Richmond Free Press December 19-21, 2019 edition by Richmond Free Press

VOL. 28 NO. 51

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

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Trump impeached

DECEMBER 19-21, 2019

VUU ensemble going places Photo courtesy of Virginia Union University

Members of the Virginia Union University Select Ensemble perform with J. David Bratton and his choir, “Every Praise,” in Budapest, Hungary, on Dec. 10 as part of a 28-day European tour.

22 students join gospel music producer J. David Bratton on tour in Hungary and Italy for holiday season By George Copeland Jr.

People in Hungary and Italy are getting a helping of good gospel music this holiday as 22 members of Virginia Union University’s Select Ensemble join eight singers and musicians from around the United States — part of gospel music mega producer J. David Bratton’s “Every Praise” gospel group — to tour Europe. The VUU students have been a “phenomenal” part of the tour,

Mr. Bratton told the Free Press on Tuesday in a phone interview from Asti, a town in northwestern Italy, where the group was to perform that night.

Related story on B3 The group left Richmond Dec. 7 for a 28-day tour to roughly 16 locales ranging from Budapest to Perugia and Rome, where they have scheduled performances through the New Year.

Gov. Northam releases progressive 2020-22 budget plan

Please turn to A4

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Smokers might have to shell out an extra 30 cents in tax for a pack of cigarettes to help offset the cost of tobacco-related illnesses that the state must pick up through Medicaid and other health care programs. And motorists could pay more for fuel under a proposed three-year increase in the state gas tax that would go from 22 cents a Gov. Northam gallon to 34 cents a gallon. The gas tax hike would raise more money for Virginia roadway building and repairs. But motorists also would save $40 a year with the proposed elimination of an annual vehicle safety inspection and a proposed 50 percent cut in the yearly cost of registering their vehicle with the state. The tax increases and fee cuts are among highlights of the $138 billion spending plan that Gov. Ralph S. Northam delivered Tuesday to the Virginia General Assembly that will have Please turn to A6

A wedding gift unexpected By George Copeland Jr.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Sizing up Santa Ayla Hyndman, 6 months, is giving Soul Santa a close examination as if to determine if she can tell him all of her Christmas wishes. This is the first Christmas for Ayla, who visited Soul Santa, aka Floyd Brown, recently with her parents at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. Soul Santa has become an annual tradition at the museum in Jackson Ward.

School Board makes no changes to North Side attendance zones By Ronald E. Carrington

The Richmond School Board voted 6-3 Monday to reject a plan to modify school attendance zones in North Side. The result is that attendance zones in North Side will remain the same during the 2020-21 school year. The vote rejected a plan pushed by School Board member Kenya Gibson, 3rd District, to redraw boundaries at Ginter Park, Holton and Obama elementary schools that would allow more racial integration of students without splitting neighborhoods or pairing schools.

The students, Mr. Bratton said, “are a great representation of the heart of the school.” He said the response to the music has been so positive that concertgoers in Hungary and Italy have contacted VUU asking where they can get CDs and videos to hear more. “The choir is extraordinary,” said Mauritzio Manfrini, tour promoter for the group in Italy. “People love them in any moment — from the beginning to the end.” Friends and family members had the chance to see the choir in action during a live stream on social media of the choir’s sell-out concert Monday at the Teatro Nazionale CheBanca in Milan. It was their seventh sold-out performance during the tour. The reaction from fans at home was just as enthusiastic as the audiences the choir has seen from the stage. “My phone was blowing up with text messages and phone calls saying how amazing we sounded,” said tenor Kennard Jones,

“This is a significant issue about equity,” Ms. Gibson said, following a two-hour public hearing during which 60 people, mostly parents, offered their thoughts on how the North Side attendance zones should be recast. “From my perspective, the new proposed zone would encourage more engagement and diversity, especially at Ginter Park,” said Ms. Gibson, who represents the North Side area. North Side is the only area of the city that will not have new boundaries. During its meeting on Dec. 2, the School Board adopted new zones in the

Who says good things don’t happen on Friday the 13th? That’s the day the Richmond Free Press received a $500 check for newlyweds Donald McWilliams Jr. and Roberta Jennings. A reader who wishes to remain unnamed read their story on the front page of the Dec. 5-7 edition of the Free Press and wanted to help the couple who tied the knot Dec. 7 on a mini-chapel float sponsored by the Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union in the annual Richmond Christmas Parade. “Since they both have previously had hard times,” the letter stated, “I would like to assist them in a small way as they move ahead with their lives.” Mr. McWilliams, 59, and Ms. Jennings, 56, who met while Please turn to A4

West End, East End and South Side, with the focus to relieve overcrowding in South Side elementary schools. Some students will be moved to the new, larger E.S.H. Greene Elementary and the new middle school, both in South Side, that are to open in the fall of 2020. New lines in the East End also take into account the new George Mason Elementary School that also is to open next fall. Many of the speakers at Monday’s packed board meeting, held in the Ginter Park Elementary School auditorium, exPlease turn to A4

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Donald McWilliams Jr. and Roberta Jennings

New details emerge about Coliseum replacement plan By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille, rushing to get the governing body to vote on the $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement plan in late February, authorized a $25,000 increase in the contract for a private consultant to conduct a review of the proposal for City Council without first gaining a council vote, the Free Press has learned.

Information on the higher cost was obtained as other details about the Coliseum development proposal surfaced, including the results of the first professional poll on the project that shows two-thirds of 5th District residents polled are opposed to the project. A separate report also indicates it could take up to 20 years for the city’s general fund to see substantial financial returns from the development.

D r. N e w bille could not immediately be reached for comment on her authorization of the award of a more expensive contract to C.H. Dr. Newbille Johnson Consulting Inc. of Chicago. The consulting firm inked a $215,000 contract with

the city on Monday in exchange for agreeing to an earlier completion of its report. A draft timeline that Dr. Newbille distributed to City Council last week calls for Johnson Consulting to submit its preliminary report on Friday, Jan. 31, to present the findings to the council on Monday, Feb. 3, and to submit its final report by Monday, Feb. 10. That’s two weeks before City Council is to vote on the proposal on

Monday, Feb. 24. Originally, City Council set aside $190,000 in the budget to pay for a consultant, which, according to the city’s advertisement, would have 90 days to review the massive plan backed by Mayor Levar M. Stoney. The Navy Hill District Corp., led by Dominion Energy’s top official, Thomas F. Farrell II, proposed the Coliseum plan and the Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 December 19-21, 2019

Local News

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

A “Now Leasing” sign adorns an entry to the Church Hill North development on North 31st Street off Nine Mile Road in the city’s East End. While no announcement has been made, the sign signals that the yearlong construction on the first phase of new apartments is coming to a close. The development was undertaken by The Community Builders of Boston in partnership with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The site is the former home of Armstrong High School, which was torn down to make way for the new residences. The first phase was announced on Oct. 30, 2018, when work began to include 60 family units and 45 apartments for seniors at a cost of about $26 million. Work on another 70 units was begun earlier this year, and those units are in various stages of completion. The total development is to include 256 units, including a few single-family homes. The project is the first step in the overhaul of the nearby Creighton Court public housing community. Some Creighton Court residents are to be moved to Church Hill North as planning for renovation or replacement of the 504-unit Creighton Court complex continues.

Holiday schedule

In observance of Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25, please note the following: Government offices State and federal offices: C l o s e d C h r i s t m a s E ve , Tu e s d ay, D e c . 2 4 , a n d Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. City of Richmond offices: Closed Monday, Dec. 23, Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. Henrico County offices: C l o s e d C h r i s t m a s E ve , Tu e s d ay, D e c . 2 4 , a n d Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. Chesterfield County offices: Closed Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. Chesterfield County District Courts also closed Thursday, Dec. 26. Hanover County offices: Closed Monday, Dec. 23; reopen Thursday, Dec. 26. Public schools Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover public schools will be closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Friday, Jan. 3. Public libraries Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield public libraries closed from Monday, Dec. 23, through Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Garbage and recycling collection No trash or recycling collection on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. The collection schedule will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week. U.S. Postal Service Post offices closed and no regular mail delivery on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25. Regular service and delivery resume on Thursday, Dec. 26. DMV service centers C l o s e d C h r i s t m a s D ay, Wednesday, Dec. 25. GRTC Buses operate on Sunday schedule on Chr istmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25 Banks and financial institutions C l o s e d C h r i s t m a s D ay, Wednesday, Dec. 25. ABC stores Retail stores will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, and reopen Thursday, Dec. 26. Malls, major retailers, movie theaters Varies. Inquire at specific locations.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Remembering loved ones John Burnley of Richmond, below, wears a photo of his late daughter, Juanita Burnley, during the Coalition Against Violence’s 29th Annual Holiday Memorial Service to remember those who lost their lives to violence in the city. Relatives, friends and supporters mourning lost loved ones who were victims of violence attended the Dec. 12 ceremony held in the lobby of Richmond City Hall. Participants wrote the names of their loved ones on red ribbons that

were placed around the statue, “River of Tears,” that stands situated in City Hall. Mr. Burnley’s daughter was murdered by her boyfriend in November 2007, and he has annually attended the memorial started by Linda Jordan to help family members with their grief and loss through the holidays. Above, Devin Carter, 15, left, and his cousin, Davionna Green, remember and honor Devin’s brother, Drequan X. Trice, 18, who was killed in August in North Side.

Richmond Free Press office C l o s e d C h r i s t m a s D ay, Wednesday, Dec. 25.

GRTC changes schedule for the holidays

GRTC will operate on Christmas Day and on New Year’s Day, but will cut back some runs in the afternoon and evening given the likelihood of lower ridership, the transit company announced this week. The company also announced additional express service on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, with service added at 12:15 p.m. to leave Downtown. Notices are being posted on each bus to alert customers to the service changes that will be in effect on the two holidays that both fall on a Wednesday this year. Also, the company will have staff answering calls to its customer service center — (804) 358-4782 — from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Day, Wednesday, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1, to help customers with bus tracking and trip planning. Customer service also will take calls from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The Pulse will operate on a normal Sunday schedule on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as will routes 7 Nine Mile, 13 Oakwood, 19 West Broad, 78 Cary/Maymont, 86 Broad Rock/ Walmsley, 87 Bellemeade/Hopkins and 91 Laburnum. The cuts in afternoon and evening service will mainly affect routes 1 Chamberlayne/South Side, 2 North Avenue/South Side, 3 Highland Park/South Side, 4 Fulton, 5 Cary/Main, 12 Church Hill, 14 Hermitage, 20 Orbital, 50 Broad Street, 76 Patterson and 77 Grove. Several routes that are not offered on Sundays, including 1B, 2B and 3A and 3B, also will not be available on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Regular weekday service will be offered on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and will resume on Thursday, Dec. 26, and Thursday, Jan. 2, the company stated.

Hopkins Road Transfer Station closing for 2 months The Hopkins Road Transfer Station will be closed for the next two months. After the close of business at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Richmond residents needing to dispose of trash, brush and bulky items will need to use the East Richmond Road Convenience Center, 3800 E. Richmond Road, through Feb. 29, the Richmond Department of Public Works announced. Only those with dump trailers will be able to use the Hopkins Road Transfer Station during that time, officials stated. Work is to begin Monday, Dec. 23, at Hopkins Road to replace the concrete floors where residents in personal vehicles dispose of items. This is the second phase of renovation at Hopkins Road that began in October to replace the north floor, the department noted. That work is almost complete, the department stated.

Third man arrested in shooting death of 9-year-old Markiya Dickson Richmond Police have arrested a third man in connection with the Memorial Day weekend murder of 9-year-old Markiya Dickson. Jesus Turner, 20, of the 3100 block of South Street in Chesterfield County, was arrested Sunday morning by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force that was working with Richmond Police on the case, authorities said. Mr. Turner has been charged with murder, two counts of malicious wounding and three Markiya counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Two other men, Jermaine Davis, 21, and Quinshawn Betts, 18, both of the 4500 block of Millenbeck Road, were arrested in late October and charged with murder, two counts of malicious wounding and three counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony. Markiya, a third-grader at Crestwood Elementary School in Chesterfield County, was shot and killed May 26 during a

community cookout she was attending with her family at Carter Jones Park on Bainbridge Street in South Richmond. Eleven-year-old Jaquez Moses was wounded during the shooting and a third person also suffered a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound. “After six long weeks of a relentless pursuit of Turner, we’d like to thank the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force for capturing the third suspect wanted in this Dickson tragic incident,” Capt. James Laino of the Richmond Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit stated in a news release. “Our detectives worked tirelessly on this case and we’d like to thank the FBI for offering a reward for those who came forward with information and the community members who provided tips.” Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call Richmond Police Detective Benjamin Neifeld at (804) 646-3246, or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or www.7801000. com. Tips remain anonymous.

Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019

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Richmond Free Press

A4 December 19-21, 2019

Local News

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

More than 100 people call for the impeachment of President Trump during a rally Tuesday evening at 10th and Main streets in Downtown outside the Richmond office of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine. The rally was among 600 demonstrations held across the country under the banner “No one is above the law.”

