Richmond Free Press February 7-9, 2019 Edition

Richmond Free Press © 2019 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 28 NO. 6

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

ee Fr

Fr ee

Statement of Lt. Gov. Fairfax accuser A5

February 7-9, 2019

What next?

Governor Northam

Lt. Governor Fairfax

Attorney General Herring

Virginians shaken as the top 3 officials are embroiled in controversy

Fairfax battles sexual assault allegation

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

In the suddenly topsy-turvy world of Virginia politics, one fact is certain: Ralph S. Northam is still Virginia’s governor.

He also has no immediate plans to resign, despite the uproar and the torrent of calls for him to quit the office some believe he is no longer fit to hold.

The sudden reversal of fortune began when Big League Politics, a conservative, Republican-leaning news and opinion

Related stories on A6, A7 blog, posted on Friday a 35-year-old yearbook photo that appears under the governor’s name showing two people, one in blackface and the other in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood.

The blog indicated that it was tipped off to the forgotten photo published in the 1984 edition of the Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook by a former classmate upset with Gov. Northam’s stance on abortion.

Struck by an avalanche of criticism, the governor initially issued an apology on Friday.

“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and Please turn to A6

By Reginald Stuart and Jeremy M. Lazarus

Eastern Virginia Medical School via Associated Press

This image shows Virginia Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s page in his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. The page shows a picture of a person in blackface and another wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood next to different pictures of the governor.

Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, a 39-year-old rising star in the state Democratic Party, is battling to save his political career after being hit with a shocking allegation of sexual assault that dates back 15 years.

The allegation emerged late Sunday on Big League Politics, the same political blog that earlier posted the bombshell, racist photo that undermined Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s grip on power.

In line to succeed Gov. Northam if the governor bows to pressure and resigns, Lt. Gov. Fairfax issued a forceful denial by 3 a.m. Monday, calling the allegation “false and unsubstantiated.”

But as he quickly learned, such allegations are hard to dispel, Please turn to A5

Mayor Stoney highlights new eviction prevention program

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Good things are happening in Richmond, Mayor Levar M. Stoney said as he used his State of the City speech last week to tout the city’s progress during his first two years.

From filling potholes to building new schools, upgrading public transit, attracting new developments and expanding workforce training, Richmond is on the move, he said.

“Today more people are working — which is evident by the city’s 2.9 percent unemployment rate,” he said. “In addition to ongoing investments, the city has had more than $1.5 billion in investment over the past two years.

“Richmond is competing, and it is competing at a higher level than it has in a long time,” he continued to applause from an audience of about 250 people who turned out at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture on Jan. 31 to hear the 35-minute address.

But to the surprise of some observers, he barely mentioned the proposed $1.4 billion Richmond Coliseum redevelopment plan and instead put his emphasis on city efforts to expand affordable housing and on a developing a pilot program aimed at reducing one of the city’s worst features — its sky-high rate of evictions.

Rather than making a centerpiece of the proposal to replace the Richmond Coliseum in a bid to generate new de-

velopment in the blocks near City Hall, the mayor brushed by it, replacing last November’s warm embrace with cautionary words.

“We need to approach the redevelopment of our Downtown with careful deliberation, no matter how long it takes — acting only when the ‘i’s’ are dotted and the ‘t’s’ are crossed,” he said.

The mayor did not offer any timeline for advancing the proposal.

“We will only move forward when we are assured a development is in the best interests of the city,” he said, adding that even then the City Council would need to reach “a similar conclusion following Please turn to A4

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Mayor Levar M. Stoney offers highlights from his term in office and plans for the future during his State of the City address Jan. 31 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

Kamras delivers first State of the Schools address

By Ronald E. Carrington

Andrew Kelly/Reuters

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker speaks to the media Feb. 1 outside his home in Newark, N.J., after announcing he will run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020.

Sen. Booker launches 2020 presidential bid

Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras delivered his first State of the Schools address Tuesday night to a packed house of more than 300 people at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

Parents, teachers, administrators, local officials, RPS community advisory boards and support staff applauded performances

and heartfelt stories by RPS students before Mr. Kamras took the stage.

The superintendent’s message, supported by photos displayed on huge video screens, centered on the district’s strategic plan, “Dreams4RPS,” developed with input from 170 community meetings with more than 3,000 people before being approved in December by the Richmond School Board.

Free Press wire report

WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Cory Booker declared his bid for the presidency in 2020 with a sweeping call to unite a deeply polarized nation around a “common purpose.”

Announcing is run on Friday, Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, the New Jersey Democrat is the second AfricanAmerican candidate in a primary field that’s already historically diverse. He delivered his message of unity amid an era marked by bitter political division.

The day of his announcement underscored his consequential status as America’s potential second African-American president.

“I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and cofPlease turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

The RPS Harp Ensemble, comprised of middle school students in Richmond Public Schools, add a musical touch to the first State of the Schools presentation Tuesday night by Superintendent Jason Kamras, who is marking his first anniversary in the job. The event was held at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in the East End.

“Dreams4RPS” includes five priorities with 40 specific action items that the Kamras administration will use to steer decision-making. The plan’s goals are to change school curricula to ensure that all 44 Richmond schools are accredited by 2023, as well as increasing the graduation rate.

The five-year plan, costing $150 million, also focuses on modernizing technology, having teachers visit every student at their home at least once a year and partnering with colleges and universities to give eligible RPS students full scholarships to attend college.

Mr. Kamras talked about the major issues facing RPS. “Less than half of our schools are accredited, and we have the lowest graduation rate in Virginia,” he said, at 75 percent.

Adding to that are the deplorable conditions of many of the school buildings — poor heating systems, smelly bathrooms, mold, broken tiles and classrooms that are cold in the winter and hot in the summer. All, he said, are a clear signal of disrespect.

“It’s criminal,” Mr. Kamras said. “We simply have to do better.”

Seven of the School Board members attended, along with Mayor Levar M. Stoney, City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille and Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell.

Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 February 7-9, 2019

Local News

Photos by Ava Reaves

Left, a front-end loader scoops out the sediment The canal, which receives its water and sedichoking the Haxall Canal in Downtown, whose ment from the James River, was last cleaned waters once powered an electric plant. The work in 2008. The work is needed every 10 to 15 to dredge the canal from Brown’s Island to 12th Slices of life and scenes years, according to DPU officials, to protect Street began Jan. 15 and is expected to take four the equipment that controls the level of water in Richmond months, according to the city Department of Public in the canal and to improve the flow.

Utilities, which is managing the job. Cost: $1.5 million.

The department briefly drained the canal last summer to The water in the canal also is being drained, photo at right, conduct a survey in preparation for this work. The canal also the department said, adding it is working with the state to save is drained periodically to remove sediment that accumulates at the fish that will be affected. the head gates,DPU officials stated.

Cityscape

Public hearing, vote Feb. 11 on renaming Boulevard for Arthur Ashe Will the third time be the charm?

For the third time since 1993, Richmond City Council is poised to again debate renaming the Boulevard for the late Richmond-born tennis star and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr. at its next meeting on Monday, Feb. 11.

Councilwoman Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, who has led the effort and garnered significant support, said this week she hopes to secure at least a 5-4 vote from council to make it happen.

However, there has been significant pushMr. Ashe back from some residents and businesses along the Boulevard who are urging the council to only authorize an honorary street sign while keeping the Boulevard name.

A full chamber is expected at City Hall as supporters and opponents voice their opinions at a public hearing at the meeting before the council votes.

City Council killed similar measures to rename the Boulevard for Mr. Ashe in 1993, following Mr. Ashe’s death, and in 2003.

Richmond Police exploring options to build new stable The Richmond Police Department is “going to explore other options” to try to get a new horse stable for the Mounted Unit, department spokesman Gene Lepley stated.

He offered no specifics.

Mr. Lepley issued the brief statement in response to a Free Press article last week reporting that City Hall put on hold plans to build a new stable after construction bids came in at least $1 million over the $1.5 million budget.

The unit currently has three horses, Samson, Scooter and Toby. A fourth, Rio, was retired in December.

Mr. Lepley said the department is working on purchasing a replacement for Rio.

RRHA still dealing with heating problems; assistance available At least seven public housing units completely lost heat last week as a result of boiler problems, the Richmond Redevelopment and Authority reported Monday.

RRHA stated that five new families lost heat as arctic cold blasted the city and repairs still need to be made in units for two other families that previously had lost heat.

In addition, RRHA reported that 50 families had only partial heat in their units during the cold snap.

RRHA stated that it had distributed electric space heaters to help as it sought to restore heat.

Such families and others with heating problems might qualify for the heating crisis assistance program announced by the state Department of Social Services.

The crisis program is aimed at helping low-income individuals and families deal with heating emergencies, DSS stated.

Applications for heating help can be made by calling (855) 635-4370 or through the local departments of social services, DSS stated.

The assistance is based on income. For example, single people could qualify with an income of $1,316 or less a month, while a family of four could qualify with an income of $2,720 a month or less, according to DSS. “Cold weather is relentless,” said Social Services Commissioner Duke Storen. “The crisis assistance program exists to help households who otherwise would not have the resources to keep warm.”

The program, Mr. Storen stated, “is aimed at helping people whose heating equipment has broken down, who lost heat for failure to pay a bill or who are facing the imminent cutoff of service.” — JEREMY M. LAZARUS

Possible funding increase for city schools?

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration is hinting that it might propose a $5 million increase in support for Richmond Public Schools’ operations in the new 2020 budget it will present next month to Richmond City Council.

The hint was included in a five-year forecast of revenues and expenditures that city Budget and Strategic Planning Director Jay Brown distributed to City Council members Monday.

The document states that the “expenditure forecast includes an estimate increase of $5 million in local funding” for RPS each year of the 2020 to 2024 budget period.

Mayor Stoney will present his budget plan on March 6.

A $5 million increase in city funding for schools would provide some relief to the public school system.

The Richmond School Board is working with Superintendent Jason Kamras

to cut spending by $12.5 million based on information that the city would not provide additional funds, making the total contribution about $156.6 million or the same level as in the 2018 fiscal year that ended on June 30.

During the current budget year, City Council joined the mayor in providing a one-time increase of $12.5 million to Richmond Public Schools. But it was money the school system previously had received and accumulated in a reserve fund over a series of years.

Other items in the new city forecast that are assumed as expenditures include an annual 1 percent increase in pay for city employees; a one-time, 1 percent cost-of-living increase for retirees who have not had a change in their pensions in more than 10 years; and a $1.2 million increase in the sheriff’s cost of providing medical care to inmates at the Richmond Justice Center.

The forecast appears grim, suggesting “growth in expenditures (is) projected to outpace revenues” in each of the five

budget years from 2020 to 2024.

According to the forecast, Richmond would continue a historical trend of slow growth in total revenues of less than 2 percent despite current sharp growth in property values that have led to larger annual collections of real estate taxes.

For 2020 alone, the city expects to take in $15.1 million less in revenue than needed for the $735.5 million costs projected, according to the forecast.

By 2024, the forecast indicates the city could face $778.87 million in expenses and forecasts having $770.42 million in revenue, meaning the city would have $8.45 million less in revenue than needed to meet assumed costs.

City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto, 5th District, expressed skepticism after reviewing the forecast.

He said the projections ignore the fact the city has ended the past few years with a surplus that exceeded $10 million. The forecast does not include any mention of projected surpluses.

Richmond School Board starts rezoning process

By Ronald E. Carrington

After months of debate, Richmond Public Schools is revisiting rezoning. But this time, there is a plan and a timeline in place.

On Monday night, Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras presented to the School Board a district-wide rezoning and facilities planning process that is expected to take more than a year. This comes as the administration addresses district rezoning and selling or repurposing vacant and non-instructional facilities.

The superintendent’s proposal is designed to address present school overcrowding while anticipating future populations trends; school consolidations and closures as new facilities are built; diversity to ensure equity and more effective transportation.

“Once these measures are done,” Mr. Kamras said, “the administration would bring draft proposals to the board and the community, with a goal of having a final proposal ready for approval in October 2019.

“This would give the district just under a year to implement the plan and families will have a full academic year to respond to the changes that may or may not occur.”

Board member Linda Owen, 9th District, expressed excitement about the rezoning plan but cautioned the administration about

student groupings as they progress through the public schools, starting in elementary through high school.

“As the board does this work, we need to make sure the progression from lower school to high school is logical,” Ms. Owen said. “We don’t want to have students who have been with the same group in lower and middle schools, and then send them across the city to a high school with a totally different group of students.”

An Ohio-based demographics firm, Cropper GIS, has been tapped by RPS to evaluate trends and conduct a needs assessment.

School Board Vice Chair Elizabeth “Liz” Doerr, 1st District, was concerned about past rezoning lessons learned and the benefits and shortfalls as they impact the district today.

“Using a demographics firm is very helpful,” Ms. Doerr said, “but sometimes they may not know the pulse of community developments and plans in our respective districts, which may change the forecast.”

Ms. Doerr also wanted to ensure vacant and non-instructional properties are evaluated to make sure tax credits, economic opportunity zones or historical landmark considerations are reviewed before RPS makes decisions on the future of these facilities.

“There are enough smart people in Richmond willing to help us through the structures of selling and making sure the money stays within RPS,” she said.

The board agreed that Mr. Kamras’ proposal was a starting point to make the rezoning process as transparent as possible as the community makes tough decisions.

The plan also included raising funds for new school construction by disposing of vacant and properties that are not used for instruction by selling or renting them.

The vacant properties include the former Norrell Annex, Ruffin Road Elementary School, Clark Springs Elementary School and the former Altria building in South Side. RPS also owns four additional noninstructional facilities — Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, Norrell Elementary School, Facilities/Nutrition and the Transportation Depot — which are all lying dormant.

The district’s bus garage repair center and VATEX Center are rented non-instructional buildings.

The administration will hire an outside consultant specializing in property assessment to help in the determinations.

Mr. Kamras expects to present draft rezoning plans to the School Board and the public sometime between June and September, with approval in October and the new zones to be implemented for the school year starting in August 2020.

It’s a family affair

When the string didn’t work on Sunday to unveil the honorary North Side street sign for the late Clarence L. Townes Jr., Townes family members and friends lifted Mr. Townes’ great-grandson, 8-year-old Ryland Willis, to remove the sign’s covering. A crowd turned out for the honor to the late Richmond business and civic leader who also was chairman of the Richmond School Board for four years. He died in January 2017. Below, the Townes family stands by the sign located at the intersection of Ladies Mile Road and the 3100 block of Hawthorne Avenue.

Photos by Ava Reaves

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019

A3

This Is Us DYDLODEOH DW [Ď› QLW\ FRP VWUHDP

6WUHDP WKH 1HZ 5HQDLVVDQFH :HÇşUH OLYLQJ LQ WKH PLGGOH RI D QHZ 5HQDLVVDQFH RI %ODFN HQWHUWDLQPHQW DQG ZLWK ;Ď&#x203A; QLW\ \RX FDQ ZDWFK LW DOO XQIROG &DWFK WKH HQWHUWDLQPHQW \RX ORYH ZLWK %ODFN )LOP 79 DW KRPH RU RQ WKH JR ZLWK WKH ;Ď&#x203A; QLW\ 6WUHDP DSS 3OXV DFFHVV 1HWĎ? L[ <RX7XEH DQG QRZ 3ULPH 9LGHR GLUHFWO\ IURP \RXU 79 ZLWK ; $OO IURP $PHULFDÇşV EHVW ,QWHUQHW SURYLGHU 7KH QHZ 5HQDLVVDQFH FRPHV WR OLIH ZLWK ;Ď&#x203A; QLW\ Simple. Easy. Awesome.

Get started with 79 ,QWHUQHW 9RLFH

79

$

99

D PRQWK

FOR 2 FULL YEARS :,7+ $ <($5 $*5((0(17

$FFHVV WR 1HWĎ&#x2014; L[ and 3ULPH 9LGHR on X1

6HH KRZ \RX can save with ;Ď&#x2122; QLW\ 0RELOH

Equipment, taxes, and fees extra, and subject to change.

See below for details.

&DOO [Ď&#x2122; QLW\ go to [Ď&#x2122; QLW\ FRP RU YLVLW \RXU ORFDO ;Ď&#x2122; QLW\ 6WRUH WRGD\

Ĺ&#x17E; "/ "+!0 ;c;=c:BC "01/& 1&,+0 --)6C ,1 3 &) )" &+ )) /" 0C "4 /"0&!"+1& ) 201,*"/0 ,+)6C &*&1"! 1, 1%" 1 +! /! /&-)" ) 6C /)6 1"/*&+ 1&,+ #"" --)&"0 &# )) Ĺ&#x153; +&16 0"/3& "0 \,1%"/ 1% + Ĺ&#x153; +&16 , &)"] /" + ")"! !2/&+$ 1%" $/""*"+1 1"/*C .2&-*"+1D &+01 )) 1&,+D 1 5"0 +! #""0D &+ )2!&+$ /, ! 01 "" \2- 1, r:9C99c*,C]D "$&,+ ) -,/10 "" \2- 1, rAC;>c*,C] +! ,1%"/ --)& )" % /$"0 "51/ D +! 02 '" 1 1, % +$" !2/&+$ +! #1"/ $/""*"+1 1"/*C #1"/ $/""*"+1 1"/*D ,/ &# +6 0"/3& " &0 + ")"! ,/ !,4+$/ !"!D /"$2) / / 1"0 --)6C "/3& " )&*&1"! 1, 0&+$)" ,21)"1C 6 +,1 " ,* &+"! 4&1% ,1%"/ ,Ĺ&#x17E; "/0C TV: &*&1"! 0& 0"/3& " 02 0 /&-1&,+ /".2&/"! 1, /" "&3" ,1%"/ )"3")0 ,# 0"/3& "C , "00 "1Ĺ? &5D ,2 2 " +! /&*" &!", ,+ : /".2&/"0 + ")&$& )" 0"1 1,- ,5 4&1% Ĺ&#x153; +&16 +! +1"/+"1 0"/3& "C "1Ĺ? &5 01/" *&+$ +! /&*" &!", 02 0 /&-1&,+0 /".2&/"!C "1Ĺ? &5 +! /&*" &!", 20" 6,2/ +1"/+"1 0"/3& " +! 4&)) ,2+1 $ &+01 +6 Ĺ&#x153; +&16 ! 1 -) +C Internet: "01 +1"/+"1 0"/3& " -/,3&!"/ ) &* 0"! ,+ !,4+), ! 0-""!0 *" 02/"! 6 ,3"/ ::: *&))&,+ 1"010 1 ("+ 6 ,+02*"/0 1 -""!1"01C+"1C 12 ) 0-""!0 3 /6 +! /" +,1 $2 / +1""!C Voice: # 1%"/" &0 -,4"/ ,21 $" ,/ +"14,/( &002"D ))&+$D &+ )2!&+$ ))0 1, B::D * 6 " 2+ 3 &) )"C Mobile: ".2&/"0 -,01W- 6 02 0 /&-1&,+ 1, /"0&!"+1& ) Ĺ&#x153; +&16 +1"/+"1 0"/3& "C "4 Ĺ&#x153; +&16 +1"/+"1 201,*"/0 )&*&1"! 1, 2- 1, 14, )&+"0 -"+!&+$ 1&3 1&,+ ,# +1"/+"1 0"/3& "C )) #,/ /"01/& 1&,+0 +! ,*-)"1" !"1 &)0C g ;9:B ,* 01C )) /&$%10 /"0"/3"!C %" Ĺ&#x153; +&16 , &)" ),$, +! O P ),$, /" 1%" 1/ !"* /(0 ,# ,* 01 ,/-,/ 1&,+ ,/ &10 02 0&!& /&"0C , 0"" 1%" Ĺ&#x153; +&16 , &)" /, ! +! &0 ),02/"0 3&0&1E 444C5Ĺ&#x153; +&16C ,*c*, &)"c-,)& &"0c /, ! +!W!&0 ),02/"0C ;;:@A;W999: W W :W W ;

131222_NPA221782-0001 Renaissance BAU ad V2 11x21.indd 1

1/30/19 1:02 PM

Richmond Free Press

A4 February 7-9, 2019

News

Sen. Cory Booker launches 2020 presidential bid Continued from A1

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras covers the highlights and the areas needing improvements during his State of the Schools address Tuesday night at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

Kamras delivers first State of the Schools address Continued from A1

Mayor Stoney said following the event that he is impressed with the work the RPS administration and School Board have put in thus far.

