealth. We support you and thank you! Happy Labor Day

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Recovering from Ferguson “The city’s personal-responsibility refrain … reflects many of the same racial stereotypes found in the emails between police and court supervisors. This evidence of bias and stereotyping, together with evidence that Ferguson has long recognized but failed to correct the consistent racial disparities caused by its police and court practices, demonstrates that the discriminatory effects of Ferguson’s conduct are driven at least in part by discriminatory intent in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.” – U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department, March 2015 Five years ago, a Ferguson, Mo., police officer shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown, bringing national attention to Ferguson Police Department’s shocking pattern of racial profiling and excessive force. In a town that is a third Caucasian, African-Americans

accounted for 85 percent of traffic stops, 90 percent of tickets and 93 percent of arrests, according to a U.S. Justice Department report released seven months after Mr. Brown’s death. Ferguson Police used force almost exclusively on AfricanAmericans. They regularly

Marc H. Morial stopped black drivers without probable cause. Ferguson officials circulated racist jokes on their government email accounts. Five years later, Ferguson has shown some signs of improvement. There are now six black members of the City Council, compared with only one in 2014. The Police Department has gone from three black officers out of 53 to about two-dozen black officers, including Chief Jason Armstrong, an AfricanAmerican. The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, which transformed the location of a burned-out building into the Ferguson Empowerment Center, has just announced a new $5 million investment to build a strip mall that will include a

bank, a restaurant, a minority business incubator and a home health care company. Save Our Sons, the workforce development program that operates out of the Empowerment Center, has connected more than 750 men with jobs in the Ferguson area since it opened in 2017. A new partnership with First Financial Federal Credit Union will provide auto loans, credit counseling, checking and savings accounts to members of Save Our Sons and other local residents. But stark racial disparities persist not only in Ferguson, but in the wider St. Louis region, both economically and in the criminal justice system. The disparity in traffic stops in Ferguson actually has widened drastically, according to the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. The rate of stops of black drivers has increased by 5 percentage points since 2013, while it has dropped 11 percentage points for white drivers. Statewide, black motorists were nearly twice as likely as other motorists to be stopped. The economic news is even worse. According to the EastWest Gateway Council of Governments, the median white

Jay-Z buys in — sells out “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In the wake of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and extrajudicial murder, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation has struck a deal to lead the NFL’s endeavors into music and entertainment. This deal has caused a lot of consternation within the African-American community. The issue now being raised centers around Jay-Z being a “sellout.” What must be clearly understood is that Jay-Z is a capitalist. He did what capitalists do — he bought in. Before he was Jay-Z, he was Shawn Carter. He grew up in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was a drug dealer in his youth. By his own admission, his drug-dealing days prepared him for his current life as a sports entrepreneur and music mogul. “I know about budgets. I was a drug dealer. To be in a drug deal you need to know what you can spend.” To Shawn Carter, drugs were just a widget or commodity whose sale presented no moral dilemma or conflict. Selling drugs was a means to an end. It’s the urban Horatio Alger story, from “grams to Grammys,” as he said. Shawn Carter sold out his community for his personal gain by selling drugs to his own people.

Jay-Z, the capitalist, has once again increased his personal fortune by buying into an institution that has also shown little regard for the fate of black people. When asked where we are in the protest process and the significance of kneeling, Jay-Z gave a very Trumpian response: “I think we’ve moved past kneeling

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III and I think it’s time to go into actionable items … No, I don’t want people to stop protesting at all. Kneeling — I know we’re stuck on it because it’s a real thing — but kneeling is a form of protest. I support protests across the board … But now that we all know what’s going on, what are we going to do? How are we going to stop it? Because the kneeling was not about a job, it was about injustice.” Translation? Jay-Z supported Mr. Kaepernick in the moment because it was the thing to do. Now that there is an opportunity to get paid and as a capitalist, I’m about that paper. In addition to helping the NFL with entertainment, Jay-Z also will consult with the NFL on matters of social injustice. This opportunity for Jay-Z to work with the NFL only became possible after Mr. Kaepernick sacrificed his NFL career to protest against the real injustice of state sanctioned murder by the police. If Jay-Z were really down for the cause, wouldn’t he have stepped to the mic and told NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he will work with the NFL on the condition that “Kap” gets a fair shot at making an NFL roster? He could have used that moment and power to put real pressure on the league. But it’s not really about

Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z. He is a metaphor. In the current context, Jay-Z is a distraction from the real issue — the dangers of black capitalism. When white capitalists team with black capitalists, the black community finds itself in a more precarious circumstance. The white capitalists will leverage the indifference and duplicity of the black capitalists against the very community that the black capitalist claims to support. “We don’t need to kneel anymore. It’s time to get paid,” Jay-Z said. Frederick Douglass told us very clearly, “Find out just what any people will quietly submit to (or get paid to do) — and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” By focusing on Jay-Z, we are losing sight of the fact that Mr. Kaepernick used his platform to call attention to a historic and systemic problem in America — state sanctioned brutality and murder by the police. The NFL, the government and the media used their power to corrupt the message and demonize Mr. Kaepernick, costing him his livelihood. As was the case with Curt Flood, Muhammad Ali, Dr. John Carlos and others before him, Mr. Kaepernick eventually will be remembered for taking a stand, or in this case, a knee for justice. Jay-Z will be remembered for buying in — and by buying in, he sold out. The writer is the producerhost of the nationally broadcast call-in talk radio program, “Inside the Issues with Leon.”

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you. We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

household income was more than twice the median black household income in 2017, a slightly wider gap than in 2010. Disparity in the poverty rate in St. Louis County has grown as well, driven mainly by flat income growth for black households compared to increases in white income. We commend the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and its outstanding leader, Michael McMillan, for their work in tackling economic disparities in the region, and agree with his assessment that the work is a “marathon as well as a sprint.” As Mr. McMillan has said, “A concerted, dedicated effort has to be spent on changing these disparities — and that the job is not done. So we have to stay the course from the governmental, not-for-profit, corporate, business and civic communities in order to fix those wrongs.”

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Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019

A9

Letters to the Editor

Free Press SOL article ‘does a tremendous disservice’ to RPS students

Re “Down again: Student achievement drops again for Richmond Public Schools, according to 2018-19 SOL test results,â€? Free Press Aug.15-17 edition: The article published in the Free Press will likely lead many readers to believe that Richmond Public Schools’ Standards of Learning test scores decreased across the board last year. This simply isn’t true. RPS saw gains in three of the five SOL tests. As Richmond School Board members, we are intimately aware of the challenges that RPS faces and we are the first to acknowledge that the division has a long way to go to ensure that all students are prepared for college, career or military service after graduating from RPS. But this article fails to acknowledge the small but important

strides that the district is making, and even more importantly, it continues to perpetuate a failure narrative. That does a tremendous disservice to our amazing students, staff and families. We are all aware of the history of failure at RPS. Let’s start talking about what is improving, even if in small measures. Here are the facts: 1. RPS scores increased in math, science and writing, and decreased in reading and history/social science. 2. Compared to Chesterfield County Public Schools and Henrico County Public Schools, RPS was the only one to see gains in three subject areas. We are not celebrating the results of the SOL tests, nor are we satisfied with them. They are evidence of years of inequity and un-

derfunding, and we know there is much more work to be done. However, it’s important that we acknowledge when gains are made — big and small — because these are the gains of our students. To misrepresent the facts means that we are misrepresenting our students and their achievements. It is our hope that the media is fair in their reporting, especially as it relates to the students of Richmond Public Schools. DAWN PAGE 8th District representative and chairwoman, Richmond School Board CHERYL BURKE 7th District representative, Richmond School Board

Changing Hanover school names ‘won’t change a thing’ Re “Hanover County NAACP files federal lawsuit over schools’ Confederate names,� Free Press Aug. 22-24 edition: The Hanover County Branch NAACP’s federal lawsuit over Hanover schools with Confederate names is on specious grounds. The North was not waging war for the slaves, but against the South’s secession — just as King George III waged war against the 13 slave-holding colonies for their secession (declaration of independence from the British Empire.) Lord Dunmore, Virginia’s royal governor, even issued an emancipation proclamation as a war measure, just like President Lincoln did. As for slavery, the entire United States was complicit — except the Quakers. Slavery was not legal everywhere, and there were many where it was legal who were against it, but the wealth produced by slavery was the cornerstone of the wealth of the entire Union, most of which gravitated into the North’s “mercantile kingdom.� There were many causes for secession, including slavery in the territories, but there was only one cause for the war, which was secession itself. The Confederate soldier was fighting not for slavery, but to defend his homeland from invasion, conquest and coerced political

allegiance. The North admitted as much just before Fort Sumter in an article published in the Richmond Whig on April 9, 1861: “Slavery has nothing whatever to do with the tremendous issues now awaiting decision. It has disappeared almost entirely from the political discussions of the day. No one mentions it in connection with our present complications. The question which we have to meet is precisely what it would be if there were not a [N]egro slave on American soil ...� And what was that “question� that had to be met? The Constitution? Hardly. The North usurped it with impunity with its sectional majorities and its lust for control of the federal government. The question that had to be met was control of “the cotton kingdom.� Cotton was king, and with the Cotton Kingdom out of the Union and out from under the control of the Northern sectional majorities, the North’s “mercantile kingdom� would collapse. So President Lincoln sent an armada to Charleston Harbor to provoke South Carolina into firing the first shot to get the war he wanted. And the rest is history, although it has been twisted out of shape to conform to the toxic identity politics of our multicultural empire.