House votes to impeach President Trump By Jeremy M. Lazarus

“Can you believe that I will be impeached today,” President Trump tweeted Wednesday as part of an angry rant that ripped his foes for this “terrible thing.” His message reflected the foregone conclusion that he would become the third president to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives since the federal Constitution went into effect in 1789. Around 8:30 p.m., 229 Democratic members in the House majority made it official by voting to impeach President Trump on the first article — abuse of power. The lone independent in the House voted with the Democrats. Two Democrats voted against the article of impeachment, while one, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who is running for the Democratic nomination for president, voted present. On the Republican side, 195 voted against the article of impeachment and two did not vote. (Four House seats are vacant.) Minutes later, around 8:42 p.m., a majority of the House passed the second article of impeachment — obstruction of Congress — by a vote of 229-198, with Rep. Gabbard again voting present. President Trump joins Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998 as the only presidents to face a U.S. Senate trial. A fourth

president, Richard Nixon, resigned in 1974 before a House vote on impeachment. As in the case of Presidents Johnson and Clinton, President Trump is expected to be acquitted during a Senate trial by the Republican majority. The abuse of power relates to the exposure of President Trump’s effort to gain political advantage in the 2020 election by trying to force leaders of Ukraine to launch a corruption investigation against former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Mr. Biden is a potential Democratic candidate against President Trump in the November 2020 election. The impeachment articles allege that President Trump withheld nearly $400 million in military aid from Ukraine in an effort to force an investigation. President Trump ended up releasing that aid after a complaint against him was filed with an internal investigator and reported to Congress. The impeachment inquiry began after the Wall Street Journal reported on the complaint about the president’s actions on Sept. 24. The obstruction charges relates to President Trump’s refusal to provide information congressional committees have sought on his actions toward Ukraine and his decision to bar members of his administration from testifying before Congress. During the debate, Democrats declared they

Paige Hausburg of Richmond expresses her views about President Trump with a sign during Tuesday’s rally in Downtown. Nancy Clark, not visible, is holding the sign next to her.

were living up to their oath to support and defend the Constitution against a president who had abused his authority and dishonored his oath, while Republicans called it a sham investigation that had found no evidence that President Trump had done anything wrong or violated

his oath of office. Polls show the country is split over whether President Trump’s actions merit impeachment or removal from office. The real poll will come in November during the next presidential election.

22 VUU students join gospel music producer J. David Bratton on tour in Hungary and Italy for holiday season Continued from A1

a senior from Capitol Heights, Md. “The love and support that we received from our peers was amazing.” The VUU Select Ensemble became part of the tour in large part because of Mr. Bratton’s longtime association with VUU President Hakim J. Lucas. Mr. Bratton, a 2007 Dove Award nominee for the song “Every Praise” performed by Bishop Hezekiah Walker, is a student at VUU’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. He also played a key role in Dr. Lucas’ official presidential inauguration in October, when Mr. Bratton, Bishop Walker and Every Praise performed. Mr. Bratton expressed an interest in adding VUU singers to

his group for the European tour. When a choir set to join Every Praise on the European tour dropped out, Mr. Bratton said he jumped on the opportunity to utilize the school’s musical talent. Following an open audition in October and a month and a half of rehearsals, the 22 students and eight musicians were ready to be “ambassadors for the school here in Mr. Bratton Europe,” Mr. Bratton said. “They have represented the school and the state of Virginia and the city of Richmond at the highest possible level.” The group hasn’t solely been singing and taking in the sights

School Board makes no changes to North Side attendance zones Continued from A1

pressed their concerns and frustration over plans to pair schools with majority black and majority white student populations. The initial plan would have put kindergarten through second grade at Ginter Park and Obama elementaries, with Holton having third grade through fifth grade. Most parents speaking on Monday opposed the pairing, largely because of the cost and because it would separate some siblings attending elementary school. School officials said each school pairing would cost $617,500 to $842,500. Ms. Gibson’s alternative would have eliminated the pairing, but rezoned lines in some neighborhoods. Under the plan Ms. Gibson backed, 160 students in the Holton Elementary zone would go to Ginter Park Elementary, Obama Elemen-

tary would get 90 Ginter Park students south of Laburnum Avenue and Obama Elementary students currently south of Brookland Park Boulevard would be rezoned for Holton. Ms. Gibson The changes would make a modest increase in the diversity at the schools. Ms. Gibson was joined in her support of the alternative by board members Dr. Patrick Sapini, 5th District, and Felicia D. Cosby, 6th District. Voting against the plan were board members Elizabeth Doerr, 1st District; J. Scott Barlow, 2nd District; Jonathan Young, 4th District; Cheryl L. Burke, 7th District; board Chair Dawn Page, 8th District; and

Linda Owen, 9th District. One speaker questioned why the School Board was focusing largely on elementary schools, “while the real problem is middle and high schools.” In a brief interview on Tuesday, Mr. Young raised a similar observation. “In the last eight months, the conversation has been about pairing at a few elementary schools. There has not been any meaningful discussion about middle and high schools,” he said. “What the board can do is to create thematic middle and high schools, which would provide choice and transportation.” Thematic schools would provide parents and students the opportunity to select schools fitting the students’ academic needs and interest through open enrollment, but generated only mixed support by the parents at the rezoning public hearings.

of Europe. They also have provided aid in their own way. Some of their concerts have been charity events, helping to raise $5,000 for a boy with leukemia and $3,000 for victims of a house fire, VUU officials said. “As students, we’re just so grateful for this opportunity,” Mr. Jones said, noting that for many students, it is their first time traveling outside the United States. While the tour is scheduled to end on Jan. 3, Mr. Bratton has many ideas in the works, including plans for a live recording at VUU in 2020 and a possible tour around Easter. Mr. Bratton said he will be joining the VUU faculty in January. The VUU students on tour are eager about what the next few days will bring, even if it means missing Christmas with their families in the states. “It’s just been a true blessing thus far,” Mr. Jones said. “We really can’t wait to see where this will head in the near future.”

A wedding gift unexpected Continued from A1

both were experiencing homelessness, chose to hold their wedding on the float as part of a partnership between the credit union and the float owners, Tiny Chapel Weddings, because it would save money and create a lasting memory. Mr. McWilliams and Randy Cooper, president and chief executive officer of the credit union, picked up the check Monday during a tour of the Free Press office. Mr. McWilliams thanked the donor for such generosity, adding that the money will be put toward the couple’s heating needs this winter. The couple already has plans for a gift to send to their benefactor. “It was very well-needed,” Mr. McWilliams said, offering holiday and New Year’s wishes to the donor, as well as to others who helped make their wedding memorable.

New details emerge about Coliseum replacement plan Continued from A1

Navy Hill group would carry it out. The council held its last meeting on Dec. 9 and did not take up the question of increasing the consulting contract amount, even during a pre-meeting informal session. The council is not scheduled to hold another work session prior to a meeting of the Organizational Development Committee set for Monday, Jan. 6. Meanwhile, the Free Press obtained a copy of a poll that the respected American Research Group of Manchester, N.H., conducted Dec. 13 to 16 among a random sample of 400 residents of the 5th District represented by new City Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch. The results released Tuesday show that 63

percent of respondents oppose the proposed Coliseum and Downtown development project, while 34 percent support it and 3 percent are undecided. ARG said the results have a margin of error of 5 percentage points. The Free Press was provided a copy of the poll on the condition that the client hiring ARG not be identified. The Free Press also was told the firm will be conducting polls in other council districts in the coming weeks. In the poll, ARG also found that 86 percent of those sampled favor allowing Richmond residents to vote on the development proposal rather than leaving the decision to City Council. Separately, the council’s Navy Hill Development Advisory Commission received at its

Dec. 14 meeting an updated estimate of the cost and benefits to taxpayers prepared by the commission’s vice chairman, John Gerner, an entertainment business consultant. According to Mr. Gerner’s figures, which are based on information provided from the Navy Hill District Corp. and its consultants, taxpayers would invest at least $272.3 million over 28 years to pay for a new arena. Mr. Gerner’s figures also indicate that the city’s general fund would not begin to see a substantial return on the investment for 18 to 20 years. The $272.3 million would come from the future increases in real estate taxes that are projected from an 80-block area of Downtown to repay the cost of the new Coliseum, including interest. The 80-block area includes the

10-block, city-owned project area in Downtown around the new Coliseum development of hotel, apartments, offices and businesses. According to Mr. Gerner’s figures, if all went well and the proposed development had the impact Mayor Stoney and Navy Hill District Corp. envision, the city’s general fund would finally see significant return in year 20 after the bonds are paid off. According to his numbers, the city could generate between $51 million and $62 million a year for the general fund beginning in 2039, if the projected development scenario worked out. The commission held its final hearings this week and is expected to issue its report to the council next Monday, Dec. 23.

Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019

One out of every six adults has arthritis. And about one out of every four African Americans has it, too. Arthritis primarily affects women 40 and older and people with sedentary lifestyles. Due to constant, intense wear and tear, athletes are at risk as well. There’s no cure for arthritis, but it is manageable with medication and exercise. If you or a loved one is unsure if you have arthritis, joint inflammation is a telltall sign.

Types of Arthritis: Osteoarthritis

As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis damages the slippery tissue covering the ends of your bones. This causes them to rub together and wear down over time. Signs and symptoms: • • • •

Pain or aching Stiffness Decreased range of motion Swelling

Gout causes the fluid in your joints to crystallize, causing your inflamed joints to swell painfully.

Types of Arthritis: Gout

Managing your Arthritis

It often starts in your toes, forming lumps under your skin. At times, gout can cause kidney stones as well. Signs and symptoms: • Intense pain • Swelling • Stiffness • Redness • Heat

Even though there’s no cure for arthritis, here’s how you can manage it: • Walk, swim or bike 30 minutes a day, five days a week • Join self-management education classes • Maintain a healthy weight

To schedule an appointment, call 804-828-9000. © 2019 VCU Health. All rights reserved. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases; VCU Health; Verywell.

Richmond Free Press

A6 December 19-21, 2019

News

Delegate Torian

Delegate Ward

Delegate Herring

Delegate Tyler

Delegate Lindsey

Delegate Hayes

Delegate McQuinn

VLBC members to hold 7 committee chairmanships The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus will hold an unprecedented 10 committee leadership posts in the House of Delegates when the new General Assembly session convenes in January. Incoming Democratic Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn named seven VLBC members as committee chairs and three others as committee vice chairs in wrapping up the appointments on Dec. 12. The result is that members of the VLBC will fill half of the 14 chairmanships and nearly one-quarter of the 14 vice chair positions. Overall, the VLBC will have 19 House members, or onethird of the 55 members of the Democratic members in the 100-member chamber, and will hold about one-third of the top

committee leadership posts. That influence could increase when chairs of subcommittees are named. “We did very well,” said Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby, chairman of the VLBC. “Now it’s time to get to work.” VLBC members who will hold House committee chairmanships: • Prince William County Delegate Luke E. Torian, Appropriations; • Hampton Delegate Jeion A. Ward, Commerce and Labor; • Alexandria Delegate Charniele L. Herring, also the incoming House majority leader, Courts of Justice. • Greensville County Delegate Roslyn C. Tyler, Education; • Norfolk Delegate Joseph C. “Joe” Lindsey, Privileges

Tobacco purchase age likely to be raised to 21 By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The age for purchasing tobacco products and e-cigarettes is on track to be raised to 21 across the country, just as it is now in Virginia and 11 other states. The increase in the purchase age pushed by U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican who serves as Senate majority leader, is now included in a spending bill that is expected to clear Congress this week to keep the government operating. Congress faces a Friday, Dec. 20, deadline to pass legislation to avoid another government shutdown. The $1.4 trillion spending package on which negotiators from both parties have been working for weeks would allow the government to continue to operate until Sept. 30, but has been festooned with amendments that were seen as needed to gain passage. Sen. Kaine celebrated after the negotiators included the increase in the tobacco purchase age in the spending compromise legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday and which the Senate is scheduled to clear on Friday. Sen. Kaine said the legislation could cut deaths from premature, tobaccorelated deaths by 220,000 people.

The age change overshadowed the host of other items that are part of the spending bill, including a 3.1 percent pay increase for federal workers, a $1.4 billion increase in funding for the census that will take place in April and a $25 million appropriation that lifts the decades-old federal ban on gun-violence research. However, the bill did not include an extension of expiring tax credits for solar energy. The legislation, though, provides a win for Republicans in repealing three taxes that have been on hold, but were designed to help finance in the future the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. The taxes being repealed include a 2.3 percent excise tax that would have been imposed on medical devices in 2020 and a fee on the health insurance industry that also was to become effective next year. Also to be repealed is a 2022 tax that would have imposed a 40 percent excise tax on the most generous and expensive health insurance plans, a win for unions and big businesses opposed to the tax. The spending legislation also represents a victory for President Trump in providing $1.375 billion in new funding for his border wall, while ensuring he retains his authority to raid other programs to raise additional funds.

and Elections; • Chesapeake Delegate C.E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr., Science and Technology; and • Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, Transportation. The three caucus members named committee vice chairs are: Richmond Delegate Jeff M. Bourne, Militia, Police and Public Safety; Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul, Health, Welfare and Institutions; and Prince William County Delegate Hala S. Ayala, Science and Technology. Richmond also benefited by having three members of its delegation named to House leadership posts. In addition to Delegate McQuinn and Delegate Bourne, Richmond Delegate Betsy B. Carr will be vice chair of the General Laws Committee.