“It is easy to put information on paper,” Mayor Stoney said. “But they have had the type of community feedback and engagement needed to build true success.”

Mayor Stoney said the city administration must “fund the plan and work with the philanthropic community, nonprofit world and RPS to make the resources happen to get the dollars to make all of these opportunities happen.”

Mr. Kamras noted that renaming J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School in North Side to Barack Obama Elementary was a highlight of the last year, along with increasing

teacher pay by 2 percent and bus drivers’ pay by 10 percent.

“School names are just symbols, but symbols matter, especially when it comes to Richmond’s history and present on race,” Mr. Kamras said.

He said despite the pay raise, Richmond ranks 30th in the nation when it comes to how well it pays teachers. “We are thousands of dollars below the national average, and I hope state lawmakers will see this as a problem and change it.”

Additionally, Mr. Kamras pointed to the district’s commitment to diversity in the classroom and the focus on hiring more African-American male teachers and others of color.

“It is critical that our teaching force reflects the full diversity of our community

and student populations,” he said.

Tiawana Giles, who took over as Carver Elementary School’s principal following a cheating scandal uncovered last May, thought the event was positive. “I think we are doing great things at RPS. With this strong vision and great leader in the superintendent, we are going to make things happen and continue to rise.”

The event featured stories of academic achievement and resilience, as well as performances by the Franklin Military Academy choir, the RPS Harp Ensemble and a George Wythe High School senior, Tanasha Dodson, who sang the national anthem.

“We have nowhere to go but up,” said School Board Chairwoman Dawn Page.

“And I look forward to putting in the work to ensure that happens.”

Mayor Stoney highlights new eviction prevention program Continued from A1

its own deliberations.”

The mayor quickly pivoted, talking up the work being done to add more affordable housing as he seeks to fulfill his pledge to add 1,500 units of lower-rent housing over five years.

In 2018, he noted that he participated in groundbreaking ceremonies for affordable housing developments in Jackson Ward and Church Hill. He also said he just recently cut the ribbon for 300 units of affordable housing in the Port City development in South Side, where developer Tom Wilkinson is transforming a former tobacco complex into a reduced-rent residential center.

Then for the balance of his speech, Mayor Stoney talked up a model eviction diversion effort that the city is to undertake with two nonprofit partners, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia and the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, and the Richmond Circuit Court led by current Chief Judge Joi Jeter Taylor.

Blaming “a punitive and discriminatory state regulatory system” for the problem, Mayor Stoney announced that Richmond would have the first eviction prevention program in the state to help at least some people facing forced displacement from their residences.

To be rolled out later this year, the program would offer financial assistance to struggling tenants, he said, and also involve mediation between landlords and tenants to create binding agreements on the rent owed and a payment plan.

Under the plan, HOME would conduct financial literacy classes that would be mandatory for participating tenants, while Legal Aid is to recruit and train pro bono attorneys to serve as the mediators. A fund also is to be created to accept private donations and possibly a city contribution to provide one-time financial help.

“Through this program, our goal is to cut Richmond’s eviction numbers by hundreds of cases a year,” he said. He praised the proposal as another example of “how collaboration and partnership with the private, public and nonprofit sectors helps our city thrive.”

According to HOME, the program would be designed to serve about 500 tenants a year, still a small fraction of the estimated 6,500 evictions that take place in the city annually.

Richmond was embarrassingly listed as the No. 2 city in the country for evictions, according to a report last year by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, which collected the data on evictions from courts from which it was available. According to the data, nearly one in three Richmond tenants receives an eviction notice each year, with about 40,000 people — one of six residents — being involved in the almost 18,000 eviction lawsuits filed annually in city courts.

Ultimately, nearly two of three of the cases, about 11,500, are settled without eviction, but the Princeton data indicated the remainder result in tenants losing their residence.

“This is what it means to be inclusive,” the mayor said. “This is what makes us more competitive. And that’s what building One Richmond is all about — investing in our people, sharing in our prosperity … and creating a place where people want to live, work and raise a family.

“Richmonders, you march, you volunteer, you organize, you celebrate, you create and you inspire,” he continued. “Our city is more than ready to move on from the past.

“We all have a responsibility to create opportunity and build a supportive community,” he said. “We have a responsibility to make Richmond the most inclusive city so we can be the most competitive city we can be.”

fins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame,” Sen. Booker said in a video message to supporters, subtly jabbing at President Trump.

“It is not a matter of can we. It’s a matter of do we have the collective will, the American will?” he added. “I believe we do.”

Sen. Booker enters what’s shaping up to be a crowded presidential primary, with three of his fellow Democratic senators —Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York — already either declared or exploring a run. But he has spent months telegraphing his intentions to join the race, visiting the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to build connections with key powerbrokers. He already has slated trips back to those states later this month.

Sen. Booker immediately began reaching out to key constituencies, conducting call-in interviews with three radio shows popular with African-American and Latino listeners. He also was a guest later that day on “The View,” a TV talk show popular with female viewers, where his mother was in the audience.

A former mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Sen. Booker won a special election in 2013 to replace Democrat Frank Lautenberg in the U.S. Senate and then won a full Senate term in 2014. He will be able to run for a second full term in 2020 while running for president, thanks to a law that New Jersey’s governor signed in November.

But that doesn’t mean the 49-year-old’s path to the nomination will be easy. As many as five more Democratic senators soon could mount their own primary bids, creating a competition for voters’ attention. And several of Sen. Booker’s rival presidential hopefuls bring higher name recognition to a race that may also feature popular former Vice President Joe Biden.

The affable Sen. Booker, known for his fluency in connecting with voters during an age of selfies and social media, also could face some difficulty winning the hearts of the Democratic base because of his past financial ties to banking and pharmaceutical interests. Sen. Booker said he would stop taking contributions from pharmaceutical companies in 2017, the year that he partnered with potential presidential rival Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont on a bill that would allow importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

He also will likely stand alone as an unmarried candidate, although he brings a compelling personal biography that could help elevate his message that “the only way we can make change is when people come together.”

Sen. Booker’s father grew up in a low-income community in North Carolina, and the senator has recalled his family’s later struggle to settle in suburban New Jersey amid discrimination against African-American homebuyers. The senator has brought a heartfelt and passionate style to his achievements in the Senate, at times fusing his personal spirituality with policy proposals that focus on social justice.

He played a key role in the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that President Trump supported last year, for example, a deal he helped strike two months after sparring with Republicans during the battle over U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.

In his announcement video, Sen. Booker invoked the fight against slavery and the role of immigration in building the nation’s character.

“The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country and those who linked arms to challenge and change it,” he said.

Born in the nation’s capital but raised in New Jersey, Sen. Booker made a name for himself as Newark mayor by personally shoveling the snow of residents. He has $4.1 million left in his campaign coffers that could also be used to assist his presidential run. Rather than opening an exploratory committee to test the waters, Sen. Booker took the direct step to open a campaign seeking the Democratic nomination.

He is aligning with many other prominent Democratic White House contenders by forswearing all donations from corporate political action committees and federal lobbyists to his campaign, dubbed Cory 2020. A prominent Booker supporter, San Francisco attorney Steve Phillips, said he is working on millions of dollars in committed donations to a so-called super PAC that would boost the senator’s candidacy, but Sen. Booker’s campaign is openly against super PACs playing any role in the presidential race.

His campaign manager will be Addisu Demissie, who managed California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign last year and previously worked on Democrat Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential bid. His deputy campaign manager, Jenna Lowenstein, is also a veteran of Mrs. Clinton’s 2016 campaign, while his current Senate chief of staff, Matt Klapper, will serve as a senior campaign adviser.

INDEPENDENCE

NEVER GETS OLD PACE - Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly Healthcare | Social Activities | Transportation PAID ACTOR PORTRAYAL

MyInnovAge.com 804.977.5900 TTY: 711

A5 February 7-9, 2019

Richmond Free Press

News

Fairfax battles sexual assault allegation Continued from A1

particularly after he acknowledged he had a consensual relationship with the woman, now a fellow at Stanford University and a professor at Scripps College, also in California.

By Wednesday, his accuser, Dr. Vanessa Tyson, had hired a lawyer and had gone public with her own lurid account of what happened.

As the National Organization of Women called for the lieutenant governor’s resignation, it was clear that he had suffered damage from the political bombshell.

The allegation has left the General Assembly reeling, particularly the state Senate where Lt. Gov. Fairfax serves as presiding officer and votes to break ties.

In the wake of the Northam situation, the state Democratic Party, as well as the separate Democratic Caucuses in the House and Senate, did not rush to defend Mr. Fairfax, particularly with women being a large share of their membership.

Instead, there were cautious statements, such as this one from the House Democrats: “The facts here are still being determined. Every individual deserves the opportunity to be heard, and we respect anyone who comes forward to share their story.”

The public allegation also was spiced with political intrigue after Big League Politics disclosed that a Richmond friend of Dr. Tyson, Adria Scharf, executive director of the Richmond Peace Education Center, had given them a private email from Dr. Tyson.

Ms. Scharf is married to a University of Richmond professor, Dr. Thad Williamson, who has been a top adviser to Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who is considered a potential rival to Lt. Gov. Fairfax for the governorship.

The initial email did not name the lieutenant governor as Dr. Tyson’s alleged perpetrator, though the political blog indicated that the references were to him and an incident that occurred in 2004.

“Imagine you were sexually assaulted during the DNC Convention in Boston in 2004 by a campaign staffer. You spend the next 13 years trying to forget it ever happened. Until one day you find out he’s the Democratic candidate for statewide office in a state some 3000 miles away, and he wins that election in November 2017,” a post from the reported accuser said, according to the blog. “Then, by strange, horrible luck, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll get a VERY BIG promotion.”

Lt. Gov. Fairfax, a former federal prosecutor, sought to dispel the interest, but only succeeded in stoking the fires with his statements.

“Lt. Governor Fairfax has an outstanding and well-earned reputation for treating people with dignity and respect,” the initial statement from his office read. “He has never assaulted anyone

Reactions to Lt. Gov. Fairfax

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus: “The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus takes all allegations of sexual assault or misconduct with the utmost seriousness.

Given the recent allegations regarding Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, the VLBC will continue to assess this developing situation as more details become available.”

On the night of Friday, February 1, 2019, I read multiple news accounts indicating that Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax would likely be elevated to Governor as an immediate result of a scandal involving Governor Ralph Northam.

This news flooded me with painful memories, bringing back feelings of grief, shame, and anger that stemmed from an incident with Mr. Fairfax that occurred in July 2004 during the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

I met Mr. Fairfax on July 26, 2004, when he and I were working at the Convention. We struck up a conversation on the first day of the Convention and soon realized we had a mutual friend. We crossed paths occasionally during the first two days and our interactions were cordial, but not flirtatious. We commiserated about our long work hours, and on the afternoon of the third day of the Convention, July 28, 2004, Mr. Fairfax suggested that I get some fresh air by accompanying him on a quick errand to retrieve documents from his room in a nearby hotel.

Given our interactions up to that time, I had no reason to feel threatened and agreed to walk with him to his hotel. I stood in the entryway of the room and after he located the documents, he walked over and kissed me. Although surprised by his advance, it was not unwelcome and I kissed him back. He then took my hand and pulled me towards the bed. I was fully clothed in a pantsuit and had no intention of taking my clothes off or engaging in sexual activity. In the back of my mind, I also knew I needed to return to Convention headquarters.

What began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault. Mr. Fairfax put his hand behind my neck and forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch. Only then did I realize that he had unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and taken out his penis. He then forced his penis into my mouth. Utterly shocked and terrified, I tried to move my head away, but could not because his hand was holding down my neck and he was much stronger than me.

As I cried and gagged, Mr. Fairfax forced me to perform oral sex on him. I cannot believe, given my obvious distress, that Mr. Fairfax thought this forced sexual act was consensual. To be very clear, I did not want to engage in oral sex with Mr. Fairfax and I never gave any form of consent. Quite the opposite. I consciously avoided

— ever — in any way, shape, or form.”

The statement from Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s office also noted that the Washington Post had been approached by his accuser, but that the newspaper did not publish anything because the allegation could not be corroborated.

But the statement also alleged the newspaper had found significant “red flags and inconsistencies” with Dr. Tyson’s claims, prompting The Post to publish a story providing far more detail about the allegation and denying that it had found any such problems. Instead, the newspaper said that it had not been able to corroborate the story.

Additional comments from Mr. Fairfax, which sought to discredit Dr. Tyson, only led her to comment further.

Supporters of the lieutenant governor cautioned fellow Virginians not to draw quick conclusions.

The Post, which was told in 2017 of the allegations by the Stanford Fellow, said it never wrote a story about the assertion after several months of investigating, including interviewing the accuser and hearing from Lt. Gov. Fairfax.

There was nothing to “corroborate” the woman’s story, The Post said in its story.

“As I have stated previously, fifteen years ago, when I was an unmarried law student, I had a consensual encounter with the woman who made the allegation,” Lt. Gov. Fairfax said in a statement issued from his office Wednesday afternoon.

“At no time did she express to me any discomfort or concern about our interactions, neither during the encounter, nor during the months following it, when she stayed in touch with me, nor during the past fifteen years,” he said.

Mr. Fairfax said the first “indication” he had that she had some concern about their 2004 encounter was when he was contacted by a national media organization before his inauguration in January 2018.

In a detailed statement purportedly written

by Dr. Tyson and released by the Katz, Marshall and Banks, the same Washington firm that represented professor Christine Blasey Ford in her allegations against U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, Dr. Tyson offered a graphic, detailed recollection of what she said occurred on that day in Boston.

Dr. Tyson stated, “What began as consensual kissing quickly turned into sexual assault.” She then detailed what she said was him forcing her to have oral sex. She described herself as “utterly shocked and terrified,” adding she “cried and gagged.”

In telling The Post her story in 2017, Dr. Tyson said there were no other people present in the hotel room that day and no one could verify her account of Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s alleged actions.

House and Senate Democratic Caucuses: “The facts here are still being determined.

Every individual deserves the opportunity to be heard, and we respect anyone who comes forward to share their story.”

Virginia Democratic Party: “All allegations of sexual assault deserve to be taken with profound gravity. We will continue to evaluate the situation regarding Lt. Gov. Fairfax.”

Statement of Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Released Wednesday, Feb. 6

GOP Delegate Kirk Cox of Colonial Heights, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates: “The allegations of sexual assault against Lt. Gov. Fairfax are extremely serious. The lieutenant governor, the alleged victim and Virginians all deserve a full airing of the facts.

“The belated admission from Attorney General Herring is shocking. He should adhere to the standard he has set for others or he

Statement of Dr. Vanessa Tyson Released Wednesday, Feb. 6 Mr. Fairfax for the remainder of the Convention and I never spoke to him again.

After the assault, I suffered from both deep humiliation and shame. I did not speak about it for years, and I (like most survivors) suppressed those memories and emotions as a necessary means to continue my studies, and to pursue my goal of building a successful career as an academic. At the time, I found this horrific incident especially degrading given my regular volunteer work at a local rape crisis center. Over the next decade or so, I would go onto earn my PhD from the University of Chicago and become a tenured professor at Scripps College, a prestigious women’s college in Claremont, California.

Years later, in October of 2017, I saw a picture of Mr. Fairfax accompanying an article in The Root about his campaign for Lt. Governor in Virginia. The image hit me like a ton of bricks, triggering buried traumatic memories and the feelings of humiliation I’d felt so intensely back in 2004. Prior to reading the article, I had not followed Mr. Fairfax’s career and did not know that he was seeking public office. Unsure of what to do, I felt it was crucial to tell close friends of mine in Virginia, who were voters, about the assault.

That October, as the #MeToo movement intensified, women throughout the world began forcefully speaking out about the sexual violence they had experienced and the impact of those experiences on their lives. The courage of so many women coming forward to confront powerful men and systems that allow such abuse to occur are part of what inspired me to action. I felt a responsibility to myself, the beloved students I teach, and the brave women I’ve tried to help overcome their own trauma. The passion and resolve of so many survivors, coupled with the

job security that tenure afforded me, gave me the strength I simply did not have in 2004. By December 2017, I not only told many friends that Mr. Fairfax had sexually assaulted me but I also reached out to a personal friend at The Washington Post and spoke to his colleague about the assault.

After The Washington Post decided in March 2018 not to run my story, I felt powerless, frustrated, and completely drained. Again I tried to bury memories of this painful incident and focus on my work and my students.

On Friday, February 1, 2019, as stories appeared in the media suggesting that Governor Northam would have to resign and that Mr. Fairfax would be sworn in as Governor, I felt a jarring sense of both outrage and despair.

