Richmond Free Press August 3-5, 2023 edition

Good times, good cause

Many South Side residents celebrated the 40th anniversary of National Night Out in Richmond at Hobson Lodge on Tuesday. During the event, Mayor Levar M. Stoney issued a proclamation commemorating the 40th year celebrating police and community partnership.

Some 52 neighborhoods throughout Richmond hosted community gatherings as part of the 2023 National Night Out. The festivities included members of the Richmond Police Department, federal law enforcement agencies, first responders and city and community leaders who came out to promote public safety initiatives and crime prevention.

“National Night Out is another chance for us to connect with our community members and work with our partners to make our city and neighborhoods safer,” Capt. Dan Minton of RPD Community Youth and Intervention Services said in a statement. “To recognize the Night

Out, it can be as simple as making an effort to meet your neighbor and share a handshake or welcome others to your lawn for refreshments.

“The idea is for residents to get to know one another in the spirit of public safety.”

Participating RPD personnel, including Chief Rick Edwards, made planned stops throughout the night in the city to new and old partner events for the occasion, including gatherings, above, at Hobson Lodge, the Richmond Highway Civic Association, New Light Baptist Church, Monument Park and Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

Henrietta Lacks’ family settles lawsuit with biotech company

By Lea Skene and Sarah Brumfield The Associated Press BALTIMORE

More than 70 years after doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took Henrietta Lacks’ cervical cells without her knowledge, a lawyer for her descendants said they have reached a settlement with a biotechnology company that they accused of reaping billions of dollars from a racist medical system.

Tissue taken from the Black woman’s tumor before she died of cervical cancer became the first human cells to continuously grow and reproduce in lab dishes. HeLa cells went on to become a cornerstone of modern medicine, enabling countless scientific and medical innovations, including the development of the polio vaccine, genetic

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Mrs. Lacks

Goldman prepares to sue over casino

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

In mid-June, Richmond City Council voted 8-1 to select RVA Entertainment Holdings LLC as its preferred choice to operate a resort casino in the city — setting the stage for a second attempt to win city voter support for a gambling operation that was defeated two years ago.

However, political strategist Paul Goldman believes the no-bid award to the company could violate a provision of the state constitution as

well as the Virginia Public Procurement Act.

He said he is preparing a lawsuit to test whether the city was required to go through a bidding process before making what amounts to a perpetual right for that company to operate the casino.

“This is the most lucrative franchise the city has ever awarded,” Mr. Goldman said, “and it was done without the kind bidding process

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Splish splash

The Associated Press

Responding to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ challenge to debate the merits of the his state’s new curriculum on African-American history, Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday told a cheering audience at a convention of Black women missionaries in Orlando: “I’m here in Florida. And I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery.”

new teachings on slavery

By Seung Min Kim, Will Weissert and Steve Peoples The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, facing heavy criticism for defending “anti-woke” teaching in Florida, this week teed up an unusual proposal to the nation’s first Black vice president: Come debate the merits of the state’s new curriculum on AfricanAmerican history.

Less than 24 hours later, Kamala Harris was in an African Methodist Episcopal church in Orlando, firing back.

“I’m here in Florida,” Vice President Harris said Tuesday to a cheering audience at a convention of Black women missionaries. “And I will tell you there is no roundtable, no lecture, no invitation we will accept to debate an undeniable fact: There were no redeeming qualities of slavery.”

It was the latest volley in a rhetorical war over Florida’s new education standards that has escalated in recent days. And it

City reverses course on Hickory Hill

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

In a surprise reversal, City Hall has dropped its plan to build a new training building for the city Fire Department on 2 acres of lawn at the Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side after a two-year effort to make it happen.

In an email obtained by the Free Press, the city’s chief administrative officer, Lincoln Saunders, stated that the new training building that provides simulated fires for recruits and veterans to train in handling blazes would be built in Sandston in Henrico County.

Clement Britt

Sharde Robinson and her 1-year-old daughter, Alora Rasor, beat the heat in the Blackwell Pool last Saturday. The pool is open to the public throughout the summer from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and holidays, and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for open swimming, 5 to 7 p.m. for family swims and 7 to 8 p.m. for adult swim.

The location that Fire Chief Melvin Carter described as too distant and too costly is the site of the current “burn building” that is no longer usable.

Mr. Saunders stated that the Fire Department would continue to use classroom space at

Trump indicted for efforts to overturn 2020 election and block transfer of power

The Associated Press WASHINGTON

Donald Trump was indicted on felony charges

Tuesday for working to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent Jan. 6, 2021, riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol, with the Justice Department acting to hold him accountable for an unprecedented effort to block the peaceful transfer of presidential power and threaten American democracy.

subject of exhaustive federal investigations and captivating public hearings. It chronicles a monthslong campaign of lies about the election results and says that, even when those falsehoods resulted in a chaotic insurrection at the Capitol, Mr. Trump sought to exploit the violence by pointing to it as a reason to further delay the counting of votes that sealed his defeat.

Mr. Trump

The four-count indictment, the third criminal case against Mr. Trump, provided deeper insight into a dark moment that already has been the

Even in a year of rapid-succession legal reckonings for Mr. Trump, Tuesday’s indictment, with charges including conspiring to

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Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

By Caroline Reinhart

It’s been a record-breaking hot summer and, according to the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, July was the world’s warmest month ever recorded.

Both organizations last week told the Associated Press that Earth’s temperature has been temporarily passing over a key warming threshold: The internationally accepted goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

Richmonders and others in surrounding areas have felt the heat, leading the City of Richmond to announce cooling stations last week at the Social Services Marshall Plaza Building and the Southside Community Service Center from Wednesday through Saturday. Although Richmond’s back-to-back temperatures in the mid-90s have subsided, the City’s libraries continue to serve as cooling stations Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the Petersburg Transit Station at 100 W. Washington St. is available to city residents from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m, Monday through Saturday.

Me.anwhile, Virginians can expect to see rising temperatures throughout August as a heatwave approaches southern parts of the United States. A heatwave is defined by the National Weather Service as a “period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days.” If the necessary precautions are not taken, severe health consequences will be felt not only in Virginia but also nationally.

During heatwaves or warmer days, bustling urban centers can experience what is called an “urban heat island” effect which is when the city’s dark-colored infrastructure absorbs heat, intensifying the already unbearable conditions. About 41 million city residents in the United States can feel temperatures increase by 8 degrees or more compared to the surrounding temperatures. In addition, low-income residents are disproportionately impacted by this extreme heat due to a lack of green space and cooling infrastructure in their neighborhoods. There also been a spike in heat-related deaths and hospitalizations of outdoor workers in states that have been hit by the summer heatwaves.

The average annual heat-related death count has increased 95% from 2010 to 2022 with over 1,500 deaths last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. However, this number is likely an underestimate with other research approximating at least 10,000 Americans dying due to heat.

To stay safe from the impacts of severe heat, the National Weather Service advises that citizens should reduce time outside, stay hydrated, use air conditioning, fans, or relax in a public air-conditioned location, and check on those who are more vulnerable to heat

Additionally, several cities are combating this extreme weather and the resulting health crisis by implementing strategies such as planting trees and replacing pavement with cooler alternatives.

However, environmentalists suggest more holistic approaches, focusing on the root of the problem, climate change, need to be enacted to reduce the risk of heat events in future summers. Such strategies include electrifying the vehicle fleet to reduce the combustion of fossil fuels.

Last April, the Biden administration proposed the nation’s most ambitious climate regulations to date: Two plans designed to ensure two-thirds of new passenger cars and a quarter of new heavy trucks sold in the United States are all electric by 2032, according to The New York Times.

For Virginia, all new vehicle sales in the state must be all electric by 2035 in accordance with the Biden administration’s plan.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Work is underway on a new central forensics laboratory on Studley Road in Hanover County. The $189 million project is scheduled for completion in 2025. The project includes construction of a four-story, state-of-the-art forensic facility, of about 89,000 square meters, according to a news release from the builder, Skanska USA. When finished, the facility will house the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, alongside space for analysis laboratories, autopsies, evidence storage, training, state administrative needs, among other functions.

Richmond Electoral Board to reverse course

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Richmond Electoral Board is preparing to retreat from its controversial and evidently illegal plan to eliminate two early voting sites for the upcoming Tuesday, Nov. 7, general election, one at Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side and the other at City Hall.