Christy Coleman leaves American Civil War Museum By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Ms. Coleman will take over a foundation that played a leading role in the 2019 400th anniversary of the first Christy Coleman is leaving Richmond to become ex- legislature in Virginia and the arrival of the first enslaved ecutive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Africans. a state agency that operates museums that focus on the In a news release announcing her new appointment, the original English colony at Jamestown and the American foundation lauded Ms. Coleman as a nationally respected Revolution Museum at Yorktown. commentator and recognized authority on the cultural Ms. Coleman, who has served as president and educational importance of museums and and chief executive officer of the American historical places. Civil War Museum in Richmond since 2008, “Christy Coleman’s professional accomwill take on the new post Jan. 1. plishments and perspective will be invaluable The first woman and African-American to in writing the next chapter of JYF’s long and lead the Yorktown agency, Ms. Coleman will storied history, and we’re all looking forward to succeed Philip G. Emerson, who is retiring after having her experience and creativity guiding the 28 years. Her starting salary is $148,019. next generation of programming,” said outgoing The foundation tapped the Williamsburg House Speaker M. Kirkland Cox, chairman of Ms. Coleman native based on her previous leadership roles the foundation’s board. at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and at the Ms. Coleman stated she was drawn to the foundation Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American His- by the engaging, inclusive programming the foundation tory in Detroit. has developed, citing a revamping of the Jamestown Along with raising the profile of the Richmond museum, Settlement’s gallery to incorporate new research on Ms. Coleman also is responsible for orchestrating the incor- the first Africans and on Native Americans. She also poration of the Museum of the Confederacy into the former cited recent exhibits on the contributions of women to American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar along the Jamestown and on the role of African-American soldiers James River in Downtown. The resulting American Civil in the victorious Battle of Yorktown in 1781 against War Museum tells the story of the Civil War from a wider British Gen. Charles Cornwallis that led to America’s and varied perspective, including African-Americans and independence. Native Americans. “The leadership of this place has been committed to Ms. Coleman also served as co-chair of the Monument doing things the right way, and it has received many Avenue Commission that was chosen by Richmond Mayor well-deserved accolades,” Ms. Coleman stated. “My Levar M. Stoney to recommend what the city should goal is to build on this strong foundation and to continue do with the monuments to Confederates on Monument to tell powerfully relevant history that is inclusive and Avenue. compelling.”

Gov. Northam releases progressive 2020-22 budget plan Continued from A1

the final say. His budget proposal also includes a $1.3 billion spending increase for public education and calls for significant investments in affordable housing, health care, the environment and a host of other priorities backed by the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus. The two-year budget for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years represents an 11.3 percent increase over the $124 billion appropriated in the current two-year budget, showing the governor is counting on a continued 4 percent growth in the state’s economy and giving less credence to recession concerns. Gov. Northam described his spending plan as a response to the wishes of voters who handed control of the Virginia House and Senate to Democrats in the November election after years of Republican control. Voters “told us that they want jobs that they can support themselves and their families with,” he said in remarks to reporters. “They said they wanted their children to have access to a world-class education. They want access to affordable and quality health care. They want us to move toward renewable energy. They want safe communities. And that’s what this budget addresses.” While the governor’s staff touted the budget as “the most progressive Virginia’s ever seen,” Republican Sen. Thomas K. Norment of James City County, the outgoing Senate majority leader, described it as an “altruistic wish list” that would give even incoming Democrats pause. “Santa Claus Northam is going to have to get a second sleigh to carry all of these presents and goodies that he wants to extend to the citizens,” Sen. Norment stated in his response. However, Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby, a Democrat and chair of the 23-member Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, called it “the best budget I’ve seen from a governor.” Less than a year after calling for the governor to resign as the result of a blackface scandal, Delegate Bagby praised the governor for picking up on VLBC initiatives and proposing key investments that will “promote racial equity and effectively address discriminatory barriers.” Delegate Bagby cited budget proposals that would increase state funding by $92 million to address homelessness and increase affordable housing generally as well as for disabled people. He said it also would pour more than $6 million in new funds to support local eviction prevention and diversion programs. He noted the budget also proposes $22 million to reduce the racial disparity in maternal and infant deaths through home visits and other initiatives and calls for spending an additional $45 million to increase financial aid for students from low-income families, many of whom are African-American. He also pointed to proposals in the budget that would provide more money to support dropout prevention and other programs for high-needs students in public schools, enable school districts to hire more counselors, increase teacher pay, hire more public defenders and boost violence intervention and prevention programs. “The VLBC is especially supportive of the governor’s bud-

get proposals that we have previously advocated for,” Delegate Bagby stated. Examples include a proposal to provide $2.5 million to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond to support programming for K-12 students over 202022 and another proposal to give $7 million to support historic African-American history and heritage sites, he said. He also noted that the governor has proposed removing $83,750 in annual funding to the United Daughters of the Confederacy to maintain Confederate cemeteries and to shift that money to a new fund to support African-American burial grounds. Gov. Northam used his budget address to tout an increase in education funding he is proposing for K-12 public schools that would include a 3 percent raise for teachers and support staff in the second year of the biennium. The bulk of the money, more than $800 million, would go to fund the Standards of Quality formula to help schools keep pace with students’ needs. He also plans to propose a tax on the new gambling slot machine-style equipment that has sprung up in gas stations and restaurants to protect the Virginia Lottery that has been losing money as players opt to spend money on those machines rather than on lottery tickets. The governor said his spending plan also proposes shifting a bigger share of lottery revenue to school divisions with high concentrations of children living in poverty, including Richmond and Petersburg. Some education advocates, though, were less than satisfied. Jeff Jones, spokesman for the advocacy group Fund Our Schools, said the governor has fallen short in providing what “it will take to fairly and adequately fund our schools.” Mr. Jones praised the governor for including $550 million to hire more school counselors and English learner teachers and to beef up programs for at-risk students, but noted that the governor’s plan “represents less than half the amount the Virginia Board of Education recommended” a few months ago. He noted the lion’s share of the money is going pay for rebenchmarking, a “required budgeting process that adjusts current funding levels for inflation and changes in school enrollment. These funds are not new investments in our schools.” The governor would have to allocate an additional $2 billion to meet the recommendations from the state education board, Mr. Jones said. Virginia Educators United also found the governor’s proposal “unacceptable” in finding too much of the money going to pay for required adjustments. Meanwhile, environmental groups celebrated the governor’s push to provide more than $700 million to address environmental concerns. The Virginia League of Conservation Voters stated that the spending plan is “the strongest budget yet for conservation, climate action, environmental justice and clean energy.” On the health care front, the governor proposed creating a state marketplace for insurance purchases to help cut premiums. And he put $145 million into the budget plan for a new initiative to help low- and moderate-income students cover the full

cost of community college training in high-demand fields under a program he calls G3, for “Get Trained, Get A Job, Give Back.” The program would provide small state grants on top of federal Pell grants to enable students to attend school full time. Along with raising the gas tax, his administration also said its proposal would include ways to have electric cars and hybrid vehicles contribute to road costs. While the legislature will write the finished budget product, Gov. Northam is likely to see a friendly reception for his budget now that his political party is in charge. Incoming Democratic House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn set the tone. She praised Gov. Northam for providing a budget that “delivers the progress Virginians voted for in November in a financially restrained way that preserves and strengthens Virginia’s economy.”

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Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019

Family Caregivers

Deserve Some Credit Every day, more than 1 million Virginians help older parents, spouses, and adult children with disabilities live independently in their homes and communities. Family caregiving can be physically, emotionally, and financially challenging. In the 2020 legislative session, AARP Virginia is fighting for solutions, like the Virginia Family Caregiver Income Tax Credit. The modest tax credit would provide some financial relief to family caregivers who pay for expensive care to help their loved ones.

Are you a family caregiver? Share your story at action.aarp.org/VAcaregiving.

facebook.com/AARPVirginia @AARPVA aarp.org/VA

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Richmond Free Press

GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden

Editorial Page

December 19-21, 2019

No neutral ground We commend the thousands of people who turned out Tuesday night in rallies in more than 600 locales around the nation to call for the impeachment of President Trump. We believe that the president must be removed from office before he causes further damage and irreparable harm to our nation’s democracy. This is not a time for neutrality. The gravity of what is being debated in Congress — and on the streets of our nation — is too critical for any American to turn a blind eye or deaf ear. It is clear from the recent testimony by government officials — including several of his own appointees — before the House Judiciary Committee that President Trump abused the power of his office and endangered national security by trying to enlist a foreign government’s interference in the 2020 election by asking Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, including Democrat Joe Biden, while withholding U.S. military aid as leverage. The president then obstructed Congress by ordering officials to ignore House subpoenas to testify. He also blocked access to many documents in the case. The impeachment inquiry has been neither a witch hunt nor an attempted coup, as President Trump and his Republican allies in the House have claimed. But the president’s actions and rhetoric that paved the way for impeachment are intense signal flares that he believes he is above the law. We have long called for President Trump’s impeachment, believing that his racist, misogynistic and xenophobic actions and policies have been harmful to immigrants, people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals and many other communities. He has denigrated our nation’s intelligence and national security specialists and their efforts with his continued embrace of our nation’s Russian adversaries whom U.S. intelligence agencies concluded interfered with the 2016 presidential election. We believe President Trump must be removed from office before he is successful in having foreign powers influence or corrupt the presidential election in November 2020. We are disappointed by the attempts of some conservatives to downplay the proceedings by labeling them a “circus” in an effort to dissuade the American people from paying attention. We also are disappointed that many Republicans, like the president, seem more attached to their own personal and political interests than to the interests of the nation by dismissing the impeachment testimony with the same talking points used in rotation by Fox News and Rush Limbaugh. This is a somber and critical time for our nation. It calls on us to decide whether we are willing to stand up to protect the principles upon which our Constitution was crafted. That is why it is important for all Americans, regardless of age, background or political inclination, to tune in to the deliberations before the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and come to our own conclusions about impeachment and the future of the nation. Like the people who braved the rain and cold on Tuesday evening outside U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine’s office in Downtown urging him to vote to impeach President Trump, we know where we stand. Where do you?

Hope during the holidays During this holiday time, when it is easy to sink into a state of depression or despair because of finances, family, bad weather and bad news, we were buoyed last week when an envelope arrived at the Richmond Free Press office. Tucked in with the normal bills and solicitations was a letter from a reader who was touched by freelance writer George Copeland Jr.’s article about Donald McWilliams Jr. and Roberta Jennings, a couple who had gotten together during hard times and now, in a better place, married just before the Richmond Christmas Parade in a mini, mobile chapel. The reader, who wants to remain anonymous, sent a $500 check for the couple to help them move ahead. We, at the Free Press, were delighted — just like the newlyweds when they heard the news of the generosity of a stranger. Now with the check in their possession, they intend to use it to help with heating bills this winter. The compassion and human kindness of one person has brought joy to this couple and to those who wish them well, and we are grateful. It gives us a glimmer of hope, despite the emotional weight of the season. How much better the city and the world would be if each of us tried to spread a bit of kindness to others.

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Calling out the Republicans When you elect a clown, expect a circus. And this month’s impeachment hearings have been precisely that. Yelling, shouting and disrespectful accusing seem more the rule than the exception. The increased volume of Donald Trump’s tweets echoes his fear and discomfort because he has been called out. Republican histrionics and obsession with “process” suggest that Mr. Trump’s party is not especially interested in facts. Even the falsehood that Democrats have been “out to get” this president since he was elected is outright wrong. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi came to the impeachment conclusion only reluctantly. Democrats have been very measured in their accusations. While Mr. Trump has been charged only with two “high crimes and misdemeanors,” if Democrats wanted to throw the book at the criminal-in-chief, they could have detailed multiple high crimes and misdemeanors.