That night I vented my frustration on Facebook in a message that I wrote as a private post. I did not identify Lt. Governor Fairfax by name but stated that it seemed inevitable that the campaign staffer who assaulted me during the Democratic Convention in 2004 was about to get a big promotion. It was not my intention in that moment to inject myself into what has become a much larger political battle.

The following morning, I was inundated with messages of care and concern from friends — including many I had told about the sexual assault — and numerous inquiries from journalists who had become aware of my post. Over the weekend, I was undecided about whether to speak out publicly. I knew that if I did so, I would immediately face accusations about my motives and be branded a liar, as is routinely the case when women come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against prominent men.

On Sunday night, before I had time to decide on a course of action, an online publication

loses credibility.

“Our diverse Commonwealth has been deeply shaken by these developments, but nonetheless remains economically vibrant, fiscally sound, safe and secure.

“We have weathered the storms of four centuries and will weather this one as well.

We continue to pray for Virginia during this difficult time.” published a screenshot of my Facebook post, identified me by name, and posted pictures of me.

In response, at 2:55 a.m. on February 4, 2019, Mr. Fairfax issued a statement further escalating this matter by calling me a liar and falsely characterizing the reasons The Washington Post decided not to run a story about my allegations.

The Post was forced to repudiate Mr. Fairfax’s statement that there were “significant red flags and inconsistencies within the allegations” which led it to decide not to publish a story about my account. Rather, as is often the case in situations where sexual assault by an acquaintance occurs behind closed doors years earlier, it is difficult to corroborate either the victim’s allegations or the accused’s denials.

Mr. Fairfax’s suggestion that The Washington Post found me not to be credible was deceitful, offensive, and profoundly upsetting.

He has continued a smear campaign by pointing reporters to a 2007 educational video in which I talked about being the victim of incest and molestation. In that video I did not talk about being assaulted by Mr. Fairfax. This, of course, is not proof that he did not assault me.

His reliance on this video to say the opposite is despicable and an offense to sexual assault survivors everywhere.

Since October 2017 when I first began telling friends about the assault, I have never wavered in my account because I am telling the truth. I have no political motive. I am a proud Democrat.

My only motive in speaking now is to refute Mr. Fairfax’s falsehoods and aspersions of my character, and to provide what I believe is important information for Virginians to have as they make critical decisions that involve Mr. Fairfax.

With tremendous anguish, I am now sharing this information about my experience and setting the record straight. It has been extremely difficult to relive that traumatic experience from 2004.

Mr. Fairfax has tried to brand me as a liar to a national audience, in service to his political ambitions, and has threatened litigation. Given his false assertions, I’m compelled to make clear what happened. I very much wish to resume my life as an academic and professor. I do not want to get further embroiled in this highly charged political environment.

This is the only statement I and my legal team will be making.

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019 A6

Local News Reactions to Gov. Northam Virginia Legislative Black Caucus: “We amplify our call for the governor to resign. As we stated yesterday (Friday, Feb. 1), we met with the governor, looked him in the eye and expressed our deep sense of betrayal, pain and disappointment. During our meeting, both the members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and Gov. Northam were direct and honest with each other.

“In light of his public admission and apology for his decision to appear in the photo, he has irrevocably lost the faith and trust of the people he was elected to serve. Changing his public story today (Saturday, Feb. 2) now casts further doubt on his ability to regain that trust.

“At a critical juncture in this legislative session, we need to focus on the important work of governing. We cannot continue this work with Gov. Northam at the helm. The damage that has been done by these revelations is irreparable. Our confidence in his ability to govern for the over 8 million Virginians has been eviscerated.

“Another moment should not pass before we hear Gov. Northam do the honorable thing and resign.”

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder: “I stated earlier that Gov. Northam’s continuing in office was his choice to make. It is difficult for anyone who watched the press conference today (Saturday, Feb. 2) to conclude that he has any other choice … but to resign.”

Susan Swecker, chair of the Virginia Democratic Party: “We stand with Democrats across Virginia and the country calling him to immediately resign. He no longer has our confidence or our support. Gov. Northam must end this chapter immediately, step down and let Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax heal Virginia’s wounds and move us forward. We can think of no better person than Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax to do so.”

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, center, is swarmed by reporters Monday inside the Capitol Rotunda as he responds to an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2004. He has denied the allegation.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Left, Protesters gather outside the Executive Mansion on Saturday morning demanding the resignation of Gov. Ralph S. Northam. Right, Gov. Ralph S. Northam backpedals during a news conference at the Executive Mansion on Saturday, saying that he is not either of the two people in the racist photo that was published on his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page. Standing by his side is his wife, First Lady Pam Northam.

Virginia State Conference NAAACP: “The Executive Committee of the Virginia State Conference NAACP voted Saturday, Feb. 2 to forcefully demand Ralph Northam to immediately resign.

Given recent news accounts about and statements made by Ralph Northam, the Virginia State Conference NAACP (is) saddened about this situation.

Our sadness and that of so many Virginians can be summed up in one term: Trust Betrayed for so many African Americans and others who voted for Ralph Northam; for those who believed in voting for honest politicians; for those who believed in fairness and for those who believed in the American dream.

After resigning, we ask Ralph Northam, his successor, legislators, other public officials along with Virginia’s most powerful corporate leaders to work with the state NAACP’s leaders in genuine efforts to restore trust for African-Americans and others.”

Virginians shaken as the top 3 officials are embroiled in controversy Continued from A1

now. This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians’ faith in that commitment,” he stated.

He pledged to do everything he could to restore the public’s trust in him.

But at a Saturday news conference, Gov. Northam recanted the apology.

Instead, the 59-year-old genial pediatric neurosurgeon with a reedy voice urged people to trust his word that he was not one of the two people in the photo, a position that began gaining support this week as published reports began surfacing in which former classmates agreed that other students were in the photo.

Gov. Northam, who also was criticized for dressing up as a plantation owner at Halloween, said at the news conference that he had never seen the photo because he finished medical school and started a residency program with the Army Medical Corps in San Antonio, Texas, and did not purchase a copy.

The governor also said that while he blackened his cheeks with shoe polish later that year in dressing up like his favorite entertainer, Michael Jackson, to compete in and win a dance contest in San Antonio, he said he was certain the yearbook photo was not his and that he was not one of the two people pictured.

As the governor fought to clear his name, he gained unexpected relief from the controversy when Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax and Attorney General Mark R. Herring both came under their own clouds.

Late Sunday, Lt. Gov. Fairfax, 39, suddenly became embroiled in an equally explosive controversy regarding a sexual encounter at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston with Dr. Vanessa Tyson, now a California university professor. Dr. Tyson now publicly claims Lt. Gov. Fairfax, forced her to perform oral sex after they went to his hotel room.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax, a single Columbia University law student at the time, was working on a political campaign.

By Tuesday, the lieutenant governor had displaced Gov. Northam in the headlines as he sought to defend himself. Lt. Gov. Fairfax insisted the encounter with Dr. Tyson was consensual after Big League Politics also spread the information based on an email the blog said was provided by a Richmond friend of Dr. Tyson, Adria Scharf, executive director of the Richmond Peace Education Center and wife of Dr. Thad Williamson, a University of Richmond professor who has been a top adviser to a potential gubernatorial rival of Lt. Gov. Fairfax, Mayor Levar M. Stoney.

Then on Wednesday, Mr. Herring, 57, who had urged the governor to resign in favor of Lt. Gov. Fairfax, issued an unexpected admission about his own blackface episode.

Mr. Herring said in 1980 when he was a 19year-old college student, he and friends “dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup” and went to a party portraying “rappers they listened to at the time, like Kurtis Blow.”

Mr. Herring, who immediately resigned as cochair of the Democratic Attorney Generals Association, called his actions a product of “our ignorance and glib attitudes” and a lack of “appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others.”

He said in the years since, the memory has caused him “deep regret and shame,” though he added that the past conduct “is in no way reflective of the man I have become in the nearly 40 years since.”

The upheaval has come amid a fast-moving General Assembly session when Gov. Northam is a key player in shaping legislation and Lt. Gov. Fairfax presides over the state Senate.

Amid the new revelations, Gov. Northam was bolstered by Republican House Speaker Kirk Cox’s public statement Monday that the yearbook photo could not be considered an impeachable offense and the fact that the governor’s aides and members of his cabinet have stuck with him rather than resigning. He is soldiering on.

On Tuesday, for example, Gov. Northam quietly signed legislation providing a $750 million package of incentives for Amazon, which plans to open part of its East Coast headquarters in Northern Virginia.

For those who denounced the governor in the wake of the photo — particularly a wide swatch of elected Democrats near and far — it was simpler when they could take an unforgiving stance solely involving Gov. Northam.

Take the 21-member Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, which has urged the governor to resign and end the turmoil.

“We amplify our call for the governor to resign,” the Caucus stated Saturday after listening to Gov. Northam’s press conference. “He has irrevocably lost the faith and trust of the people.

Changing his story now casts further doubt on his ability to gain that trust.”

But the Caucus is among many looking for a fallback position with the new revelations involving the two other top Democratic leaders, notably Lt. Gov. Fairfax, who is first in line to succeed to the office if Gov. Northam resigns.

The Caucus, led by Henrico Delegate Lamont Bagby, did not comment Wednesday on how their members will deal with a governor they have labeled a pariah, but whom they might have to work with. Most of the Richmond legislative delegation also didn’t comment. The only response has come from Delegate Betsy B. Carr, D-69th, who responded on her plan of action with Gov. Northam remaining in office: “As I have always done, I will support and advocate for legislation that helps my constituents and the Commonwealth. I work each and every day to improve the lives of Virginians, and I will continue to do that.”

At this point, it appears the African-American community is far from unanimous. Some want Gov. Northam to stay on the job, while others continue to call for his resignation.

For example, two African-American pastors in the Richmond area, Bishop Charles A. West and the Rev. Dwayne E. Whitehead, told the Free Press they do not believe the governor should resign.

“I don’t think that something that happened 35 years ago should dictate what happens to us now. We are not the same person we were,” Bishop West said.

“Who of us does not have things that we did as immature youths that we now regret?” asked Rev. Whitehead.

Others expressed similar views.

“This reaction to that photo is overblown,” said Jacqueline German, who has an office cleaning business. “I don’t really care what happened 35 years ago. I care about what is happening now.

Gov. Northam has done some good things, and I want him to continue doing his job.”

It is still murky as to how much fallout there will be from the yearbook photo.

The College of William & Mary rescinded its invitation to Gov. Northam to attend Friday’s inauguration of its new president at its Charter Day ceremony.

Whether Gov. Northam will face similar rejection from other institutions and organizations that traditionally would want him to participate remains to be seen.

For now, there are only questions. Will he find himself barred from attending the National Governors Association and be struck from the list of potential graduation speakers at Virginia’s public universities?

Will executives of businesses that are opening or expanding in Virginia want to appear with him?

Can he still raise money to help Democratic candidates during the upcoming General Assembly elections in which Democrats were seeking to take control of the legislature from Republicans? Or will the Democratic Party nominees run away from him?

Whatever the future holds, Gov. Northam appeared to spell out his approach to life in his inaugural address when he urged his listeners to embrace hope.

“Hope is not just a source of comfort for the afflicted,” he said. “It is a wellspring of energy to fight for a better tomorrow, no matter what the odds.”

Imperial plaza celebrates choices.

Whether you’re looking for a carefree lifestyle or need support with daily activities, Imperial Plaza has an option for you.

Imperial Plaza’s new management invites you to experience our improved community.

Schedule your tour today.

800.841.7250

All-inclusive rates starting at $995

*for a limited time on select apartments IND E P E N D E N T L I V I N G � ASS I ST E D L IVING � ME MO RY CARE

Imperial Plaza - A Richmond Tradition

17 1 7 B e l l ev u e Ave � R i c h m o n d , VA 2 3 2 27 8 00. 841 .725 0 � www. ip s en io r liv in g .co m

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019

A7

Local News

EVMS dean, who shut down yearbook in 2013, launches investigation into racist photos

By Marcia Felick

NORFOLK As Gov. Ralph S. Northam weighed his political future after a racist photo on his 1984 medical school yearbook page surfaced last week, Eastern Virginia Medical School officials held a press conference Tuesday in Norfolk to address the school’s investigation surrounding that photo and others that have since been brought to light.

The photo on Gov. Northam’s page pictured someone in blackface next to a person in a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe. After first apologizing Friday for being one of the people in the photo, he said on Saturday that he was not either of the people in the photo, but admitted to wearing blackface in a dance contest in 1984 to imitate Michael Jackson.

CNN and other news outlets have reported that yearbook and others at EVMS also contained other racist or otherwise offensive photos.

Calls for Gov. Northam to resign have intensified. But questions have also arisen about how the photos came to be published in the first place.

Dr. Richard Homan, president and provost of EVMS, told reporters at Tuesday’s news conference that he had not had any conversations with the governor about the photos and did not know who was pictured in the photo on Gov.

Northam’s page. He said the medical school takes full responsibility for the publication of the yearbooks.

He apologized on behalf of the medical school for past yearbooks that have contained “shockingly abhorrent pictures that are antithetical to the values and principles of our professions.

“Some are shockingly racist, some are repugnant and others are unprofessional and inappropriate,” Dr. Homan said.

But he said the buck stops with medical school Dr. Homan leaders.

(Dr. Homan stopped the yearbook’s publication when he arrived in 2013 and was shown photos in the most recent book of three men dressed in Confederate uniforms and standing in front of the Confederate battle flag.)

“This was the ultimate responsibility of our institution — EVMS — and not of the students,” he said. Oversight, he said he has been told, was a blended mix of student and faculty and differed each year of the yearbook.

“It was bootstrapped from limited resources with faculty and students that were very closely knit,” Dr. Homan said.

Dr. Homan said EVMS has established a

community advisory board to perform an independent assessment of the culture and operations of EVMS. Gilbert Bland, the immediate past chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and president and chief executive officer of Urban League of Hampton Roads, will chair the board.

Among other board members is Dr. L.D. Britt, chair of surgery at EVMS and former past president of the American College of Surgeons.

Richard Cullen, a former Virginia attorney general and U.S. attorney in Virginia, from the law firm of McGuireWoods, also has been hired to conduct a detailed, third-party investigation.

The law firm and the advisory board will work together and a single report will be issued to the board and made available to the public, Dr. Homan said.

He added that there will be no more yearbooks since the last one published in 2013.

Mekbib Gemeda, EVMS vice president for diversity and inclusion, described the ongoing diversity efforts at the medical school.

“I believe we have made significant efforts in the past six years at this institution to advance diversity and inclusion,” he told reporters.

Among the efforts has been adoption of holistic review in the admissions process, training the

admissions committee to look at all the qualities applicants bring to the institution beyond academic metrics.

“We doubled the number of minority students in our MD program in the past two years, reaching 20 percent of the last two classes,” he added.

The school is also increasing pipeline efforts at high schools to attract particularly more African-American students into medical professions, he said.

Everyone at the university from staff to leadership to faculty to trainees has been required to take implicit bias training.

“Our board of visitors may be one of the few boards in the nation at medical schools that has undergone implicit-bias training,” he said.

Asked by a reporter how many offensive, inappropriate, or racist photos had appeared in the EVMS yearbooks, Dr. Homan said he could not give a number, but he could say that “one is sufficient for me to be alarmed.”

“I’m only in this chair as president and dean for a short time, but I carry the torch of Hippocrates, of medical ethics, of compassion, of empathy, of integrity of our profession,” Dr. Homan said. “And so when that is threatened, I have to take action as a physician, as every physician would do.”

Medscape Medical News © 2019 Partial statement released Wednesday, Feb. 6

‘It’s a real tragedy’

Virginia political icon Dr. William Ferguson Reid reacts

By Reginald Stuart

Dr. William Ferguson Reid Sr. may have stepped down from the ranks of Virginia’s political leaders, but the retired surgeon and pioneer in modern Virginia politics has his attention glued to the controversies surrounding the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

He said he sees a highstakes political game at play, with Democrats risking all of their recent political gains in the process.

“I think it’s a real tragedy,” said Dr. Reid, 93, who now lives in Southern California with his wife, Jackie, and near their son, Dr. William Ferguson Reid Jr., also a physician.

He said too many progressive lawmakers are afraid of short-term political losses by sticking with Gov. Northam and that too few are putting the perceived damage in social and historical context.

“They (Democrats and other progressives) don’t want him (Gov. Northam) to be an anchor around their necks,” said Dr. Reid, who in 1968 became the first African-American elected to the Virginia General Assembly since Reconstruction.

The Richmond native spent five years in the House of Delegates and more than 50 years engaged in Virginia politics. He was one of the three founders of the Richmond Crusade for Voters in 1956.

“Republicans are going to use this over and over,” Dr. Reid said of the racist yearbook

photograph. “The a 25-year-old medionly way we can cal school student in stop this is if (Gov. Norfolk at the time, Northam) resigns,” would be in such a Dr. Reid said. picture comes as no “I have not seen surprise, Dr. Reid any racist tendencies said. “He was probon his part,” Dr. ably just going along Reid said of Gov. to get along,” Dr. Dr. Reid Northam, suggesting Reid suggested. that lawmakers should think Dr. Reid learned later about harder about their push to oust Attorney General Mark R. Gov. Northam.

Herrings disclosure that he, He said anyone who knows too, had gone in blackface to a Virginia history should know college party in 1980 when he Gov. Northam grew up in a rural was a 19-year-old student at the part of Eastern Virginia long University of Virginia. known for its Ku Klux Klan “Maybe I need to come activity. That Gov. Northam, back and run for governor,”

Dr. Reid joked. “I’m already in blackface.”

On the heels of the Northam disclosure, which has triggered widespread criticism and calls for the governor to resign, came a claim by a woman that she was sexually assaulted by Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax shortly after she met him in 2004 at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

Lt. Gov. Fairfax has denied the allegation as baseless, saying their sexual encounter was consensual.

“It’s just her word against his word,” Dr. Reid said. “I just give him the benefit of the doubt.”

BLACK HISTORY. PASS IT ON.

What’s the path forward?

The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, is hosting a discussion on race and reconciliation at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Allix B. James Chapel in Coburn Hall on Virginia Union University’s campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St. Several area religious leaders and elected officials have been invited to participate in the discussion, “Reflections on Faith, Community and Racial Reconciliation in the Commonwealth” that was called in light of revelations about blackface incidents involving Gov. Ralph S. Northam and Attorney General Mark R. Herring.

“Now more than ever, we must convene a conversation regarding a path to move forward,” the announcement stated.

Details: VUU, (804) 2575600 or www.vuu.edu.

Pass on your stories, your knowledge and your love.