Hit by strong backlash after the vote last month to shutter those sites as well as a stern, official legal opinion stating the action violated state law, the Republicanled board already has scheduled a special meeting for Friday, Aug. 4, to reverse course.

Expectations are that the board will vote to ensure those two sites will be open when early voting begins Friday, Sept. 22, and end the effort to limit in-person early voting to the less accessible city Office of Elections at 2134 W. Laburnum Ave.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney and other Democrats publicly pounded the board for voting 2-1 at its July meeting to keep those two sites shuttered, calling it a partisan attempt to suppress access to the ballot box and threatening to sue if the decision were not quickly changed.

The board’s lone Democrat, Joyce K. Smith, voted against the closure, while the third board member, newcomer Republican John A. Ambrose, supported his GOP colleague, C. Starlet Stevens, the board’s chair.

The vote came less than 60 days before the start of early voting, violating at least one state law that bars such action so close to the start of voting.

A board veteran Ms. Stevens, said fiscal prudence, not ideology drove the initial decision.

“My primary reason to not open the satellite locations at City Hall and Hickory Hill Community Center is the cost factor,” said Ms. Stevens, who is serving her second term as chair now that a Republican occupies the governor’s mansion.

“I, along with Registrar Keith G. Balmer reviewed the number of voters versus the cost to have these locations open,” she said. “The cost will be astronomical when you look at how many voters are projected to be coming in to vote versus what the City of Richmond would spend.”

Turnout is expected to be reduced in Richmond as there are no competitive races for the three House and two Senate seats that cover portions of the city.

The only ballot item with a potential to stimulate voting is the second referendum on whether the city should host a casino resort in South Side, if that stays on the ballot.

Turnout in the city can be strong when there are competitive General Assembly races as occurred in 2019 when 63,000 Richmond voters cast ballots to choose state senators and delegates.

But turnout can drop off sharply in years when the races are essentially decided before the vote, as in 2013 when only 36,000 people voted.

Still, according to both Mayor Stoney and City Council President Michael J. Jones, the Office of Elections has the money to open all three sites. They both said the 2023-24 budget included an extra

$100,000 to cover the cost.

“That’s why we appropriated the money for the elections office to actually carry out and discharge their duties,” Dr. Jones said. “We as a council will not ask a department or a division to do something that we have not empowered them to do.”

Mr. Balmer said he presented the Electoral Board with a budget for operating the three early voting sites before the board voted just to open one.

Separately, City Attorney Laura K. Drewry issued a strongly worded letter July 27 reminding the board that it no longer had any authority over determining the number and location of early voting sites.

Ms. Drewry noted that in 2020, the General Assembly handed that authority to local governments and that Richmond’s governing body had that year established Hickory Hill and City Hall as official satellite voting sites for early voting.

“The board’s decision not to make these Council-established voter satellite offices available for absentee voting in connection with the Nov. 7 general election violates state law,” Ms. Drewry stated in her opinion.

“The decision essentially abolishes these locations as voter satellite offices, which power section 24.2-701.2 of the state code has expressly conferred upon the City Council alone.

“In addition,” she continued, “the board’s decision, by removing these voter satellite locations as voting options, conflicts with the council’s legislative power to expand access to the polls for its voters.”

Rep. McClellan addresses climate crisis during museum roundtable

Free Press staff report

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, was joined by National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy on Monday to tour the Science Museum of Virginia’s exhibit, “Space: An Out-ofGravity Experience.”

Free Press staff report

For the 13th consecutive year, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center has been recognized as the No. 1 hospital in the Metro Richmond area by U.S. News & World Report in its Best Hospitals rankings for 2023 and 2024.

VCU Medical Center also was ranked as the No. 2 hospital in Virginia, an improvement from a No. 3 ranking previously. The center was evaluated alongside more than 4,500 hospitals across the country, and only 12% of those evaluated were awarded a Best Hospitals ranking.

“This recognition reflects the unrelenting efforts and collective commitment of our exceptional team members, clinicians, researchers, and support personnel,” Michael Roussos, president of VCU Medical Center, said in a statement. “It motivates us to continue striving for excellence in every aspect of patient care, medical education, and scientific discovery.”

VCU Medical Center’s cancer, cardiology, heart and vascular surgery, gastroenterology and GI surgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology and lung surgery programs were recognized as “High Performing” by U.S. News. The highest rankings also were awarded to VCU Medical Center for 14 critical procedures, services and conditions.

With its hands-on, largescale interactive exhibits and multimedia components, the display explores solutions to help shape the nation’s future in space.

After the tour, Congresswoman McClellan joined local experts and environmental advocates for a discussion about the world’s looming climate crisis.

“As we experience worsening climate impacts, it is imperative that we maintain strong coordination between all levels of government, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders,” the congresswoman said.

Noting that Monday’s roundtable discussion enabled federal officials to connect with local experts to share updates and

priorities as they continue to combat the climate crisis,” Congresswoman McClellan added that she looks “forward to continued collaboration with NASA to advance innovative

technologies and preserve our planet.”

NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, agreed. “Across the globe, people are facing extreme

weather conditions that require action and more accessible data on how our planet is changing.

“For decades, NASA has used our unique vantage point of space to collect data that empowers researchers and climate leaders in our communities — and around the world — to make informed decisions and prepare for the impacts of climate change for generations to come.”

Also in attendance was Sheri Shannon, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf, a volunteer organization that uses community-driven strategies to address environmental injustice.

“We’re living in a new abnormal that’s negatively impacting the health, wellbeing and livelihood of people, especially those in poverty and who are marginalized by systemic inequities,” Ms. Shannon said. “As we’ve seen this summer, climate-related disasters are becoming another death sentence. Leaders at every level — including the business community — need to make sizeable infrastructure investments and policies that will create healthy, safe and climateresilient communities.”

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

country also felt the heat.

Feeling the heat Local libraries, other facilities offer relief for some VCU Medical Center leads again in annual ranking

Courtesy Jennifer McClellan Press Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and NASA’s Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy tour the Science Museum of Virginia’s exhibit, “Space: An Out-of-Gravity Experience” on Monday. They later participated in a panel discussion about climate change.

Mayor Stoney

Ms. Drewry

Ms. Stevens

Kamala Harris pushes back over Florida’s new teachings on slavery

highlights the elevated role that Vice President Harris has been taking: Leading the White House charge against Republicans vying to face off against President Biden in the 2024 campaign.

Vice President Harris’ trip to Orlando was her second to Florida in just over a week, after the state cleared new school guidelines that, in part, require teachers to instruct middle school students that enslaved people “developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” It’s language that Gov. DeSantis defends against strong pushback from Democrats and leading Black Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Two days after the new guidelines were formally approved, Vice President Harris and her aides quickly organized a trip to the state’s largest city of Jacksonville and denounced “extremists” who she argued were forcing “propaganda” on Florida schoolchildren.

The vice president also flew to Iowa last week and met with abortion rights advocates as top GOP presidential candidates gathered in Des Moines to address an influential state Republican Party dinner. That came on the heels of a new Iowa law that bars most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, which is now on hold, blocked by a state judge.

Vice President Harris’ moves to seize the political offensive are a departure from years past, when she found herself under repeated Republican attacks after making scant progress on tackling the migration challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. Vice President Harris was also the point person on the administration’s efforts to bolster voting rights, which failed to gain traction on Capitol Hill.

Her newfound aggressive posture is a natural one, the vice presi-

dent’s allies say, considering her background as a prosecutor who thrives on zeroing in on an opponent and hammering their faults.

“The vice president has long been an effective messenger when Americans’ fundamental rights are at stake,” said Rohini Kosoglu, Vice President Harris’ former chief of staff. “This recent attack on education, which most Americans would consider extremist, is no different.”

Nikki Fried, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, said of Gov. DeSantis: “He took the bait.”

“The fact that he doubled down and brought another week of attention to a losing issue for him gives opportunity for the vice president to reinforce the message from the White House, and to reinforce what Americans understand slavery to have been,” Ms. Fried said.