I have some disturbing news for the Hanover NAACP: You may tear down every Confederate monument on the face of the earth and rename every school on the planet. But it won’t change a thing, except for getting demagogues elected. It

is better to know the truth, which the Scriptures tell us will set us free. H.V. “BO� TRAYWICK JR. Richmond

Media responsible for racial tensions

The continual negative reporting of the Ferguson, Mo., killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown by former police Officer Darren Wilson is a prime reason for racial tensions to increase on the part of white people. Only by reading deeper in the articles do you see the justification for the officer’s actions. As tragic as Mr. Brown’s death was five years ago this month, his belligerent behavior was the cause. This was seen in the video that showed him stealing items from a store and threatening the clerk with bodily harm and then disobeying and assaulting the officer and trying to get his gun. Thankfully, the investigators used common sense and did not charge the officer. Tragically the gutless Ferguson officials pushed Mr. Wilson out instead of giving him a commendation for upholding law and order under difficult circumstances. Yes, there are cases where a policeman has done wrong, but Ferguson is not one of them. Next, the violent black community protests, rioting, looting, confrontations with the police and setting a police car on fire added additional evidence for not supporting the law. Add to this the usual voices of out-oftown race hustlers to increase the confrontations. Responsible black people should speak out and support the law. I believe the great majority of white people are not racist and want to see justice done. Yes, there are some who have hate for some reason or no reason, and they will not change. But the point is that the conduct by black people in this rioting erodes the support of white people. The great majority of the black people are not racist, but there are those who are and who are just as responsible for the conditions that exist. The disgraceful conduct of the black people in assaulting policemen in Philadelphia is another example of their racism. They complain about so many black people being jailed in comparison to white people. It should not be too complicated to figure out. The black people I know are decent, hard-working people and mostly Christians. They have no responsibility for the lawless black people as white people have none for lawless

white people. Black political and religious leaders have a responsibility to speak out against them instead of capitulating to the race hustlers. And the black

citizens have a responsibility not to vote and support those who do not speak out. GREENE HOLLOWELL Henrico County

,EGAL .OTICE NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PETITION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR A PRUDENCY DETERMINATION WITH RESPECT TO THE WESTMORELAND SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO § 56-585.1:4 F OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2019-00133 On August 16, 2019, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominionâ€? or “Companyâ€?), pursuant to † ) RI WKH &RGH RI 9LUJLQLD ÂżOHG D SHWLWLRQ Âł3HWLWLRQ´ ZLWK WKH 6WDWH &RUSRUDWLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ Âł&RPPLVVLRQ´ IRU D SUXGHQF\ determination with respect to the Company’s proposed power purchase agreement (“PPAâ€?) with Westmoreland County Solar Project, LLC (“Westmorelandâ€?), associated with a 20 megawatt solar facility to be located in Westmoreland County, Virginia (“Projectâ€?). Dominion states that the Project will be developed by Westmoreland. In addition, the Project will be interconnected at the distribution level, but will be a PJM Interconnection, LLC, generation resource. According to the Petition, the Company selected the Project through a competitive solicitation process. The Company states that it reviewed proposals for completeness and conformity to the request for proposals requirements, and that the Project provides a positive net present value to customers when compared to market purchases. The Company states that it executed a PPA for the Project on August 6, 2019, contingent upon receiving Commission approval. The Company states that it will recover the costs associated with the Project through a combination of base rates and the fuel factor. The Petition states that, if deemed prudent by the Commission, the anticipated commercial operations date for the Project is the fourth quarter of 2020 with a PPA term of 20 years. The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled a public hearing to be held on October 8, 2019, DW D P LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQÂśV VHFRQG Ă€RRU FRXUWURRP ORFDWHG LQ WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD WR receive testimony from members of the public and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Staff of the Commission (“Staffâ€?). Any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness at this hearing should appear in the Commission’s FRXUWURRP ÂżIWHHQ PLQXWHV SULRU WR WKH VWDUWLQJ WLPH RI WKH KHDULQJ DQG LGHQWLI\ KLPVHOI RU KHUVHOI WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQÂśV %DLOLII The Company’s Petition and the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing are available for public inspection during regular business hours DW HDFK RI WKH &RPSDQ\ÂśV EXVLQHVV RIÂżFHV LQ WKH &RPPRQZHDOWK RI 9LUJLQLD &RSLHV DOVR PD\ EH REWDLQHG E\ VXEPLWWLQJ D ZULWWHQ UHTXHVW WR counsel for the Company, Horace P. Payne, Jr., Esquire, Dominion Energy Services, Inc., Law Department, Riverside 2, 120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. If acceptable to the requesting party, the Company may provide the documents by electronic means. &RSLHV RI WKH SXEOLF YHUVLRQ RI DOO GRFXPHQWV ÂżOHG LQ WKLV FDVH DOVR DUH DYDLODEOH IRU LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV WR UHYLHZ LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQÂśV 'RFXPHQW &RQWURO &HQWHU ORFDWHG RQ WKH ÂżUVW Ă€RRU RI WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD EHWZHHQ WKH KRXUV RI D P DQG S P 0RQGD\ WKURXJK )ULGD\ H[FOXGLQJ KROLGD\V ,QWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV DOVR PD\ GRZQORDG XQRIÂżFLDO FRSLHV IURP WKH Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. $Q\ SHUVRQ RU HQWLW\ PD\ SDUWLFLSDWH DV D UHVSRQGHQW LQ WKLV SURFHHGLQJ E\ ÂżOLQJ D QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ RQ RU EHIRUH 6HSWHPEHU ,I QRW ÂżOHG HOHFWURQLFDOO\ DQ RULJLQDO DQG ÂżIWHHQ FRSLHV RI WKH QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ VKDOO EH VXEPLWWHG WR -RHO + 3HFN &OHUN 6WDWH &RUSRration Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. A copy of the notice of participation as a respondent also must be sent to counsel for the Company at the address set forth above. Pursuant to Rule 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practiceâ€?), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a preFLVH VWDWHPHQW RI WKH LQWHUHVW RI WKH UHVSRQGHQW LL D VWDWHPHQW RI WKH VSHFLÂżF DFWLRQ VRXJKW WR WKH H[WHQW WKHQ NQRZQ DQG LLL WKH IDFWXDO DQG legal basis for the action. 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Respondents also shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service; and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits $OO ÂżOLQJV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH No. PUR-2019-00133. 2Q RU EHIRUH 2FWREHU DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQ PD\ ÂżOH ZULWWHQ FRPPHQWV RQ WKH 3HWLWLRQ ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DW WKH DGGUHVV VHW IRUWK DERYH ,QWHUHVWHG SHUVRQV GHVLULQJ WR ÂżOH FRPPHQWV HOHFWURQLFDOO\ PD\ GR VR RQ RU EHIRUH 2FWREHU E\ IROORZLQJ WKH instructions on the Commission’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. Compact disks or any other form of electronic storage medium PD\ QRW EH ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH FRPPHQWV $OO FRPPHQWV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 $OO GRFXPHQWV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKLV GRFNHW PD\ XVH ERWK VLGHV RI WKH SDSHU ,Q DOO RWKHU UHVSHFWV DOO ÂżOLQJV VKDOO FRPSO\ IXOO\ ZLWK WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI 9$& Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. The Commission’s Rules of Practice may be viewed at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. A printed copy of the Commission’s Rules of PracWLFH DQG DQ RIÂżFLDO FRS\ RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQÂśV 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ LQ WKLV SURFHHGLQJ PD\ EH REWDLQHG IURP WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPmission at the address above. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

Richmond Free Press

A10  August 29-31, 2019

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Souza brings ‘futbol’ skills to VUU football Jefferson Souza has transitioned nicely “Any time we get inside the 30 (yard from kicking a round ball to kicking one line), we feel like we’ve got at least three that’s oblong. points for sure,” Coach Parker said. The Virginia Union University junior As a sophomore in 2018, Souza congrew up playing soccer in his native Ron- verted 15 field goals in 18 tries, with a donia, Brazil. He didn’t pick up American long of 45 yards, and 49 extra points in football until his fam52 attempts. ily moved to Deerfield “Jefferson scored as Beach, Fla., in Broward many points (94) himself County. as some entire teams did “Soccer (called ‘futbol’ for the season,” Coach in Brazil) was my main Parker said. “That’s like focus until high school,” the same as 15 touchCountdown to kickoff Souza explained. “The downs.” coach saw how far I could Also, the 6-foot-1, Virginia Union University kick a soccer ball and 190-pound Souza sent plays Hampton University, 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, asked me to come out.” his kickoffs an average at Hampton’s Armstrong It is understandable of 60.1 yards, with 18 Stadium; game to be Souza focused on soccer touchbacks. broadcast on ESPN+. while in Brazil. The naSouza has set school tion’s team has won five records for both extra World Cup titles, more points and field goals. His than any nation, while also finishing second, 49 points scored after a touchdown broke third and fourth, two times each. the mark of 43 points set by Rod Copeland Despite Souza’s late start in American- in 1981. His 15 field goals have eclipsed style football, he has since become the Tony Oby’s total of 12 in 2003. record-setting All-CIAA kicker for Coach Souza, who speaks fluent Portuguese, Alvin Parker’s Panthers. the official language of Brazil, has polThe side-winding, right-footed Panther ished his kicking craft for years under the definitely gives VUU a leg up on the direction of Brandon Kornblue, a former competition after converting from scoring kicker at the University of Michigan soccer goals to American field goals. who runs a popular kicking camp in Fort

Lauderdale, Fla. “We worked this summer on my mechanics and getting stronger,” Souza said. “Last season, I was 15 for 18. This season I want to go 18 for 18.” Asked about potential distances, Souza confidently replied, “I think I can hit from 50, even 60.” Punting likely will be added to Souza’s game-day chores this season following the May graduation of three-year starter Russell Ballance. “I sure hated to see Russell go,” Souza said. “We practiced together and became great friends. I even went to his house for Thanksgiving.” Ballance, who led the CIAA in punting, also served as Souza’s holder a year ago. That duty is now assigned to quarterback E’Mond Caldwell. Souza was recruited to VUU by former Panthers Coach Mark James. His other options included Alcorn State University in Mississippi and Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. “I have personal goals but, mostly, I have team goals,” Souza said. “Our goal is to win the (CIAA) and keep going. We’re thinking national.” Considering where its star kicker hails from, any news of VUU’s success might need to be translated into Portuguese.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Jefferson Souza

VUU football to be broadcast Virginia Union University football is on the air. The Panthers’ games, both at home and away, will be broadcast this season on radio station WNTW, 820 AM and

92.7 FM. WNTW, “The Answer,” operates out of Chester. The first broadcast will be Saturday, Sept. 7, when VUU travels to play the Hampton University

Pirates. Kickoff: 6 p.m. Also, many VUU men’s and women’s basketball games will be broadcast on the same station, according to Jim Junot, VUU sports information director.