Instead, they’ve kept it narrowly focused on Mr. Trump’s behavior regarding Ukraine. Every time some of these Republicans speak, they illustrate their hypocrisy. Thus, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz launched into a tirade about Hunter Biden’s very candid disclosure of his substance abuse challenges, some of which were detailed in a New Yorker article

Julianne Malveaux during the summer. But Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson had no time for Rep. Gaetz, saying that Rep. Gaetz’s attack on Mr. Biden was like “the pot calling the kettle black.” Rep. Gaetz was charged with a DUI some years ago. The charges mysteriously were dropped, but there is evidence that Rep. Gaetz was impaired. While Republicans are throwing mud at Hunter Biden, no one has asked for any investigation of the Trump family. Ivanka has used her father’s influence to gain coveted trademarks in China. Her brothers have used government resources and their father’s influence to feather their nest in establishing new Trump

properties all over the world. In another example, Melania Trump got outraged and agitated because Stanford University Law Professor Pamela Karlan, one of the Democratic legal witnesses during the impeachment hearings, made an inappropriate joke about her son, Barron Trump. The professor said that while Mr. Trump could name his son Barron, he could not make him a baron, an attack on the autocratic power that Mr. Trump attempts to wield. One might have thought that the professor had attacked the child or ridiculed him. She didn’t. She made a clumsy joke and was roundly criticized for it. And she apologized. Melania “Be Best” Trump played Mama Bear for her teenage son. Yet she seemed to have no words for another teen, Greta Thunberg, who was Time magazine’s Person of the Year. Miss Thunberg, who describes herself as “on the autism spectrum” with Asperger syndrome, was lifted because of her advocacy for the planet. Time magazine wrote the young lady won the award “for sounding the alarm about humanity’s predatory relationship with the only home we have, for bringing to a fragmented world a voice

Non-discrimination protections are critical “This place isn’t available anymore,” is one of the phrases I’m tired of hearing. I serve as the executive director of the Nationz Foundation, a Richmond area nonprofit that supports LGBTQ individuals through HIV prevention and awareness and community building. One important aspect of our work involves emergency housing assistance for LGBTQ individuals. I receive calls weekly from people with no place to go. A majority of the calls are from black trans women, a group that is particularly vulnerable because they face multiple kinds of discrimination because of their gender identity and race. One in five transgender individuals has experienced homelessness at some point in their lives. The problem is even more alarming for trans people of color. Recent data show that 41 percent of black trans people have faced homelessness. The women we support are facing homelessness for a variety of reasons — from not being able to find employment to unsupportive families who have kicked them out because of their identity. Locating housing for these women is often like finding a needle in a haystack. The scenario rarely changes: We’re invited to a tour, but when the landlord or management company learns the person is trans, the apartment suddenly is no longer available or the sales associate stops returning our calls. It’s infuriating to most, but for black trans women, it can be deadly. Black trans women

face higher levels of violence than any other minority group in the United States, and not having safe housing makes them especially vulnerable. Housing is just one of the many struggles of black trans women. Employment and housing go hand in hand. As a black trans woman, I know this all too well. I transi-

Zakia K. McKensey tioned at 17 and was kicked out of my family’s home. I remember pronounced moments of discrimination like the time employees at a popular fast food restaurant ran to lock the front door so a friend and I couldn’t enter. But it was the ongoing refusals by managers to hire a trans woman that left me on people’s couches without a place to live. Since then, I’ve built a career and a life I’m proud of. My path and experiences inspired me to create the Nationz Foundation so the LGBTQ community, especially people of color, could access services from people who look like them. My goal is to help my community thrive within a system that constantly raises barriers. We have the opportunity to improve the lives of black trans women in the new year. We must pass comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Virginians in employment, housing and public spaces during the 2020 Virginia General Assembly. These protections are critical because the drumbeat of discrimination never slows down. Recently, I was at the airport with a female friend who identifies as trans. As she went to use the restroom before her flight, another guest called security. It was distressing and embarrass-

ing for her. Trans people are just like everyone else in restrooms: They want to do their business and leave. Accessing inclusive health care is another challenge trans individuals face. Quality health care is fundamental to your life experience, but for trans individuals, navigating the medical system is often confusing and upsetting. Could you imagine your family care practitioner telling you they no longer want to see you because of your identity? These things happen in Virginia. Workplace discrimination and unemployment continue to plague the transgender community, especially black trans individuals who experience unemployment at four times the rate of the general population. Right now, it’s legal to fire someone for being trans. We all should have the right to earn a living and provide for ourselves without the fear of losing our job because of who we are. Even with these challenges, my community is powerful and resilient. I hear the stories of strength every week in our support groups like T-Gurlz Rock, a gathering of transgender women sharing their unique experiences. These women courageously navigate and live in a world that actively discriminates against them. We’ve created a sisterhood I’m blessed to be a part of. I’ll continue to fight for the LGBTQ community every day. During the upcoming General Assembly session, I expect lawmakers to join me in this fight by passing comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in the workplace, housing and public spaces. Our lives are depending on it. The writer, a native Richmonder, is executive director of the Nationz Foundation.

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.

that transcends backgrounds and borders, for showing us all what it might look like when a new generation leads.” But Mr. Trump doesn’t believe in global warming or climate change, so he ridiculed the young woman in one of his many rude and bullying tweets. And Melania thinks that only her son should be protected from bullying. The pot and the kettle. If she wants to call bullies out, she might start with her husband. There have been accusations, finger pointing, anger and deflection during these impeachment hearings. Republicans have shown that they have taken an oath, not to protect the Constitution, but to protect Mr. Trump. As Republicans march lockstep behind a corrupt president, Congressman Hank Johnson has it right: The pot really can’t call the kettle black. The writer is an economist, author and educator.

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December 19-21, 2019

Letter to the Editor

Impeachment: Just another reality show Growing up in Spotsylvania County, I was labeled a retard in my adolescence. In my 20s, I was branded a pansy with many other derogatory titles for unmanliness. Now, I have matured into obsolescence. Whatever branding life has bestowed upon me, I know enough to realize that the current impeachment hearings are no more than appeasement, not only to the losing Democrats of four years ago, but also to all the so-called tolerant whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve disrespected the president. I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat. However, I do agree

with the local Richmond gentleman and World War II veteran who was interviewed when Mr. Trump was being inaugurated as president. The gentleman had gone to every presidential inauguration since the 1940s, and although a Democrat, when questioned if that would deter him from attending Mr. Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration, he replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, he is still our president.â&#x20AC;? Personally, I detest politics. But letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the norm when being judged as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;team playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for job promotion considerations. Nowadays, work ethics is a small percentage of consideration compared to whether or not you join in with your

companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cornhole games. Honestly, it all boils down to maneuvering, manipulations and, as comedian George Carlin alleged in one of his satires, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all B.S.â&#x20AC;? This impeachment travesty publicizes similar crapology. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get on with the business at hand in making our country and its citizens unified and discard the propagandized political antipathy. RICK KNIGHT Henrico County

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Stories by Fred Jeter

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VUU rebuilding men’s team in big way Virginia Union University basketball Coach Jay Butler needed to re-stock his roster this season, and it seems he aced the assignment. The Panthers, now 7-4, have won five straight games and seven of the last eight with a smooth blend of returnees and talented newcomers. The VUU veteran cast features senior guard Terrell Leach, a leading scorer nine times, and junior forwards Jordan Peebles

and Raemaad Wright. But help was needed, and help arrived. Here’s a look at some first-year Panthers: Tyriek Railey (6-foot junior from Jacksonville, Fla.): Transferred to VUU from Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Neb.; averaging 7 points. “He can score, shoot the three,” Coach Butler said, “and if you see him in warm-ups, he can do all kinds of highlight dunks.”

Former VCU standout Troy Daniels popping treys for Lakers A former Virginia Commonwealth University standout has found a home — and a new nickname — with the NBA’s hottest team. Troy Daniels wears jersey No. 30 and comes off the bench launching 3-pointers for the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers, who started the season on a 23-3 sprint. James, so impressed with Daniels’ accuracy from behind the arc, has started calling him “Layup.” “Yeah, his name is ‘Layup’ because every time he shoots a three, it’s like a layup,” James told the Los Angeles Times in October. The implication is that Daniels is as accurate from 23 feet, nine inches — the NBA 3-point distance — as some are right under the bucket. James’quote came after Daniels had swished three straight treys in the third quarter of a 95-86 win over the Utah Jazz. The well-traveled, 28-year-

old Daniels, now in his sixth NBA season, traces the nickname to a preseason workout in Las Vegas. “I think we had a workout when I didn’t even miss,” Daniels told the LA Times. “So that’s when he started calling me ‘Layup.’ ” Lakers Coach Frank Vogel echoes James’ feelings. “Troy’s earned a spot in the rotation due to his ability to shoot the basketball,” Coach Vogel said. “He’s arguably the best shooter on the team.” Throughout Daniels’ career at William Fleming High School in Roanoke, VCU and the NBA, his name has been synonymous with 3-pointers. In fact, it’s a rarity when he takes a shot that isn’t worth 3 points. At VCU where, in 2009, he was among Coach Shaka Smart’s first recruits, 650 of his career 764 shots were behind the arc. As a senior, he nailed 124 treys, including a school and Atlantic 10 Conference record of

NBA Rams Troy Daniels of the Los Angeles Lakers and Treveon Graham of the Minnesota Timberwolves are the only active NBA players out of Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU’s previous contributions to the NBA are Jesse Dark, Bernard Harris, Ed Sherod, Gerald Henderson, Eric Maynor, Larry Sanders and Briante Weber. Henderson, from Huguenot High School, played 14 NBA seasons and 870 games. He helped teams to three NBA titles — two with the Boston Celtics and one with the Detroit Pistons.

11 in a Rams victory over East Tennessee State University. The undrafted 6-foot-4 shooting guard has shown off his range throughout an NBA career that included pit stops with the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Charlotte Hornets, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Phoenix Suns before signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers for $2.03 million. It was no secret what the Lakers were getting — a longdistance specialist. When he’s hot, few are hotter. In a 2016 game for Memphis, Daniels hit six 3-pointers and scored 22 points in the fourth quarter, tying a franchise record. In 312 NBA games (20 this season), Daniels has attempted 1,820 shots, of which 1,341 have been 3-pointers. It has been no different in Los Angeles. For the Lakers, he has taken 92 shots, 69 of which were worth three. Daniels owns an impressive career 40 percent mark from outside the arc. This season, he is at 35 percent in about 14 minutes of court time per outing. While Daniels’ nickname has become “Layup,” he has his own tag for the Lakers starters featuring James, Anthony Davis and other big-name performers. “Our first team, we call

Keshon Tabb (6-foot sophomore from Henrico’s Hermitage High School): “He’s a combo guard trying to balance between scoring and running the team,” Coach Butler said. He connected on five 3-pointers and scored 15 points against Fayetteville State University. Charles Tart III (6-foot-4 freshman from Henrico’s Varina High School): “He is a great get for us,” Coach Butler said. “He plays above the rim; one of our top defenders,” averaging 5 points. He was on the 2018 Varina High School state championship team. Dedric Byrd (6-foot-7 senior from Fuquay, N.C.): Averaging 4 points. He previously played at Winston-Salem State University and the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. “He can stretch the floor, shoot the three,” Coach Butler said. Bilal Abdur-Rahim (6-foot-6 junior from Marietta, Ga.): Currently injured, he was a transfer from Division I The University of Southern Mississippi. He is the brother of former NBA player Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Shawn Sanders (6-foot-4 freshman from Virginia Beach): An extremely talented wing who earned All-State honors at Green Run High School. “He has big-time potential,” Coach Butler said. Jaelin Gallimore (6-foot-10 freshman from Bridgeport, Conn.): Learning the ropes. Few Division II schools boast a richer big-man tradition than VUU. Coach Butler hopes Gallimore is next in line. After a staggering 0-3 start, the rebuilding Panthers have found their rhythm heading into 2020. The Panthers will return from winter break to face CIAA opponent Shaw University on Jan. 4 at Barco-Stevens Hall on the VUU campus.

QB Malcolm X. Perry sets record in Army-Navy game

Troy Daniels

them ‘The Monstars’ — they’re really good,” Daniels said of LA’s first five. But “The Monstars” can’t do it all themselves in a grueling 48-minute contest against many of the world’s premier talents. “It’s important for everyone coming off the bench to find a rhythm going forward,” Daniels told the LA Times. Daniels nearly always finds his rhythm far from the basket. Oddly, the man known as “Layup” rarely gets close enough to shoot one.

The 120th renewal of the ArmyNavy football game will be most remembered for the brilliance of Malcolm X. Perry. Navy’s senior quarterback was named MVP while setting numerous records Dec. 14 in the Midshipmen’s 31-7 victory in Philadelphia. The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Perry, a native of Clarksville, Tenn., and a Malcolm X. Perry quantitative economics major, rushed for 304 yards on 29 carries, including a touchdown run of 55 yards. In so doing, he broke Navy’s season rushing mark set by Napoleon McCallum in 1983. He also set Navy’s record for most total offense and became the all-time rushing leader in the history of the Army-Navy game. Perry is the son of Malcolm and Bonny Perry, both retired Army veterans with some 40 years served. Navy fans will get a final chance to see Perry and their 10-2 squad in action at the Liberty Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 31, against Kansas State University. The game will be played in Memphis.