At issue are Florida’s revised curriculum standards, particularly the mandate on teaching middle-school students about the “personal benefits” of slavery. On Tuesday, Vice President Harris called it an “attempt to gaslight us in an attempt to divide and distract our nation with unnecessary debates.” She said the invite from Gov. DeSantis — whom she never called out by name — was an effort to legitimize that debate.

Gov. DeSantis has said his critics are intentionally misinterpreting the language and notes that among the people who worked on the new standards is William B. Allen, a Black professor emeritus at Michigan State University who has defended the wording about slavery.

Still, most of the Black Republicans in Congress have come

out against Florida’s new Black history curriculum, including South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, one of Gov. DeSantis’s challengers for the GOP presidential nomination, and Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., a former ally of the governor who has endorsed former President Donald Trump. Rather than backing down, the DeSantis campaign has gone on the attack against critics, including Rep. Donalds, whose conservative credentials they question.

In his letter challenging Vice President Harris for a debate on the curriculum, Gov. DeSantis accused the vice president of trying to “score cheap political points” and said Florida was unique in requiring “this level of learning about such an important subject.”

“Kamala Harris got on a jet at taxpayer expense and flew to Florida to lie about the African-American history standards,” Gov. DeSantis told Fox’s Bret Baier in a Monday interview. “You can’t bend the knee to the left’s lies. When the left lies and creates these phony narratives, you’ve got to push back. They’ve been doing this to Republicans for years and years.”

But Democrats say they will continue to bolster her role, which will be particularly visible this week as President Biden remains on vacation in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and Vice President Harris steps into the spotlight Her schedule includes a trip to the critical swing state of Wisconsin later this week as well as remarks on the economy after the latest job figures are released on Friday.

“She’s been such an effective messenger in prosecuting the case against extremist Republicans who want to rip away fundamental freedoms, attack our rights and gaslight Americans because she’s got a lifetime of experience of fighting back,” said Jaime Harrison, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. “Unfortunately for Ron, Vice President Harris stands up to bullies and will always be a staunch defender for the people.”

Henrietta Lacks’ family settles lawsuit with biotech company

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mapping and even COVID-19 vaccines.

Despite that incalculable impact, the Lacks family was never compensated.

Mrs. Lacks’ cells were harvested in 1951, when it was not illegal to do so without a patient’s permission. But lawyers for her family argued that Thermo Fisher Scientific, of Waltham, Mass., continued to commercialize the results long after the origins of the HeLa cell line became well known. The company unjustly enriched itself off Mrs. Lacks’ cells, the family argued in their lawsuit, filed in 2021.

The settlement came after closed-door negotiations that lasted all day Monday inside the federal courthouse in Baltimore. Some of Mrs. Lacks’ grandchildren were among the family members who attended the talks.

Attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, announced the settlement late Monday and said the terms are confidential.

In a joint statement, Thermo Fisher representatives and attorneys for the Lacks family said they were pleased to resolve the matter and declined to comment further on the agreement.

A poor tobacco farmer from Southern Virginia, Mrs. Lacks got married and moved with her husband to Turner Station, a historically Black community outside Baltimore. They were raising five children when doctors discovered a tumor in Mrs. Lacks’ cervix and saved a sample of her cancer cells collected during a biopsy.

Free COVID-19 vaccines

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Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free vaccines for COVID-19 and more at the following locations:

• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Henrico East Fast Track Clinic, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., TDAP, Meningitis and HPV shots. Walk-ups welcome, but appointments encouraged.

• Wednesday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. to noon - Henrico West Health Department, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Bivalent Moderna boosters for ages 6 years and older, Bivalent Pfizer boosters for ages 5 years and older, Novavax primary shots for ages 12 and older, JYNNEOS shots and Moderna/Pfizer baby bivalent boosters; 1 to 4 p.m. - Henrico West Fast Track Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, TDAP, Meningitis and HPV shots. Walkups welcome, but appointments encouraged. People can schedule an appointment online at vase.vdh. virginia.gov, vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682). VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received. RHHD also offers at-home vaccinations by calling (804) 2053501 to schedule appointments.

The Pfizer booster is approved for ages 12 and up, while the new Moderna booster is for ages 18 and older.

As with previous COVID-19 boosters, the new doses can only be received after an initial two vaccine shots, and those who qualify are instructed to wait at least two months after their second COVID-19 vaccine.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts also offer bivalent Pfizer and Moderna boosters to children between the ages of 5 and 11. Children in this age range will be eligible after at least two months since their last vaccine dose.

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Mrs. Lacks died at age 31 in the “colored ward” of Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was buried in an unmarked grave.

While most cell samples died shortly after being removed from the body, her cells survived and thrived in laboratories. They became known as the first immortalized human cell line because scientists could cultivate them indefinitely, meaning researchers anywhere could reproduce studies using identical cells.

The remarkable science involved — and the impact on the Lacks family, some of whom had chronic illnesses and no health insurance — were documented in a best-selling book by Rebecca Skloot, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” which was published in 2010. Oprah Winfrey portrayed her daughter in an HBO movie about the story.

Johns Hopkins said it never sold or profited from the cell lines, but many companies have patented ways of using them.

In their complaint, Mrs. Lacks’ descendants argued that her treatment illustrates a much larger issue that persists today: Racism inside the U.S. medical system.

“The exploitation of Henrietta Lacks represents the unfortunately common struggle experienced by Black people throughout history,” the complaint reads.

In a brief filed in support of the Lacks family, attorneys advocating for civil rights, women’s rights and health care equity

said the case is one of many in which U.S. doctors and scientists have exploited minority patients. Another example they cited involved James Marion Sims, a 19th century Alabama surgeon heralded as the father of modern gynecology who performed experimental surgeries on a dozen enslaved women without the use of anesthesia, claiming Black people could endure more pain than white people.

“Indeed, a great portion of early American medical research is founded upon nonconsensual experimentation upon systemically oppressed people,” the attorneys wrote.

In another supporting brief, Southern University law professor Deleso Alford highlighted the discrepancy in status and financial stability between Lacks’ descendants, including grandson Ron Lacks who wrote a book in 2020, and the medical professionals profiting off her cells.

“In the same year Mr. Lacks was self-publishing a book in the hopes of finding some help for his family, the CEO of Thermo Fisher received a compensation package of over $26 million,” the brief says.

Thermo Fisher argued the case should be dismissed because it was filed after the statute of limitations expired. But lawyers for the Lacks family said that shouldn’t apply because the company is continuously benefiting.

Goldman prepares to sue over casino

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that was initially used in 2021. Both the constitution and the procurement act were written to prevent just this kind of ‘sweetheart’ deal.”

Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration, though, has said that it did not believe it needed to go through a bidding process and had authority to recommend RVA Entertainment Holdings — apparently a 50-50 joint venture involving Maryland-based Black-owned media company Urban One and Kentucky-based racing and gambling group Churchill Downs. The city, which does not comment on pending litigation, is pushing ahead without concern. It recently obtained the approval of the casino-regulating Virginia Lottery to move ahead and also gained a court order to put it on the Nov. 7 general election ballot in a new effort to gain approval.

Mr. Goldman, who managed L. Douglas Wilder’s historic run for lieutenant governor and also was a close adviser in Mr. Wilder’s successful bid for governor, publicly supported holding a second vote, but he believes that those going to the ballot should cast “an informed vote.”

He said that city officials have hidden the fact that the deal has changed. Back

in 2021, RVA Entertainment Holdings was listed by Urban One as a wholly owned subsidiary. At the time, the company’s president and CEO, Alfred C. Liggins III, proudly said that the proposed casino would be the only one that in the country that was Black-owned. But that will no longer be the case, Mr. Goldman noted, in pointing to filings by both companies with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission stating that the project is a 50-50 venture. Mayor Stoney’s team never mentioned that change to the council or the public, a review of their statements show.

Mr. Goldman said preliminary information he has obtained indicates that description may also be inaccurate. He said the Virginia Lottery was notified that 6% of the equity in the casino is to come from other private investors. “Either both companies will have less than majority stakes, or one company will have less, but they cannot be 50-50 owners if others are taking 6%” he said.

In support of his analysis, he points to Article 7, Section 9 of the state constitution which states that a city or town, before granting a franchise or privilege, “shall, after due advertisement, publicly receive bids therefor.”