AARP celebrates Black History Month. Learn more at aarp.org/blackcommunity.

Richmond Free Press

Rain-kissed holly in West End

Editorial Page

A8

February 7-9, 2019

Surprised, no.

Sickened, yes.

Is it white privilege, white hubris or just plain arrogance that keeps Gov. Ralph S. Northam in office well after most reasonable Virginians — and people across the nation — believe it is time for him to exit?

Last Friday, Gov. Northam apologized for appearing in either blackface or in full KKK regalia in a photo published on his 1984 medical school yearbook page. But at a press conference on Saturday, Gov. Northam expected us to believe his disjointed explanation that the photo wasn’t him, even as he confessed that he had blackened his cheeks with shoe polish to moonwalk and win a Michael Jackson dance contest later in 1984 during his Army medical residency in San Antonio.

Despite the voices from within his own Democratic Party and from people across Virginia and the nation, Gov. Northam refuses to resign from office. He said while both blackface episodes were wrong, he says that’s not the man he is now.

Adding to the sheer ridiculousness of the moment, Gov. Northam, in response to a reporter’s question, momentarily considered showing the roomful of reporters and a live national television audience that he could still moonwalk until his wife gave him a “Don’t you dare” look. He then said, “My wife says inappropriate circumstances.”

To add further insult, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring on Wednesday confessed to browning his face as a 19-year-old college student in 1980 to attend a party dressed like rapper Kurtis Blow.

There is so much that is hurtful, harmful and humiliating about Mr. Herring’s revelation and Gov. Northam’s actions, weak apology and weaker story that he expected Virginians to swallow.

Is this the time we do like the police with the gun buy-back programs and ask everyone to turn in their KKK robes and blackface party props by a deadline or face future punishment?

Is now the time to, like in South Africa, convene truth and reconciliation panels to finally deal with the festering sores from the past and the current crisis?

By 1984 and at age 25, Gov. Northam should have known that dressing up in blackface — no matter the circumstance — is not cute or funny, but flagrantly racist and insensitive.

He is so wrapped up in white privilege that he, at age 59, is just as clueless as he was at 25. That is why he cannot expect his inadequate, unconvincing account to allow him to remain in office.

Gov. Northam must resign.

This debacle illustrates just how deep, dark — and often hidden — the chasm of race is in Virginia and the nation, particularly when it comes to people and politicians like Gov. Northam and Mr. Herring who we believed were more enlightened.

And it shows exactly why there is resistance even among our so-called political “friends” to accomplishing what we consider “basic,” such as taking down the statues of Confederate slaveowners and traitors on Monument Avenue and eliminating the state’s Lee-Jackson holiday and replacing it with a day all people can get behind.

And while pictures do sting, as noted by Dr. Veronica Coleman, pastor of New Jerusalem Ministries of Virginia Beach, it is the racist policies enacted and sanctioned that bring lasting damage to our families and communities — like separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border; like marking housing applications with a “c” and refusing to rent to AfricanAmericans or people of color; like black women being three to four times more likely to die in childbirth in the United States than white women; like creating the school-to-prison pipeline by calling in school resource officers to handle problems that used to be taken care of in the principal’s office; like treating opioid addiction as a health problem in the white community while drug problems in the African-American community are turned over to the criminal justice system; like systematically denying the right to vote to all felons who have completed their time and are back working in the community.

These are just a few examples of the insidious racist practices plaguing our state and our nation, in part, because the governors, judges, doctors, school and government officials who pay lip service to fairness, justice and diversity are still deep-down inside that 25-year-old yukking it up in blackface and KKK robes or partying in blackface like they are rappers.

For Virginians, the events of the last few days have been a lesson in power. No one ever concedes power. Even Hitler killed himself rather than give up power, an EVMS graduate reminds us.

The timing of all of this, coupled with the sudden surfacing of allegations against Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, raises serious questions about what forces within or outside the Democratic Party are behind it all and the resulting chaos.

Nonetheless, Gov. Northam would rather selfishly stay in office, hurting not only himself and whatever legacy he hoped for, but the image of the Commonwealth he has sworn to serve and claims to dearly love. He has betrayed the AfricanAmerican community and others who have supported him, and continues to harm his fellow Democrats and their future prospects for election by dragging this out. He cannot function effectively as Virginia’s governor when he has lost the confidence of Virginians and has no support either from his own political party or the Republicans who still control the General Assembly.

Gov. Northam must resign.

Through the decades and even now, white people come to us seeking forgiveness and absolution so they can feel better. But then they turn around and commit another racist and insensitive offense showing that they really don’t understand what’s wrong.

When asked at Saturday’s press conference if he would take the offensive Confederate statues down, Gov. Northam waffled. He waffled again when asked what he would do to eliminate the Lee-Jackson holiday. It is clear he doesn’t see atonement as an important step in regaining the trust of the people he has hurt.

Yes, we believe in forgiveness. White people have made us good at that. But this is not an altar call. This is about what, who and how we want to lead our Commonwealth now and into the future.

Yes, the dialogue on race must continue, and we hope Gov. Northam will be an integral part of the effort, only not as the state’s chief executive but as a private citizen.

The time for new leadership is now. Clean out your desk, Gov. Northam. Move out of the mansion. Turn the keys of government over to the next person in line.

You can go home now.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Who really won the Super Bowl?

As far as I’m concerned, neither of the teams on the field won the Super Bowl. Something wonderful happened along the way, and we had a consciousness-raising event.

So many who could have been performers for the halftime show said “No” to invitations to be there. Others made it known they would not perform if asked because they are supporting former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

What they did was spectacular. But the issue is bigger than Mr. Kaepernick. They were making a score for black dignity. Some of them have made mistakes in the past, but on this issue, they’re right.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell claims that NFL teams don’t believe Mr. Kaepernick could win games for them. A similar excuse is one many of us have heard all of our lives when it comes to getting an opportunity to try. Even when

we have super proven skills and a massive amount of education and training above our competitors, we often lose to those who are inferior on all accounts.

I’ve had my problems with some of those who are supporting the cause for which Mr. Kaepernick took a knee. But their speaking out now says

Dr. E. Faye Williams to me they at least know right from wrong.

I’m not so sure if others get it — whether they understand the power of unity. Jermaine Dupri didn’t have to support the event. His work already is well known and appreciated by many people. He already has earned a lot of money, so why? The Super Bowl needs people like him more than he needs the Super Bowl. It’s no sacrifice for him to support the cause. But instead, he chose to host a concert series called Super Bowl Live. I guess social justice has no meaning for him.

Maybe nobody told those who insisted upon performing that Mr. Kaepernick does not

protest for himself. He does it to raise awareness of police brutality, racial inequality and other social issues.

The performer that hurts most is Gladys Knight, who sang the national anthem. I realize Atlanta is her hometown, but she didn’t need the exposure. She has long been a superstar.

Those who refused to support the Super Bowl are the real winners. I can only hope that those who could not resist performing will do something to redeem themselves.

In the black community, we always have important causes for which we have to fight, so all is not lost for them. They can still help to do something good for Black America. There is a bill in Congress on Voting Rights and Anti-Corruption they can support.

Bennett College urgently needs funds to stay open, as do many historically black colleges and universities.

Congresswoman Lucy McBath from Atlanta already has challengers for the next election after winning her race in November. She could use early support to protect her seat. U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is leading the Democratic

presidential nomination race and could use help. The Progressive National Baptists need support for their campaign against Wells Fargo for causing so many in the black community to lose their homes. They ask that we stop banking with Wells Fargo.

The National Congress of Black Women, National Black Alliance and Clear the Airwaves need help with the Respect Us campaign by refraining from spending money with McDonald’s, Subway Restaurants, Kohl’s, JC Penney’s and Adidas so long as they spend their advertising dollars on radio stations that play hateful, derogatory and misogynistic rap.

Those are some of the ways all of us win something bigger than the Super Bowl.

The writer is national president of the National Congress of Black Women.

Richmond Free Press 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496 FAX (804) 643-7519 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, VA 23261 ______________

Lifting workers with wages “In my inaugural, I laid down the simple proposition that nobody is going to starve in this country. It seems to me to be equally plain that no business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country.

By ‘business,’ I mean the whole of commerce as well as the whole of industry; by workers I mean all workers, the white collar class as well as the men in overalls; and by living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level. I mean the wages of decent living.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt upon signing the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933 Nowhere in the country can a full-time worker earning the federal or state minimum wage afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent.

One in nine U.S. workers are paid wages that can leave them in poverty, even when working full time.

Over the last 40 years, wages for the lowest paid workers have barely budged, while wages for the wealthiest have more than tripled.

In a nation that calls itself the land of opportunity, where we claim as a value an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, our dismally insufficient federal minimum wage is practically a crime. That’s why the National Urban League has thrown its support behind legislation recently introduced by

Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott of Virginia, the Raise the Wage Act of 2019.

The bill would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2024, index future minimum wage increases to median wage growth and guarantee that all workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum

Marc H. Morial wages for tipped workers, youth workers and workers with disabilities.

Had the minimum wage kept pace with worker productivity since the 1940s, it would be just under $22 per hour — more than triple what it is now. Instead, the vast majority of the gains from that increased productivity have gone to the wealthiest. The average CEO pay is 271 times the average pay of the typical American worker. In 1978, CEO earnings were about 30 times the typical worker’s salary.

The Urban League Movement has long advocated for a federally mandated living wage tied to the rate of inflation, and it is a central element of our comprehensive blueprint for eliminating economic disparity, The Main Street Marshall Plan.

A fair living wage not only raises the living standards of workers, but also stimulates the economy to benefit the nation as a whole.

When he signed the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933 in the throes of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked skeptics to consider “the improvement of operating figures by greatly

increased sales to be expected from the rising purchasing power of the public.”

In fact, researchers estimate that a 10 percent increase in the minimum wage would increase sales by around $2 billion each year.

Raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2024 would lift wages for 41 million American workers, including 40 percent of all African-American workers. The average age of workers who will benefit from the bill is 36.

Contrary to claims by opponents of a fair federal living wage, moderate increases in the minimum wage have little to no impact on employment. A University of California at Berkeley study last year examined the effect of minimum wage increases in six cities and found pay increases for workers had no significant employment reductions. A more extensive study by the London School of Economics examined the impact of 138 separate minimum wage increases implemented between 1979 and 2016, and found no overall reduction in low wage jobs.

Income inequality in the United States is out of control and threatens not just economic stability of our nation, but our democracy itself. Full-time workers shouldn’t live in poverty anywhere, but especially not in the wealthiest nation on earth.

The Raise the Wage Act would bring the federal minimum wage in line with economic reality and bring us closer to the promise of the American Dream.

The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League.

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.

Founder Raymond H. Boone President – Publisher Jean P. Boone

jeanboone@richmondfreepress.com

Managing Editor Bonnie V. Winston bonniewinston@richmondfreepress.com

Vice President – New Business Development Raymond H. Boone Jr.

jrboone@richmondfreepress.com

Vice President – News Enhancement Jeremy M. Lazarus

jeremylazarus@richmondfreepress.com

Vice President – Production April A. Coleman

aprilcoleman@richmondfreepress.com

Staff Writers Fred Jeter, Frances Crutchfield Hazel Trice Edney Photographers Sandra Sellars

sandrasellars@richmondfreepress.com

Regina H. Boone

reginaboone@richmondfreepress.com

James Haskins, Rudolph Powell and Clinton A. Strane ______________

Vice President – Administration Tracey L. Oliver traceyoliver@richmondfreepress.com

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

Advertising Fax: (804) 643-5436 National Advertising Representative NNPA ______________

Distribution Reed Marshall LLC ______________

Richmond Free Press is published weekly by Paradigm Communications, Inc. Copies of the Richmond Free Press (one copy per person) are free of charge at outlets in the Richmond area. Back copies are available at the Free Press office at $3 per copy. Bulk orders can be made prior to any upcoming edition at special rates.

A Publication of

PARADIGM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

422 East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496

Follow the Free Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019

A9

Letters to the Editor

Free Press readers speak on Gov. Ralph S. Northam Does Gov. Ralph S. Northam have no human decency? The blackface and the Ku Klux Klan outfit each alone speak of racism. Shown together, they speak clearly of racist intent.

This was in 1984.

Where was Gov. Northam’s family in the 1960s? Did they not witness via television or in newspapers the horrors that people fighting for civil rights were being subjected to? Four little girls were blown up in a church by the KKK. A white Episcopal priest was gunned down in Montgomery, Ala., by the KKK because he was with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s group.

Civil rights workers were murdered and buried in an earthen dam. Other civil rights marchers were beaten up on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

And on April 4, 1968, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis, Tenn., by the same type of evil racists.

Did Gov. Northam’s family instill in him these same evil racist ideals?

Now in 2019, Gov. Northam wants to have a conversation about race. The only conversation that Gov. Northam needs to have with the people of Virginia is the one in which he tells us that he has resigned as governor of Virginia!

Naomi Gayle Saunders Richmond • “We believe in the ability of people to grow and change. We have seen it countless times in our Dismantling Racism Workshops and in the relationships we have built across the state. After considering Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s actions and apologies, we believe the reflection and internal work to make that change possible is best done as a private citizen and not in the state’s highest office. Gov. Northam should resign.

“While we have counted Gov. Northam as an ally and champion on many of the pressing

issues facing Virginia, Gov. Northam owes us more than inadequate apologies. He owes us action.

Gov. Northam should take a step back from trying to save his political career, spend time learning from the people of color his actions have hurt and make clear how he will grow and change from this experience.

“Virginia has a long history of systemic racism — history that reveals itself still today in our systems, institutions and laws. As a statewide non-partisan grassroots organization, we will continue the important work of deep organizing for racial justice — bringing people together to build a more just Virginia.”

DEL MCWHORTER Charlottesville The writer is chairperson of the State Governing Board of Virginia Organizing. This statement is on behalf of the organization’s board.

• The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers strongly denounces Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s deplorable behavior wearing blackface, regardless of when it occurred. His actions are offensive to the black community now and to our ancestors who were brought to this country 400 years ago in shackles and chains against their will, which is arguably the most detrimental factor in the systematic dismantlement of black families that we see today.

His actions are offensive to our ancestors who were raped, hung, castrated and ripped from their families. His actions are offensive to our ancestors who were terrorized and hunted by slave patrols. His actions are offensive to our ancestors who were subjected to horrible medical experimentations by doctors and other scientific racists who wanted to do nothing more than to further their own self-interests, his ac-

tions are offensive to our ancestors who endured the wrath of Jim Crow by being hosed down and beaten by racist police while fighting for their humanity. His actions are also offensive to the descendants who continue to carry the intergenerational trauma transmitted from those experiences.

In the wake of the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans being brought to this country, the black community and the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia are owed more than a guilt-laced apology. We are owed an explanation of how the governor plans to atone for his behavior, which should include the identification of all persons complicit in the generation and publication of that photo.

We also are owed an example of moral leadership, which should ultimately include

him stepping down.

On a daily basis, many black people in the Commonwealth continue to face disenfranchisement from fair and adequate housing, living wage and job opportunities, access to optimal medical care, quality education and true justice in the criminal justice system. His apology does not begin to address the institutional racism that that symbolizes.

We want more. We need more. We deserve better.

LAURENIA MANGUM, member ASHLEY WADDELL, member and national member-at-large DARYL FRASER, president Richmond Association of Black Social Workers

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Wednesday, February 20, 2019 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton 1519 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, VA 23231 The purpose of this meeting is to solicit feedback from Greater Fulton residents, businesses and riders about bus routes serving this area. We welcome input about routes, schedules, stops and amenities. Information gathered at this meeting will help GRTC collaborate with the City of Richmond on meeting the needs of the communities we serve.

Please send any routing questions or comments to: Email planningcomment@ridegrtc. com Phone: (804) 358-4782 Mail: Planning Division, GRTC Transit System, 301 East Belt Boulevard, Richmond VA 23224 Meeting locations are accessible to persons with disabilities. GRTC strives to provide reasonable accommodations and services for persons who require assistance to participate. For special assistance, call Carrie Rose Pace at 804-474-9354 or email carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com at least 72 hours prior to the public meeting. Si usted necesita servicios de tradución para participar, por favor mande un correo electrónico a: carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com. GRTC Transit System’s CARE and CARE Plus services provide origin-to-destination Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services to residents of the Richmond Region. To schedule a reservation, please call (804) 782CARE (2273), email webcarecvan@ridegrtc.com, or fax (804) 474-9993.

W. Broad St. (Rt. 250) Sidewalk Construction Henrico County

Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing Find out about the proposed sidewalk construction on W. Broad St. (Rt. 250) in Henrico County between .045 miles east of Dominion Blvd. and .021 miles east of Springfield Rd. Review the project information and National Environmental Policy Act documentation at VDOT’s Richmond District Office located at 2430 Pine Forest Drive in Colonial Heights, 23834-9002 804-524-6000, 1-800-367-7623,TTY/TDD 711. Please call ahead to ensure the availability of appropriate personnel to answer your questions.

IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE CITY OF RICHMOND BUSINESS LICENSE TAX AMENDMENT TO ELIMINATE INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS FOR BUSINESS LICENSES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2019

If your concerns cannot be satisfied, VDOT is willing to hold a public hearing. You may request that a public hearing be held by sending a written request to Adam Brooks, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 2430 Pine Forest Drive, Colonial Heights, VA 23834-9002 or by email to Adam.Brooks@VDOT.Virginia.gov on or prior to February 16, 2019. If a request for a public hearing is received, notice of date, time and place of the hearing will be posted.

VDOT ensures nondiscrimination and equal employment in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you have questions or concerns about your civil rights in regards to this project or need special assistance for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency, contact the project manager listed above.

State Project: 0250-043-914,P101, R201, C501 Federal Project: HSIP-5A27(517) UPC: 111106

Section 26-892, Code of the City of Richmond, has been amended, effective January 1, 2019 all Business License payments will be due March 1, 2019. Effective January 1, 2019, installment payments for Business Licenses will be eliminated.

Payments must be received by or before March 1, 2019. Payments received after the March 1, 2019 due date will be assessed a 10% late penalty and will accrue interest charges at a rate of 10% per annum. Payments postmarked March 1, 2019 will be considered on time.

You may also pay in person at City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Room 102, M-F 8-5, or at our Southside Office at 4100 Hull Street, M-F 8-5, or our East District Initiative at 701 N. 25th Street, M-F 8-5. You may also deposit your payment in the drop boxes which are located at each location.

Richmond Free Press.

The People’s Paper.

It’s the gift that your family and friends will appreciate all year.