Chavis graduates from NSU; next goal, NFL Norfolk State University football opponents can finally exhale. After four years of tormenting the Spartans’ opponents, Nigel Chavis has traded in his helmet and shoulder pads for a cap and gown. The bone-rattling linebacker graduated from NSU Dec. 13 with a degree in business management. That’s apropos. He has been “giving the business” to quarterbacks and ball carriers ever since signing with NSU Coach Latrell Scott out of Richmond’s Armstrong High School. “Nigel has been a great four-year story for us. He is an ambassador for the city of Richmond,” Coach Scott said. “The kid from 27th Street in Church Hill is a student athlete I’m extremely proud of.” No. 9 in Spartans green and gold became synonymous with tackles at the MEAC school. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound defensive

wrecking ball had 107 tackles this past season and a whopping 315 tackles for his career. That includes 35.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. That’s a whole lot of bumps, bruises and headaches he dealt out while alternating between defensive back and outside and middle linebacker. Here’s how he describes his defensive “mentality.” “See ball. Get the ball,” he told the Free Press the day before his graduation. “Whoever’s got the ball, I’m going to get him. “As middle linebacker this year, I was the quarterback of the defense. I kept my motor running, trying to cause havoc,” he said. Awards followed all those gridiron take-downs. Chavis was All-MEAC as a junior and senior and a Boxtorow AllAmerican this past season. At Armstrong High School, Chavis

Carter “passes” the test Former Highland Springs High School standout Juwon Carter enjoyed a banner junior season for Norfolk State University, earning second team All-MEAC honors. The third-year starter passed for 2,632 yards and compiled 2,856 total yards. He completed 61 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns.

starred as a linebacker and running back under Coach Kedrick Moody. And while Wildcats football has come under hard times, Chavis was the lynchpin behind a solid squad that beat Varina High School 32-0 and lost to Highland Springs High School by only 35-30. Chavis’ doting mom has made sure fans take notice of her son on every level. Patricia Chavis’ clanging cowbells

became a regular fixture at Spartans games, both at home and away. “My mother is my heart and soul,” Chavis said. “She has always expected a lot from me. When she first signed me up for youth league, she told me, ‘Don’t waste my money.’ ” The fees were well spent and could lead to something beyond the cheers of NSU’s Dick Price Stadium. “We’ll have Pro Day this spring and I’m definitely thinking of the next level,” Chavis said. He feels he has the size, speed, smarts and Spartan toughness to make an NFL roster. The odds are long, but not impossible. A total of 21 Spartans have played in the NFL since 1964. “But eventually I won’t be playing football,” Chavis conceded. “I’d like to return to Richmond and perhaps get into coaching, maybe even at Armstrong.”

Nigel Chavis

Chavis left 27th Street with high hopes but no assurances. When he returns, he’ll have his arms full of pigskin awards and, better yet, a college sheepskin in his pocket.

Harriet Ad 12182019 60.pdf 1 12/18/2019 3:29:09 PM

Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019

CMY

Download the podcast at virginia.org/Harriet. Explore the life of Harriet Tubman, one of the bravest and most extraordinary women in our country's history, through interviews with leading historians, educators and even the director of the acc�aimed Focus Features film Harriet. The “Following Harriet” podcast puts the American icon in a broader context and examines the 19th Century experience of African Americans, especially in Virginia.

Richmond Free Press

B2 December 19-21, 2019

Happenings

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Learning from the past

Dozens of people came to the opening Sunday of “Unbound 2019: Truth & Reconciliation: Part III, Emancipation and Enlightenment Up from Slavery” at the Main Street Station Gallery, which includes a tribute to African-Americans in Vir-

ginia who were lynched in the decades after the Civil War. Several people attending the exhibit became emotional while reading the names and information about those who were lynched in the state. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, more than 4,000 people were lynched across the South between 1877 and 1950, while nearly 100 lynchings were documented in Virginia during that time. Speakers at the opening included Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, dean of the College

of Liberal Arts at Norfolk State University, and Maurice Henderson, whose trip to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., inspired the Richmond tribute. Above, the Rev. Sylvester Turner and the Rev. Ben Campbell, both of whom serve on the Richmond Slave Trail Commission discuss one of the panels in the exhibit, while former Richmond Judge Birdie H. Jamison, right, places a note with her thoughts about the exhibit on a public thought board.

Tom Joyner, the ‘hardest working man in radio,’ retires By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The “fly jock” and “hardest working man in radio” has hung up his microphone. Tom Joyner — who earned his nicknames when he commuted daily by airplane between Chicago and Dallas for nine years to DJ shows in each city — ended his storied on-air radio career Friday, Dec. 13. The 70-year-old host of “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” closed down the nation’s No. 1 ranked syndicated urban morning show after providing an extended four-hour farewell to his 7 million listeners who tuned in via 105 stations, including KISS 99.3 and 105.7 FM in Richmond. Longtime co-host Sybil Wilkes also signed off. Ready to retire the “Oh, oh, oh, it’s The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” Mr. Joyner previously announced that Rickey Smiley, whose morning show now is heard mainly on hip-hop stations, would take over Thursday, Jan. 2, along with two of Mr. Smiley’s regulars, Eva Marcille and Gary With Da Tea. “It’s an honor to continue the legacy of my boss and (Omega Psi Phi) fraternity brother,” Mr. Smiley said as his show prepares to add the stations that broadcast Mr. Joyner’s program. Mr. Smiley’s show will begin with excerpts of past broadcasts and go live on Monday, Jan. 6, according to a KISS radio spokesman. On the air for 25 years, “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” is filling in with rebroadcast excerpts of past shows until Jan. 2. For many, his departure is a disruption of their morning routine. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California was among those paying tribute. “Tom Joyner is a legend and has played a critical role in building community and lifting up all voices,” she stated. Many others also chimed in on social media.

Tom Joyner

“It’s hard to be entertaining, informative and educational without ever talking down to your audience,” wrote sports journalist Bomani Jones. “Tom did that day after day for decades.” Mr. Joyner told CBS News that he is getting out of the business because the money is drying up. “My goal was to die on the radio, have my funeral on the radio,” he said. But after earning $14 million a year at his peak when he had 115 stations carrying the show, he said he had seen his earnings shrink, and he didn’t want to accept that. “It got to a point where they would say, ‘All right, we’re gonna cut your salary in half, and then in half two years ago’ ” when he signed his final contract, he said. “Because my salary was based on my results, and not only was I losing

11-year-old dancer breaks barrier in ‘The Nutcracker’

affiliates, but the radio industry as a whole was losing traction.” The Urban One radio chain has owned the rights to Mr. Joyner’s show since 2004 when it paid $56 million for a majority stake in his Reach Media Inc. Although other competitors have emerged, such as the popular “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” that has aired on 106.5 FM The Beat in Richmond and 100 other stations since 2000, Mr. Joyner’s show never lost its top rating as a community staple in using comedy and entertainment to encourage listeners to care for their health, vote and support historically black colleges and universities. “Twenty-five years ago, there was no template for a syndicated urban radio show, and we worked hard to prove that we could successfully produce and market a national platform that would entertain, inform and empower AfricanAmerican listeners,’ Mr. Joyner said. “Our thing has always been to empower

people,” he said. “But to empower, we’ve got to first entertain. If I’ve got you laughing, I’ve got you listening.” He always made it clear that his show was oriented to African-Americans, and he never worried there would be no crossover. “Just super serve, super serve, super serve. Anything that affects African-Americans, that’s what we do,” he said. Now that he is off the air, Mr. Joyner said he will devote his time and attention to the Tom Joyner Foundation he created to support HBCUs. He is credited with raising more than $65 million in support for HBCUs through his show. Born in Tuskegee, Ala., Mr. Joyner has long said he got his start in radio when he took part in civil rights protests as a student at Tuskegee Institute against the city’s radio station that refused to play any of the soul and R&B music that was taking off. When the owner responded to the protests by agreeing to allow black music on Saturdays, Mr. Joyner volunteered to be the DJ and found his career. Musically inclined, he first joined The Commodores band that included his college friend Lionel Ritchie. But when the band did not make money, Mr. Joyner took his family’s advice to find another career. After graduating with a degree in sociology in 1960, he joined a radio station in Montgomery, Ala., and later worked at stations in Memphis, St. Louis and Chicago. In 1985, he earned renown in doing a morning show in Chicago and then flying to Dallas to do an afternoon show. He told one interviewer he wracked up 7 million frequent flyer miles with his commutes. His big leap came in 1994, when the ABC Radio Networks signed him to do the morning show featuring news, sports, R&B music and celebrity guests, including politicians eager to get their message to African-American listeners. He said the secret to his success: “Never turn down a job. I never did. That’s why they called me the hardest working man in radio.”

Free Press wire report

For the first time, a young black dancer is playing the lead in the New York City Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” Charlotte Nebres, an 11year-old student at the School of American Ballet, is breaking barriers as Marie, the young heroine of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.” It’s a milestone for the production, which dates to 1954. The significance isn’t lost on the Nebres family. Charlotte’s mother, Danielle Nebres, danced growing up. Mrs. Nebres’ family is from Trinidad

New graduates Erin Baiano/New York City Ballet

Charlotte Nebres, 11, who plays Marie in the New York City Ballet’s production of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” said African-American ballerina Misty Copeland inspired her early on. Tanner Quirk, 13, plays the Prince.

and her husband’s family is from the Philippines. Mrs. Nebres said when she told Charlotte she would be the first black Marie in the production, her daughter responded, “Wow. That seems a little late.” Even though she was just 6 at the time, Charlotte remembers seeing Misty Copeland, the first female African-American principal at the American Ballet Theater. “I saw her perform and she was just so inspiring and so beautiful,” Charlotte said. “When I saw someone who

looked like me onstage, I thought, ‘That’s amazing.’ She was representing me and all the people like me.” Charlotte will be joined in “The Nutcracker” by a diverse group of young leads. The roles of the children are always double cast. Tanner Quirk, the 13-yearold who will play Charlotte’s Prince, is of Chinese descent, while Sophia Thomopoulos, 12, who also will play Marie, is of Korean and Greek descent, and her Prince, played by Kai Misra-Stone, 11, is of South Asian descent.

Photos by Rudolph Powell

Jessica Brisco stands to be recognized as the top fall graduate at Virginia State University during fall commencement exercises last Saturday at the university’s Multi-Purpose Center. Ms. Brisco, who earned a 4.0 GPA, received a bachelor’s in information logistics technology. She was among 304 students who received their degrees during the ceremony. Right, Dr. Harry L. Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, was the commencement speaker.

Talk Dec. 28 on Harriet Tubman Researcher and author Elvatrice Belsches will talk about abolitionist and activist Harriet Tubman and the impact of the Underground Railroad in Central Virginia during a presentation from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at The Market @ 25th, 1330 N. 25th St. in Church Hill. The program, “Roll Call to Freedom: A

Survey of the Life of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad in Central Virginia,” is free and open to the public. Rare photographs and documents will be featured during the presentation. Because seating is limited, registration is required by calling The Market @ 25th at (804) 396-2239 and asking for Customer Service.

Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019 B3

Happenings

Personality: John H. Brown III Spotlight on founder of 5C’s Development Program

“We wanted to give back to the community in memory of my son.” Following the murder of Jomond A. Lightfoot in 2009, John H. Brown III sought to take his 25 years of experience in the building trade industry and 15 years of teaching carpentry and share it with “at-risk youths and adults who have a strong desire to change their lives,” he says. His hope: They would then take their new skills into the trade industry and improve the Metro Richmond area. The next year in February 2010, Mr. Brown established the 5C’s Development Program with his parents. Now, nine years later, the minority-owned nonprofit has grown to be officially recognized as a training school and gathered a number of public and private partners, including the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, the National Center for Construction Education and Research and the Metropolitan Business League, while continuing its mission of empowering and bolstering Richmond’s trade community. The 5C’s program encompasses a wide range of vocational training courses in the areas of carpentry, construction, certification, contracting and counseling, from building scaffolds and installing roofs to workplace readiness, OSHA compliance and construction management. Program fees range from $150 to $5,000. As a founder, Mr. Brown also serves 5C’s as an instructor, a mentor and primary funder,

supplying all of the money for the nonprofit’s operations. This would seem to be an overwhelming amount of responsibility for a company with only two employees, three board members and considerable ambitions, but Mr. Brown is undaunted, saying, “It is time for me to give back to the community.” 5C’s goal of reducing poverty in the city and reinvigorating its workforce is one that has become more important and needed in recent years, according to Mr. Brown, as the infrastructure in the United States continues to deteriorate from age and weather. Mr. Brown sees a lack of trade workers as a key factor in this growing issue, caused in part by a national shift toward other careers, along with a lack of vocational training support. “Now they’ve got themselves in a bind because now we have no skilled workers,” the 57year-old Mr. Brown says, “and now America’s infrastructure is breaking down every day.” As a result, he sees the work needed to inform and ready future trade workers as filling in a gap he sees as necessary to maintain Richmond, the state and the country at large. It likely won’t be easy, as 5C’s work continues to be complicated by issues with transportation for those enrolled, connecting with contractors and participants and the need for donations, among other obstacles. But Mr. Brown remains steadfast in his mission and hopes that Richmond residents step up to the challenge and

ensure that their city is supported by a varied, enthusiastic and skilled workforce. Mr. Brown says, “Your community needs your hands.” Meet a man building a legacy of trade skills and knowledge, and this week’s Personality, John H. Brown III: Date and place of birth: June 26 in Richmond. Education: Marshall-Walker High School. Family: Wife, Velva Jeffries Brown, and sons, John H. Brown IV and Jomond A. Lightfoot, who is deceased. What is 5C’s Development Program: 5C’s Development Program is a minority-owned nonprofit in Richmond. The program was established to offer vocational training program to residents in the Metro Richmond area. We offer training

courses to individuals who have a strong desire to follow a path within the trade industry. What do the 5Cs stand for: Carpentry, construction, certification, contracting and counseling. Who founded program: My mother and father, Shirley and John Brown Sr., and me in February 2010. Why program was started: We wanted to give back to the community in memory of my son, Jomond Alonzo Lightfoot. Jomond was murdered on April 20, 2009, at the young age of 24. Jomond’s tragic death inspired the Brown family to help others and support the community by offering vocational training to at-risk youth and adults who have a strong desire to change their lives. Why program is needed: In the