He also noted that the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA) lays out a policy requiring “fair and impartial” conduct in the award of contracts to avoid “any impropriety or appearance of impropriety” and ensuring that “qualified vendors have access to public business and that no offeror be arbitrarily or capriciously excluded.”

Mr. Goldman, who has a law degree and a master’s in public administration, believes the city has violated those strictures, noting the state law that allows the city to select the preferred casino operator contains no wording waiving the constitutional mandate or the VPPA’s requirements.

He said he could not say yet when he would file. He said he is still in the process of gathering data, including seeking information from the Lottery on RVA Entertainment Holdings.

He said the Lottery has declined to release all the documents they have received and he first might have to file suit challenging the agency’s action under the Freedom of Information Act.

City reverses course on Hickory Hill

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Hickory Hill, a former school, for recruit training and refresher courses.

In a statement, Mayor Levar M. Stoney noted that he had requested the change based on “further feedback from residents.”

Eighth District City Councilwoman

Reva M. Trammell, who supported the Hickory Hill location, said, “It’s okay with me. I’m tired of our fire chief and our firefighters being fussed at and falsely accused” of seeking to damage Hickory Hill.

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Ms. Trammell successfully lobbied the council in May to override decisions of the city’s Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission to reject the Hickory Hill location.

The Planning Commission as well as the committee found the selection of Hickory Hill flouted the Richmond 300 Master Plan and the policy the mayor and the council had instituted calling for expansion of green space, particularly in South Side.

Neither the mayor nor Mr. Saunders mentioned the “feedback” included legal

and environmental challenges to the use of the site for the regional training center. The administration had not disclosed publicly that the “burn building” was to serve six fire departments, including the city’s. A lawsuit seeking to block the issuance of a building permit had been filed in June by opponents based on alleged violations of environmental laws, and the state Department of Environmental Quality also had received a request to investigate the city’s decision to build at Hickory Hill as a violation of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

Trump indicted again

defraud the United States government that he once led, was stunning in its allegations that a former president assaulted the “bedrock function” of democracy. It’s the first time the defeated commander in chief, who is the early front-runner for next year’s Republican presidential nomination, is facing legal consequences for his frantic but ultimately failed effort to cling to power.

“The attack on our nation’s Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault

on the seat of American democracy,” said Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith, whose office has spent months investigating Mr. Trump. “It was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: The nation’s process of collecting counting and certifying the results of the presidential election.”

The Trump campaign called the charges “fake” and asked why it took two-and-ahalf years to bring them.

Mr. Trump was the only person charged in Tuesday’s indictment. But prosecu-

tors obliquely referenced a half-dozen co-conspirators, including lawyers inside and outside of government who they said worked with Mr. Trump to undo the election results. They also advanced legally dubious schemes to enlist slates of fake electors in battleground states won by Democrat Joe Biden to falsely claim that Mr. Trump had actually won them. The indictment accuses the defeated president and his allies of trying to “exploit the violence and chaos” by calling lawmakers into the evening on Jan. 6 to delay the certification of President Biden’s victory.

Mr. Goldman

Gov. DeSantis

The doctors you chose, the plan to match

Keep your doctors with an accepted plan

You chose your Bon Secours care team — a team whose focus is, and always has been, on providing quality, compassionate care for those we serve. Now it’s time to choose the Medicare plan to match. Due to stalled negotiations between Bon Secours and Anthem (otherwise known as Elevance Health), your coverage may be impacted.

Our Medicare Advantage contract with Anthem Virginia was terminated effective August 1 and Bon Secours providers are considered out-of-network for nearly 13,000 Richmond-area patients who have Anthem Medicare Advantage health insurance.

If you are a Bon Secours patient with Anthem Medicare Advantage coverage, here is what you can do to make your voice heard:

1. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment opens October 15. Talk to your broker, or call the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) at 1-800-633-4227, and understand your options to pick a plan that keeps your Bon Secours providers in-network. Bon Secours remains in-network with all other major Medicare Advantage health plans in Virginia.

2. Call Anthem at the number on the back of your insurance card and tell them how important it is for you to keep you uninterrupted in-network access to Bon Secours.

Bon Secours is committed to continue doing our part and working hard to reach a new agreement with Anthem on behalf of our patients and the communities we serve — so nothing comes between you and the caregivers you know and trust.

Standing ovation

Let us cheer Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for standing up to bigotry.

The nation’s oldest Black fraternity has announced it will find another major city in another state for its 2025 convention rather than holding it in Orlando, Fla.

The reason: To protest what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “harmful, racist and insensitive policies” that have hit hard at Black people in the state.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s conventions draw up to 6,000 people and have a $4.6 million economic impact on the host city.

As our readers know, we recently condemned Gov. DeSantis’ support for teaching Florida’s children that slavery was a significant job training program for Black people, and we are proud that Alpha Phi Alpha has voted with its dollars.

The fraternity’s action comes just months after the NAACP and other civil rights groups issued a spring travel advisory to urge tourists and other visitors to avoid the state in response to new state laws that those groups said are hostile to people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Though the Rev. Jesse Jackson has retired from the Rainbow/ Push Coalition he created, we know he must be beaming over the growing efforts to push back against the governor and his ilk.

He was long one of the most powerful voices in the country in speaking out against racism and discrimination, and he must be happy that others are stepping up into that role in his stead.

We also are pleased that Black Republicans, including Florida Congressman Byron Donalds and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, as well as the Black Conservative Federation, are joining the criticism of Gov. DeSantis’ support of Florida education standards portraying slavery as a job development program.

“The part that is wrong needs to adjusted,” Congressman Donalds has said in speaking out against the governor’s sunshine view of human bondage.

This issue is not partisan. It speaks to the American ideal that everyone can have a place in this country.

We are disappointed that so many who did not have enslaved ancestors are keeping mum. In his famed 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed his concern that white religious leaders were sitting on the sideline urging caution when the times demanded their participation. Silence is considered consent.

Congressman Donalds has shown that he does not support Florida’s portrayal of slavery by speaking out. Many others need to do so, including our governor, Glenn A. Youngkin, and lieutenant governor, Winsome L. Sears.

We hope we will soon have reason to applaud many more for their decency and courage in standing up for what is right.

Undermining trust

Trust in government is basic to democracy.

We need to count on getting straight information from our leaders and from our representatives who make the laws that govern how we co-exist.

People such as Donald Trump damage that trust when they persistently lie. The former president’s false claims that he was the 2020 election winner and that the victory was stolen from him, claims based on the multiple indictments that could land him in jail, are a prime example.

That’s why we must call out Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin for falsely claiming a bigger surplus in the state’s revenue than was factual.

He boasted that Virginia finished with $1.5 billion in excess revenue after the 2022-23 fiscal year ended June 30, and used that positive report to denounce political opponents who he said are blocking his plan to cut taxes.

He said there was clearly enough money to make sure he and his wealthy friends pay less while also boosting state investments in education and mental health.

However, his administration had to quickly walk back the governor’s claim. According to administration officials, $1 billion of that revenue surplus was spoken for. It was owed to businesses that pre-paid too much in taxes and were due a refund.

Suddenly, the real revenue surplus had retreated to $500 million, which is really good, but is not the same as $1.5 billion.

Why paint the lily, governor? Why breed distrust? It becomes harder to believe other things you say when you speak with a forked tongue about the state’s finances.

Lives well lived in service to others

Let us pay tribute to two remarkable women who left their mark on the world: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Y. Oliver and educator and perennial Richmond volunteer Dr. Cora S. Salzberg.

Lt. Gov. Oliver, who died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, blazed a trail in politics as the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the New Jersey House and in her present office.

Those who knew the 71-year-old described her as a people person who sought to make effective public policy improve people’s lives. As the No. 2 elected official in her state, she was cited for strengthening and expanding state efforts to provide affordable housing, prevent homelessness, revitalize communities and improve local services. She also was cited for her work as an educator and for her service in the nonprofit and public sectors.

Dr. Salzberg was well known for the educational initiatives she created during her tenure at the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia, as well as her leadership of health and educational initiatives for The Links, a national women’s service organization.

She played other leadership roles in the community and her sorority in living out her faith.

Those who knew her described her as a warm, loving person who was always seeking to find ways to make life better for others.