With your thoughtful gift subscription to the Richmond Free Family and friends will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Press, your family and friends can keep up with Richmond Simply fill out the coupon(s) below. Your first subscription and its people. is $99 for 52 weekly issues. Each additional one-year In Richmond, our coverage is unique. It is always uplifting. subscription you want to gift is only $95.

Exciting. Relevant. Useful. Open-minded. Honest. And friendly — with quality.

Why delay? Order now to start your subscription along with your friend or family.

R

FREE

GET ONE 1 year $99

B M lack on H th is ev to en ry ts

W ich m ea th ond er in Free g ad Pres s VO L.

28

NO

.5

GIVE ONE

B2

RI Sp CH M en ON ce D, VI rC RG IN hr IA ist ian ww w. ha , Va ric hm s .n on be at df i e re ve las Gr ep n o t ga d w re h thi tion ecad ing a ss a n top nk in es up i .c a o u d ca na s a Vir f l n C om e s g n t h t g i c e e o h in a a f t pe ra, h r. A nall ild ia, lly rles o e Am rso e s a y k he Sp ma Ci r d m na be y no w en nd ty e ca M ric li ca ou w ou ce a C b e his ster r. C a” ty as me ng n te ld s r C ted oun y rn be ca for hri team pa a w adu lev om hris raci ty co re R sti rt e lt is ed tia al in n kn a la am Bu me er ich an, for of ll-r in ion ay n se the ca ow ho nti es a t t a g soa mo wh 13 AB eco a n we be did gres n g at ©

1 year $95

Pa

ra

dig

m

Co

m

m

un

ica

tio

ns

, In

c.

By

All

rig

hts

re

se

Re

gin

ald

St

rv

ed

.

ua

rt

JA

NU

F

AR

My order will come to: $__________ I am enclosing a check or money order in that amount.

Please send a gift subscription to: Name______________________________________ Address___________________________Apt._____ City__________________State______ Zip_______

Your name____________________________ Address ______________________________ City _____________ State____ Zip _______

Mail this completed coupon(s) to: Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, Richmond, VA 23261

20

19

Please send my subscription to: Name______________________________________ Address___________________________Apt._____ City__________________State______ Zip_______

Richmond Free Press

A10 February 7-9, 2019

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

VUU to take on VSU Saturday at Barco-Stevens Hall

Virginia Union University suffered a 88-73 basketball knockout on Jan. 19 in its last meeting with Virginia State University.

Having cleared its head, the VUU Panthers are hopeful of better results in round two on Saturday, Feb. 9, on the VUU campus.

The rematch pits one of nation’s hottest teams, the VSU Trojans, against the lukewarm Panthers.

Starting this week, VSU was 19-3 overall and 11-0 in the CIAA, with 15 straight wins.

The Trojans base their winning streaks by months. VSU Coach Lonnie Blow’s squad went undefeated in December and January and now it’s working on February.

Barring an unforeseen collapse, VSU is likely the CIAA Northern Division champ and a top seed for the CIAA Tournament Feb. 25 through March 2 in Charlotte, N.C. See-sawing VUU is 12-9 overall, 8-3 in CIAA, under Coach Jay Butler. The Panthers have alternated between winning and losing streaks and are vying for second place in the CIAA Northern Division.

Octopus offense: VSU strikes from so many directions, its opponents hardly know where the

next blow is coming from. sity, Leach became eligible to play 10 games Led by 6-foot-6 Jahmere Howze (12.9 points ago. In VUU’s most recent win over Chowan per game), VSU boasts a balanced attack that University, Leach had 21 points, six assists includes players Cyonte Melvin (11.5 points per and four steals. game), Brandon Holley (10.1 points per game), One-man down: VUU assists/steals leader Jalen Jackson (9.7 points per game) and Cedric Jemal Smith has suffered a hand injury and “CJ” Wiggins (8.9 points per game). will be sidelined indefinitely. Taking over as Close to home: lead ball-handler is Coach Blow has built Eric Bowles, a 6-foot Basketball matinee double feature a NCAA Division II junior transfer from the What: Virginia Union University versus powerhouse minus a Division I University Virginia State University lot of long distance reof Central ConnectiWhen: Saturday, Feb. 9 cruiting. Of 17 players cut. Bowles was 6A Where: Barco-Stevens Hall on the VUU on the Trojans’ roster, North Region Player campus, 1500 N. Lombardy St. 13 are from Virginia, of the Year in 2014 for Tipoff: 2 p.m. for the women’s game; 4 p.m. two from Ohio and W.T. Woodson High for the men’s game one from Washington.

School in Fairfax.

Also, Daniel Lual was Two for the price born in Sudan, but came to VSU directly from of one: Preceding the men’s game at BarcoWarwick High School in Newport News.

Stevens Hall, the juggernaut VUU Lady Panthers Zero is a hero: Wearing jersey No. 0 for will be heavy favorites over VSU. the VUU Panthers, Terrell Leach has averCoach AnnMarie Gilbert’s Lady Panthers aged 20 points per game on a combination of are 19-1, including a 73-49 win over VSU on 3-point bombs and athletic drives to the rim. Jan. 19 in Ettrick.

A transfer from Winston-Salem State UniverSophomore guard Shareka McNeill is the

Gilmore rolls back to Richmond to boost VCU Everything about Michael Gilmore is big — his height (6-foot-10), his wingspan (7-foot) and his shooting range (well beyond the 3-point arc).

His basketball journey has been long, too.

The well-traveled Virginia Commonwealth University graduate student showed off that long-distance touch last Saturday in the Rams 79-63 win over George Mason University at a sold out Siegel Center with 7,637 fans.

Off the bench, Gilmore hit three of four 3-pointers in the second half, helping the Rams escape what had been a touch-and-go Atlantic-10 conference affair.

Gilmore’s 11 points in 11 minutes were the difference against the visiting Patriots, who came to Richmond atop the A-10 standings.

“I’m so proud of Michael,” said Rams Coach Mike Rhoades. “The season may not have gone as he hoped, but he’s kept a great attitude and worked his butt off.

He deserved a game like this.”

Although he is the tallest member of the Rams, Gilmore may be more dangerous from a distance than closer to the hoop. Of his 47 field-goal attempts this season, 22 have been launched outside the arc.

As a freshman in 2016, Gilmore helped VCU nearly upset the University of Oklahoma in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In a reserve role, Gilmore hit four of four shots against the Sooners, including two-for-two beyond the arc, finishing with 12 points in an 85-81 loss.

VCU’s victory over George Mason improves the Rams to 15-6 overall, 6-2 in the A-10 and 11-1 at home.

Typically, the Rams benefit from superior depth coming off the bench. It has been said the VCU bench alone could finish in the top half of the A-10.

The Rams travel to play St. Bonaventure University at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in New York, then return home to face the University of Richmond at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Gilmore history On Feb. 6, 1970, area basketball fans got a close look at then little-known 7-foot-2 center Artis Gilmore of visiting Jacksonville University in Florida.

The Gilmore-led Dolphins c r u s h e d t h e U n i ve r s i t y o f Richmond 88-49 at the former Richmond Arena.

That season, Jacksonville went on to reach the NCAA finals before losing to UCLA.

Gilmore is a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and nephew of Naismith Hall of Famer Artis Gilmore. He’s one of at least two VCU players with very famous relatives. The 1992-93 Rams included Rich Mount, son of College Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Mount.

Michael Gilmore is the son of Sabirah and the late Earl Gilmore of Jacksonville. Earl Gilmore died in 2015 when Michael was a VCU freshman.

Between then and now, Gilmore transferred to the University of Miami, where he did not play, and then to Florida Gulf Coast University for two seasons of action.

His suitcase is well worn.

Gilmore carried his jump shot from his hometown of Jacksonville to Richmond, to Coral Gables, Fla., to Fort Myers, Fla., and now back to VCU, where he was originally signed by former Coach Shaka Smart.

It’s a long story, with time for a few more chapters.

leading candidate for CIAA Player of the Year with a 22.5 scoring average. Opponents are often reduced to fouling the ultraquick guard, and she relishes the opportunities. McNeill is 70 for 96 at the line, 73 percent.

Inside, 6-foot freshman Ifunanya Okoye has emerged as a dominant force coming off the bench. The native of Lagos, Nigeria, came to VUU from Banner Christian School in Chesterfield County. Okoye averages 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds, while hitting 59 percent from floor.

Coach James Hill’s Trojans, 9-11, are led by 5-foot-11 Chrisanna Green, who averages 16 points, 12 rebounds per game.

History lesson: This represents a rare VUUVSU matchup at tiny Barco-Stevens Hall. Most games in recent decades have been played at VSU, the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center in Richmond, the Richmond Coliseum and even in New York City.

VSU did come to VUU two years ago.

Both Panthers teams prevailed in a jam-packed atmosphere. Fans not arriving in time for the women’s game had little luck getting in, much less finding a seat with an unobstructed view.

Blue chip freshman Deshawn Goodwyn helping raise George Wythe’s stock When a special freshman arrives at That’s impressive considering the Bulldogs Richmond’s George Wythe High School, lost numerous front-line performers from last basketball Coach Willard Coker isn’t shy year’s 21-4, state semifinalist outfit. about elevating him to the varsity — even Some background: into the starting lineup.

In fall 2012, Coach Coker took over one That was the case with Maliek White, of Virginia’s most ailing basketball programs who is now a standout at Providence College. at George Wythe.

The same with Ikechi Chantilou, now among Quickly, health was restored. Now seven the state’s top college prospects. seasons later, the Bulldogs’ heartbeat Deshawn Goodwyn is the latest remains strong and their bark is example. getting louder as this campaign The slender 6-foot ninth-grader continues. hasn’t disappointed in his quick Wythe was a combined ascent in one of the area’s pow25-107 from 2006 through the erhouse basketball programs.

2011-12 season. Since then, On Jan. 25, Goodwyn the Bulldogs are an overall produced one of the most 125-56, including winning statistically eye-grabbing the 2015 state title. games of any player of any While only a freshman, grade level.

Goodwyn is no stranger to In a victory over Cheswhat the Bulldogs refer to terfield County’s Clover as “The Dog House.” There Hill High School, Goodis a well-circulated YouTube wyn recorded 32 points, video of a very tiny Goodwyn mostly on the strength of 10 working out with two of the 2015 — repeat 10 — 3-pointers. stars, White and Brandon Holley.

If any area player in history has Goodwyn grew up in the Bullever connected for more dogs’ gym. He is the son Winning tickets than 10 triples in a game, of longtime Wythe ashe needs to raise his hand sistant coach Reginald George Wythe High basketball Coach Willard Coker and step forward.

Goodwyn. has helped win championships as a player and Coach Coker said his Goodwyn’s 3-balls are coach. long-range marksman averthe ideal complement to 1975: As senior guard, he led R.J. Reynolds High ages “about four 3s a game” the extremely athletic ChanSchool of Winston-Salem to the North Carolina state title. while hitting “about 40 tilou, who is at his best percent” from distance. floating to the rim.

1980: He played a leading role as a guard in Virginia Union University’s first NCAA Division II “Deshawn is already one Chantilou, a junior avchampionship. of the better 3-point shooters eraging about 20 points, 1992 and 2005: He served as an assistant at VUU in the entire area,” Coach already has Division I offers under former Coach Dave Robbins on Division II Coker said. “When he starts from Hampton, Longwood national title teams. hitting them, he hits them and East Carolina univer2015: He guided George Wythe to its first state title. in bunches. Even on a bad sities, with many others game, he gets a couple.” keeping close watch.

As George Wythe High’s second leading scorer Others contributing to Wythe’s late season success include behind Chantilou, Goodwyn had 27 points against Kentwan Hubbard, Jahiem Stokes and Jasper Lewis.

Huguenot High School and 24 and 20 in two contests “We like to think we’re starting to peak — and this against Manchester High School. is a good time to be peaking,” Coach Coker said.

Much of his production comes from behind the arc.

“We’ve had some ups and down due to injuries. EvThe freshman’s hot hand from afar has helped vault eryone wasn’t there every game. But our goal this season the Bulldogs into a contending position as the Class 3, was to be competitive, and we’re doing that,” he said.

Region B regional approaches on Friday, Feb. 15.

That’s thanks, in part, to a gifted newcomer barely George Wythe’s Feb. 1 victory at Cosby High School removed from middle school. Boys high school hoops in Chesterfield County gives the South Siders six wins are mostly a game of juniors and seniors, but there’s in their last seven games and a 10-7 overall mark. always room for a blue chip freshman.

Dynasty continues with Patriots’ 6th Super Bowl crown No, the New England Patriots’ reign doesn’t really date to the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s Ride and the American Revolution.

But it may seem like it to their weary opponents.

What began on Feb. 3, 2002, with quarterback Tom Brady’s superstar unveiling at the Super Bowl continued at Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, with the Patriots and Brady predictably winning the championship.

New England’s 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Atlanta was the team’s sixth victory in the Brady-Coach Bill Belichick era.

There were a few chinks in the Pats’ armor earlier in season, but then the cream — the Boston Cream, that is — rose to the top.

“We played our best games when it meant the most,” Brady said after the win.

The Pats’ six crowns since 2002 ties the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most in NFL annals.

Also during that time span, the Pats were Super Bowl runners-up three times.

With New England’s relentless success, the word “dynasty” often pops up. So how do the 21st century Pats rank with the NFL’s all-time dynasties?

With the Super Bowl being the top prize, here are other dynastic contenders. Keep in mind that the wins are solely for the time period listed, while additional crowns may have been won in other years during the franchise’s history:

Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Legend Gladys Knight adds her unique style to the national anthem before Sunday’s Super Bowl kickoff at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

• Miami Dolphins (1970 to 1974): Three Super Bowl appearances, two Super Bowl titles.

• Oakland Raiders (1973 to 1983): Three appearances, three titles.

• Cleveland Browns (1950 to 1955): In the pre-Super Bowl era, the team went to six NFL title games, winning three.

• Dallas Cowboys (1991 to 1996): Three appearances, three championships.

• Pittsburgh Steelers (1974 to 2010): Eight

appearances, six crowns.

• Green Bay Packers (1960 to 1967): Five NFL titles and two Super Bowl crowns in five trips to the pinnacle game.

• Washington (1982 to 1991): Four Super Bowl appearances, three championships.

• San Francisco 49ers (1981 to 1994): Five Super Bowl appearances, five championships.

• New England Patriots (2002 to 2019): Nine appearances, six championships. And there’s no end in sight with Belichick returning and Brady, looking sharp as ever, vowing to continue playing until he is 45 years old.

This was a typical New England outfit in that it prevailed without many “household names.”

Earning the Most Valuable Player Award was Brady’s favorite target, undersized, former seventh round draft pick Julian Edelman. Brady struck bulls-eyes with Edelman 10 times in 12 throws, good for 141 yards.

Stephon Gilmore had worn out his welcome in Buffalo, but signed this season with the Patriots on the rebound. Gilmore sealed the game for the Patriots with a fourth quarter interception.

Lineman Jonathan Jones, undrafted out of Auburn University, led the Patriots defense with eight tackles.

Then, of course, there was No. 12, quarterback Brady, as dependable as the sunrise, calmly hitting 21 of 35 passes for 262 yards. Not only does the unflappable Brady deserve the tag of

GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) on the field, he even gives his team its battle cry.

“We’re still here,” Brady kept saying as the playoffs wore on.

And worse for the opposition: The Patriots show no signs of going anywhere anytime soon.

• New England will have one key component missing when the 2019-20 season begins. Talented linebacker’s coach/defensive play caller Brian Flores has been named head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Flores’ defensive maneuvering kept the Rams out of sync throughout the game. The three-point yield ties for the stingiest ever in Super Bowl annals.

Flores becomes just the third black head coach in the NFL, joining Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Anthony Lynn with the Los Angeles Chargers.

• Dates to circle: NFL Scouting Combine: Feb. 26 to March 4 in Indianapolis, Ind. NFL draft: April 25 to 27 in Nashville, Tenn.

The Arizona Cardinals will have the first pick.

The Patriots will pick last out of 32 teams.

But then New England has been picking from near the bottom since 2002, and it hardly seems to matter. After all, the Patriots have become a bigger part of Super Bowl Sunday than salsa and chips.

Section

B

February 7-9, 2019 B1

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Personality: Martha E. Hancock-Carter Spotlight on president of Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. Martha E. HancockCarter, president of the Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., is dedicated to preserving the vision and legacy of the national organization’s late founder, Mary McLeod Bethune.

Founded on Dec. 5, 1935, NCNW had the support of the leaders of 28 notable black women’s organizations who envisioned a unified force dedicated to working to improve racial conditions nationally and internationally and sponsoring educational programs.

Ms. Hancock-Carter, a Maggie L. Walker High School graduate and Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield customer representative, was introduced to the organization by a friend in 2016. She became involved in the NCNW’s programs and later took a leadership role, moving from third vice president to president last April.

The Richmond Section, established in 1956, “was

an important force in the city because of the work we were doing,” Ms. HancockCarter says. “However our presence has dropped off over the years and people are not aware of our activities.”

Now 48 members strong, the chapter’s main activities revolve around supporting community organizations, including reading to elementary and middle school students through their work with Richmond Public Schools’ RVA Reading; donating to FeedMore, the Central Virginia food bank and feeding programs; and donating items needed by pregnant women and young children through the Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond.

Ms. Hancock-Carter believes it is important to empower black women so they can continue to get ahead in life and take advantage of opportunities for advancement. The chapter, she says, wants to establish more formal relationships with college

and high school students by starting collegiate and youth groups.

“Some of our young ladies don’t know their worth,” Ms. Hancock-Carter says. “NCNW wants to instill the power of acknowledging and internalizing their value so they can go forward in life and live out their dreams.”

At each chapter meeting, speakers address various issues to boost women’s

education and empowerment. Speakers have focused on health issues, such as cancer, diabetes and good heart health, Ms. Hancock-Carter explains, and financial literacy, including budgeting, wealth building and retirement.

Ms. Hancock believes the collegiate group, to be based at Virginia Union University, will be the future of the NCNW. “We want these dedicated young women to pick up where we are leaving off and move the organization forward and continue founder Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy.”

Meet a women’s leader and this week’s Personality, Martha E. HancockCarter: Occupation: Customer representative, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield No. 1 volunteer position: President, Richmond Section of the National Council

of Negro Women Inc. When elected: April 2018.

Date and place of birth: Jan. 19 in Washington, D.C. Current residence: Henrico County.

Education: Maggie L. Walker High School.

Family: Children, Tanita, 37; Jenise, 31; and Wayne, 29.