Much of NSU Spartans’ talent comes from Richmond area

Curaçao team

Curaçao team puts Caribbean island on the map despite loss Baseball is helping put Curaçao on the map. The tiny Caribbean island is small in population — about 162,000 people — and land — 932 square miles — but big on baseball talent. The Paboa Association of Willemstad, the nation’s capital, reached the finals of the Little League World Series before losing in the championship game last Sunday to a team from Rivers Ridge, La. The team, managed by Michaelangelo Celestina, won the international half of the bracket to make the finals in Williamsport, Penn. Curaçao is the only Caribbean team to win the Little League World Series and also the only all-black team to be champions. This is no new revelation. Curaçao has advanced to the World Series 12 times as the Caribbean champion. The team won the World Series title in 2004 and finished second in 2005 and this summer. During this season, Curaçao defeated powerhouses South Korea and Japan to reach the finals that were nationally tele-

vised on ABC. The current squad included two younger brothers from 2004 champs. Jurdrick Profar is the younger brother of Jurickson Profar, now with Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers, and Sheldron Schoop is the younger sibling of Jonathan Schoop, who is with the Minnesota Twins. At least 16 Curaçaoans have made it to the big leagues, starting with outfielder Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens with the New York Yankees in 1989. Perhaps the most famous Curaçaoan in baseball is outfielder Andruw Jones, who played for the Richmond Braves en route to the majors. Current big leaguers from Curaçao include Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies, Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen. Curaçao is about 40 miles north of Venezuela. There are three official languages, Dutch, English and Papiamentu. Make that four if you count baseball-ese.

Football recruiters have worn a path between Football is here! Norfolk State University and Richmond area Norfolk State University plays high schools. Old Dominion University, 7 When the Spartans open this Saturday, p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, S.B. Aug. 31, at Old Dominion University, NSU’s Ballard Stadium at ODU; roster will be teaming with athletes from the game to be broadcast on 804 area code. ESPN3. Two players front and center may determine the success of the MEAC-affiliated team. Juwan “Pootie” Carter, junior quarterback School in Chesterfield County; Devyn Coles, from Highland Springs High School in Henrico defensive back, Highland Springs High; Cameron County: The dynamic dual threat passed for Foreman, back, Atlee High; Treashawn Smith, 2,302 yards and 13 touchdowns last linebacker, Thomas Dale High; Tavian season. He also ran for 388 yards Blackwell, defensive line, Highland and two touchdowns, including a Springs High; and Chris Butler, wide 47-yarder. receiver, Glen Allen High School in Nigel Chavis, a senior linebacker Henrico. from Richmond’s Armstrong High u School: An elite defender, the 230The NSU-Richmond connection pound Chavis made 71 tackles in 2018, isn’t by chance. NSU’s coaching staff including 13 for losses. He also had has deep roots in the 804. Coach Scott Juwon Carter eight quarterback hurries, recovered played at Lee-Davis High School in two fumbles and forced two more. Hanover County and coached at the Other Richmond area athletes University of Richmond and Virginia figuring heavily into Coach Latrell State University. Scott’s plans: Associate head Coach Andrew Craig Rodwell Jr., a senior ofFaison coached 10 seasons at Virginia fensive lineman from Varina High State University, while quarterbacks School in Henrico: At 6-foot-4 and Coach Aaron Corp played and coached 290 pounds, he serves as a primary at the University of Richmond. bodyguard for Carter and the Spartans u Nigel Chavis running backs. Rodwell started all 11 The Spartans have drawn a tough games last season at right guard. assignment for their opener. NSU J.J. Givens, a junior receiver from plays in the NCAA’s FCS Division, Atlee High School in Hanover County: while neighboring ODU is in the After transferring from North Carolina FBS, the highest classification. FBS State University, the fleet Givens will schools are allowed 85 scholarships; be among Carter’s top targets. FCS schools, 63. Ian Williams, a junior offensive The ODU Monarchs are part of lineman from Benedictine College Conference USA and have won three Preparatory in Goochland County: previous matchups with NSU 35-18 He was named the team’s most Craig Rodwell Jr. in 2011, 27-24 in 2013 and 24-10 improved lineman following spring in 2015. practice. NSU was 4-7 overall and 2-5 in The list goes on and on: Justin MEAC last season. ODU was 4-8 Smith, junior receiver, Benedictine; overall a year ago, with a bold-letter Rayquan Smith, freshman receiver, upset over Virginia Tech. Highland Springs High; Tremayne Gazing ahead, NSU will host Talbert, freshman receiver, Highland Virginia State University on Saturday, Springs High; R.J. Coles, freshman Sept. 7, while ODU will travel to defensive back, Varina High; Sean Blacksburg for a rematch with the Rettzo, tight end, Thomas Dale High Virginia Tech Hokies. J.J. Givens

Hampton opens Saturday against Elizabeth City State

It’s official. Deondre Francois is Hampton University’s starting quarterback. Pirates Coach Robert Prunty made the announcement last week that Francois, a touted transfer from Florida State University, is No. 1 on the depth chart. Francois will make his HU debut in the contest this Saturday, Aug. 31, against Elizabeth City State University at Armstrong Stadium. “He’s just a very cerebral guy,” Coach Prunty told the Daily Press. “He’s one of those film guys. He’ll spend four, five hours watching film. We literally have to run him out of the film room.” In 25 games at FSU, Francois passed for 6,291 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was the

2016 Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year. The Florida native was the Seminoles’ starting quarterback in 2016 and 2018, while missing 2017 with a knee injury. Francois is immediately eligible for play at HU as Coach Prunty a graduate transfer. Coach Prunty also named Austin Bradley, a 2018 transfer from Coastal Carolina University, as the top backup quarterback. HU lost last season’s No. 1 quarterback, Delmon Williams, to graduation. Williams passed for 2,035 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior.

Hampton University, now a member of the FCS Big South Conference after many years in the CIAA and later the MEAC, is coming off a 7-3 season in which it won its final six games. After facing Elizabeth Coach Jones City State University, Hampton will play Virginia Union University at home on Saturday, Sept. 7. Elizabeth City State of the NCAA Division II’s CIAA was 1-7 last year and 0-6 in the CIAA. ECSU had two games canceled last season due to Hurricane Florence.

Ship ahoy! Pirates versus Vikings Hampton University plays Elizabeth City State University, 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Hampton’s Armstrong Stadium; game to be televised on ESPN+.

The Vikings are under second-year Coach Anthony Jones, the former coach at Alabama A&M University and a member of the Washington NFL team’s 1987 Super Bowl championship team. Coach Jones’ record at Alabama A&M was 83-57 from 2002 to 2013.

August 29-31, 2019 B1

Section

B

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Personality: Sarah Brockwell Spotlight on board president for Housing Families First “Every family is precious. They should be nurtured and supported. We address not only homelessness but address the family holistically.” That is the driving force, philosophy and passion for Housing Families First, according to Sarah Brockwell, president of the HFF Board of Directors. HFF, founded in 2001 by Carl and Jane Brynn and Ellie Mileski as Hilliard House, provides families experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter and resources to achieve housing stability. Many of their clients are experiencing homelessness for the first time and are in need of a stable home, which Mrs. Brockwell and HFF believe is the foundation for making dreams possible for children and their parents. HFF offers safe, supportive shelter for families. More importantly, the organization’s top priority is to quickly stabilize families with permanent housing. The nonprofit carries out this mission through three programs. The first is Hilliard House, the on-site shelter original core program that provides short-term emergency shelter for single-parent and multigenerational families. Building Neighbors, a rapid re-housing program, provides families with supportive services and temporary financial assistance designed to move them into an affordable home of their own. The third program, Diversion, is a multiagency collaboration providing two family diversion specialists for the HFF Homeless Crisis Line. The crisis line is the primary access point for families and individuals seeking homeless services in the Greater Richmond Region. Diversion specialists help families avoid homelessness, when possible, by helping them draw on their own assets and community resources. Mrs. Brockwell, Saint Michael’s Catholic Church’s director of faith formation in Glen Allen, joined the HFF board in 2015 and became president in 2018. Although she was born in Upstate New York, her family moved to Charlottesville when she was five. Her parents, John Clifford, an accountant for General Electric, and Patti, a nurse, were gentle, open and kind people who provided a typical comfortable middle class life. However, their philosophy and motivating force was straightforward, “Everyone puts their pants on the same way.” Her parents, both Catholic, also taught her to buck the system and authority. For Mrs. Brockwell the Catholic Church’s social teaching drives her authentic caring for people from her heart. She says, “If you want to change things, you have to take action.” Her actions with HFF began through her husband, Kent Brockwell. He was working as a bail bondsman when he met the emergency shelter executive director Beth Vann-Turnbull, who was looking for someone to host a lunch at Applebee’s for homeless children. Mr. Brockwell insisted that his wife, at that point a youth minster at a local Catholic church, host the event and take her youth group. Mrs. Brockwell was hesitant. Her misgivings stemmed from being uncomfortable about bringing her teenagers into a situation that could possibly “question another group’s human dignity.” She was not sure how her teens would handle the situation. But it all worked out. That’s when Mrs. Brockwell began her journey as a volunteer with HFF. “HFF is awesome. It is changing Richmond. It is do-