We bid farewell to both women with admiration and appreciation for their determined efforts to make the world a better place for everyone, the most any of us can do.

Recent Republican moves to limit diversity training and transgender rights and other hot button controversies stemming from the annual defense authorization bill remind me of my own days in uniform back when some of those diversity policies were being created.

Lucky me, I was drafted in 1969, a dark time that some military of ficials called the “time of troubles” in the late 1960s and early ’70s. It was a time when the armed forces were facing military defeat in Vietnam and racial strife, poor morale and reports of urban riots back home, where the war had grown increasingly unpopular—and not just among radical activists.

In just two years, 1969 and 1971, the Defense Department recorded more than 300 racial incidents, including “race riots” and other unrest on military bases and other outposts, including two Navy aircraft carriers, according to military reports Among other problems, one study found, Black service members were more likely to be assigned to combat than technical operations and were promoted more slowly—even controlling

If things don’t add up, it makes sense to see if something has been left out of the equation. That’s the case today. The experts tell us that the economy is as good as it has been in decades – unemployment at record lows, inflation under control, wages finally rising faster than prices.

Yet, most people are unhappy and pessimistic. President Biden’s approval rating is still under water. Donald Trump, his likely opponent in the presidential race, is even less popular. What’s going on?

Americans aren’t wrong. They struggle every day with what pundits call a “polycrisis.” That’s a fancy word for a lot of big things going wrong in a big way all at once. Catastrophic climate change, pandemics, extreme inequality, a broken and unaffordable health care system, a dangerously decrepit infrastructure, a growing Cold War amid unending forever wars — this list can go on.

These crises are real and present. Families and communities take the hit again and again.

Extreme heat — or floods or forest fires or hurricanes – take lives and destroy homes. Ancient pipes serve up poisonous drinking water. People can’t afford to get sick. Big money and powerful lobbies block vital reform. Now billionaires are paying for a new party — the No Labels (and Dark Money) Party, as if owning the two major parties were not enough.

for test score differences. The Defense Department, facing transition to an all-volunteer force, took aggressive steps to improve communications, including establishing “equal opportunity councils” in major units and goals and timetables for affirmative action, militarystyle.

By the first Gulf War in 1991, led by a black general, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell, the era of such

racial incidents appeared to have passed as the military faced newer challenges, such as the Tailhook scandal, sparked by shocking allegations of sexual harassment.

A foremost study by the late Charles Moskos, a Northwestern University sociology professor, and then-sociology professor John Sibley Butler of the University of Texas — “All That We Can Be: Black Leadership and Racial Integration the Army Way” — described a new military that, as Mr. Moskos put it in an interview with me, became the nation’s most integrated institution. “The only place in America where Blacks routinely boss whites around,” he called it.

As a formerly enlisted African-American from a family with lots of cousins in the Army and

President Biden — much to the surprise of many — stepped up to address some of this. He passed the biggest bill to rebuild America in decades, the biggest investment in renewable energy ever. He made a small start in making some drugs more affordable. He broke with our ruinous

Jesse Jackson

trade policies and began to crack down on the merger mania. First steps — but not nearly enough.

Mr. Trump’s MAGA Republicans, meanwhile, are missing the bus. They — aided and abetted by a zealously right-wing majority on the Supreme Court — are focused on social reaction — rolling back the progress of the Civil Rights Movement, stripping women of the right to control their own bodies, trying to make voting harder and opening the door to big money in politics, waging war on “wokeness” as if diversity were the source of our problems.

They just overloaded the Defense Appropriations Bill with a bevy of anti-woke provisions — while utterly ignoring the reality that we’re starving basic investments at home while wasting billions of dollars and millions of lives trying to police the world. They may add to our problems, but they surely are not addressing the crises we face.

It is easy to get depressed, to give up, or to turn on one another rather than toward one another. But change — and survival — will come only when citizens come together, confront the powers that be, and force the change. Modern America has seen two periods of

Air Force, I could not disagree with his assessment.

Now, as I see today’s generation of congressional Republicans wage their seemingly endless war against the “woke,” I cannot help but wonder: Do these folks have any idea of how turbulent the issue of military diversity used to be?

The House Armed Services Committee recently debated the possible blocking of DEI, a shorthand for programs to encourage “diversity, equity and inclusion,” and the purging of “critical race theory,” an academic field of study whose title increasingly seems to be used by conservatives to mean whatever they want it to mean in order to gain the most leverage.

Meanwhile, over on the Senate side, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a first-term Alabama Republican, continued his monthslong blockade of military promotions, all to protest the Biden administration’s decision to provide military personnel with access to abortion care after the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights.

Whatever you may feel about abortion rights, it is a violation of simple fairness to hold military promotions hostage to politics, especially when you’re violating a promise to support our troops and their families in their service to our country.

In a speech on the Senate floor,

profound reform. The New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s ended the Depression, built a modern infrastructure, guaranteed the right to organize, Social Security, and much more.

The Great Society under Lyndon Johnson that brought a final end to segregation, revived the right to vote, provided Medicare and aid for mothers with children and much more. Both were driven by citizens in motion — workers forced the New Deal reforms, the Civil Rights Movement inspired President Johnson to act.

Now we see stirrings once more across the country, workers are striking for better pay and conditions, and for the right to a union. The Bernie Sanders campaigns inspired the young and provided the agenda. The progress President Biden made came largely from that energy.

Much more is needed. We need leaders who will show up at the point of challenge. We need citizens who will come together to demand change. The “polycrisis” makes dramatic reform necessary. And that will come only from the people up — not from the interests and the big money down.

When I ran for president in 1984 and 1988, I sought to build a progressive coalition, across lines of race, region, religion, gender and sexual preference. Now, in the face of the many crises that are disrupting us at once, that citizens coalition is needed now more than ever. It is time to act.

The writer is the recently retired founder of Rainbow/ PUSH, a nonprofit organization that pursues social justice, civil rights, and political activism.

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.

Act for the next fiscal year.

Besides authorizing nearly $886 billion for the nation’s defense and a 5% pay raise for our troops and the Pentagon’s civilian workforce, the bill also would expand employment opportunities for military spouses, funding for child care and improved military housing.

Times have changed. We have become accustomed to Democrats stereotypically calling for cuts in defense spending while Republicans seem to throw open the doors to the Treasury.

But, after all the political hoopla between the two sides, there comes a time for good Americans to put partisan divisions aside — in service to our country.

The writer is a member of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board and a columnist for the newspaper.

Regina H. Boone reginaboone@richmondfreepress.com James Haskins, Rudolph Powell and Clinton A. Strane Vice President – Administration Tracey L. Oliver traceyoliver@richmondfreepress.com

Advertising Traffic Coordinator Cynthia Downing advertising@richmondfreepress.com classifieds@richmondfreepress.com

Majority Whip Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, urged the body to pass the bipartisan National Defense Authorization

Clarence Page

of

Phi

In this 2017

The Associated Press

Fraternity members pose for a

Celebration at Western Michigan

historically Black collegiate fraternity in the U.S. said it is relocating a planned convention in two years from Florida because of what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration’s “harmful, racist and insensitive” policies toward African-Americans.

Historically Black fraternity drops Florida for convention because of DeSantis policies

By Mike Schneider The Associated Press ORLANDO, Fla.

The oldest historically Black collegiate fraternity in the U.S. said it is relocating a planned convention in two years from Florida because of what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration’s “harmful, racist and insensitive” policies toward African-Americans.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity said last week that it would move its 2025 convention from Orlando to another location that is yet undecided. The convention draws between 4,000 and 6,000 people, and has an economic impact of $4.6 million, according to the fraternity’s officials.

The decision comes after the NAACP and other civil rights organizations this spring issued a travel advisory for Florida, warning that recently passed laws and policies are openly hostile to African-Americans, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Willis Lonzer, the fraternity’s general president, said in statement on July 26 that the decision was motivated in part by Florida’s new education standards that require teachers to instruct middle school students that slaves developed skills that “could be applied for their personal benefit.”

“Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha Brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Gov. Ron DeSantis,” Mr. Lonzer said.

An email seeking comment on Saturday about the fraternity’s decision was sent to Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s press secretary and the governor’s office.