United States, we have a shortage of skilled workers —people who work with their hands. The goal of 5C’s is to help with workforce development so area residents can have the desire to get back in the workforce and the building trades. My work experience before program: I have been teaching vocational training in public education for 15 years. What I learned working for others: You must be patient because everyone learns differently. What I try to teach those who enroll: The 5C’s tries to teach new workplace readiness skills, safe, on-the-job and hands-on building. Current role I play with 5C’s: Founder and instructor. Number of people enrolled since founding: 25. Number enrolled in 2019: 10. Number completing the program since founding: 25. Number employed after completion: 25. How does program benefit those who complete it: They have an understanding about the building trade and workforce development concepts. What I would do if I had unlimited funds: Train the residents who want to learn the new workforce in the building trade and then job-placement after training. Is there a challenge recruiting participants: Yes. We must get back to working with our hands. Top three successes since 5C’s founding: Being recognized

as a training school; being joined by 10 new partners; and understanding that this is very important to the community. Foremost challenges 5C’s faces: 5C’s would like to reach out to major contractors in the city of Richmond and let the contractors know that the 5C’s would like them to join the team. What more needs to be done: 5C’s needs grant money and donations for training. What I tell people about 5C’s: Your community needs your hands. The future of our city depends on a skilled workforce of men and women with strong building trade skills, high values and work ethics. Why I am proud of what has been done: It is time for me to give back to the community. Favorite late-night snack: Junk food that I do not need. Favorite activity when I am not involved in 5C’s: I like playing pool. Person or persons who influenced me the most: My mother and father and Booker T. Washington. What I hope people think about me: It is always good to know what people think about you. but I work for God. Favorite TV show: Any building programs on TV. Next goal: The 5C’s mission statement is to provide vocational education and training programs to stop the cycle of unemployment and poverty in the Metro Richmond area. That’s my goal.

VUU acquires motel property for expansion project By Ronald E. Carrington

Virginia Union University has purchased a nearby motel property in undertaking its first expansion in more than 40 years. VUU President Hakim J. Lucas announced at a news conference Tuesday the university’s acquisition of the nearly 1-acre Budget Inn-Richmond site, located at the intersection of Lombardy Street and Brook Road across from the campus. The university plans to construct a multi-use building on the site to focus on learning and community development. While officials did not disclose the purchase price, city property records show VUU paid $2.9 million for the property, which was owned by Surjaya Corp. The corporation purchased the motel in 2006 for $1.2 million, according to city records. The property most recently was assessed at $543,000. The sale closed on Dec. 5. “We have expanded our footprint and we are in control of our environment,” Gregory Lewis, VUU’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, told the audience of about 75 people. “We were able to purchase the property without incurring debt, using our available resources. We are very humbled to be able to purchase this property with plans to improve the community.” Dr. Lucas called the purchase a “proud moment” for VUU. “For the first time in four decades, we are expanding beyond our current gates,” Dr. Lucas stated. “It is a historic decision as we plan toward

Ronald E. Carrington/Richmond Free Press

Virginia Union University President Hakim J. Lucas announces the university’s first expansion in more than 40 years during a news conference on Tuesday on campus. He is joined by, seated from left, Gregory Lewis, VUU senior vice president and chief financial officer; City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert; Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chairman of the VUU Board of Trustees; and Dr. Allia Carter, VUU’s chief operating officer. Below, rendering of Virginia Union University’s plans for the newly acquired motel site at 2201 N. Lombardy St., across from the campus.

our future and identify ways to provide resources to strengthen redevelopment in the North Side Richmond community.” Joining Dr. Lucas and Mr. Lewis at the news conference were Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chairman of the VUU Board of Trustees; Dr. Allia Carter, VUU’s chief operating officer; and Richmond City Councilman

Chris Hilbert, 3rd District. “Mr. Hilbert has been right there to fight with us,” Dr. Lucas said. “The city will see us and feel us as VUU continues to grow relationships with corporate and other entities. We are banding together for the future.” Councilman Hilbert indicated that VUU’s project could kick off a future North Side “neighborhood center” envisioned in a revitalization plan for the area that was presented to City Council in July. Called the VUU-Chamberlayne Neighborhood Plan, it was created by Urban Design Associates in cooperation with the city’s Department of Planning and Development Review. It calls for a higher density, mixed-use neighborhood center, including a pedestrian-friendly retail and shopping district with apartments and housing located above offices and businesses. Officials have said any changes would be gradual, with the development primarily serving the Edge Hill and Chamberlayne Court, Battery Park, Ginter Park and other North Side neighborhoods. The VUU purchase of the motel property is viewed as a first step toward that change. In a news release about the acquisition, VUU officials stated the university “has committed to working with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Richmond and Richmond Public Schools to help accelerate the city’s economic diversification through entrepreneurial growth, workforce development and identification of infrastructure investments needed in the North Side.”

Obituary/Faith Directory

Longtime educator and community volunteer Dr. Vasti DeLoatch dies at 87 Dr. Vasti DeLoatch touched the lives of thousands of children and adults through her work as an educator and in her various roles in the community. During a career with Richmond Public Schools that spanned 40 years, she sought as an instructor and administrator to assist students to achieve successful futures, her family said. “Dr. DeLoatch was an excellent teacher, a remarkable principal and an energetic director of elementary education,” said former schools Superintendent Lucille M. Brown. Outside school, Dr. DeLoatch sought to increase respect and attention for African-American creativity and cultural influence through her work in the arts. Among other activities, she was a founding member of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Friends of African and African-American Art. Alex Nyerges, museum director and chief executive officer, credited Dr. DeLoatch with contributing to the group’s efforts to promote greater inclusion and diversity in the museum’s collection and in its traveling exhibits across the state. She and her late sister, Grace DeLoatch, also amassed a collection of hundreds of rare and vintage African-American dolls that now belongs to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Richmond. The collection has traveled to dozens of places across the state

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

to promote healthy self-esteem, She went on to serve as a acceptance and pride among curriculum specialist, an instrucAfrican-American girls. Some tional coordinator and director of the collection is now on loan of elementary education for RPS to other museums. before retiring in 1993. Dr. DeLoatch is being reEven after her retirement, membered for her many conshe earned recognition from tributions following her death RPS as a dedicated volunteer. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. She Until her death, she gave her was 87. time as a volunteer with the Family and friends celRichmond Career Assessment ebrated her life and service Center at the Richmond Techniduring a funeral Monday, Dec. cal Center. 16, at Garland Avenue Baptist Dr. DeLoatch was a former Church in North Side. adjunct professor at Virginia Dr. DeLoatch A native of Suffolk, Dr. Commonwealth University and DeLoatch began her career in education in a past testing specialist at J. Sargeant Reynolds Richmond after graduating from Virginia State Community College. She also served as an College, now University, in 1953. She also educational consultant with the late Dr. Virgie earned a master’s of science from the University Binford’s I-U-CAN Company. of Pennsylvania through a Virginia grant after Outside of education, Dr. DeLoatch was a being barred as an African-American from at- former member of the Richmond Library Board, a tending a graduate school in the state. After the past president of the advisory board of the North state segregation policy ended, she earned her Avenue Branch Library and a former member doctorate from the College of William & Mary of the YWCA Board, her family said. and did post-doctoral work in Europe. Dr. DeLoatch earned designations as a life Dr. DeLoatch’s career started as an elementary member and golden soror of Alpha Kappa schoolteacher, and after serving as a consultant Alpha Sorority and was active in the Upsilon teacher to train others, she was promoted to Omega Chapter in Richmond. She also was a principal of Randolph Junior High School in former chaplain of the Pan Hellenic Council the West End. of Richmond.

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Zion Baptist Church

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Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m.

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“Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospel”

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Youth Summit 

 

EmpowermentSession

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Opportunities: Thursdays:

Bible Study is now in recess for winter break and will reconvene on January 9th. Please refer to your daily readings located in your Sunday’s bulletin or visit our website.

VBS 2017 Monday, July 10th through Friday, July 14th 5:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

4TH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

WatchNight72019

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Ring in the New 201Year with S & MMBC this year! Gospel Baptist Church

10:45 AM Worship Celebration Message by: Pastor Sermon Series: Book of Psalms Theme: “It’s A Wonderful Life”

2017 SUMMER Tuesday, December 31, Gospel 2019 @JAZZ 10:00 P.M. VESPERS reeHarvie Rd. Richmond, VA 23223 2317 ! Sunday, July 9

Youth Emphasis entWorship: Them Senior Choir Weekly S of Sundays @ 10:30 A.M.

Christmas Eve Service – 6PM A Cantata by One Voice and Scriptural Reading -

Celebrating & Remembering The Birth of Christ

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Reception on June 11th Only 5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

December 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. 4th Sunday of Advent

r ess Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. wSt.ePeterChurch BaptistSchool: Church io @S2017 o ATURDAY, JUNE 29 9:30 - 11 Study: Wednesdays Noon & SUMMER 6:30 P.M. pat “The NBible will their et celebrate Community Breakfast

Join u s

!”

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. 2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Ofﬁce 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

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

with Reverence

±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 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. MMBC

(near Byrd Park)

Facebook sixthbaptistrva

Broad Rock Baptist Church

any power—imagined or in existence! ce that anview vthe “I refuse to accept mankind is so tragically bound to lebe ewill R There lots of fun and learning g n i the starless midnight of racism and war the bright daybreak of with teaching crafts,Campbell, games, andthat food! Dr. Alvin Interim Pastor bin a reality…. I believe that ❖ om peace and brotherhood can never become C unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” SUNDAYS —Martin Luther King, Jr. us by Jesus Christ that is greater than

1858

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Fax (804) 359-3798 www.sixthbaptistchurch.org drbibbs@sixthbaptistchurch.org

It’s All

Thirty-first Street School: Sundays WeChurch encourage all age groups@ to9:00 comeA.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon Baptist Church learn about the super power given&to6:30 P.M.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

All Invited!

GOSPEL JAZZ VESPERS Chew & Chat for Men 135Mechanicsville Anniversary 2901 Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, August 13th (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org This is a 6:00 p.m.Pastor - 7:30 p.m. “THE GLORY OFLondon THE CROSS” Dr. Price Davis, Senior free event. Come join us Vacation Bible School 2017 for the final installment! “Super God! Super Me! Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Super-Possibility!”

Christmas Eve Worship Service

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

The “Youth Take Over” will display our youth leadership and “Speak Out!” skills while serving as worship participants during service.

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

Come Worship With Us!

With Ministry For Everyone

Vacation Bible School 2017 “Super God! Super Me! Super-Possibility!” We encourage all age groups to come learn about the super power given to us by Jesus Christ that is greater than any power— imagined or in existence! There will be lots of fun and learning with teaching crafts, games, and F food!

Youth Emphasis Unity Sunday

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

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

St. Peter Baptist Church

Sixth Baptist Church

Bible Study is now on summer break and will reconvene in September.



For the month of December, all Sunday Worship Services will be held at 10 a.m. Church School will be held at 8:30 a.m.

Watch Night at 10:00 p.m.

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

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

Church School 8:45 a.m.

December 31, 2019 Unity Worship Service at 12:00 Noon

2019 Theme: “The Year of Participation”



Dr. DeLoatch served as financial secretary and chaired the Book Review Committee for the Treble Clef and Book Lovers’ Club, of which she was a member for more than 25 years. She served on the board of the Richmond Chapter of the Virginia State University Alumni Association, belonged to the Richmond Toastmasters Club and was a longtime member of the Delver Woman’s Club as well as its theater production group, the Delver Players. She was a member of Garland Avenue Baptist at the time of her death and previously belonged to All Souls Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder and worship leader, sang in the choir, played handbells, taught Sunday School and directed the Vacation Bible School. Dr. DeLoatch received numerous honors, including awards for outstanding service to public education from the Richmond, state and national education associations; volunteer of the year honors from RPS and from the Richmond Area Presbyterians; a meritorious service award from the United Negro College Fund; and a VSU Distinguished Service in Government Award. Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Cheryl DeLoatch-Frierson, and two grandchildren. The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Dr. Vasti DeLoatch Endowed Scholarship Fund, Virginia State University, Office of Alumni Relations, 1 Hayden Drive, Ettrick, Va. 23806.