In 2001, originally as Hilliard House, by Carl and Jane Brynn and Ellie Mileski. What are your HFF duties: The board president has the responsibility of overseeing the organization in essence like a CEO. I work directly with the executive director and the HFF Board of Directors to keep the organization mission-focused and action-oriented. Is HFF organization a nonprofit: Yes. HFF is a 501(c) 3 organization. HFF’s mission and goal: To provide families experiencing homelessness with the resources to achieve housing stability. The goal is not only to assist families in finding permanent housing, but also to ensure that each family has access to the supportive services necessary to sustain housing. Reason you became involved with HFF: The kids. I love kids, babies and teens. All of them. Once you have held a new baby in a shelter setting, you will never turn away from the idea that everyone needs a home in order to achieve success. What are the HFF services provided to the community: We provide space in our emergency shelter for homeless family services, self-resolution services, job assistance, money management, career counseling, mental health navigation, crisis management, parenting and family support, tutoring, education initiatives, etc. What are HFF’s biggest challenges: Overcoming systemic issues involving mental health, poverty, racism and lack of knowledge that results in high vulnerability and crisis in the family setting. Strategy for overcoming those challenges: Education and knowledge for everyone on all sides of the organization. No one person or organization has the answer. We are all learning every day; building relationships and best practices among staff, our board and our families. Outlook at start of the day: Hopeful. Prayerful. Mindful. How I unwind: Yoga. Beach. Repeat. A quote that I am inspired by: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Still trying to figure it out. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Dancing. I love it. Music has always been in my blood, but dance was a way for me to connect to the music without words. I love that silence. At the top of my “to-do” list is: Travel to every beach I can get to in my lifetime. Best late-night snack: Pink Lady Apple.

ing amazing stuff for homeless families and children,” the board president says. “I have a lot of passion for people. And this medium-sized organization, located at 3900 Nine Mile Road, is growing and explodes with the best practices for supporting families because that’s what we know.” The HFF shelter, a dormitory-style structure with accommodations for about 40 families, includes individual rooms with beds and a separate bathroom for the entire family as well as a secure door to keep their possessions safe. “We are the only area shelter that’s handicap accessible,” Mrs. Brockwell says. “The average family stay in the shelter is 45 to 60 days.” She wants people to know she loves the work and is very passionate about what HFF does for homeless families in the Richmond region. Mrs. Brockwell is proud to say, “We have an 89 percent success rate for people being out of homelessness for a year or more.” To learn more about HFF, visit www. HousingFamiliesFirst. org or call (804) 235-5800. Meet this week’s Personality, a compassionate and caring advocate for the homeless, Sarah Brockwell: No. 1 volunteer position: Board president for Housing Families First. Date and place of birth: Nov. 4 in Upstate New York. Current residence: South Side Richmond. Family: Kent, spouse of nine years, and children, Bonnie and J.P. Education: Bachelor’s of fine arts in acting, DePaul University, Chicago; master’s in theology, Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Fla. When did you become involved with HFF: I started as a volunteer about seven or eight years ago. I joined the board in 2015 and have served as board president for a year. When HFF was founded:

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If I had more time, I would: Be a better volunteer at my kids’ schools. The best thing my parents ever taught me was: Everybody puts their pants on the same way. Person who influenced me the most: My spouse. He keeps me balanced and logical when my heart and my head aren’t firing on all cylinders. The book that influenced me the most: I can’t answer that. So many. “Roots” by Alex Haley, “Following Christ in a Consumer Society” by John F. Kavanaugh, “An Interrupted Life” by Etty Hillesum, “An Introduction to Feminist Theology” by Anne M. Cliffod. What Iʼm reading now: “Awakening: A Sufi Experience” by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan. My next goal: To end functional homelessness for families in the greater RVA area and to continue on the way toward the truth within this life.

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Richmond Free Press

B2 August 29-31, 2019

Happenings

17th Annual Happily Natural Day set for Saturday in South Side The 17th Annual Happily Natural Day returns this weekend with workshops on hemp growing, Kemetic Yoga and colorful head wraps and a celebration of breastfeeding babies, according to organizer Duron Chavis. The festival, which seeks to promote “holistic health, cultural awareness and social change,” is set for noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Fifth District Mini-Farm at 2208 Bainbridge St. Art, music and activities also will be featured at the free event

whose setting is a large vegetable garden that Mr. Chavis and supporters have created at the site. The event will also cap Black Breastfeeding Week RVA that encourages natural feeding of babies as better for them and better for the health of their mothers. The celebration at the festival will include a photo shoot of women nursing their children at 6:45 p.m., according to the event’s information. Festival workshops will focus on the opportunities and chal-

lenges of growing hemp to processors creating products ranging from food, beverages and cosmetics to paper, clothing and building materials. From 2 to 3:30 p.m., head wrap expert Netfah Amina-Afia will discuss and demonstrate the art of head wrapping. A program from 3 to 4 p.m. will allow participants to sample different styles of yoga to improve health. Details: thenaturalfestival.com

Missy Elliott honored at MTV Awards Free Press wire report

Lil Nas X shows off his awards, including the Song of the Year Award for “Old Town Road (remix).”

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

NEWARK, N.J. Missy Elliott, the rapper-singer-songwriterproducer-dancer and Portsmouth native whose music videos have moved the needle over the last two decades, was honored at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, where Taylor Swift also took center stage with her gay pride anthem, “You Need to Calm Down.” Ms. Elliott earned the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, and brought her colorful and eccentric music videos to life, from “Work It” to “Lose Control,” on Monday’s awards show at the Prudential Center in Newark. She even sported the inflated trash bag she wore with confidence and charisma in the video for “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” in 1997. “I’ve worked diligently for over two decades and I never thought I would be standing up here receiving this award,” Ms. Elliott said. The 48-year-old game-changer dedicated her award to the dance community and said her music video inspirations included Janet Jackson, Madonna, Peter Gabriel and Busta Rhymes. She also honored the late R&B icon Aaliyah, with whom she was close and collaborated. The 18th anniversary of Aaliyah’s death was Sunday. “Aaliyah, I love you. We miss you,” Ms. Elliott said in her acceptance speech. Other performers Monday included former Fifth Harmony member Normani, who won best R&B video and brought skilled dance moves to “Motivation”; Spanish singer Rosalia, who also danced with precision and won best Latin and best choreography awards; and rapper-singer Lizzo, who turned into a gospel singer as she wowed the audience with the upbeat anthem “Good As Hell,” her 2016 song that reached new heights this year. She also sang “Truth Hurts,” which was released in 2017 but became a worldwide hit this year. The VMAs, which took place in New Jersey for the first time, closed with a superb perfor-

Lizzo gets into her medley before the audience at Monday’s awards show. Right, Cardi B delightedly accepts the Best Hip-Hop Video Award for “Money,” beating out a lineup of male competitors.

Photos by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

Obamas rock out with summer song playlist Free Press wire, staff report

Barack Obama may be the former president, but he’s still got it going on. Just check out the summer playlist he released last Saturday via social media. It has everyone from Beyoncé and Drake to Steely Dan and Frank Sinatra. No. 44 calls it “some new, some old, some fast, some slow.” He tweeted 44 songs — get it? — that he and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, have been listening to. They include Drake’s “Too Good,” Steely Dan’s “Reelin’ in the Years” and the Sinatra standard “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Other choices include “MOOD 4 EVA,” the “Lion King” song with Beyoncé and Jay-Z; “Old Town Road (remix) by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus; Jill Scott’s “It’s Love;” “Can I Kick It?’ by A Tribe Called Quest; and “Hold On (Change Is Comin’) by Sounds of Blackness. Oldies include Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away” and Ella Fitzgerald’s “How High the Moon.” Two weeks ago, the former president offered book recommendations, among them Colson Whitehead’s “The Nickel Boys,” Hilary Mantel’s “Wolf Hall” and the “collected works” of Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, who died Aug. 12.

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Missy ElliotT shows love for her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for lifetime achievement on Monday backstage at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

mance by artists from the Garden State, including Queen Latifah, Redman, Wyclef Jean, Naughty by Nature and Fetty Wap. Rapper-actor Ice-T, who has loudly represented the West Coast, introduced the performance and reminded the audience that he was born in Newark. Outside the arena, before the show began, a handful of people were arrested for protesting Newark’s water crisis. Elevated levels of lead have been found in the water, leading city of-

ficials to distribute water and water filters to residents. Inside, Ms. Swift kicked off the VMAs, going from eye-popping pop star to guitar-strumming singer-songwriter. She gave a colorful performance of “You Need to Calm Down” — which won Video of the Year — and later grabbed her guitar to sing the ballad “Lover,” the title track from her album released Friday. “I just want to say that this is a fan-voted award, so I first want to say thank you to the fans, because in this video several points were made, so you voting for this video means that you want a world where we’ll all treated equally,” she said. The video for “You Need to Calm Down,” a song in which Ms. Swift calls out homophobes and her own haters, featured a number of famous faces, including Ellen DeGeneres, Laverne Cox, RuPaul and the cast of “Queer Eye.” Before the video’s release, Ms. Swift announced that she supported the Equality Act. “You Need to Calm Down” also won the Video for Good honor. Todrick Hall, the multifaceted entertainer who has appeared in some of Ms. Swift’s videos, including “You Need to Calm Down,” accepted the honor. Ms. Swift won three honors, tying with Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish for most wins of the night. Ms. Grande, named Artist of the Year, and Eilish, who won Best New Artist, didn’t attend the VMAs. BTS also didn’t attend the show, hosted by comedian and actor Sebastian Maniscalco, but they won two honors: Best Group and Best K-pop. Other winners included Cardi B, who took home best Hip-Hop Video for “Money”; Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker” won Best Pop; “Senorita,” which Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello performed during the show, won Best Collaboration and Best Cinematography; and the Chainsmokers and Bebe Rexha’s “Call You Mine” won Best Dance. Megan the Stallion, who performed during the pre-show, won Best Power Anthem with her new hit, “Hot Girl Summer,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Nicki Minaj. Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road,” the longest-running No. 1 song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, won Song of the Year and Best Direction.

Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019 B3

Happenings Community Healer Awards

Ava Reaves

Eight area residents, including Free Press photojournalist Regina H. Boone, were honored with 2019 Community Healer Awards on Aug. 21 as part of the Valuing Black Lives Global Summit held by the Community Healing Network at Virginia Union University. The honorees, from left, are Olufemi Shepsu, social worker and co-founder of the Abusa-Pa Black Family Institute; Virginia Commonwealth University professor Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, founder of the Conciliation Project, a nonprofit social justice theater company; Ms. Boone; freelance writer and author Samantha Willis; Samuel D. Veney III, community activist; Lynetta Thompson, founder of the Mary G. Brown Transitional Center and longtime NAACP official; and Albert Walker III, director of healthy communities at Bon Secours Health System. Community organizer Lillie Estes was honored posthumously. Also, Dr. Annelle B. Primmer, a Baltimore psychiatrist, received the 2019 President’s Award. She is chair and convener of the All Healers Mental Health Alliance.

VUU hosts panel discussion of 400th 2019 AfroFest RVA Aug. 31 at Pine Camp anniversary of the first Africans

Virginia Union University is observing the 400th anniversary of the first Africans being brought to English North America with a series of panel and roundtable discussions this week that are free and open to the public. The two-day event, which got underway on Wednesday, Aug. 28, will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the VUU campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St.

The theme for the event: “The 1619 Colloquium: The African-American Experience in the Evolution of America.” Dr. Michael Lomax, president and chief executive officer of the United Negro College Fund, will speak at 10 a.m., followed by reflections from VUU and lunch. J. Steven Dowd, director of the African Development Bank, will speak at 1:30 p.m. Details: www.vuu.edu or (804) 257-5600.

Dr. Lomax

AfroFest RVA, which celebrates the culture and diversity of area immigrants from African nations, will be held noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, at Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road. The free event will highlight the culture of 27 African nations and feature food, a fashion show, music and a performance by local world music and jazz group Hotel X. African clothing, artwork and other merchandise will be available from vendors at the festival. Soccer fans also can enjoy a noon match on the Pine Camp athletic field between the 2018 AfroFest championship team from Ghana and their challengers from Sudan. The championship match concludes a round robin tournament of six African nations that took place earlier this month. The festival closes Richmond’s 63rd Festival of Arts summer series sponsored by the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. It is being presented by the department in conjunction with the city’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the African Community Network with the goal of promoting deeper multicultural understanding and connections within the Richmond community. Details: www.richmondgov. com/parks.

Photos by Randy Singleton

Benefit basketball game Saturday at Hermitage High

Jazz, jazz and more jazz Rain couldn’t stop the music last weekend at the Norfolk Waterfront Jazz Festival. The 37th annual two-day event, hosted by Norfolk FestEvents, was moved indoors from Town Point Park on Norfolk’s downtown waterfront to the Norfolk Scope because of inclement weather. A dry and appreciative crowd of thousands packed the venue both last Friday and Saturday and enjoyed the music by top acts. Clockwise from top left, drummer and singer Sheila E shows off her chops Friday night, while vocalist Brian McKnight wows the crowd with his range on Saturday night. Saxophonist Everette Harp of Jazz Funk Soul gets into a groove with Ronnie Jenkins and Paul Jackson, while saxophonists Paul Taylor, Vincent Ingala and Michael Lington of Sax to the Max rock the arena.

Alzheimer’s Association to hold annual conference Sept. 19 The Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will host its annual conference on dementia, Live Well with Dementia, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries, 2501 Mt. Gilead Blvd. in Chesterfield County. The conference will feature a variety of topics designed to help people with dementia, their families and caregivers and professionals in the field. Topics will include “Building Bridges: Becoming a Community Champion,” “Dementia Improv,” “Technology and Dementia” and “A Walk in Their Shoes: Practical Experiential Training for Staff and Personnel at All Care Levels.” Speakers will include Veronica Crosby, coordinator of Partners in Prayer & Prevention of the Virginia Department of Health; Tina

Thomas, director of programs and services for the Greater Richmond Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; George Worthington of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; and Kim Weitzenhofer and Denise Butler of the Riverside Center for Excellence in Aging and Lifelong Health. More than 140,000 people live with Alzheimer’s in Virginia, with 26,000 living in the five cities and 24 counties served by the association’s disease Greater Richmond Chapter. Last year, the chapter assisted more than 6,000 people and answered more than 2,100 calls to its toll-free helpline. The conference costs $5 for caregivers and persons with a dementia diagnosis; $35 for professionals. Details and registration: http://bit.ly/2XDNsEe or (804) 967-2580.

The nonprofit Assist Student Athletes Foundation will host a showcase for Richmond area high school basketball players ahead of the start of classes, it has been announced. The event will feature games for high school girls and boys on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, according to William T. Carter, founder and director of the foundation he established to boost the number of student athletes gaining college scholarships. The girls’ game will be at 1 p.m. and the boys game will be at 3 p.m., Mr. Carter said. The event is dubbed the 1st Annual William L. Carter High School Back-to-School Classic, and is named in honor of Mr. Carter’s father, a longtime volunteer with the foundation who died four months ago. “These games will feature some of the top high school players,” Mr. Carter said. Admission is $12, he said, with proceeds going to the foundation’s scholarship fund. Details: Mr. Carter, (804) 397-3261.

Trans Tel Studios Announces the Release of

“REVENGE OF THE MAN-DRAGON” RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Trans Tel Studios is excited to announce the release of its new riveting book, “Revenge of the Man-Dragon,” a sensational, action-packed, Science-fiction story about a crazed alien’s plot to take over the world, using sorcery and its ability to transform into a powerful fire-breathing dragon. Contrary to the alien’s vengeful desire to eliminate the only threat to his diabolical scheme, three, Richmond, teens, endowered with supernatural powers, Transformation, Teleportation, and Telepathy, step forward to met the challenge. It’s a must read, one of Richmond’s first, amazing, super-hero novels, and is sure to keep you glued to your seat wanting more and more of the fantastic twists and turns.

Official release date is August 26, 2019. Trans Tel Studios believes “Revenge of the Man-Dragon” will draw world-wide attention from readers and the movie industry; Richmond could be home to the next recordbreaking novel/film production. This book may be purchased on Amazon for $9.99, and is also featured on our website at Supertranstel.com. Hollywood Book Review described this novel as “a unique fusion of magic, sc-fi, and fantasy; gives readers the feeling of a solid, established, world with characters that are fantastic and frightening all at once.” Indeed, totally awesome!

Richmond Free Press

B4 August 29-31, 2019

Faith News/Directory

Court rules denomination can be sued over child sexual abuse by church employee By Jeremy M. Lazarus

One of the nation’s largest Pentecostal denominations can be sued for failing to protect one of its child members from a pedophile who worked closely with the children in a member church, the Virginia Supreme Court has ruled. In a nearly unanimous opinion, the state’s highest court overturned a ruling by a lower court and revived a lawsuit filed on behalf of a victim of sexual abuse seeking damages from the 5.6-million member Church of God in Christ and an affiliated Virginia church, the 200-member Gospel Tabernacle COGIC in Covington. Writing for six of the seven members of the court, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey stated the plaintiff’s “allegations that church defendants did not act reasonably are sufficient” to allow the case to move forward. The case involves a now teenage girl, identified only as A.H., who alleges that she

was abused for four years by a former church deacon, Donald Billups. Mr. Billups was arrested and convicted in 2012 of molesting A.H. and seven children from the church over a 10-year period while serving as a deacon at Gospel Tabernacle, coaching the church’s drill team for children and youths and working within the church’s Youth Department. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison. In her suit, A.H. alleges that Mr. Billups molested her from age 4 to 8 while she participated in the drill team program. The abuse occurred, she alleges, when she went to his home for drill team programs. She “claims that the church defendants breached their duty to her” by failing to exercise reasonable care in protecting her from Mr. Billups, whom “the defendants knew or should have known was likely to cause bodily harm to others if not controlled” as the drill team leader, Justice Kelsey noted. The court found A.H.’s claim persuasive that Gospel Tabernacle was on notice that Mr.

Trump steadily fulfills goals on religious right’s wish list Free Press wire report

NEW YORK When Donald Trump assumed the presidency, conservative religious leaders drew up “wish lists” of steps they hoped he’d take to oppose abortion and rein in the LGBTQ rights movement. With a flurry of recent actions, the Trump administration is winning their praise for aggressively fulfilling many of their goals. Mat Staver, president of the legal advocacy organization Liberty Counsel, said President

Carolina to deny services to same-sex and non-Christian families. HHS also moved to revoke newly won health care discrimination protections for transgender people. These and other actions aimed at curtailing abortion rights and LGBTQ rights have helped many conservative Christians overlook other aspects of the Trump presidency, such as his often-divisive rhetoric on Twitter and at rallies. The Rev. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the Southern Baptist megachurch First Baptist Dal-

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

A sign conveys an anti-abortion message at a rally on Jan. 22, 2019, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The event was part of annual “March for Life” events held in various states and Washington, D.C., on the Jan. 22, 1973, anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion.