Gov. DeSantis, who is

running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has come under fire this week over Florida’s new education standards. Among those criticizing the Florida governor on Friday was a rival for the Republican nomination, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the sole Black Republican in the Senate.

Responding to the criticism, Gov. DeSantis said Friday that he was “defending” Florida “against false accusations and against lies. And we’re going to continue to speak the truth.”

In May, the NAACP joined the League of United Latin American Citizens, a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state’s largest job sectors. The groups cited recent laws that prohibited state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory, and the Stop WOKE Act that

restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.

They also cited laws that they said made life more difficult for immigrants in Florida and limited discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in schools.

At least nine other organizations or associations have pulled the plug on hosting conventions in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, two of the state’s most population convention cities, because of Florida’s political climate, according to local media reports. Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.

City of Richmond, Virginia Richmond Circuit Court

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the voters of the City of Richmond, Virginia, in accordance with Sections 24.2-682, 24.2-684, and 58.1-4123 of the Code of Virginia, a referendum shall be held during the general election of Tuesday, November 7, 2023, on the following question:

CASINO GAMING

Shall casino gaming be permitted at a casino gaming establishment in the City of Richmond, Virginia, at 2001 Walmsley Boulevard and 4700 Trenton Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23234 as may be approved by the Virginia Lottery Board?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

Your Primary Care Is Our Primary Focus

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Request for Qualifications Contract ID #: C00123129DB129

I-64 GAP Segment C Widening Design-Build Project

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking Statements of Qualifications for the I-64 GAP Segment C Design-Build Project from qualified and experienced respondents with design and construction experience of highway facilities. The Project is located in the counties of James City and York – widening 9.0 miles along I-64 betw een approximate Mile Marker (MM) 224.3 and MM 233.3. The two existing EB and WB general-purpose lanes will be widened on the median side to three lanes in each direction. This widening will fill in the gap to extend the full roadway section of the previously completed I -64 Capacity Improvements Segment III Design -Build Project in the Hampton Roads District (from 1.15 miles west of Route 199 (Lightfoot) to 1.05 miles west of Route 199 (Humelsine Parkway/ Marquis Center Parkway). The purpose of this additional work is to improve traffic operations and safety, provide faster travel times, reduce congestion, and provide a more reliable system of travel in the I -64 corridor by widening the remaining unwidened section of I -64. The Project will also include paving the Lightfoot Park & Ride at the Exit 234 Interchange. The work includes all work required for project management, design, and construction of the project.

Q uestions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Suril R. Shah, P.E., DBIA (Suril.Shah@vdot.virginia.gov).

Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found at Bid Express (bidexpress.com ).

The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non -discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.

Whether

photo, generations

Alpha

Alpha

photograph during the Hall-Archer-Pickard Naming

University in Kalamazoo, Mich. Officials of the oldest

Stories by Fred Jeter

Meade clears Byers for takeoff

If Jada Byers is the leading man at Virginia Union University, then Justin Meade represents the powerful supporting cast.

“Anytime you see Jada running down the field, you’ll see Justin running right there with him,” said Panthers Coach Alvin Parker.

Here’s how Meade, the highly decorated senior left offensive guard, puts it:

“We can’t do it without Jada and Jada can’t do it without us,” said Meade of the offensive line.

The oft-overlooked offensive line is anything but anonymous at VUU where they have a saying, “no line, no shine.”

Byers, aided by Meade and the rest of his muscular “Escort Service,” was off-the-charts brilliant in 2022, helping the North Siders to a 9-2 record and an NCAA berth.

Overall, VUU racked up 4,426 yards total offense with 237 first downs, 61 touchdowns and 41 points per game.

Byers led NCAA Division II in rushing

Inner-City Classic to include softball

This year’s activities include fast-pitching girls

The 32nd Annual Inner-City Classic is back in the Richmond area this week with an added attraction.

The sponsoring Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) is including girls’ fast-pitch softball in the activities for the first time.

A four-team, U-18 girls’ bracket will include two local squads as well as teams from Washington, D.C., and Norfolk.

The boys competition will be in U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-19 division.

The competition’s headquarters will be at Dorey Park and Recreation Center in Eastern Henrico County, as well as Varina High and Highland Springs High in Eastern Henrico, Hermitage High in Glen Allen and Klehr Field in Northern Henrico.

Longtime MJBL President William Forrester is expecting young baseball teams from Greensboro, N.C., Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Bridgeport, Conn., and Columbia, S.C., in addition to clubs in each division from around Richmond.

The championships games for the U10, U12 and U14 baseball brackets, as well as the softball, will be 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, at the Dorey Complex.

The U16 and U19 boys’ divisions will wrap up Sunday, Aug. 6, at Dorey and Highland Springs at 9 a.m.

The MVP of the U19 division will receive the Ken Free Classic Scholarship. Free is the former Negro Leagues baseball standout and first commissioner of the MEAC.

Forrester’s only regret is that there are no available or acceptable fields within Richmond proper to play the Inner-City Classic.

He is hopeful the city might remodel centrally located Parker Field Annex, adjacent to The Diamond, for future use. The Annex was once a popular destination for adult slow-pitch softball, but mainly has been vacant in recent seasons.

Other down-the-road possibilities are the city high school fields as well as the rarely used Cal Ripken Foundation Field located behind the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond on the city’s South Side.

Dorey Park, located on 400 acres on Darbytown Road, features six multipurpose fields, four of which are convertible for baseball and softball with 300-foot fences and lights.

(1,920 yards) and total yards (2,256), while scoring 21 TDs.

He was a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award (as top D-2 player in nation) and could even be a leading candidate this season, as a junior.

Meade, No. 58 in maroon and steel, is quick to applaud Byers: “He’s elusive and shifty. If there’s a big hole, he’ll find it. If there’s a little hole, he’ll still find it.”

Byers, No. 3, returns the favor.

Rarely does an interview go by in which the tailback doesn’t say, “I’ve got the best front five in the country in front of me.”

More of the 2022 success is expected this season, starting Sept. 3 (a Sunday) with a match against Morehouse in the HBCU Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio.

VUU began practice drills Aug. 4 under Coach Parker, who is 36-15 overall and 26-7 in CIAA in his previous five seasons. There was

no 2021 season due to the pandemic.

“We fell a little short of our goals last season,” said Meade. “We’ll use that as fuel to keep going … we’re back and better.”

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, the business management major hails from J.R. Tucker High in Western Henrico. Tucker was not a strong program while Meade was there.

“We won six games in four years,” he recalled.

Still, the college coaches came calling.

While he had numerous offers, including one from VUU where he took an official visit, he chose the University of VirginaWise in the far southwest corner of the state.

That’s where he got “sick,” kind of.

“It’s beautiful and I started as a freshman, but it’s so far from home, and it was a little tough going from the city to the country … I was homesick.”

That meant he was “coming home.”

Wise is 363 miles from Richmond. VUU is nine miles from J.R. Tucker High School.

Being close to home always enables him to follow the progress of his younger brother, Tyler, an eighth-grader at Quioccasin Middle School, and Cousin Jefferson Meade, a standout at Douglas Freeman High.

“I wish I’d come to Union in the first place,” Meade said.

Meade made All-CIAA as a junior and has been mentioned in several preseason all-star teams, including preseason All-CIAA.

Returning to the O-line along with Meade are Mark Lawton, Jamaree Moyer and Larry Jones.

Let there be no doubt, All-American Byers is the star of stars at Hovey Field. But his star might not shine so bright if not for the big guys clearing the way.

When VUU fans cheer this fall for No. 3, they might save an extra clap or two for No. 58.

NSU,

HU facing uphill climb

Norfolk State University will have a chip on its shoulder pads during the upcoming football season.

The Spartans were selected by conference coaches to finish fifth out of six in the MEAC preseason poll.

“I like being picked low,” said second-year Coach Dawson Odums. “We will embrace the underdog role. It gives us something to strive for.”

NSU went 2-9 overall and 2-3 in the MEAC a year ago in Coach Odums’ first season in Norfolk. On the plus side, NSU finished strong with a closing 43-38 win at South Carolina State.

The predicted order of finish this season is North Carolina Central first, followed by Howard, S.C. State, Morgan State, NSU and Delaware State.