New Year’s Eve

Rev. Darryl G. Thompson, Pastor

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

Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Transportation Services (804) 859-1985

Mount Olive Baptist Church



Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor

VBS 2017

th p.m.

Richmond Free Press

B4 December 19-21, 2019

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

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Church School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

Pastor Kevin Cook

We Pray God’s Richest New Deliverance Evangelistic Church Blessings for You &1701 Your Turner Road, North Chesterfield, Virginia 23225 ❖ Family (804) 276-0791 office (804)276-5272 fax www.ndec.net THIRD SUNDAY New Deliverance 10:30 a.m. in The New Year! Children’s Church Evangelistic Church ❖

WEDNESDAYS Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Creative Arts Ministry Presents

That Christmas

Higher Achievement

Lenten Season

Dessert Theater joins with the larger Christian Community Rev. Dr. Price L. Davis, Pastor 21, 2019@ 4:00P.M. Mosby 823 North 31st Street Saturday, December in celebrating the Lenten season as a time of

Richmond, VA 23223 reflection, fasting &Office prayerful consecration. Join us (804) 226-0150

on the journey and follow along with our Lenten Calendar at www.mmbcrva.org

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

Christmas Concert

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)

s s s

Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

Watch Night Service

SUNDAY

Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 9:00 p.m.

D. Min., Pastor

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

WEDNESDAY SERVICES

DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

MEN’S

(Doors open at 8:00 p.m.)

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

Noonday Bible Study 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Sanctuary - All Are Welcome! Wednesday Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m. (Bible Study)

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (NDCA)

SATURDAY

6 weeks to 4th grade Before and After Care

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.

NOW ENROLLING!!!

For more information Please call

(804) 276-4433

Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

If you w

Richmond Free Press

December 19-21, 2019

Faith News/Directory

Who are the Black Hebrew Israelites? Jack Jenkins Religion News Service

On Dec. 10, two individuals opened fire on a kosher supermarket in Jersey City, N.J. The violent attack — which occurred shortly after the assailants allegedly killed a police officer in a nearby cemetery — ultimately left three bystanders dead and three people wounded, including two police officers. Law enforcement authorities later announced they are treating the incident as a case of domestic terrorism and said the suspects, both of whom were killed in a shootout with police, were “fueled both by anti-Semitism and anti-law enforcement beliefs.” Officials also noted that one of the suspects had posted anti-Semitic comments online and had ties with the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, a category that includes organizations labeled as hate groups and members who have voiced beliefs widely seen as anti-Semitic. But just who are the Black Hebrew Israelites? According to Dr. Judith Weisenfeld, chair of the Department of Religion at Princeton University, the short answer is: It depends. “There’s no such thing as ‘the’ Black Hebrew Israelites,” Dr. Weisenfeld, author of “New World A-Coming: Black Religion and Racial Identity During the Great Migration,” told Religion News Service. “There are lots of different theological and political orientations within that broader umbrella.” The movement, which typically does not associate itself with mainstream Judaism, has a long history in the United States and has exhibited a variety of permutations. At the most basic level, members are loosely bound together by a common claim that they are affiliated with the Twelve Tribes of Israel mentioned in the Bible. But within that community, there is much diversity. Dr. Weisenfeld pointed to at least two different strains of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement that have evolved over time. The first developed during a period that stretched from the late 19th century and into the 1920s, when a group of black worshippers emerged who believed that slavery and bondage had “forced a Christian and Negro identity on them” that was false. “They were saying that ‘the Negro’ is a product of enslavement and an invention of white people, and Christianity is not ours,” she said. “So some people in this period turn to the Bible and say, ‘There it is: We were actually of the lost tribes (of Israel).’ ” These groups tended to reject racial categories ascribed to them in the United States. Some wrote in alternative racial identities — including “Hebrew” — on draft cards during World War II. Communities associated with this iteration of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement — or at least connected to it — still exist, including Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in Chicago. That congregation is led by Rabbi Capers Funnye, who is former First Lady Michelle Obama’s cousin and has been called “Obama’s Rabbi.” A prominent figure in the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, The Forward once touted him as someone who could potentially move the movement “closer

Steven Martin

First African Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga., organized in 1773 and a National Historic Landmark, is believed to be the oldest African-American church in the United States. The current church building dates to 1859.

Black church believed to be oldest in U.S. finishes repairs in time for 246th anniversary Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. Ablack congregation that began worship services before the American Revolution has restored its historic church to a version of its former glory. A fresh coat of paint covers the freshly carpeted First African Baptist Church in this Georgia city, and the building also has had its bell tower fixed, water damaged ceilings repaired and stucco replaced, the Savannah Morning News reported earlier this month. It cost nearly $600,000 to repair numerous issues, said the Rev. Thurmond N. Tillman, pastor of the church whose website dates the organization of the congregation to 1773, three years before the Declaration of Independence was issued, and claims to be the first black church in the nation. (Two black congregations in Virginia, though, make similar claims to being the first, First Baptist Church in Petersburg, which was established in 1774, and First Baptist Church in Williamsburg, which was organized in 1776.) The restored Savannah church building is only 160 years old, though. Built by free and enslaved black people, the church dates the completion of the building to 1859, two years before the start of the Civil War.

Some historic pieces that are older than the building were left untouched during the restoration, including pews carved with West African Arabic script, one of the earliest forms of writing. The sanctuary still is dotted with holes that were arranged in the shape of an African prayer symbol of life, death and rebirth, according to the church’s website. It was those holes that allowed runaway slaves to breathe when they took refuge at the church, according to the newspaper. The church would continue to play a central role in Savannah’s black community, later acting as a meeting place for civil rights activists, including pastors who took part in sit-ins and marches. Sheila Jackson’s father, the Rev. Curtis J. Jackson, led the church between 1957 and 1961, during which she says she spotted the writing that she later identified as West African Arabic script. “First African is much more than a church building,” said Ms. Jackson, who now lives in Atlanta. “It was built by slaves, it was part of the Underground Railroad and it served as the foundation for the civil rights movement in Savannah. It tells the story of who we are as a people.” The congregation turned 246 years old on Dec. 12 and celebrated the milestone with four days of events, including a movie night and worship on Sunday morning.

Study: 40% of millennials not affiliated with religion

Free Press wire report

Millennials — those between ages 23 and 48 — are shaking up the workplace, transforming dating and undoing organized religion. Four in 10 American millennials now describe themselves as religiously unaffiliated, according to the Pew Research Center, which notes that those in the age group are almost as likely to say they have no religion as they are to identify as Christian. That is a higher percentage than the estimated 25 percent of Americans of all ages who do not identify with any religion, according to a previous Pew study. And there’s mounting evidence that the younger adults in the millennial generation are leaving religion for good. At this point, a large proportion of millennials have spouses, children and mortgages — and there’s little evidence that religious interest has re-emerged. A new national survey from theAmerican Enterprise Institute of more than 2,500 Americans found a few reasons that millennials are not returning to the religious fold. Those who never had strong ties to religion to begin with have not developed habits or associations that make it easier to return to a religious community. Younger adults also are increasingly likely to have a spouse who is nonreligious. Morality and religion are less connected for millennial parents, with those who are unaffiliated finding religious institutions irrelevant or unnecessary for their children to learn ethics. Millennials may be leading a societal shift away from religion, but they didn’t start it on their own. Their parents are at least partly responsible. According to the AEI survey, 17 percent of millennials said they were not raised in any particular religion compared with only 5 percent of baby

boomers. Only one-third of millennials said they attended weekly religious services with their family when they were young, compared with about half of their parents’ generation. A parent’s religious identity — or lack thereof — can do a lot to shape a child’s religious habits and beliefs later in life. A 2016 Pew Research Center study found that regardless of the religion, those raised in households in which both parents shared the same religion still identified with that faith in adulthood. For instance, 84 percent of people raised by Protestant parents are still Protestant as adults. That same Pew study found that 63 percent of people who grew up with two religiously unaffiliated parents were still nonreligious as adults. One finding in the recent AEI survey signals that millennials who grew up religious may be increasingly unlikely to return to organized worship. In the 1970s, most nonreligious Americans had a religious spouse and often that partner would draw them back into regular religious practice. But a growing number of unaffiliated Americans are settling down with someone who isn’t religious. Today, 74 percent of unaffiliated millennials have a nonreligious partner or spouse, while only 26 percent have a partner who is religious. Among unaffiliated millennials, those who are religious are seen as having a narrower view of humanity and of right and wrong. TheAEI survey found that 57 percent of millennials agreed with the statement that religious people are generally less tolerant of others, compared to only 37 percent of baby boomers. The poll also found only 46 percent of millennials agreed that it is necessary to believe in God to be moral. While 75 percent of baby boomers agreed that it is important for children to be brought up in a religion so they can learn good values, only 57

percent of millennials agreed. That impacts church attendance. In the AEI survey, less than half of millennial parents stated they regularly take their children to a religious service and less than 40 percent ensure their children get religious instruction through Sunday School or other religious education program, a drop of 20 percentage points from polls of baby boomers. Of course, millennials’ religious trajectory isn’t set in stone. They may yet become more religious as they age. But it’s easier to return to something familiar later in life than to try something completely new. And if those unaffiliated millennials don’t return to religion and raise a new generation with no religious background, the gulf between religious and secular America will only widen.

Barky’s

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.

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

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit. You, who light all roads that I may achieve all goals. You, who are with me in all instances of my life and who gives me the divine gift to forgive all evils done against me. I want in a short prayer to aﬃrm “I never wish to be separated from you in spite of all material illusions.” I want to be with you in eternal glory. Thank you for your mercies to me and mine. Amen!

~J. Parham ~

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

to the center of mainstream Jewish life.” Dr. Jacob Dorman, professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, and author of “Chosen People: The Rise of American Black Israelite Religions,” argues for even further nuance, insisting this wing of the movement can be delineated into two separate “waves.” But both he and Dr. Weisenfeld agree that a new iteration emerged in the 1960s and 1970s. “(These groups) rejected the term ‘Jew’ and emphasized the illegitimacy of white Jews as part of a style that was militant, black nationalist, macho and patriarchal, frequently focused (on) emigration, whether to rural communities in the South, or, in one case, to Liberia and then Dimona, Israel,” Dr. Dorman told RNS in an email. He added that these groups are often characterized by a preference for “confrontational” street preaching and have produced “messianic leaders and, on occasion, criminal conspiracies.” The beliefs and practices have caused divisions within the broader Black Hebrew Israelite community. “The older groups tend to disagree with both the content and the style of the newer groups,” Dr. Dorman said. “There is also fighting and factionalism amongst third wave Israelite groups. These movements are very schismatic.” Rabbi Funnye told RNS in January that he objects to some of these groups even using the term Hebrew Israelites and criticized some of their street preaching practices. “I can assure you that we have nothing to do with this group whatsoever, in any way, shape, form or fashion,” he said at the time. This more recent wave also has caught the eye of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. The SPLC has labeled 144 Black Hebrew Israelite organizations — but by no means all — as hate groups on its website. It cites evidence of what experts call “a rising extremist sector within the movement” due to the “antisemitic and racist beliefs” of some Black Hebrew Israelite groups. Dr. Dorman argued for a nuanced understanding of the groups, stating SPLC’s approach is “highly problematic from a scholarly perspective, as it takes public statements at face value.” Even so, Black Hebrew Israelites have drawn national attention in recent years for wading into national political discourse. A group affiliated with the movement was seen hurling insults at a group of Covington Catholic students in January 2019 for wearing hats emblazoned with President Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.” Meanwhile, Michael Symonette, a man often seen at Trump rallies waving a “Blacks for Trump” sign, also reportedly is connected to the movement, according to The Forward. His own views appear to deviate from any of the main Black Hebrew Israelite strains: He sees Ashkenazi Jews as “blessed people,” Sephardic Jews as “false Jews” who “hate the blessed people,” and black and white people as the “real Hebrews.” The exact nature of the connection between the Jersey City gunman and the Black Hebrew Israelites remains unclear, although the SPLC noted that “anti-law enforcement sentiment is not a core tenet of the Black Hebrew Israelite ideology.”