Trump has fulfilled about 90 percent of the goals on a list that Mr. Staver and other conservative leaders compiled. “In the first two years of his administration, he’s achieved more than all of the presidents combined since Ronald Reagan,” Mr. Staver said. “He’s been the most pro-religious freedom and pro-life president in modern history.” One of the most dramatic steps — hailed by conservatives and decried by liberals — came last week when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services implemented a new rule for the federal family planning program known as Title X. Planned Parenthood, long a target of religious conservatives because of its role as the leading U.S. abortion provider, quit the program — walking away from tens of millions of dollars in grants — rather than comply with a new rule prohibiting clinics from referring women for abortions. Earlier this month, the U.S. Labor Department proposed a rule that is expected to shield federal contractors from discrimination complaints regarding hiring and firing decisions motivated by religious beliefs. Critics say the rule, if implemented, would enable employers to discriminate against LGBTQ people. On Aug. 16, the federal Justice Department filed a brief telling the U.S. Supreme Court that federal law allows firing workers for being transgender. The brief is related to three cases that the high court will hear in its upcoming term related to LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace. Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a waiver allowing a state-contracted foster care agency in South

las and a frequent guest at the White House, predicted that President Trump would win more evangelical votes in 2020 than he did in 2016. “When he ran in 2016 and promised pro-life, pro-religious freedom policies, most evangelicals who voted for him didn’t know whether he would or could fulfill those promises,” Rev. Jeffress said. “When they look back now, they see he checked off all of those goals. … He’ll win by an even larger margin on the basis of promises kept.” The same phenomenon being celebrated by religious conservatives is viewed with alarm by liberal activists. For the religious right, “every day is Christmas,” said Rachel Laser, president and chief executive officer of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. She worries that the mantra of “religious freedom” is being used to protect some Americans while hurting others. “It can’t be religious freedom just for white evangelical Christians. It has to be religious freedom for all of us,” she said. The American Civil Liberties Union is among several organizations seeking to block some of the administration’s moves in court. “This is essentially the wish list of groups that have a very extreme and discriminatory perspective on what religious liberty means,” said Ian Thompson, the ACLU’s senior legislative representative in Washington. “It’s important not to see any one of these policies in isolation but to see them as part of a coordinated effort by the administration across agencies,” Mr. Thompson said. He urged the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives to go

on record against the policies and investigate those that seem particularly problematic. From both the right and left, activists noted that President Trump’s numerous appointments of federal judges have been welcomed by the religious right as a potential long-term boost to its causes. “We are heartened by the appointment of constitutionalist judges, including two excellent Supreme Court justices (Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh), and look forward to more such appointments throughout the federal court system,” said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family. Peter Montgomery of People for the American Way, which is often critical of religious conservative groups, said their Trump-supported agenda “is bad news for women in the United States and around the world, for LGBTQ people, and for the principle that taxpayer money should not be used to fund discrimination.” “Trump is advancing religious right priorities in the short term through administrative actions and in the long term through his appointment of young, right-wing ideologues to lifetime positions on the federal judiciary,” Mr. Montgomery added in an email. The Trump administration actions represent a sharp turnaround from the presidency of Barack Obama, who supported abortion rights and same-sex marriage, mandated that contraception be covered by the Affordable Care Act, enabled transgender people to serve openly in the military and issued guidance to school districts that they should let transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice.

Billups might be a pedophile after a 13-yearold church member alleged in 2003 that he had assaulted her in 2002. While there is little information on what happened to that allegation, what is known is that Mr. Billups retained his posts at the church until his arrest years later. Justice Elizabeth A. McClanahan, who agreed with the majority that the suit could be revived on another ground, was not persuaded about what Gospel Tabernacle knew and when. “Our colleague in dissent concludes that, as a matter of law, the church defendants could not reasonably have foreseen the need to protect A.H. from Don Billups. We respectfully disagree,” Justice Kelsey wrote. He noted that A.H.’s amended complaint noted that the church became aware of the 2003 “allegations of sexual abuse . . . as the result of a criminal and/or social services investigation. “Despite this knowledge, the church defendants did nothing. They ‘took no action against Donald Billups to report such allegations to legal authorities, and they continued to permit Donald Billups to have access to children . . . without any restrictions at all,’ ” he wrote in quoting the suit. “If the church defendants had responded reasonably to this knowledge, A.H. suggests, one could fairly infer that they would have discovered Don Billups’s propensity to sexually

  

 



abuse minors — the very predisposition that led to his conviction on 16 counts of sexual crimes against minors. We find these allegations sufficient to state a claim for negligence,” Justice Kelsey stated. All seven justices also agreed that A.H. had made a sufficient showing to proceed on her claim that the Church of God in Christ and Gospel Tabernacle are liable as Mr. Billups’ employer. Her suit claims that he committed his crimes while acting as their employee or agent and that he was acting within the scope of his employment when he sexually abused her. The justices agreed that that claim was well enough pled to be considered at a trial. Like the Catholic Church, COGIC has been plagued with allegations about pedophiles who have impacted thousands of children. COGIC Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. has expressed concern, although the church has not yet faced the kind of lawsuits and allegations that have hit various Catholic dioceses. In one of his strongest statements following the conviction of Mr. Billups, Bishop Blake stated in his annual message, “The church has got to be a safety zone for our children. If you are a pedophile, if you are a molester, if you are an abuser, if you are determined to pursue sexual misconduct, then either get right or get out. Get right or get out!”

Sixth Baptist Church Theme for 2018-2020: Mobilizing For Ministry Refreshing The Old and Emerging The New We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! A 21st Century Church Come Worship With Us!

With Ministry For Everyone

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019



11:00 AM Worship Celebration Message by: Pastor Bibbs New Sermon Series: Breaking News

 

Selected Scriptures

 

New Church School Classes



From Nursery - College Student Also Women’s & Men’s Classes

   SATURDAY, JUNE 29 9:30 - 11 TH

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org drbibbs@sixthbaptistchurch.org

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

 Community Breakfast Chew & Chat for Men

2IVERVIEW

"APTIST #HURCH 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.

Zion Baptist Church 2006 Decatur Street Richmond, VA 23224 zbcoffice@verizon.net

Barky’s

It’s All

Usher Badges • Clergy Shirts • Collars • Communion Supplies • Much More!

18 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 • (804) 643-1987 Hours M-F 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Honoring God ... and serving people THANKS TO YOU for over 64 years and looking for 64 more years

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You” Tuesday Sunday 10:30 AM Bible Study 9:30 AM Church School 6:30 PM Church-wide Bible Study 11:00 AM Worship Service 6:30 PM Men's Bible Study (Each 2nd and 4th) (Holy Communion Thursday each 2nd Sunday) Wednesday (Following 2nd Sunday) 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting

11:00 AM Mid-day Meditation

Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor Sunday Service 10 a.m. Church School 8:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m. Transportation Services (804) 859-1985 “Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”

Triumphant

Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

“The Church With A Welcome”

3HARON "APTIST #HURCH 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019 8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship and Holy Communion

Wednesday and Thursday Bible Study will resume in September

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m. Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m. 4th Sunday Unified Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. & 7 p.m. Sermons Available at BRBCONLINE.org

Church School - 9:30 a.m. Worship Service - 11:15 a.m.

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Bible Study - Wednesday - 7 p.m. Communion - 1st Sunday

Pastor Kevin Cook

Upcoming Events & Happenings

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Sunday Morning Worship

September 1, 2019 @ 10:30 A. M.

1858

±4HE 0EOPLE´S #HURCH²

216 W. Leigh St. • Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 • Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcoffice1@yahoo.com • web: www.richmondebenezer.com Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study

11:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m. Mon. 6:30 p.m. Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wed. 6:45 p.m. Wed. 4:30 p.m. Wed. 6:00 p.m. Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor

September 6-8~ Community Weekend

September 10-11~ Revival Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: On Summer Break

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

Initial Sermon of Bro. Avi Hopkins March 24, 2019 @ 3:00 P.M.

If you w

Richmond Free Press

August 29-31, 2019

B5

Faith News/Directory Religion News Service

Sister Helen Prejean wants to get religion “right.� But too often, she said, people use religion, including Christianity, for the wrong reasons. That includes Scripture used by politicians to justify separating families at the border, said Sister Prejean, 80. Or Jesus’ death being used by Christians to defend the death penalty. Or thinking that praying for justice is the same as acting for it. “It took me a long time to get Jesus right,� she said. “It took me a long time to not just live Christianity as practicing charity to those around me who were pretty much people just like me, to getting involved with justice, which is the true call of the gospel.� That desire to get it right prompted Sister Prejean — an anti-death penalty activist whose book “Dead Man Walking� was the inspiration for the Oscar-winning 1995 film by the same name — to write her latest memoir, “River of Fire.� In the new book, which ends where “Dead Man Walking� picks up, the nun describes her journey to the Sisters of St. Joseph — and how religious life changed after Vatican II. Sister Prejean talked to Religion News Service about how she became involved in social justice, why she thinks the death penalty is on its way out and how she got to “bump into two popes along the way.� How did you get involved in the social justice movement? I basically would pray to God to solve the big problems, but I was never engaged directly in social justice. And so I tell in the book about awakening, being jolted out of that. The line that got me was, “Jesus preached good news to the poor.�

Sister Helen Prejean, activist nun, talks about getting Jesus ‘right’ The good news to poor people was that it wasn’t God’s will for them to be poor — that they had a right to strive for what was rightfully theirs and to have a decent life. In other words, poverty had to be resisted, not just something accepted because God’s going to reward you in another life. You have to work for justice. When I heard that, I didn’t even know any poor people, and I lived in New Orleans. We had 10 major housing projects for poor black people and I’d never been to any of them. I was always in the suburbs with other white people like me. God helped wake me up (and realize) that the gospel was about being on the side with people who had no voice, anyone marginalized and who was struggling. Then I began to learn. I realized that to work for justice, you can’t just pray for God to solve these problems, you’ve got to get involved. So to get an invitation to write a man on death row kind of just fit in. Capital punishment has been back in the news with U.S. Attorney General William Barr reinstating the federal death penalty. But you’re actually hopeful about ending the death penalty. Why? Pope Francis on Aug. 2, 2018, made a declaration that we’re changing the Catholic catechism that under no circumstance could we ever allow state governments to execute their citizens. So now you’ve got a document. Now you’ve got words on a page. You’ve still got to bring words to life.