Mission of National Council of Negro Women: Our mission is to improve the quality life for women, their families and communities.

When Richmond Section NCNW was founded: Nov. 6, 1956.

Why I am excited about this organization: The NCNW recognizes leadership among AfricanAmerican women and they encourage you to strive as high as you can.

How I start the day: By praising God for waking me up to see another day.

Quality I most admire in another person: Their organizational skills and being on time.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I like working in the background and not up front.

A quote that I am inspired by: “To God be the glory.”

How I unwind: Sitting back watching a good movie.

Best late-night snack: A Honey Bun. The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Martha W. Hancock, because of her incredible strength and leadership.

What I’m reading now: “She Speaks: Wisdom From the Women of the Bible to the Modern Black Woman” by Jenkins M. Clark.

My next goal: For the NCNW Richmond Section to start a collegiate and youth group.

Celebrate the African American Experience this Month & Beyond FINDING YOUR ROOTS with Henry Louis Gates, Season 5 | TUES EVENINGS @ 8 PM Join Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. as he uncovers the surprisingly ancestral stories of cultural trailblazers with fascinating and unexpected personal histories.

LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER “Pipeline” | FRI, FEB 8 @ 9 PM Meet Nya, an inner-city teacher desperate to save her son, in Dominique Morisseau’s riveting and critically acclaimed new play. When her son gets in trouble at school, Nya must confront his rage and her choices, and try to reach him before he gets pulled away forever.

INDEPENDENT LENS “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” | MON, FEB 11 @10 PM Visit the world of Hale County, Alabama. Composed of intimate and unencumbered moments in the lives of people in the community, the film offers a richly detailed glimpse at life in America’s Black Belt. Directed by RaMell Ross.

AMERICAN MASTERS “Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me” | TUE, FEB 19 @ 9 PM Explore the entertainer’s vast talent and journey for identity through the shifting tides of civil rights and racial progress during 20th century America. Features new interviews with Billy Crystal, Norman Lear, Jerry Lewis, Whoopi Goldberg and Kim Novak, and clips from Davis’ TV, film and concert performances..

AMERICAN MASTERS “Charley Pride: I’m Just Me” | FRI, FEB 22 @ 9 PM Explore the complicated history of the American South and its music through the life of country star Charley Pride. Raised in segregated Mississippi, his journey shows the ways that artistic expression can triumph over prejudice and injustice. Directed by Barbara J. Hall.

INDEPENDENT LENS “Charm City” | MON, APR 22 @10 PM Recently honored with a spot on the Best Documentary Feature Oscar shortlist, “Charm City” introduces a group of Baltimore citizens, police and government officials as they cope with the consequences of three years of unparalleled violence. With grit, fury and compassion, they’re trying to reclaim their city’s future.

BOSS: The Black Experience in Business | TUES, APR 23 @ 8 PM Learn about the untold story of African American entrepreneurship, where skill, industriousness, ingenuity and sheer courage in the face of overwhelming odds provide the backbone of this nation’s economic and social growth.

Broadcast times are subject to change. Please check your local listings.

Full TV Schedule @ ideastations.org/tv Black Culture Connection @ pbs.org/BlackCulture

Richmond Free Press

B2 February 7-9, 2019

Happenings

Finding one’s self abroad

By Peire Wilson Trice Edney Wire

Born in Norfolk, and raised by a single mother, I felt a special responsibility to go to college but, at first, I failed at it — quite literally. But I turned my life around and see a pathway to success.

Studying in London as a Frederick Douglass Global Fellow was instrumental in healing my wounds and making me whole again.

First enrolled as a college student at Liberty University in Lynchburg, I left school my freshman year because it wasn’t a good fit for me. A year later, I transferred near home to a historically black college, Norfolk State University, but I abruptly left during my second semester when tragedy struck in a way that I couldn’t have imagined.

In a scuffle on campus, one of my friends, Sean Williams, was tragically stabbed to death.

Like me, Sean was a classically trained vocalist. I was in such shock from his murder, I left school and didn’t even tell my teachers why.

I moved to Florida, where I fell in love and was blessed to have a son. I wanted to make a positive future for my son, but I really didn’t know how. I thought about it long and hard and decided I wanted to be a lawyer in arts and entertainment. I knew I needed to be in New York City. I knew I had to go back to school.

I got my transcripts. I put myself in a suit and put myself on a bus and, transcripts in hand, I went to the headquarters of City University of New York, CUNY. The admissions counselor opened up my transcripts and said, “Uhhhh….”

I said, “I know.”

I had a 1.0 GPA. “These are the grades I have,” I told him.

“I’m willing to start completely over.”

Peire Wilson of LaGuardia Community College in Queens, N.Y.

He said, “It’s going to be competitive,” but handed me a list of schools and I returned to Florida.

But I went back and wanted to attend the first school on the list, LaGuardia Community College in Queens, N.Y. I met with a counselor. She said, “These grades ...”

I told her, “If I had known when I was just young what I know now, I would have done things differently. I just didn’t know. Unfortunately, this is what happened. I plan on being a lawyer.”

She asked, “You want to be a lawyer?”

I responded, “I will be a lawyer.”

She arched her eyebrows and said, “I like the way that you said that.”

Photo by LaGuardia Community College

She told me what I needed to do to be admitted: Take a math and English entrance exam. I passed English, but failed math by two points.

I took a remedial math course, passed and was admitted. I learned I loved math and started tutoring other students. I earned my associate degree in legal studies and received an invitation to join the President’s Society for students with excellent academic records. That’s right, I was invited. When I received the Frederick Douglass Fellowship, I called my mother to share the good news.

In London, though, as a Frederick Douglass Fellow, I felt like an outsider. I was older than the other students. I was a father. I came from a single-family household. But I realized something profound in London. During a workshop,

a videographer asked us, “Tell us a time when you had to face your privilege?”

The image of my friend, Sean, came to me.

He was the motivating factor in my life. When my turn to speak arrived, I told the Fellows around me, “I lost a friend who never got to see his full potential. The biggest privilege I have is just being alive. My friend died when he was 18.”

I broke down in tears. That was one of the first moments that my friend’s murder hit me. I told the Fellows, “You all just need to appreciate just being here. Just having breath in your lungs.”

We were all crying together. We were all celebrating life together. In that moment, I realized something beautiful and profound — our common humanity.

Ten college students from Minority Serving Institutions across the country will win a prestigious Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship that covers all costs to study in London during the summer of 2019. Any qualified applicants not selected for the fellowship will still receive a $1,500 grant toward select study abroad programs. Applications are due by Thursday, Feb. 14, and can be found at https://upenn.co1.qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_aWulXpYGxB7Jjff.

Details of the program and eligibility requirements can be found here: https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/collegestudy-abroad/scholarships/frederick-douglassglobal-fellowship The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship is jointly sponsored by the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions and the Council on International Educational Exchange, the oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization in the nation that provided students with more than $8 million in scholarships and grants last year alone.

For more information, go to ciee.org/study.

Beware of predatory tax refund loans, advances Across the country, advertising — particularly on urban radio — tempts listeners with easy ways to get a loan against anticipated tax refunds. But just like other predatory lending products, what is advertised is not quite what consumers receive. Convenient taxrelated loans almost always come with a price that takes a big bite out of consumers’ money.

The bigger the refund, the more attentive and helpful “tax preparers” will be in helping with e-filing, the electronic processing that typically results in refunds in two to three business days. Once the size of the refund is known, these preparers encourage unsuspecting consumers to take out a short-term loan such as a Refund Anticipation Loan, or RAL. Depository institutions like banks sell a “service” known as a Refund Anticipating Check, or RAC, that is most appealing to consumers who

lack a bank account.

Neither product is as helpful as it appears.

RALs are usually marketed as an “advance” instead of a loan. Instead of interest, many of these loans come with fees or a finance charge.

Conversely, a RAC is sold

Charlene Crowell as a temporary bank account that exists exclusively to receive the IRS refund. Once the refund reaches the consumer’s bank account, either a prepaid card or a check is issued by the depository institution. And once again, fees taken out of the refund reduce the amount of money the consumer actually receives.

The biggest target for both of these products are consumers with the largest refunds, especially those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credits, one of the few tax break programs available to low- to moderate-income consumers, and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Housing assistance programs available, contact:

To be eligible for EITC, earned income and adjusted gross income can be as low as $15,270 for a single filer or head of household to as high as $54,884 for a married couple with three dependent children.

This year, eligible EITC consumers could receive as much as $6,431 for families with three or more qualifying children to $519 for single filers.

Similarly, the Child Tax UNA125-1819 Credit is available RICHMOND to eligible filers with children under the age

of 17. For each dependent child staff attorney at the National meeting the age requirement, Consumer Law Center. “They filers receive a $2,000 credit need to avoid incompetent and that, like the EITC, reduces the abusive preparers and decide whether to choose financial amount of taxes owed.

In 2017, 1.7 million RALs products of varying costs.”

So how much financial sense were sold, and another 20.5 million RACs valued at a half does it make to purchase an billion dollars were also sold, “advance” or open a temporary according to the National Con- bank account when the IRS can deposit the full refund into a sumer Law Center.

“Tax time is hard enough checking account within two for most Americans, but they to three business days?

FREEPRESS | 7.278”W x 10”H | Just CMYKbecause a refund-adalso face consumer protection challenges,” said Chi Chi Wu, vance product isn’t called a

loan, or doesn’t have an interest rate, doesn’t mean it’s free, said Scott Astrada, the Center for Responsible Lending’s Director of Federal Advocacy.

“Carefully read the terms and conditions and ask plenty of questions.”

Everyone who works for a living should be entitled not only to a paycheck but to 100 percent of their tax refunds.

The writer is communications deputy director of the Center for Responsible Lending.

When UVA researchers and data scientists set out to find a way to fight

MACULAR DEGENERATION, they never imagined they would also find a way to fight Alzheimer’s and atherosclerosis. But by working together and asking bolder questions, they have made a groundbreaking

Theodore Brown CRA Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #: 1389574

discovery that could potentially protect more than 200 million people

804.338.6265

tbrown@fultonmortgagecompany.com

from blindness —— and help more than 670 million live healthier lives.

Fulton Bank fultonmortgagecompany.com Fulton Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval.

C.L. Belle’s

E Z Car Rental 3101 W. Broad Street

(804) 358-3406

;-28)6'-%0 74) Cars

YOU CAN STILL FILE

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

UNAFRAID TO

Get rid of debts that you can’t pay.

“Get A Fresh Start” Keep paying on your house and car as long as you owe what they are worth.

Also Chapter 13 “Debt Adjustment” STOPS FORECLOSURES, GARNISHMENTS AND HARASSING PHONE CALLS

OTHER LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDED: Divorce, Separation, Custody, Support, Home Buy or Sell

Start with as little as $100

starting at

29

SmalléMediuméLarge

$

95 a day

FREE

Pickup in Richmond Area

NO CREDIT CARD NEEDED

www.ezcarrentalsrva.com

Call Rudy McCollum at (804)218-3614 24-7. Talk to an attorney for free

and get legal restrictions, fees, costs and payment terms.

Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr., Esq. McCollum At Law, P.C.

Mail to: P.O. Box 4595, Richmond, VA 23220 422 E. Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23219 (Franklin & 5th Sts.) We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.

VIRGINIA.EDU /MACULAR

Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com una125-1819_mac_freepress_7.278x10_M.indd 1

1/25/19 10:30 AM

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019 B3

Happenings Smollett back performing; talks about attack Free Press wire report

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was blunt, emotional and defiantly determined last Saturday night at a Southern California concert some urged him not to play, telling the crowd before singing a note that he had to go on with the show because he couldn’t let his attackers win.

“The most important thing I can say is thank you so much, and I’m OK,” the 36-year-old actor and R&B singer said from the stage at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. It was his first public appearance since he reported to police in Chicago on Jan. 29 that two masked men assaulted him and put a rope around his neck while using homophobic and racial slurs.

“I’m not fully healed yet,” said Mr. Smollett, who is openly gay, “but I’m going to be and I’m gonna stand strong with y’all.”

The concert had been planned long before the incident, and his family members and others had urged him to postpone it.

But Mr. Smollett said he couldn’t do that.

“I had to be here tonight, y’all. I couldn’t let those (expletives) win,” he said to screams and cheers from the packed room of about 400 people. “I will always stand for love. I will only stand for love.”

His small band then launched into an upbeat song and he broke into dance, wearing a simple white buttoned shirt, white sneakers and black jeans, shuffling across the front of the stage and at times standing with a fist in the air.

Mr. Smollett kept the tone mostly celebratory through his hourlong set before addressing the attack head-on toward the end of his set, when he told the crowd he wanted to clarify a few things.

He said he was bruised but his ribs were not cracked. He went straight to the doctor but was not hospitalized, and physicians in both Chicago and Los Angeles cleared him to play but told him to be careful.

“And above all, I fought the (expletive) back,” he said to cheers.

Then he paused and said, emphatically, but with a laugh, “I’m the gay Tupac.”

Fan Monique Davis said after the show that she was shocked

he spoke so bluntly and directly about the incident, but she’s glad he did.

“It was amazing, it was emotional, it was inspiring,” Ms. Davis said. “He showed everyone Mr. Smollett in the room he was strong.”

Mr. Smollett told police the men attacked him as he walked home in Chicago, throwing a chemical substance at him in addition to shouting slurs and putting the rope around his neck.

No arrests have been made. Police have not found surveillance video of the attack, though they found footage of Mr. Smollett walking home with the rope around his neck.

Mr. Smollett had made his first public comments about the incident last Friday in a written statement that said he had been “consistent on every level” with the police during their investigation, countering comments on social media saying he had changed his story and been uncooperative with investigators.

Chicago police also said Mr. Smollett has been cooperative and they have found no reason to think he’s not being genuine.

Mr. Smollett stars alongside Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in “Empire,” the Fox TV show about the power struggles of a family in the music business that is now in its fifth season.

The series has allowed Mr. Smollett to play, sing and occasionally write music in addition to acting.

Last year, he released a solo album, “Sum of My Music,” which made up much of the concert, along with songs from “Empire.”

He often sits at the piano on the show, but stood front and center at the microphone at the Troubadour, the legendary Los Angeles club that helped launch the careers of James Taylor, The Eagles and Elton John.

He was joined in jubilant dance by his family members during his encore. Earlier, they had taken the stage and voiced their support before he came on.

“To be honest, as his big brother, I wanted him to sit this one out,” Joel Smollett Jr. said. “But we realized this night is an important part of Jussie’s healing. He’s been a fighter since he was a baby.

He fought his attackers that night, and he continues to fight.”

Bennett College meets fundraising goal Free Press staff, wire report

GREENSBORO, N.C. Bennett College, a historically black all-women’s college in North Carolina that was facing loss of accreditation and possible closure because of financial problems, has exceeded its $5 million fundraising goal.

Bennett President Phyllis Worthy Dawkins announced Monday that the college raised $8.2 million thanks to the help of 11,000 donors, including alumnae, faith-based and community organizations, corporate donors and supporters from across the country.

Officials have been working since early December to raise by a Feb. 1 deadline $5 million, the minimum needed to maintain the college’s accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges. Bennett’s only sanction by the accrediting body was because of finances. It had to show that it could reach sound financial footing.

Calls to aid the college founded in 1873 went out from

Bennett officials, its ited many Africannetwork of alumnae American organizaand others, including tions and churches graduates of Spelman for stepping up with College in Atlanta, gifts. Among the the only other black top donations from all-women’s college Greek-letter orgain the nation, and Dr. nizations and faithJohnnetta B. Cole, based groups were Dr. Dawkins who formerly served $100,000 from Alpha as president of both Bennett Kappa Alpha Sorority; $50,000 and Spelman. Dr. Cole met from Delta Sigma Theta Sororlast week in Richmond with ity; $31,000 from Alpha Phi alumnae of both colleges and Alpha Fraternity; $50,000 from produced a video seeking do- Alfred Street Baptist Church in nations that was circulated on Northern Virginia; and $40,000 social media. from Mt. Zion Baptist Church Donors responded. in Greensboro, N.C. At Monday’s news conferBennett College also received ence, High Point University one its largest single gifts in the President Nido Qubein handed institution’s history as a result of over a slew of high-bill dona- the quick campaign — $1 million tions adding up to hundreds of from businesswoman Kwanza thousands of dollars, from vari- Jones and her husband, José E. ous bodies he and the univer- Feliciano of California. sity are associated with before Ms. Jones is founder and chief finally presenting a $1 million executive officer of SUPERcheck from the university.

CHARGED by Kwanza Jones, Papa John’s, the pizza chain, a global lifestyle and personal donated $500,000, along with development company, while the Z. Smith Reynolds Foun- Mr. Feliciano is co-founder and dation. managing partner of Clearlake Bennett officials also cred- Capital Group, a private invest-

ment firm.

Ms. Jones’ mother, Dorothy Wilkerson Jones, graduated from Bennett in 1965, while her aunt, Brenda Wilkerson Hoover, graduated in 1963.

Patricia Woodard, executive assistant to Dr. Dawkins, said Bennett’s next step is appearing before the accrediting agency’s appeals committee on Feb. 18.

She said an accreditation ruling is expected by Feb. 25.

Exclusive Blacklist Wine and Jazz Weekend starts Feb. 7 The Exclusive Blacklist Wine and Jazz Weekend returns for a four-day celebration of African-Americans in winemaking.

This is the fifth year for the event that Richmond native and Vine Wine Club owner Benita Johnson created and that is still a one-of-akind event in the nation, according to Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

The festival is scheduled to kick off 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, with a mixology competition at The Shoppes at the Renaissance, 101 W. Broad St. On Friday, Feb. 8, events will include the Blacks in Wine Symposium from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. followed by The Gala from 7 to 10 p.m., both at the Renaissance.

Events continue Saturday, Feb. 9, with a Wine Paired Brunch at 10 a.m. at the Spoonbread Restaurant, 2526 Floyd Ave., the Hip Hop Meets Wine party at The Mix, 12 W. Broad St., and a Wine Crawl at 8 p.m. at the Renaissance.

The weekend wraps up with the TheWineDown at 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10, at the Renaissance.

Ms. Johnson stated that the Exclusive Blacklist’s goal “is to make people aware that African-Americans do make quality wines and, that we can collectively, we can increase shelf placement and sales of our brands across Virginia and the USA.” Information: Ms. Johnson, (804) 993-4130 or thevinewineclub@gmail.com.

Richmond Association of Black Social Workers host annual Black Family Ritual Feb. 9 The Richmond Association of Black Social Workers is hosting Umoja Karamu, its annual Black Family Ritual from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Six Points Innovation Center, 3001 Meadowbridge Road in Highland Park.