“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, DECEMBER 22, 2019

8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School | 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wednesday and Thursday Bible Study will resume in January 2020

Richmond Free Press

B6 December 19-21, 2019

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities 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 Monday, January 6, 2020 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, January 13, 2020 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. 2019-343 To amend City Code Â§Â§ 30-402.2, 30-411.3, 30-412.2, 30-413.3, 30-413.13, 30-414.2, 30-416.2, 30-418.2, 30-419.4, 30-420.1, 30-426.1, 30-428.1, 30-430.1, 30-433.2, 30-433.11, 30-434.1, 30-436.1, 30-438.1, 30-440.1, 30-442.1, 30-444.2, 30-446.2, 30-447.2, 30-447.11, 30-448.1, 30-450.1, 30-457.1, concerning permitted principal uses, and 30-1220, concerning definitions related to zoning, and to amend ch. 30, art. VI of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 14 (Â§Â§ 30-697â&#x20AC;&#x201D;30697.3), concerning shortterm rentals. Ordinance No. 2019-344 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1000 West Franklin Street for the purpose of multifamily dwellings containing an aggregate of up to 18 dwelling units, upon certain terms and conditions. The Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan recommends the property to be developed as Single Family Medium Density. Primary uses are singlefamily 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 60 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-345 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1512 North 27th Street for the purpose of a twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in a R-5 SingleFamily Residential District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates the subject property for Single-Family (Medium Density) uses. Primary uses are single-family and two-family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. The proposed development would create an overall density of approximately 11 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-346 To authorize the special use of the property known as 18 West Franklin Street for the purpose of a tourist home with up to five rooms or groups of rooms, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in a RO-3 ResidentialOffice District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pulse Corridor Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Downtown Mixed Use. Specifically, the plan notes that the Central business district of the Richmond region features highâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;density development with office buildings, apartments, and a mix of complementary uses, including regional destinations. Ordinance No. 2019-347 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1817 Floyd Avenue for the purpose of limited special events, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-6 Single-Family Attached Residential District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Single Family Residential at Medium densities. Primary uses for this category are single-family and two-family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-348 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 92-169-108, adopted May 26, 1992, which authorized the special use of the property known as 2820 West Cary Street for the purpose of operating a proposed 5,086 square foot shopping center within an existing building, waiving the off-street parking requirement, to modify the permitted uses, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is zoned in the UB Urban Business District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates the subject property for Community Commercial uses. Primary uses include office, retail, personal service and other commercial and service uses, intended to provide the shopping Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

and service needs of residents of a number of nearby neighborhoods or a section of the City. Ordinance No. 2019-349 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 84-309-31, adopted Feb. 25, 1985, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2001-310283, adopted Oct. 8, 2001, and Ord. No. 2019087, adopted Apr. 22, 2019, which authorized the special use of the property known as 5612 Grove Avenue for the purpose of non-medical office use, to authorize a freestanding sign, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is located in the R-4 Singlefamily Residential District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Office Transitional (OF-TR) Primary uses for this category include low-to-medium intensity professional, business and administrative offices, and medical and dental clinics that are compatible with adjacent residential uses and serve as separation between residential areas and nearby commercial or other higher intensity land uses or features. Ordinance No. 2019-350 To authorize the special use of the property known as 806 West Clay Street for the purpose of the construction of an addition to an existing singlefamily attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-7 Single- and Two-Family Urban Residential District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pulse Corridor Plan designates a land use category for the subject property as 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. A low to medium residential density is specified for this land use designation. The density of the property is 25 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2019-351 To amend Ord. No. 20155-30, adopted Feb. 9, 2015, which authorized a Preliminary Community Unit Plan known as the Old Armstrong High School Community Unit Plan (Church Hill North), permitting the development of a residential community of up to 300 dwelling units on approximately 21.76 acres of land, to modify the phasing requirements. The underlying zoning of the subject property is R-5 Single-Family Residential. The Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan recommends Public & Open Space land use for the subject property. No residential density is specified for this land use designation. Ordinance No. 2019-352 To amend section 30800.3 of the City Code, concerning changes in nonconforming uses, for the purpose of requiring a minimum lot area of 750 square feet per dwelling unit when a nonconforming use is changed to a multifamily dwelling within certain residential zoning 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 Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s page on the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ALAN MICHAEL CASH Plaintiff v. NATASHA CASH, Defendant. Case No.: CL19001840-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit Continued on next column

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is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 16th day of January, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO WANDA DAVID SANTANA, Plaintiff v. FREDDY A. SANTANA OSARIO, Defendant. Case No.: CL19-5462-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION Came this day the Plaintiff, upon her Complaint for divorce filed in the abovestyled case and her Affidavit for Order of Publication for service of the Complaint on the Defendant. The object of this suit is to put the Defendant on notice of the Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Complaint for divorce in the above-styled case. It appearing from Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Affidavit that due diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of the Defendant and that the Defendantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whereabouts are unknown, it is ORDERED that the Defendant is required to appear before this Court on or before January 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. to protect his interests. I ask for this: Benjamin R. Rand, Esquire (VSB# 78956) Blackburn, Conte, Schilling & Click, P.C. 300 W. Main Street Richmond, Virginia 23220 Telephone: (804) 782-1111 ext. 212 Facsimile: (804) 648-3914 brand@blackburnconte.com

o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 13, 2020 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. ED TURNAGE, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-3860 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3055 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S000-1582/011, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Ed Turnage. An Affidavit having been filed that VICKIE FITTS, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parties Unknown.â&#x20AC;? IT IS ORDERED that VICKIE FITTS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 13, 2020 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

RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JAMES T. GLASS, SR, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-4101 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 206 East 19th Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000237/021, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, James T. Glass, Sr, and James T. Glass, Jr. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JAMES T. GLASS, SR, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, JAMES T. GLASS, JR, 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; 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parties Unknown.â&#x20AC;? IT IS ORDERED that JAMES T. GLASS, SR, JAMES T. GLASS, JR, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 13, 2020 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 FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHAUNITA WYATT Plaintiff v. BRANDEN WYATT, Defendant. Case No.: CL19003523-00 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 16th day of January, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRENDA FRANQUI Plaintiff v. JIOELIS FRANQUI, Defendant. Case No.: CL19003509-00 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 16th day of January, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AJAH TANN, Plaintiff v. MICHAEL FOX, Defendant. Case No.: CL19003392-00 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 9th day of January, 2020 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

PROPERTY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. CYNTHIA AUSTIN, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-3888 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 225 East 15th Street,, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number S0000191/011, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Cynthia Austin and Samantha Austin. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, CYNTHIA AUSTIN, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, SAMANTHA AUSTIN, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that THE VIRGINIA UROLOGY CENTER, an entity not appearing in the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, which may be a creditor with an interest in said property, 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 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parties Unknown.â&#x20AC;? IT IS ORDERED that CYNTHIA AUSTIN, SAMANTHA AUSTIN, THE VIRGINIA UROLOGY CENTER, an entity not appearing in the records

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANDRA BARRETT, Plaintiff v. COHANE BARRETT, Defendant. Case No.: CL19003393-00 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 16th day of January, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB No. 200006139 Downtown Buffered Bike Lanes 1st, 2nd & 3rd Street, Duval Street to Spring Street UPC109294 Due Date: Thursday, January 23, 2020 @ 2:30 P.M. Receipt Location: 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, 11th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Questions regarding IFB shall be submitted no later than Thursday, January 16, 2020 @ 3:00 P.M. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www. RichmondGov.com), or at 11th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-2670 or faxed (804) 6465989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process. For reference purposes, documents may be examined at the above location. Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF Continued on next column

BID COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #19-1958-12JOK Bridge Maintenance Plan for Parham Road Over CSX Railroad Due:Â January 16, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES NOTICE Circuit Court for the city of Richmond Commissioner of Accounts opening The Judges of the Circuit Court for the city of Richmond are seeking applicants to ďż˝ill the position of Commissioner of Accounts for the city of Richmond. The duties of Commissioner of Accounts have been merged into one ofďż˝ice, which will be ďż˝illed effective April 1, 2020. Applicants must be members in good-standing of the Virginia State Bar. Application packages are available by sending a request to circuitcourtclerkinformation@richmondgov.com. The deadline for applications is January 24, 2020.

VACANT PULPIT

Springfield Baptist Church Glen Allen, VA

Seeking a Bivocational Pastor

If interested please submit a resume to: Pastor Search Committee P.O. Box 2177 Glen Allen VA 23058-2177 Deadline: December 31, 2019

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

TRANSIT SYSTEM

BUS CLEANER

Part - Time Starting Wage: $11.77 per hour Closes: December 27, 2019 GRTC seeks qualiďŹ ed candidates at least 21 years of age with a high school education to perform general cleaning duties, to include the interior and exterior of our buses. The position is part-time, 29 hours per week: Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Thursday 8:00AM to 2:30PM, Friday 8:00AM to 1:30PM. Candidates must pass a background check and pre-employment drug test. Those interested in the position may apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

TRANSIT SYSTEM

LEGAL SERVICES REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS GRTC invites all interested parties to submit proposals for providing legal services. Interested firms may download a copy of RFP #183-19-15 from GRTCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, www.ridegrtc.com (menu options: About Us, then Procurement) or obtain a copy by calling Allan Cox (804) 358-3871 ext. 371. Responses are due no later than 11:00 am on January 29, 2020. All inquiries pertaining to the request or any questions in reference to the solicitation documents should be directed to: Allan Cox Purchasing Manager (804) 358-3871, extension 371 Supplier diversity program â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;providing equal opportunities for small businessesâ&#x20AC;?

FULL-TIME SENIOR PASTOR Thirty-first Street Baptist Church of Richmond VA, located in historic Church Hill, seeks a full-time senior pastor. The pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education, training, and experience should include seminary degree(s) and a minimum of three years in a ministerial leadership role serving in a Baptist church. The pastor will be responsible for church leadership, both spiritual and biblical, through preaching, teaching, training, counseling and evangelism. Demonstrating godly leadership and keen administrative skill, the pastor will minister to the current needs of the church, while preparing and equipping the fellowship with the tools to assist membership sustainability for the next generation church. The pastor will work collaboratively with the Trustees, Deacons, Deacons Auxiliary Ministry, staff and congregation to uphold and cultivate the church mission and vision while developing disciples. The deadline for accepting applications is January 17, 2020. Candidate should include easily accessible links to videos of two recent sermons. Mail resumes to: THIRTY-FIRST STREET BAPTIST CHURCH 823 N. Thirty-first Street Richmond, Virginia 23223 ATTN: Pastor Search Committee Email resumes to: info@31sbc.org

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Reynolds Community College located in Richmond, VA has exciting full-time and parttime teaching opportunities available now for Instructors of Pastry and Culinary Arts. The positions will be located at the Downtown Campus and The Kitchens at Reynolds, which is scheduled to open Fall 2020! More than a culinary school, The Kitchens at Reynolds will be the new front door to Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East End community with an unbelievable menu of workforce training and academic programs. It will feature spaces designed to engage the neighborhood, including a market/cafe, an urban garden, and a state-ofthe-art greenhouse that will provide a farmto-table learning experience. Please visit our website www.reynolds.edu for more information regarding The Kitchens at Reynolds and the exciting current employment opportunities! Please also continue to visit www.reynolds.edu often for updates regarding future positions with Reynolds Community College and The Kitchens at Reynolds!

GENERAL UTILITY Starting Rate: $17.66 per hour Closing Date: Open Until Filled Full Time

GRTC Transit System seeks a detailed oriented individual, 21 years of age or older, who can work independently and in a team environment to perform various vehicle service duties. This position requires weekend and weekday availability, to include 5:30pm - 2:30am availability. The hours will vary depending on shift. High school education required. Must have, at a minimum, a valid Virginia Class B CDL Learners Permit with P Endorsement required. Candidates must have a good driving record with positive points and must be able to pass a background check along with a pre-employment drug test and a DOT physical. Candidates may apply online at www.ridegrtc.com. No paper applications accepted. GRTC is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment.

Freelance Writers: 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.

PASTRY ARTS/CULINARY ARTS INSTRUCTOR (Position: #FO413) (J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA) Associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in Pastry Arts, or Culinary Arts with demonstrated competency in the teaching ÂżHOG WZR \HDUV RI IXOO WLPH UHODWHG RFFXSDWLRQDO H[SHULHQFH LQ SULQFLSOHV RI KXPDQ QXWULWLRQ GLQLQJ room service, storeroom operations, demonstrated PDVWHU\ RI FODVVLFDO NQLIH FXWV DQG EDVLF FRRNLQJ WHFKQLTXHV &XUUHQW 6HUY6DIH &HUWLÂżFDWLRQ 7KH VHOHFWHG FDQGLGDWH PXVW EH DEOH WR VXFFHVVIXOO\ SDVV WKH FROOHJHÂśV SUH HPSOR\PHQW VHFXULW\ VFUHHQLQJ TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: )XOO WLPH QLQH PRQWK WHDFKLQJ IDFXOW\ UDQNHG DSSRLQWPHQW 6DODU\ commensurate with the education and experience RI WKH DSSOLFDQW 6DODU\ UDQJH $SSUR[LPDWH PD[PXP KLULQJ VDODU\ $GGLWLRQDO LQIRUPDWLRQ LV DYDLODEOH DW WKH &ROOHJHÂśV ZHEVLWH www.reynolds.edu. APPLICATION PROCESS: Application reviews ZLOO EHJLQ )HEUXDU\ $SSOLFDWLRQV ZLOO EH DFFHSWHG XQWLO WKH SRVLWLRQ LV ÂżOOHG 7KLV SRVLWLRQ ZLOO EH QHHGHG IRU WKH )DOO 6HPHVWHU VHPHVWHU VWDUW GDWH RI $XJXVW AA/EOE/ADA