Four Spartans were named to the MEAC All-Preseason second team, including junior defensive back R.J. Coles from Varina High.

Coles had 56 tackles in 2022, along with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Other NSU players on the second team are defensive lineman Anthony Blume, offensive lineman Vincent Byrd and defensive back Joseph White.

NSU opens Sept. 2 against Virginia State in the Labor Day Classic and then travels Sept. 9 to play at Hampton University, now a member of the newly named Coastal (formerly Colonial) Athletic Conference. u

The crystal ball for Hampton’s Pirates looks even worse. Coach Robert Prunty’s squad has been selected to finish 15 out of 15 in the CAA.

HU finished last season 4-7 overall and 1-5 in the CAA, while dropping its final five games.

Getting off to a fast start won’t be easy. HU will open Sept. 2 against Grambling, La., State in the Brick City HBCU Classic in Harrison, N.J., Red Bull Arena.

VSU, NSU to play charity baseball

Time for the “old-timers” to loosen up their arms and rub a little oil into their fielding gloves.

Baseball alumni of Virginia State and Norfolk State universities will play Aug. 26 at Shepherd Stadium in Colonial Heights. The first pitch is at 1 p.m.

Billed the “Battle for the Real Big State Charity Classic,” all proceeds will go to the respective schools’ athletic programs.

Traditionally, VSU (founded in 1882) has been known as “Big State”

and NSU (founded in 1935) as “Little State.”

Without fear of controversy, the most famous player was VSU’s Al Bumbry, now 76, who went on to play in the big leagues from 1972 to 1985, mostly with Baltimore. This fun baseball game precedes the Sept. 2 Labor Day Classic when the VSU and NSU football squads meet for a serious contest at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk.

Jada Byers, aided by Justin Meade and his powerful “Escort Service,” was brilliant in 2022, helping the North Siders to a 9-2 record and an NCAA berth. Left, Byers scores a touchdown Oct. 8, 2022 in the Panthers’ win against Elizabeth City. VUU fans’ excitement was obvious throughout the game.

Randy Singleton

Hampton University’s quarterback Chris Zellous handles the ball during the “Battle of the Bay” against Norfolk State University last September. Hampton defeated NSU 17-7 in the legendary battle. Below, cheerleaders from both teams pause for a photo during the game.

Coach Odums

Justin Meade

Coach Prunty R.J. Coles

Four years ago, Jessica B. Brooks joined the board of the Peter Paul Development Center after hearing her husband speak of the East End facility’s positive impact during his youth.

Keith Brooks, Dr. Brooks’ husband, grew up on Peter Paul Boulevard, and later lived near the Peter Paul Development Center that was located at the corner of X and 22nd streets.

“[My husband] shared with me first-hand the positive impact Peter Paul had on the community and his neighbors,” Dr. Brooks said. “When offered an opportunity to contribute, I accepted the call and committed in my heart to make a difference.”

Last June, Dr. Brooks became board chair for the organization that was founded by John Coleman in 1979 and is the oldest continually operating community center in the area. Last month she agreed to stay on for a second one-year term, believing that Peter Paul’s mission of education and supporting its neighbors is a natural extension of her work as a licensed clinical psychologist and educator.

As the co-owner and CEO of OLA Family Services and an associate professor of psychology at Virginia State University, Dr. Brooks’ work at OLA and VSU involves individuals from diverse and sometimes storied backgrounds.

“A word of encouragement, a smiling face and the means to educate oneself biologically, psychologically and socially can make the difference in most anyone’s life,” she recently explained by email. “[Working with Peter Paul] is an opportunity to be the change I want to see and maybe even offer the assistance, encouragement and interventions that I believe I would have benefited from if I were in their shoes.”

The center also allows her to appreciate how people from all walks of life can come together

Personality: Jessica B. Brooks

Spotlight on Peter Paul Development Center board chair

to achieve a common goal despite their differences. She says it is rewarding to work with so many passionate and dedicated Peter Paul families, staff, volunteers, donors and board members. That type of collaborative effort is part of the bottoms-up approach that Peter Paul places at the center of every program it offers.

“The people of the East End don’t need to be dictated to; they need to be heard and understood,” Dr. Brooks said. “Empathy has to do with walking in the other person’s shoes. When we have empathy as well as compassion, we are in a better position to hear what others are saying and collaboratively work toward solutions that truly meet the needs of people.”

While Dr. Brooks employs such qualities daily in her personal and professional lives, they also are lessons she was taught by her parents, as well her six older siblings who often teasingly called her the “runt of the litter.”

Through them she learned love and discipline as well as the importance of treating everyone with respect, and giving people the benefit of the doubt.

“We are all a year apart and thoroughly enjoy having one another as best friends,” Dr. Brooks shared. “Despite my mother and father having passed away, when I spend time with my siblings I see bits and pieces of my parents through them. It’s pretty awesome.”

Meet an advocate for education and community support and this week’s Personality, Jessica B. Brooks:

Volunteer position: Board chairperson, Peter Paul Development Center.

Occupation: Associate and tenured professor of psychol-

ogy at Virginia State University; co-owner and chief executive officer of OLA Family Services, licensed clinical psychologist.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 28 in Ahoskie, N.C.

Where I live now: Mechanicsville.

Education: Bachelor’s in business administration, Elizabeth City State University; master’s in business administration, Virginia Commonwealth University; master’s of science, VSU; doctor of philosophy, VSU.

Family: Husband, Keith Brooks, two children, Alexus and Ellis, two step-loves, Keith and Adam, and two grandchildren, Jalen and Eden.

Peter Paul is: A place where children can be educated and their ability to succeed is improved, families’ wellbeing can be strengthened, relationships can be cultivated, and additional supportive programming and services are

available to empower the community.

Mission: Our mission is one of empowerment through education to residents of the East End and its students, equipping them to serve as positive contributors to their families, community and society.

When and why Peter Paul was founded and by whom: Founded by John Coleman in 1979, Peter Paul is the oldest continually operating community center in the area. When the center opened its doors, it was housed in St. Peters Episcopal Church at the corner of X and 22nd streets. This neighborhood in the heart of the East End faced below-average income and high crime and drug use rates. Mr. Coleman wanted to provide a safe program for the area’s youths. With a love for the neighborhood, he aimed to support and rebuild the community by strengthening its families.

When and why I became involved: Partnering with Peter Paul affords me another opportunity to sow positive seeds in the lives of others while helping to make a difference in the lives of our youths.

No. 1 goal or project as board chair: Continue the work started by John Coleman, which is to support and build the community by strengthening its families.

Strategy for achieving goals: Educate the child: Improve a child’s ability to succeed through individualized educational support outside the classroom.

Engage the family: Strengthen

families’ well-being by cultivating stronger relationships between parents, children and other families.

Empower the community: Deliver additional supportive programming and services for our neighbors through partnerships with other nonprofit organizations in the greater Richmond community.

No. 1 challenge facing Peter Paul: Having the resources to fully equip Peter Paul’s youths and families to work toward their desired goals as we continue to emerge from the pandemic and face new and unforeseen challenges.

Peter Paul serves: Students in grades 2 through12 through our youth programs, in addition to families, community members, and senior citizens who live in the East End of Richmond.

How Peter Paul is funded: For years at Peter Paul, we have leveraged our demonstrable success to secure ongoing support from grants and partnerships with individuals, churches, foundations, community organizations and area businesses.

How Peter Paul meets its community needs: Our mission is accomplished through a holistic approach — providing our neighbors with nationally recognized out-of-school-time educational youth programming and programs that engage and strengthen families and the community that surrounds them.

How to get involved as a client: Visit our website www. peterpaulrva.org for more information on our programs or contact info@peterpaulrva. org and we will direct you to the right place.

To volunteer: Visit our website www.peterpaulrva.org for a list

of current volunteer opportunities or reach out to volunteer coordinator Daiyonna Tretina at dtretina@peterpaulrva.org

How I start the day: Prayer and positive affirmations. The three words that best describe me: Disciplined, committed and kind.

If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I would share them with others. Time is one of our most precious commodities and should be used wisely.

Best late-night snack: Extra Toasty Cheez-Its.

The music I listen to most is: Traditional gospel.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Play pickleball. A quote that inspires me: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

At the top of my “to-do” list: Live a life that Jesus Christ would be pleased with!