CONFERENCE

(Men Acknowledging Christ) Thursday, Oct. 3 - 4pm to Saturday, Oct. 5 - 12pm

Holiday Inn Newport News – Hampton 980 Omni Blvd Newport News 23606 | (757) 223-2110

Conference Registration $70 at NDEC.net Hotel Rooms $109 per night (reference group code NDE) https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/reservation

What happens in countries or states is first you see the practice dwindling because people are losing faith in it. You see that happening across the whole country. It’s still on the way. It’s still kind of budding. But it’s definitely in the right direction, and so that just takes constant dialogue. That’s why I’m glad about “Dead Man Walking,� and that’s why I’m glad about the movie, why I’m glad about the opera, why I stay on the road to talk to the people. In the book, you also include a letter you wrote

to Pope Francis advocating for the role of women in the church. Why is this so important to you? The death penalty — OK, we’re on the right path. We’re getting that straight, but there’s a huge, huge, huge injustice in the Catholic Church. Here all around us we see women coming into their own. Here we have the United Nations saying that when you educate the women and bring the women up, that is what raises a society. Here we have the #MeToo movement. Here

Homecoming & Concerďż˝ 2019

CONCER

T F EAT U

Worship Opportunities During the month of September, all Sunday Worship Services will be held at 10 a.m. Church Bible Study is now in recess for summer School will be held at 8:30 a.m. break and will reconvene on September 19th. Please refer to your daily readings located in your Sunday’s bulletin or visit our website.

Jesus, Jeans & Jerseys Sunday Sunday, September 1, 2019 We will celebrate our unity in diversity by observing “Jesus, Jeans & Jerseys Sunday.� By wearing apparel that displays our favorite sports teams, school/university, or sorority/fraternity, we represent our diversity. As we worship as one body in Christ, we display our unity. -OUNTAIN 2OAD s 'LEN !LLEN 6IRGINIA /FlCE s &AX s WWW STPETERBAPTIST NET

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

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SUNDAYS

Church School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. â?–

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 7:00 p.m. â?–

THIRD SUNDAY 10:30 a.m. Children’s Church Higher Achievement 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

+

8775 Mount Olive Avenue Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 (804) 262-9614 Phone (804) 262-2397 Fax www.mobcva.org

Fall Revival

Monday – Wednesday September 9 – 11, 2019 7:00 PM Nightly - 6:45 PM Prayer & Praise Jaimal C. Hayes, Senior Pastor Abner Baptist Church Glen Allen, Va

Morning Worship Service 11 AM H Concert 1:30 PM

H

• Food • Fun • Fellowship • Live Music • Game Tr�ck • Kids Activities

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First Union Baptist Church Mechanicsville

6231 Pole Green Road R��. L���� R. Y�����, II Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Pastor www.ďŹ rstunionbc.org https://www.facebook.com/FirstUnionBaptistChurch/

Serving Richmond since 1887

Food • Music • Car Show • Games • Vendors

Saturday, September 7, 2019 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Gravel Hill Community Center 5417 Longbridge Road, Henrico, VA 23231

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

1701 Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net

&BTU #SPBE 4USFFU 3JDINPOE 7JSHJOJB r

SUNDAY 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Worship Service

Remember... At New Deliverance, You Are Home! See you there and bring a friend.

WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Bible Study

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

2019 Theme: “The Year of Transition�

Sunday, September 8, 2019 Worship Service - 10:00 AM Rev. Marcus A. Lee, Pastor New Fork Baptist Church

l Seekers The Sou nicsville a of Mech

4URNER 2OAD .ORTH #HESTERlELD 6! s 804-276-0791 office 804-276-5272 fax www.ndec.net

St. Peter Baptist Church

Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

Homecoming Family & Friends Day

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R IN G:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bro Steve Minus (804) 683-3621 or sminus50@gmail.com Bro. Andre Jamison (804) 937-1973 or jamesandrejamison@gmail.com Bro Antonio Terry (804) 418-0781 or ayjjterry@gmail.com

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Mount Olive Baptist Church

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER st

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2019 MAC

RNS photo by Rosie Scammell

Two decades after her anti-death penalty work was transformed into an Oscar-winning movie, “Dead Man Walking,� Sister Helen Prejean’s campaign continues with the backing of Pope Francis.

we have women striving for their rights to be able to vote and to be able to have a voice, women taking their place in Congress and decision-making. In the church, a woman cannot read the Gospel at Mass. Only a man can. Women are not part of any of the policymaking at the highest level of the church. And I say in that letter to the pope, we have all males — always all males — making decisions, and they don’t have the voice and experience and wisdom of women across that table with them. We need the wisdom of women in policymaking and decision-making in the Catholic Church. Eventually it will be the priesthood, too. How do you hold on to joy and faith in the face of the death and injustice you’ve seen? That comes from the Holy Spirit. It’s not something I create and just hold on to. It bubbles up in you. It becomes present in you.

And I think it comes from walking out of that execution chamber after witnessing six human beings die. I am working with every bit of strength in my body to change that, to wake up the people. What gives you hope is when you’re working for something — when you’re working on the alternative, you’re not just wishing for it. You’re not just lamenting what is wrong. You’re working. You are at work all the time, and then the hope flows through you. And I think that’s where the joy comes from. I mean, there is tremendous grief. Oh my God, I mean, witnessing people being executed — to see it! You meet them, and they’re human beings. They’re more than the worst act of their life. Did you ever expect you’d be doing what you do or have a movie made about your work? There is a principle of the spiritual life: You do what you do because of the integrity of it, because of what you see, and not for the fruit of it. You leave the fruit of your actions up to God. So, of course, I never knew all this was going to happen, and it took me awhile to wake up.

ALL ARE WELCOME

Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose�

1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor

Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrew 12:14 (KJV) www.ndec.net

SUNDAY 8:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

WEDNESDAY DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

No Bible Study during the month of August.

SATURDAY 8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service “AS IT HAPPENS� online! Also, for your convenience, we now offer “full online giving.� Visit www.ndec.net.

Tune in on Sunday Morning to WTVR - Channel 6 - 8:30 a.m.

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA) ENROLL NOW!!! Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 5th Grade Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program. Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old. For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Richmond Free Press

B6 August 29-31, 2019

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Continued from previous column

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496 Follow the Free Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2019-200 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1117 North 31st Street for the purpose of a single-family attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is located within the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential zoning district. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Medium Density) uses. Primary uses in this category are “single-family detached dwellings at densities between 8 and 20 units per acre.� The density of the property would be 18 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-201 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1119 North 31st Street for the purpose of a single-family attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is located within the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential zoning district. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Medium Density) uses. Primary uses in this category are “single-family detached dwellings at densities between 8 and 20 units per acre.� The density of the property would be 18 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-202 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3022 Jefferson Davis Highway to authorize a wireless telecommunications monopole and associated equipment, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the OS-Office Services District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property as an Economic Opportunity Area. Ordinance No. 2019-203 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3111 Q Street for the purpose of a twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential zoning district. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Medium Density) uses. Primary uses in this category are “single-family detached dwellings at densities between 8 and 20 units per acre.� The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be approximately 23 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-204 To authorize the special use of the property known as 224 S. Cherry Street, 912 Idlewood Avenue, 914 Idlewood Avenue, 239 S. Linden Street, 225 S. Linden Street and 223 S. Linden Street, to authorize a day nursery as a principal use, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is located in the R-7 Single and Two-Family Urban Residential District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Downtown General Urban Area. The General Urban Area is characterized by medium-density mixeduse development. Ordinance No. 2019-205 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1600 West Cary Street for the purpose of an outdoor dining area, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is zoned in the UB-PO3 Urban BusinessParking Overlay District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates the subject property for Continued on next column

single‑family (medium d e n s i t y. ) P r i m a r y uses in this category are single‑family and two‑family dwellings, both detached and attached at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-206 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 2018-012, adopted February 12, 2018, which authorized the special use of the property known as 10 West Leigh Street for the purpose of permitting a multifamily dwelling with up to 14 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions, to modify the parking requirements for the properties known as 10 West Leigh Street, 12 West Leigh Street, and 14 ½ West Leigh Street. The property is currently zoned R-63 (Multi-family Urban Residential). The City of Richmond’s adopted Pulse Corridor Plan designates a land use category for the subject property as NMU (Neighborhood Mixed Use). “Neighborhood Mixed use areas are cohesive districts that provide a mix of uses, but with a larger amount of residential uses than other mixed use districts. They are an urban, walkable environment with limited neighborhood oriented uses incorporated along key commercial corridors and at corner sites.â€? Ordinance No. 2019-207 To authorize the use of the property known as 1006 West Franklin Street, for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling containing up to four dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is zoned in the R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential District. The City’s Master Plan recommends Single Family (Medium Density) land use for the subject property. Primary uses are single family and two family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. The density of the proposed development would be approximately 40 units per acre. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candice D. Reid City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2019-209 To rezone the property known as 201 Orleans Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District (Conditional). The City of Richmond’s Pulse Corridor Plan designates the subject property for Industrial Mixed-Uses. Industrial Mixed-use areas are traditionally industrial areas that are transitioning to mixed-use due to their proximity to growing neighborhoods, but still retain industrial uses. Ordinance No. 2019-210 To rezone the properties known 25 Nicholson Street and a portion of 101 Nicholson Street from the M-2 Heavy Industrial District to the B-7 Mixed-Use District (Conditional). The City of Richmond’s Pulse Corridor Plan designates the subject property for Neighborhood MixedUses. Neighborhood Mixed-use areas are cohesive districts that provide a mix of uses, but with a larger amount of residential uses than other mixed-use districts. Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candice D. Reid City Clerk