The event’s goal is to bring together RABSW members and community members committed to restoring black families and healthy black communities.

Highlights include breaking bread together, honoring the ancestors and working on healing the wounds of the past.

RSVP via email to richmondabsw@gmail.com.

DIAMONDS • WATCHES JEWELRY • REPAIRS

19 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VA 23219 (804) 648-1044 WWW.WALLERJEWELRY.COM

Gates produces 4-hour PBS documentary on Reconstruction

By David Bauder Associated Press

tio n

PASADENA, Calif.

Historian Henry Louis “Skip” Gates can trace the roots of his upcoming PBS documentary about Reconstruction to his days in school, when he would hear about the end of slavery during the Civil War, then virtually nothing about race relations until the Civil Rights Movement in the middle of the 20th century.

“It led me to think, if Lincoln freed the slaves, why did we need a Civil Rights Movement?” the Harvard University historian said at a news conference last Saturday.

The answer arrives April 9 with the Gates-produced, four-hour television documentary “Reconstruction: America After the Civil War,” which he hopes enlightens people to what he believes is one of the least understood periods of the nation’s history.

Freeing black people in the South had a brief and dramatic impact on society. Within two years, about 80 percent of freed black people in the former Confederacy were registered to vote — a greater participation level by percentage than black people have today, Dr. Gates said.

That scared white people in the South, and in the North, too, and led to a rollback in rights that lasted longer than the initial freedoms, he said. In 1898, more than 100,000 black people

C el e b r a

voted in Louisiana. said.

But because the state Kimberlé W. Crenthen restricted voting shaw, a law professor rights, only 1,342 at UCLA and Columblack people voted bia University law six years later. schools, said the U.S. Racist depictions Supreme Court was reof black people took strictive as well, falsely hold in the public changing the image Dr. Gates imagination in large of anti-discrimination part because white people laws into measures that gave black controlled the messaging, he people special treatment. said. The 1915 film “Birth “The North won the Civil of a Nation,” which glorified War, but the South won the slavery and demonized freed narrative war,” Dr. Gates said, black people, has been seen by “and what we are trying to do 240 million people, Dr. Gates is change that narrative.”

BMER

GET LIT 4th Annual Black Male Emergent Readers presents…

Black History Month Celebration

SPEAKERS

NEW EXHIBITIONS OPENING FEBRUARY 16 Cauleen Smith: Give It or Leave It Dialogues | Irena Haiduk + Martine Syms

KIARA Lee

Free Admission | Open Tuesday–Sunday | Shop + Cafe | icavcu.org

(Keynote)

Saturday, February 9, 2019 1pm to 4pm Main Library 101 E. Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219

DEUNTAY Diggs

Richmond Free Press_ICA Exhibitions Ad 2_5.418x10.5_JAN 2019.indd 1

1/29/19 3:06 PM

B4 February 7-9, 2019

Richmond Free Press

Obituaries/Faith Directory

Grammy winner Community organizer and strategist Lillie A. Estes succumbs at 59 James Ingram dies at 66

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Free Press wire report

NEW YORK Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Ingram, who launched multiple hits on the R&B and pop charts and earned two Oscar nominations for his songwriting, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2018, at his Los Angeles home from brain cancer. He was 66.

Born Feb. 16, 1952, in Akron, Ohio, Mr. Ingram was an accomplished musician who got his start playing keyboards with the band Revelation Funk after leaving home for California. He also Mr. Ingram later played for Ray Charles before gaining notice.

He appeared on Quincy Jonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 1981 album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dude,â&#x20AC;? which earned him three Grammy nominations and one win for best R&B male vocal performance for â&#x20AC;&#x153;One Hundred Ways.â&#x20AC;?

In a statement last week, Mr. Jones called Mr. Ingram his â&#x20AC;&#x153;baby brother.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With that soulful, whisky sounding voice, James Ingram was simply magical ... every beautiful note that James sang pierced your essence and comfortably made itself at home,â&#x20AC;?

Mr. Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it was really no surprise because James was a beautiful human being, with a heart the size of the moon. James Ingram was, and always will be, beyond compare,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Mr. Ingramâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut album released in 1983, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Your Night,â&#x20AC;? included the hit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yah Mo Be There.â&#x20AC;? The song, which featured Michael McDonald, became a Top 20 hit on the Billboard pop charts and won the Grammy for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal.

Mr. Ingram also reached the top of the pop charts twice with the songs â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Have the Heartâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baby, Come to Me,â&#x20AC;? a duet with Patti Austin.

His collaboration with Linda Ronstadt on the song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Somewhere Out There,â&#x20AC;? from the 1986 film â&#x20AC;&#x153;An American Tail,â&#x20AC;? reached No. 2 on the pop charts and was one of 14 Grammy Award nominations for Mr. Ingram.

Alongside Mr. Jones, he co-wrote Michael Jacksonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),â&#x20AC;? earning him a Grammy nomination for best R&B song. He also scored Academy Award nominations for best original song with â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Day I Fall In Loveâ&#x20AC;? from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beethovenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2ndâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look What Love Has Doneâ&#x20AC;? from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Junior.â&#x20AC;? Both tracks also competed for best original song at the Golden Globes.

Lillie Ann Estes set the standard for community organizing in Richmond.

Her apartment in Gilpin Court became the headquarters for her efforts to develop strategies and alliances from Richmond to Washington and Boston to uplift the poor and disadvantaged.

Ms. Estes was a leading voice in pressing for a city housing policy that provided for replacement on a one-for-one basis any public housing that was demolished or redeveloped. She also helped push the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to enable residents to pay rent to a city postal address rather than forcing them to mail it to an out-of-state collection box.

She also served as a role model and mentor for others in her persistence, fortitude and willingness to speak truth to power, for her energetic efforts to get public housing residents more involved in shaping their own destinies and for her push for alternative approaches to creating change.

Ms.Estes,59,wasfounddeadinherresidence Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. The cause of death was not immediately known, but she previously had battled blood clots in her lungs.

Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 12, at Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, 14 W. Duval St., according to Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Home. She is to be buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Ms. Estes, who always sought to work with others, kept reminding public officials that the majority of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poor people did not live in public housing and kept advocating for poor people to have a seat at the decision-making table.

She received the Mothers of Courage Award in 2016 from the national Mothers for Justice and Equality in recognition of her community work.

Shock and grief were widespread with the news of her death. Tributes poured in.

During his State of the City address just hours after she was found, Mayor Levar M. Stoney paid tribute to Ms. Estes.

The Richmond City Council also issued a statement calling her an â&#x20AC;&#x153;ardent advocate and activist regarding poverty, housing and social justice. She also worked with countless community groups, individuals and organizations in championing, planning and implementing neighborhood and citywideoriented programs and projects.â&#x20AC;?

Richmond Delegate Jeff M. Bourne,

D-71st, also saluted Ms. Estes on the floor of the House of Delegates, which adjourned in her honor on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Others posted tributes on social media. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was an avid believer in social justice and the rights of every human being,â&#x20AC;? wrote Preddy Ray, an early leader in the antigentrification movement in Richmond. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In many ways, she was the protector of those rights. She could always be found where there was controversy needing clarity.â&#x20AC;?

Ms. Estes

Another ally, Lola Orchard, described Ms. Estes as â&#x20AC;&#x153;someone who spoke her mind in order to make sure the questions lurking did not go unasked, so that her hard work and the hard work of others did not get dismissed and tossed in the trash.â&#x20AC;?

Ms. Estes was born in Hampton and grew up in Newport News. She came to Richmond in 1977 to earn a degree at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Art Burton, founder and director of Kinfolk Community Empowerment Center, recalled working with Ms. Estes more than 20 years ago on behalf of the residents of Dove Court public housing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She was the boss and we followed her,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She had national connections that she brought to this work. But she always let you know she was not an activist, but a strategist.â&#x20AC;?

Her friends said she stepped up her efforts following the 2010 murder of her 23-year-old son, John E. Williams II, at an apartment complex in Henrico County.

Among other roles, Ms. Estes served on the Maggie L. Walker Initiative for Expanding Opportunity and Fighting Poverty, which was a residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; advisory board, and its successor Maggie L. Walker Anti-Poverty Commission, whose work

led to the creation of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office of Community Wealth Building.

She also served on the board of the Virginia Poverty Law Center and was involved with the racial reconciliation group, Hope in the Cities. She briefly ran for mayor in 2016 before pulling out of the race.

Ms. Estes was a co-founder of RePHRAME, Residents of Public Housing Against Mass Eviction, which has sought to increase resident influence on RRHA and city housing policies.

She spoke out frequently against that lack of inclusion in a variety of forums.

In 2017, she addressed a Harvard Law School program titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;Justice Works: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Community Justice,â&#x20AC;? and offered what one observer called â&#x20AC;&#x153;an alternative, vibrant and hopeful path toward achieving change.â&#x20AC;?

In November, she spoke on creating a race-forward economic justice agenda at the Commonwealth Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5th Annual Policy Summit.

She also connected with Harvardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice and secured a grant to work with Richmond documentary filmmaker Jenise Brown on creating the Community Justice Film Series to engage people in the democratic process through cinema. She also teamed with Ms. Brown and a host of city groups to form the Community Justice Network to work on social justice issues.

The network and Hold the Phone, a joint effort with the institute, is scheduled to show the youth-created film series at the Six Points Innovation Center in Highland Park on Saturday, March 2.

Ms. Estes also worked with the state Attorney Generalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office in seeking a federal grant to fund more community policing efforts and community engagement programs in gardening, recreation and education.

Last year, Ms. Estes took the first step in leading a community effort to establish the Charles S. Gilpin Community Farm at what she called a â&#x20AC;&#x153;a crime hot spotâ&#x20AC;? at St. Peter and Hill streets. The goal: To develop a peaceful place focused on creating food and improving the quality of life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People really have no idea how much impact she had on this city,â&#x20AC;? Omari AlQadaffi, founder of Leaders of the New South, wrote in a tribute.

Survivors include her son, Tobias R. Estes; her sister, Eunice E. Davis; and two brothers, William T. Estes and Robert Estes.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Y&Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122; actor Kristoff St. John dies at 52 John D. Williams, 90, longtime teacher Free Press wire report

LOS ANGELES Kristoff St. John, who played the struggling alcoholic and ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; man Neil Winters for 27 years on â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Young and the Restless,â&#x20AC;? has died.

He was 52.

Los Angeles police were called to his home Sunday, Feb. 3, and his body was turned over to the coroner. The cause of death was not immediately available.

Mr. St. John had played Neil Winters Mr. St. John on the CBS soap opera since 1991, earning nine daytime Emmy nominations. He won a Daytime Emmy in 1992 for outstanding younger actor in a drama series and won 10 NAACP Image Awards.

His businessman character wended his way through romances, deaths of loved ones and other daytime travails that descended into alcoholism until going into rehab.

Mr. St. John announced in September that he was engaged to model Kseniya Mikhaleva. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So early.....so early,â&#x20AC;? she wrote in her Instagram Stories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why you are leave so early????Why...you are always in my heart.â&#x20AC;?

Mr. St. John was twice married and divorced and was the father of a son and two daughters. His 24-year-old son, Julian, committed suicide in 2014.

On Jan. 21, Mr. St. John retweeted â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grieving the loss of a child is a process. It begins on the day your child passes, and ends the day the parent joins them.â&#x20AC;?

CBS and Sony Pictures Television said in a joint statement that Mr. St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death is heartbreaking. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Young and the Restlessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the last 27 years, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him,â&#x20AC;? the statement said.

Fellow cast members and friends were shocked and saddened. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sitting by myself in my car! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s raining outside, with dark clouds and wind outside... am reading your tweets about my friend KRISTOFF! Thank you all for your kind words! I have none right now! He was a hell of an actor and simply one of the nicest guys ever! Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe it!â&#x20AC;? tweeted Eric Braeden, who plays Victor Newman on the show.

Viola Davis and Yvette Nicole Brown were among others. Ms. Brown tweeted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;No!!! This news has truly broken my heart.

Kristoff was pure & so kind. I will never forget how wonderful he was to me and everyone else he came into contact with. He was just a good, good man.â&#x20AC;?

and coach at Armstrong High School

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

John Davis â&#x20AC;&#x153;John D.â&#x20AC;? Williams, a former teacher, coach and athletic director at Armstrong High School, has died. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is fitting in a spiritual way that this former athlete and coach passed away on Super Bowl Sunday,â&#x20AC;? Feb. 3, 2019, said his son, Lyn R. Williams of Alexandria, who said his father succumbed at his home in Hanover County.

Mr. Williams was 90.

His life and contributions will be celebrated at a funeral11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at New Bridge Baptist Church, 5807 Nine Mile Road in Henrico County. A wake is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Mimms Funeral Home, 1827 Hull St. in South Side.

A Richmond native, Mr. Williams entered coaching after starring in basket-

Mr. Williams

ball at Armstrong High School, where he played guard for the legendary Coach Max Robinson. He later played basketball at

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Church With A Welcomeâ&#x20AC;?

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

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

Remember...

At New Deliverance, You Are Home!

See you there and bring a friend.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019 8:30 a.m. ....Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ...Morning Worship

THURSDAYS WEDNESDAYS 1:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m. ..... Prayer Service Bible Study 6:30 p.m. ..... Bible Study (The Purpose Driven Life)

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223-6624 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s A Place for Youâ&#x20AC;?

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

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Service â&#x20AC;Ś A Sacred Trustâ&#x20AC;?

Bishop G. O. Glenn D. Min., Pastor Mother Marcietia S. Glenn First Lady

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

&BTU #SPBE 4USFFU 3JDINPOE 7JSHJOJB r

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

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

ALL ARE WELCOME

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

Wednesday Services

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

Serving Richmond since 1887

Office: 804-233-8027 | Fax: 804-232-6085 2200 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224

New Deliverance Evangelistic Church

Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Carlton T. Brooks Funeral Home â&#x20AC;&#x153;Offering Pre-Need Arrangementsâ&#x20AC;?

Virginia State University, where he earned All-CIAA honors in 1950 and 1951 while earning his degree.

Lyn Williams said his father initially was hired by Arthur Ashe Sr., father of the late tennis star, to run recreation programs at Battery Park, while his brother, the late Russell Williams, ran programs at Randolph Community Center.

He also taught at Benjamin Graves Junior High, and then with support from Mr. Robinson, was lured to Armstrong, where he taught physical education classes and coached the football and basketball teams.

He later served as athletic director for the school before retiring around 1994, his son said.

Survivors also include another son, Jonathan Williams, and a sister, Maserine Williams, both of Richmond.

8:30 a.m. Intercessory Prayer

You can now view Sunday Morning Service â&#x20AC;&#x153;AS IT HAPPENSâ&#x20AC;? online!

Also, for your convenience, we now offer â&#x20AC;&#x153;full online giving.â&#x20AC;?

Visit www.ndec.net.

ENROLL NOW!!!

Accepting applications for children 2 yrs. old to 5th Grade Our NDCA curriculum also consists of a Before and After program.

Now Enrolling for our Nursery Ages 6 weeks - 2yrs. old.

For more information Please call (804) 276-4433 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Richmond Free Press

February 7-9, 2019

B5

Faith News/Directory

Pope Francis publicly acknowledges Koinonia Christian Church clergyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sexual abuse of nuns Free Press wire report ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE

Pope Francis publicly acknowledged the scandal of priests and bishops sexually abusing nuns and vowed to do more to fight the problem, the latest sign that there is no end in sight to the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abuse crisis â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that it now has a reckoning from the #MeToo movement.

The pope admitted to the problem for the first time in public during a news conference Tuesday while returning to Rome from the United Arab Emirates.

The acknowledgment comes just two weeks before he hosts an unprecedented gathering of bishops to craft a global response to the scandal of priestly predators who target children and the superiors who covered up the crimes.

Pope Francis was asked about priests who target adult women â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the religious sisters who are the backbone of the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education, health care and social service ministries around the globe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and whether the Holy See might consider a similar universal approach to combat that issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that everyone does this, but there have been priests and bishops who have,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And I think that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuing

ď&#x20AC; ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026; ď&#x20AC; ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026; ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x17D;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x2019;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;

ď&#x20AC;&#x2014;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2122;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x161;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x17E;ď&#x20AC;&#x;ď&#x20AC; ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;Ąď&#x20AC;&#x17D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;Łď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;¤ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;Ľď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;Łď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;Śď&#x20AC;§ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;Łď&#x20AC;&#x2020;

ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x201D;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2013;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2014;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x201D;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x2122;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2019;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x161;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;

ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC; ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x17D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2019;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x201D;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2013;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2014;ď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x17D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;

ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;¨ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;Šď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x;ď&#x20AC;Şď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2014;ď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x201D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;

ď&#x20AC;&#x17E;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;&#x152;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;Ťď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;Źď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;­ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2019;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;­ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x17E;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;&#x2019;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;Şď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;§ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x17D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;Žď&#x20AC;&#x;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;¨ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;Šď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x;ď&#x20AC;Şď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;§ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;ď&#x20AC;Łď&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x201D;ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;?ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;

Barkyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

ď&#x20AC;Żď&#x20AC;&#x2122;ď&#x20AC;&#x201C;ď&#x20AC;°ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;ąď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;­ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2021;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x2022;ď&#x20AC;&#x203A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x17E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020;ď&#x20AC;&#x2020; ď&#x20AC;&#x;ď&#x20AC; ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x2018;ď&#x20AC;&#x192;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;Ąď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;&#x201E;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;Łď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;¤ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;Ľď&#x20AC;&#x2030;ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;ď&#x20AC;Śď&#x20AC;&#x2C6;ď&#x20AC;&#x160;ď&#x20AC;§ď&#x20AC;&#x153;ď&#x20AC;&#x201A;ď&#x20AC;˘ď&#x20AC;¨ď&#x20AC;&#x2026;

2IVERVIEW

because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not like once you narians. That case also cast a realize it, that it stops. It contin- spotlight on the issue of abuues. And for some time, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve sive power relationships, and been working on it. whether the Catholic Church â&#x20AC;&#x153;Should we do something ought to consider seminarians more? Yes. Is there the will? and sisters as â&#x20AC;&#x153;vulnerable Yes. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a path adultsâ&#x20AC;? when comthat we have already pared to the priests begun,â&#x20AC;? he said. and bishops who The issue has control everything come to the fore amid from their vocations the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to their studies and overall reckoning salaries. with the sexual abuse Pope Francis of minors and the noted that Pope #MeToo-inspired acBenedict XVI had knowledgement that taken action against Pope Francis adults can be victims a France-based order of abuse whenever there is an that admitted the priest who imbalance of power in a rela- founded it had violated his tionship. In the past year, the chastity vows with his female media have reported on cases recruits. Pope Francis said the of abused nuns in India, Africa, sisters had been reduced to Europe and South America â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual slaveryâ&#x20AC;? at the hands evidence that the problem is by of the Rev. Marie-Dominique no means limited to a certain Philippe and other priests. geographic area.