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Love and discipline.

The persons who influenced me the most: My parents, six older siblings and pastors. Book that influenced me the most: I can apply principles of the Bible to every aspect of my life, as a wife, mom, relative, member of the community.

What I’m reading now: “Disruptive Thinking: A Daring Strategy to Change How We Live, Lead, and Love” by T.D. Jakes, Kyle Chapel, et al. I am only through chapter one but appreciate how the author takes an internal locus of control view, acknowledging that we may not have a choice about what happens to us, but we do have a choice in how we respond and what we make of unfortunate circumstances.

Next goal: Assist Virginia State University with having its health psychology doctoral program accredited by the American Psychological Association.

Richmond Music Week, Friday through Aug. 11, lists 106 concerts and shows at venues ranging from Dogwood Dell and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Featured acts include Plunky, Ezibu Muntu, the Pumphouse Blues Band and Radio B.

Music week features folk, hip-hop, jazz,

metal,

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Entertainment will be in the spotlight during the first ever Richmond Music Week.

Launching Friday, Aug. 4, in Shockoe Bottom through Friday, Aug. 11, Music Week lists 106 concerts and shows on the schedule at venues ranging from Dogwood Dell and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to private clubs such as The Camel, Get Tight Lounge, River City Roll and Hardywood Craft Brewery.

“This week will focus on the diverse, gutsy artists that call Virginia’s capital home. You name it, we got it: Pop, hip-hop, rock, jazz, electronica, R&B, metal, folk, punk, experimental, and more,” said Doug Nunnally, publisher of The Auricular, a five-year-old online publication that covers the local music scene.

Mr. Nunnally teamed with HearRVA, RVA Playlist, Shockoe Records and Virginia is for Music Lovers to create the new event, essentially a repackaging of scheduled shows, to highlight the Richmond area’s talent and music diversity.

The week will open with the free “804 Day” concert set to run from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the Farmers’ Market at 17th and East Main.

pop, rock, R&B and more

Hippodrome Theater, 528 N. 2nd St. The featured acts are to include Nickelus F, Noah-O, Radio B and Cane and Rep, according to the schedule, with Mike Street serving as emcee. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and 14

other clubs and venues also will be hosting concerts that night. The full schedule is available online at RVA Magazine’s site, rvamag.com, and The Auricular, www.theauricular.com.

Sixteen acts, from Rodney “The Soul Singer” Stith to the Pumphouse Blues Gang and rapper Mad Skillz, are set to perform, an advance schedule shows.

For those who want more, 29 other venues will be featuring shows that evening. A few examples: Weekend Plans will be performing at 8 p.m. at Dogwood Dell; Ember Music Hall will feature a Grateful Dead tribute at 8 p.m. and City Beach will have an AC/DC tribute at 10 p.m.

On Saturday, Aug. 5, concerts and shows will include the St. Elizabeth’s Jazz Festival in North Side, the RVA Duck Race at Brown’s Island and a host of performances at private venues through the evening. And the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company will mark its 50th year with a show at 8 p.m. at Dogwood Dell.

On Sunday, Aug. 6, featured acts are to include jazz keyboard artist Weldon Hill performing at the fountain in Byrd Park at 4 p.m. and funk master Plunky & Oneness taking the stage at Dogwood Dell at 8 p.m., with other shows at private venues.

The events continue nightly until the big finale, “RVA Rapper’s Delight: Celebrating 50 Years of Richmond Hip-Hop,” that is scheduled to take place from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, at the

Local hip-hop group signs deal

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A Richmond hip-hop group, Kidz At Play, is headed for bigger things.

The 11-member collective has been signed to Sony’s AWAL label, which has previously handled such success

Kidz At Play, whose members include three musicians and eight rappers.

The group plans to move to Los Angeles now that they have the backing of a label that can assist them with their next projects and secure them admission to festivals and tour bookings.

Plunky

By Jeremy M. Lazerus

Dr. Cora S. Salzberg, a state, national and international champion of education, dies at age 81

Dr. Cora Slade Salzberg, a leader in promoting higher education in Virginia and the leader of The Links’ national program aimed at aiding underachieving K-12 students to become more successful in school, has died.

The Richmond native who was best known for volunteer service died Saturday, July 19, 2023, her family said. She was 81.

Family and friends celebrated Dr. Salzberg’s life Saturday, July 29, at St. Bridget Catholic

Church. A graduate of Armstrong High School, Dr. Salzberg began her career in education after attending Virginia Union University and graduating from Southern University, later adding a master’s in health education from Indiana UniversityBloomington, and a doctorate in urban services and education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She first taught health at East

End Junior High in Richmond and then taught swimming, dance and adaptive physical education at Hampton University.

In 1989, Dr. Salzberg joined the staff of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Before she retired in 2001 she published eight books for

Roxanne W. Brinson,

RRHA manager,

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Roxanne White Brinson wore multiple hats in seeking to benefit others.

Mrs. Brinson worked with public housing residents for 30 years as a member of the housing management staff of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and was a senior housing manager when she retired. She also was a founder of a mentoring ministry, a catering ministry and a homeless services ministry at Fifth Baptist Church in Richmond where she taught Sunday School for nearly 20 years. When not serving in her

former

remembered

Thursday, July 27, at Jenkins

SCHEV to educate students and their families about ways to shoulder the costs and prepare academically for college and served as associate director of student detention programs. She also led SCHEV’s Better Information Project in which she created three-week summer programs that enabled middle and high school students to experience college-level course work and interact with such famous individuals as poet Nikki Giovanni, former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and civil rights leader Julian Bond.

hosted. Two years after retiring from SCHEV, Dr. Salzberg was tapped to head The Links’ “Links to Success: Children Achieving Excellence,” which she described as a national project that sought to address “the growing problem of underachieving children.”

Dr.Salzberg also was involved in The Links’ lobbying campaign to secure a presidential commutation to free Kemba Smith from prison, led The Links’ “Organ, Tissue and Bone Marrow Awareness Program” and was involved with The Links’ South Africa program that built 40 schools and filled them with supplies, shoes and health supplies.

the Virginia Department of Correctional Education and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission.

She also served on the boards of the School of the Performing Arts in Richmond, the YMCA of Central Virginia and the Westminster Canterbury Foundation.

Dr. Salzberg also was active in The Society and two Alpha Kappa Alpha chapters, Pi Rho Omega and Rho Eta Omega. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Arnold M. Salzberg, a pediatric surgeon at VCU Health.

Survivors include her son, Dr. Arnold D. Salzberg, and two grandsons.

Mrs. Brinson

church, Mrs. Brinson greeted people with kindness as they came to make arrangements or participate in services at Joseph Jenkins Jr. Funeral Home.

Described by her family as a “warm, genuine and loving person,” Mrs. Brinson, who died at age 72 on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, is being remembered for the multiple ways she touched the lives of people who knew her. Family and friends gathered

Funeral Home to pay final tributes to the Richmond native who was born in the Randolph area.

A graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School, Mrs. Brinson graduated from Shaw University where she met her future husband, Elbert M. Brinson. She later earned a master’s from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Along with her husband, survivors include two daughters, Marvise Y. Brinson and Onya U. Brinson; two brothers, the Rev. Ernest H. White Jr. and Henry R. “Ron” White; and a grandson.

One group of students in the program was able to travel to South Africa for a six-week program that Winnie Mandela

A graduate of the 1988 Leadership Metro Richmond Class, she also served on the boards of Radford University,

The family requests that in place of flowers, memorial donations be made in Dr. Salzberg’s name to the National Marrow Donor Program, 500 N. 5th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55401-1206 or online at bethematch.org.

Mr. Jesse Edward Vaughan, Sr. “Daddy”

March 13, 1925 – August 3, 1973

Born to the late Rev. Eddie and Mamie Vaughan on March 13, 1925. Jesse was a very quite, gentle man well known in the City of Richmond. His loving smile and gentle face will always be a lasting memory. e Master called our father home at a very early age.

As his children, just saying his name brings tears to our eyes — puts a smile on our faces and makes our hearts swell. Cherishing your memories a er 50 years without you.

Your loving children — Evelyn, Venita and Jesse, Jr.

Dr. Salzberg