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City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2019-213 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of a portion of the City-owned real estate known as 601 East Leigh Street, consisting of 171,906Âą square feet, for nominal consideration to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond. ( C O M M I T T E E : Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-214 To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of certain parcels, or portions thereof, of City-owned real estate known as 601 E. Leigh St., 501 N. 7th St., 808 E. Clay St., 800 E. Clay St., 500 N. 10th St., 500 E. Marshall St., 500 A E. Marshall St., 116 N. 7th St., 114 N. 7th St., 112 N. 7th St., and 401 E. Broad St. to The NH District Corporation for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the area bounded generally by E. Leigh St. on the north, N. 10th St. on the east, E. Marshall St. on the south, and N. 5th St. on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-215 To close, to public use and travel, certain rightof-way areas comprised of portions of East Leigh Street, East Clay Street, North 5th Street, and North 7th Street, such portions together consisting of 44,590Âą square feet, to retain easements in certain of the closed right-of-way areas, and to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept the dedication of right-ofway improvements and property, consisting of approximately 66,977Âą square feet, in connection with the closing of the right-of-way areas, for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the area bounded generally by East Leigh Street on the north, North 10th Street on the east, East Marshall Street on the south, and North 5th Street on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-217 To repeal ch. 30, art. IV, div. 26 (§§ 30-448.1—30448.4) of the City Code; to amend ch. 30, art. IV, by adding therein a new div. 26 (§§ 30-448.1—30448.8); and to amend City Code §§ 30-503, 30-519, 30-710.1, 30-710.4, 30710.13, and 30-1220, all for the purpose of modifying the zoning regulations applicable in the CM Coliseum Mall District. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-218 To amend the official zoning map for the purpose of designating certain street blocks as “priority streetsâ€? and certain street blocks as “street-oriented commercial streetsâ€? in the area bounded generally by East Leigh Street on the north, North 10th Street on the east, East Marshall Street on the south, and North 5th Street on the west. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Ordinance No. 2019-219 To rezone the properties known as 601 E. Leigh St., 501 N. 7th St., 808 E. Clay St., 800 E. Clay St., 500 N. 10th St., 900 E. Marshall St., 406 N. 7th St., 408 A N. 7th St., 500 E. Marshall St., and 500 B E. Marshall St. from the B-4 Central Business District to the CM Coliseum Mall District. The Pulse Corridor Plan indicates that the area should be “Downtown Mixed-Useâ€?, with some “Public & Open Spaceâ€?, as well as identifying it as an “Opportunity Areaâ€? in the Future Land Use map. The Plan specifically recommends that the Coliseum and adjacent City-owned parcels are Continued on next column

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an opportunity site that could be redeveloped into a mixed-use, mixedincome, pedestrianfriendly environment that serves as a connection‌ between the Convention Center, Biotech Park, and the Capital Districtâ€?. (COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, November 4, 2019, 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber) Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candice D. Reid City Clerk City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, September 9, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2019-193 To amend Ord. No. 2019042, adopted May 13, 2019, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Special Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by increasing estimated revenues from the fee for an electronic summons system imposed by City Code § 12-122 and the amount appropriated to the Department of Police’s Police eTicket Account Special Fund by $15,000.00, to provide for the implementation and maintenance of a new electronic summons system. Ordinance No. 2019-194 To amend City Code § 12-122, concerning fee to support an electronic summons system, for the purpose of providing for an assessment of the fee in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the City of Richmond. Ordinance No. 2019-195 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc., for the purpose of making a $485,140 grant to Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc., from the funds appropriated to the Non-Departmental – Human Services line item to support the implementation of the Eviction Diversion Program. Ordinance No. 2019-196 To amend City Code §§ 2-894, 2-895, and 2-896, concerning the functions, duties, and administration of the Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board, for the purpose of modifying the member qualifications, duties, and administration of the Board. Ordinance No. 2019-197 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the design and construction of multi-modal infrastructure to improve the safety and operation of all users within the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park. Ordinance No. 2019-198 To amend City Code § 26-582, concerning the eligibility of residential real property for the partial tax exemption from real property taxation, for the purpose of changing the requirement that eligible properties must have been vacant for at least two years to a requirement that eligible properties must not have had a building situated on such properties for at least two years. Ordinance No. 2019-199 To install pedestrian curb ramps on the northwest, southwest, and southeast corners at the intersection of Juniper Street and 3rd Avenue, and on the northwest, southwest, northeast, and southeast corners at the intersection of Spruce Street and 3rd Avenue.

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at www.Richmondgov. com and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER TAN’ISE VAUTERS, Plaintiff v. SIDDEEQ MUMIN, Defendant. Case No.: CL19002340-00 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 7th day of October, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: The 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 CITY OF Richmond Portia Chiffon (Roberson) Allman, Plaintiff v. Oneil Anthony Allman, Defendant. Case No.: CL19-3900-3 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Obtain a divorce a vincullo matrimonii or from the bonds of matrimony. It appearing from an affidavit that diligence has been used without effect, by or on the behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city defendant is. It is ORDERED that Oneil Anthony Allman appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before the 10th day of October, 2019. A Copy Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AMY POE-PHILLIPS, Plaintiff v. TEROND TAYLOR, Defendant. Case No.: CL19002269-00 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 September, 2019 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: The 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

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v. RUTH B. WRIGHT, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-348 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1601 Boston Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000286/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Ruth B. Wright, William Ricky Wright, Darryl Wilson Wright and Jared Bernard Wright. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, RUTH B. WRIGHT, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owners, WILLIAM RICKY WRIGHT, DARRYL WILSON WRIGHT, and JARED BERNARD WRIGHT, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.� IT IS ORDERED that RUTH B. WRIGHT, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, WILLIAM RICKY WRIGHT, DARRYL WILSON WRIGHT, JARED BERNARD WRIGHT, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before OCTOBER 10, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Darden. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CHARLIE A. ANDERSON, JR, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, THELMA A. BOONE, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.� IT IS ORDERED that CHARLIE A. ANDERSON, JR, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, THELMA A. BOONE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before OCTOBER 10, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.� IT IS ORDERED that T H O M A S T. B A I L E Y, CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, LLC, an entity canceled in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 102350 on February 8, 2010, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before OCTOBER 10, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. CHARLIE A. ANDERSON, JR, et al. Defendants. Case No. : CL19-1760 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2016 Edwards Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000457/001, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Charlie A. Anderson, Jr., Mary A. Bonner, Thelma A. Boone and Vanessa A. Falden, fka Vanessa A.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. THOMAS T. BAILEY, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-1004 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2663 Decatur Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000905/016, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Thomas T. Bailey. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, THOMAS T. BAILEY, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that CAPITAL FUNDING AND CONSULTING, LLC, an entity canceled in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 10-2350 on February 8, 2010, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/ or served despite diligent

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Property

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff,

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BID REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

The University of Virginia seeks a firm to provide:

Technology Value-Added Resellers (VAR) RFP-UVA-00011-MW082019

To view a copy of RFP # MW082019 go to Procurement Services Site: https://bids.sciquest.com/ apps/Router/

CONSOLIDATED PLAN PUBLIC NOTICE The results of the Commonwealth’s 2018 – 2019 Action Plan covering the use of Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solution Grants, HOME, HOPWA, and National Housing Trust Fund will be available upon request and online starting September 13, 2019. Copies of the 2018 – 2019 results may be requested by calling (804) 371-7100, (804) 371-7122, or (804) 371-7084 TDD. Persons requiring special accommodations should call (804) 371-7073. The Plan will appear on the agency’s web site at http://www.dhcd.virginia.gov. The Department of Housing and Community Development will receive written comments on these results through the close of business on September 26, 2019 at the following address: Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Attention: Lyndsi Austin Main Street Centre 600 East Main Street, Suite 300 Richmond, Virginia 23219

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

CUSTODY VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ZHA’MAR BARRICK MCLEMORE Case No. J-95590-06, 07, 08 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR�) Barrick L. Mclemore, Jr. (FATHER) & Unknown (Father) & Dynesha Cross (Mother), of Zha’mar Barrick Mclemore, child, DOB 10/24/2016, “RPR� 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 Barrick L. Mclemore, Jr. (Father), Unknown (Father), & Dynesha Cross (Mother) to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 10/15/2019, at 12:00 PM, Courtroom #2.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. WEST BROAD STREET BANKRUPTCY BUILDING, LLC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-1263 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4509 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number W000-2034/002, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, West Broad Street Bankruptcy Building, LLC. An Affidavit having been filed that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.� IT IS ORDERED that and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before OCTOBER 10, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Freelance Writers:

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com. EOE M/F/D/V

Assisted Living Facility accepting applications for the following positions: Experience Licensed Medication Aide, Part-time Housekeeper, CNA or PCA Please provide a current TB report when applying. All references will be checked. Good pay – Good days o. Call for appointment (804) 222-5133

Richmond Free Press has immediate opportunities for freelance writers. Newspaper experience is a requirement. To be considered, please send 5 samples of your writing, along with a cover letter to news@richmond freepress.com or mail to: Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261. No phone calls.

Director of Building Inspection Chester�ield County, Virginia (Richmond-Metro area) is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader who works effectively and collaboratively with Building Inspection staff as well as other county departments, governmental agencies, elected of�icials and citizens of the county. To view the recruitment pro�ile and application instructions, please visit www.chester�ield.gov. The deadline to apply is September 20, 2019, at 5 p.m. https:// www.chester�iel d.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/11826/Recruitment-Pro�ile---Director-ofBuilding-Inspection

AVAILABLE Downtown Richmond first floor office suite 5th and Franklin Streets 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

804.358.5543 Bedros Bandazian

Associate Broker, Chairman

Raffi Bandazian

Principal Broker, GRI

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