The Community of St. Jean In November, the orga- admitted in 2013 that Rev. nization representing all the Philippe had behaved â&#x20AC;&#x153;in ways worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s female Catholic reli- that went against chastityâ&#x20AC;? with gious orders, the International several women in the order, acUnion of Superiors General, cording to the French Catholic publicly denounced the â&#x20AC;&#x153;culture newspaper La Croix. Pope of silence and secrecyâ&#x20AC;? that Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;comments about â&#x20AC;&#x153;sexual prevented nuns from speaking slaveryâ&#x20AC;? suggested that the relaout and urged sisters to report tions were not consensual and abuse to their superiors and could have involved abuse of police. And just last week, the conscience and power as well. womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s magazine of the VatiRev. Phillipe died in 2006. can newspaper Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Osservatore Three years later, the local Romano identified the clerical bishop imposed a new superior culture of the all-powerful on the orderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contemplative clergy as the culprit. branch of nuns. Some rejected The magazine, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women the new leader and followed Church World,â&#x20AC;? noted that the their old female superior to scandal involves a corollary: found a new institute in Spain.

Nuns being forced to abort Pope Benedict eventually disthe priestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; children or bear solved that, a decision Pope children that the priests refuse Francis held up Tuesday as to recognize. evidence of Pope Benedictâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pope Francisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; acknowledge- hard line in the case. ment of the problem comes as He said Pope Benedict acted he prepares to decide the fate â&#x20AC;&#x153;because a certain slavery of of the disgraced American ex- women had crept in, slavery cardinal, Theodore McCarrick, to the point of sexual slavery who is accused of abusing on the part of clergy or the minors as well as adult semi- founder,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Saturday, February 16, 2019 4:00 PM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8:00 PM

Celebration Banquet

Location: Reveille United Methodist Church 4200 Cary Street Tickets: Contact Rev. Michelle Edmonds (804) 231-0092

Rev. Keith E. Edmonds, Sr., Senior Pastor 3600 McRand St., Richmond, VA 23224 â&#x20AC;˘ (804) 231-0092

Guest Speaker:

Gravel Hill Baptist Church Varina

â&#x20AC;&#x153;May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each otherâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;? 1 Thess. 3:12

. *OHN *ASPER 4RAILBLAZERS (ONOREES .

Gospel Fest

February 17, 2019 @ 3:00 P.M.

Featuring Cora Harvey Armstrong along with many other talented worshippers.

Stu Gardner | Tressie McMillan Cottom | Delores McQuinn | Sabrina Squire

Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

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

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 â&#x20AC;˘ 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

Sunday Service 10 a.m.

Transportation Services (804) 859-1985 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Reclaiming the Lost by Proclaiming the Gospelâ&#x20AC;?

Sunday Morning Worship

Early Morning Worship ~ 8 a.m.

September 2, 2018 @ 10:30 A.M. Sunday School ~ 9:30 a.m.

Communion Sunday Morning Worship ~ 11 a.m.

14 West Duval Street 4th Sunday UniďŹ ed Worship Service ~ 9:30 a.m.

Richmond, Va. 23220 Bible Wednesdays, 11:30A.M. a.m. & 7 p.m.

WeeklyStudy: Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 Phone: 804.648.7511 Sermons Available Church School: Sundaysat@BRBCONLINE.org 9:00 A.M. Web: www.smzbc.org Bible Study: On Summer Break Rev. Tyrone E. Nelson

Church School 8:45 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7p.m.

Meet us at The Mount!

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

Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr., Pastor

Youthâ&#x20AC;&#x153;MAKE IT HAPPENâ&#x20AC;?

We Pray Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richest Blessings Pastor

Pastor Kevin Cook

7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL

8LIQI JSV 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[ We Embrace Diversity â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Love For All! A 21st Century Church

Come Worship With Us! SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019

11:00 AM Worship Celebration Message by: Pastor Bibbs Rev. Dr. Price 4:00 L. Davis, Pastor PM Gospel Chorus Anniversary New Sermon Series Title: Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Got It Under Control! (#4 of 7) Preaching The Seven Signs & Wonders recorded in John

Worshp on Wednesays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:00 PM Pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dialogue class Dinner served Worship to follow Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

Rev. Robert Winfree & The New Life Deliverance Tabernacle

Rev. Dr. Ray McKenzie

Love Sunday

WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00 A.M.

3:30 PM

Special Guest:

Sunday, February 17, 2019 10:45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 A.M.

Sunday, February 10, 2019

2EV *OHN *ASPER

February 10, 2019 @ 10:30 A.M.

Sunday, February 10, 2019

PASTOR

FOU N D E R â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S D AY

Upcoming Events & Happenings

Congregational Prayer Service

Anniversary Celebration Keith E. Edmonds, Sr.

celebrates

Honoring God ... and serving people THANKS TO YOU for over 64 years and looking for 64 more years

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

Pastoral

Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church

Usher Badges â&#x20AC;˘ Clergy Shirts â&#x20AC;˘ Collars â&#x20AC;˘ Communion Supplies â&#x20AC;˘ Much More!

18 East Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 â&#x20AC;˘ (804) 643-1987 Hours M-F 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

"APTIST #HURCH

With Ministry For Everyone

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes the founder takes away, or empties the freedom of the sisters. It can come to this,â&#x20AC;? Pope Francis said.

Asked if any universal norms might be in the works to tackle the problem â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as has been done to handle cases of clergy sexual abuse of minors â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Pope Francis implied that the priestly abuse of nuns was still being dealt with on a case-by-case basis. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are cases, usually in new congregations and in some regions more than others,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working on it.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pray that this goes forward,â&#x20AC;? he said of the Vatican efforts to fight it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want it to go forward.â&#x20AC;?

Twitter sixthbaptistrva Facebook sixthbaptistrva

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

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

St. Peter Church forBaptist You & Your Family $R +IRKLAND 2 7ALTON 0ASTOR

in The New Year!

Worship Opportunities Sundays:

8 A.M. Thursdays: 9:30 A.M. Mid-Day Bible Study 12 Noon 11Lenten A.M. Prayer & Praise 6:30 P.M. Season Bible Study 7 P.M. Mosby joins with the larger(Children/Youth/Adults) Christian Community Unity Sundays (2nd Sundays): Church School 8:30 A.M. in celebrating the Lenten season as a time of Morning Worship 10 A.M. Morning Worship Church School Morning Worship

22nd Annual Cultural

reflection, fasting & prayerful consecration.

Join us Heritage Festival on the journey and follow along with February our Lenten Saturday, 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Calendar at www.mmbcrva.org

2019 Theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Inside the Harlem Renaissanceâ&#x20AC;? an original production where you will see legendary artists from the 1920s come alive.

Join us and witness the genius of their songs, fashion, dance, music, arts and their philosophy.

-OUNTAIN 2OAD s 'LEN !LLEN 6IRGINIA /FlCE s &AX s WWW STPETERBAPTIST NET

Ebenezer Baptist Church 1858

¹4HE 0EOPLE´S #HURCH²

216 W. Leigh St. â&#x20AC;˘ Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 â&#x20AC;˘ Fax: 804-643-3367 Email: ebcofďŹ ce1@yahoo.com â&#x20AC;˘ web: www.richmondebenezer.com Sunday Worship Sunday Church School Service of Holy Communion Service of Baptism Life Application Bible Class Mid-Week Senior Adult Fellowship Wednesday Meditation & Bible Study Homework & Tutoring Scouting Program Thursday Bible Study

11:00 a.m.

9:30 a.m.

Every 3rd Sunday 2nd Sunday, 11 a.m.

Mon. 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wed. 6:45 p.m.

Wed. 4:30 p.m.

Wed. 6:00 p.m.

Thurs., 11:45 a.m.

Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Rev. Dr. James E. Leary, Interim Pastor

Richmond Free Press

B6 February 7-9, 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 Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, February 25, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2019-018 To rezone the property known as 1206 Dinwiddie Avenue from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-7 Mixed-Use Business District. The City’s 2001 Master Plan recommends Industrial land uses for the property. “Primary uses include a wide variety of manufacturing, processing, research and development, warehousing, distribution, office warehouse and service uses. Office, retail and other uses that complement industrial areas are often secondary support uses.

Ordinance No. 2019-019 To rezone the properties known as 1809 and 1815 East Franklin Street and 6 and 14 North 19 th Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District. The City of Richmond’s Pulse Corridor Plan designates the subject property as Corridor Mixed-Use (CMU). The Plan calls for specific characteristics within this category and is “…envisioned to provide for medium-density pedestrian- and transitoriented infill development to fill “missing teeth” of the corridor fabric. The building size, density, and zoning districts for these areas will vary depending on historic densities and neighborhood characteristics. Potential future zoning districts: UB-2, B-5, B-6, RF-1, or a new district.” (City of Richmond, Pulse Corridor Plan, 2018).

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

Richmondgov.com; the Main City Library located at 101 East Franklin Street; 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 MICHAEL MITCHELL, Plaintiff v.

KENISHA COLEMAN, Defendant.

Case No.: CL18003369-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 22nd day of March, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOHNAS BUTLER, Plaintiff v.

SHAUNA BUTLER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL18001119-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 11th day of March, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LEE SPENCER, JR., Plaintiff v.

GILDA ROBERTSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL18003293-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 11th day of March, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests.

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

1130 East 15th Street S000 0636 016 1100 North 21st Street E000 0514 012 1613 North 23rd Street E000 0860 007 1 East 25th Street S000 0682 012 1816 North 30th Street E000 0952 012 1120 North 35th Street E000 1106 011 1814 Boston Avenue S000 0342 001 2401 Brinkwood Drive C008 0536 038 3216 Carolina Avenue N000 1157 005 1813 Cedarhurst Drive C005 0298 012 2500 Columbia Street S008 0380 023 2506 Columbia Street S008 0380 020 2016 Edwards Avenue S000 0457 001 10230 Epsilon Road C001 1089 014 1709 Everett Street S000 0235 018 1718 Everett Street S000 0234 011 3017 Krouse Street S008 0562 030 3022 Krouse Street S008 0563 012 22 North Lombardy Street W000 0660 022 3132 Maurice Avenue C009 0252 054 1414 Melton Avenue E000 1102 020 1302 Nelwood Drive E0002402017 1306 Newell Road C005 0475 002 4903 Orcutt Lane C008 0463 010 1516 Perry Street S000 0201 002 3917 ½ Piney Road N018 0530 025 3012 Terminal Avenue C009 0566 004 2710 Walmsley Boulevard S009 0538 007 4611 Walmsley Boulevard C008 0829 098 The owner/s of any property listed may redeem it at any time before the date of the sale by paying all accumulated taxes, penalties, interest and cost thereon, including the pro rata costs of publication hereunder.

Gregory A. Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Office of the City Attorney for the City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia (804) 646-7940

been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that DEBBIE HANKS, Registered Agent for GABBY HOMES, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

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 MARK BROOKS, Plaintiff v.

KAREN STALLINGS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL18003786-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 6th day of March, 2019 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, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHERL JEFFRIES, Plaintiff v.

WILBERT JEFFRIES, Defendant.

Case No.: CL19000063-00 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 6th day of March, 2019 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, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

CUSTODY VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re LAKENRIC MARQUEST YOUNG, JR. Case No. J-94945-07-00, 08-00, 09-00, ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) JANAY DANIELLE CARTER (MOTHER), TYSHAWN WHITE (FATHER), & UNKNOWN FATHER (FATHER) OF Lakenric Marquest Young, Jr., child, DOB 10/7/2017.

“RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Janay Danielle Carter (Mother), Tyshawn White (Father), & Unknown Father (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 4/10/2019, at 10:20 AM, Courtroom #5.

PROPERTY Notice Judicial Sale of Real Property Owner/s of the below listed properties are hereby given notice that thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, proceedings will be commenced under the authority of Section 58.13965 et seq. of the Code of Virginia to sell the following parcels located in the City of Richmond, Virginia for payment of delinquent taxes: 115 East 12th Street S000 0116 011 Continued on next column

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

JAMES E. BRANCH, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-4361 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2701 Selden Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E012-0319/001, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, James E. Branch, Irving Branch aka Arthello Irving Branch, George Branch, Jr., Thelma Smith, Diane Thompson aka Diane Branch, Gerlis Stevens aka Geralis Attaway, Shirley Bryson, Michael Sylvester Branch, Delencia S. Tucker.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, JAMES E. BRANCH, upon information and belief deceased, or her/his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and IRVING BRANCH, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owners, GEORGE BRANCH, JR, DIANE THOMPSON, SHIRLEY BRYSON, and DELENCIA S. TUCKER, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, GERLIS STEVENS, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not filed a response to this action; that said owners, THELMA SMITH and MICHAEL SYLVESTER BRANCH, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that JAMES E. BRANCH, upon information and belief deceased, or her/his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, IRVING BRANCH, upon information and belief deceased, GEORGE BRANCH, JR, DIANE THOMPSON, SHIRLEY B RY S O N , D E L E N C I A S. TUCKER, GERLIS STEVENS, THELMA SMITH, MICHAEL SYLVESTER B R A N C H , and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

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

FORREST J. DOWDEN, JR, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5875 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4604 Bunn Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0110143/004, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Forrest J. Dowden, Jr.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, FORREST J. DOWDEN, 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 “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that FORREST J. DOWDEN, JR, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

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

GABBY HOMES, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5709 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1115 North 32nd Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000803/028, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gabby Homes, LLC, fka Gabby Homes, Inc.

An Affidavit having been filed that DEBBIE HANKS, Registered Agent for GABBY HOMES, LLC, 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

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

GABBY HOMES, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5708 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3410 R Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-1104/041, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Gabby Homes, LLC, fka Gabby Homes, Inc.

An Affidavit having been filed that DEBBIE HANKS, Registered Agent for GABBY HOMES, LLC, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that DEBBIE HANKS, Registered Agent for GABBY HOMES, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk

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

RVA PROPERTY 1, LLC, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-1520 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3000 ½ Q Street Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E000-0627/031, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, RVA Property 1, LLC.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, RVA Property 1, LLC, an entity purged from the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that WILLIAM K. PEMBER and NANCY WEISS, Beneficiaries of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that WAYNE ROUNTREE, upon information and belief deceased, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that NANCY ROUNTREE, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that RVA Property 1, LLC, an entity purged from the records of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, WILLIAM K. PEMBER and NANCY WEISS, Beneficiaries of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, WAYNE ROUNTREE, upon information and belief deceased, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, NANCY ROUNTREE, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 09-15141 on July 8, 2009, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq.

Continued on next column

Continued on next column

Continued on next column

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

ESSIE L. MILLER, et al.

Defendants.

Case No. : CL18-5834 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 205 Wickham Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N0000446/019, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Essie L. Miller, John M. Miller, III, Anthony L. Miller, Ricardo N. Miller, Wayne W. Miller and Michelle D. Miller.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, ESSIE L. MILLER and JOHN M. MILLER, III, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owners, RICARDO N. MILLER and WAYNE W. MILLER, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that ESSIE L. MILLER, JOHN M. MILLER, III, RICARDO N. MILLER, WAYNE W. MILLER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Continued from previous column

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.

WILLIAM A. JOYNER, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5706 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3318 Q Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000877/010, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, William A. Joyner, and Dorothy B. Joyner.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, 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 “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

Continued from previous column

Plaintiff, v.

WILLIAM A. JOYNER, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5705 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3316 Q Street, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number E0000877/011, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, William A. Joyner, and Dorothy B. Joyner.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, 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 “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

Tax Map Number E0000878/012, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, William A. Joyner, and Dorothy B. Joyner.

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, 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 “Parties Unknown.”

IT IS ORDERED that WILLIAM A. JOYNER, upon information and belief deceased, or his heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, DOROTHY B. JOYNER, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before MARCH 17, 2019 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7940

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

WILLIAM A. JOYNER, et al, Defendants.

Case No.: CL18-5704 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3316 P Street, Richmond, Virginia, Continued on next column

License Parker and Peyton LLC Trading as: Brewers Waffles 1311 Hull St Richmond, Virginia 23224-3920 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia D epartment of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) for a Wine and Beer On Premises, Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Anthony Brewer Jr, owner NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

REQUEST FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST AND STATEMENTS OF QUALIFICATIONS The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company invites highly qualified firms to prequalify and submit Letters of Interest and Statement of Qualifications along with background information on Form HECO-16 for construction services related to the:

University of Virginia - Pinn Hall Fourth Floor Laboratory Renovation RFP #16-112

Project Overview:

The scope of renovation will include complete removal of existing finishes and utilities back to shell condition on a portion of the fourth floor while sensitive research is being conducted on other floors. New construction will include open labs, support and equipment rooms, offices, collaboration areas, relocated toilet rooms, new lighting and electrical distribution, and MEP systems. Construction will also include the partial replacement of the building’s electrical infrastructure (normal power upgrades).

University of Virginia - Pinn Hall Fire Alarm Replacement Project Overview: The scope of renovation will include installation and testing of a new fire alarm system in Pinn Hall and then removal of the existing system. This scope of work will also include mechanical and controls modifications as well as some minor architectural upgrades.

The anticipated schedule for the Construction Start of both projects will be spring/summer 2019 through winter 2019/2020.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company seeks to retain subcontractors via the competitive bidding process in accordance with the provisions of the University of Virginia Higher Education Capital Outlay Manual for the above referenced projects. Interested applicants should reply to the following address and request a prequalification form: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 9210 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 190 Richmond, VA 23236 Attn: Greg Stiles Greg.Stiles@whiting-turner.com (804) 330-4700

Applications are now being accepted for the following positions.

PCA or CNA and Licensed Medication Aide.

Please bring a current TB report when applying.

All references will be checked.

GOOD PAY – GOOD DAYS OFF. Call for appointment (804) 222-5133 Freelance Writers: Richmond Free Press has immediate opportunities for freelance writers. Newspaper experience is a requirement. 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.

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

CHURCH MUSICIANS WANTED

Metropolitan Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA Seeking the following skilled and experienced instrumentalists to accompany praise team and various choirs of the church in church services, outings and events: Pianist/keyboardist/organist, Bass player and Drummer The salary is dependent upon applicable experience.

Applicant submit two references with résumé to metro@metbapch.com.

To advertise in the

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