By George Copeland Jr.

Six new community partners, $644,000 in grant money and a continuing effort to bring greater equity to Richmond’s marginalized communities were the focus Tuesday afternoon at Richmond City Hall, as city leaders announced the latest groups and projects that will be part of the Health Equity Fund.

The Nationz Foundation, REAL LIFE, the Happily Natural Day, Virginia Community Voice, The Hive and Sacred Heart Center are the lat- est organizations to be added to the Richmond government’s effort to tackle the many disparities in the community that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic — and that continue to plague communities throughout the city.

Lawsuit claims Virginia’s felony disenfranchisement violates Reconstruction-era federal law that automatically take away voting rights for convicted felons unless the governor restores those rights. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Richmond by the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, alleges the state is violating a Reconstruction-era federal law that established the terms of Virginia’s readmission to representation in Congress after the Civil War.

Please turn to A4 Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press Steady does it Kayden Cooper, 8, focuses on serving as he tries his hand at Pickleball for the first time during the Robinson Theater’s Annual Block Party on June 9 in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood. This was the first time that the popular Pickleball made its debut at the party that was attended by hundreds of people.

The ACLU of Virginia and Protect Democracy — a nonprofit that focuses on voting rights — filed the lawsuit on behalf of three Virginia residents with felony convictions and Bridging the Gap in Virginia, a nonprofit organization that helps former inmates overcome barriers to their transition back into society.

July 4 holiday closings

In observance of the Fourth of July holiday on Tuesday, July 4, please note the following:

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. ABC stores: All stores will close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Banks and financial institutions: Most are closed

Tuesday, July 4. Malls, major retailers and movie theaters: Varies. Inquire at specific locations.

Free Press offices: Closed Tuesday, July 4.

Maggie Walker site names new superintendent

Free Press staff report

Scott Teodorski is the new superintendent for Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.

Hampton University to benefit from new philanthropic initiative

Free Press staff report of influence. The significance of a robust endowment cannot be overstated.” administrations exploring alternative asset class strategies with their endowments.

Hampton University was awarded $750,000 as part of an inaugural $10 million plus venture capital fund, The Historic Fund. The new fund aims to bolster the endowments of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), as well as highlight their importance and the role they play in promoting equity and inclusion in higher education, according to a news release issued by the university.

The Historic Fund is a unique philanthropic initiative. Selected HBCUs can become limited partners without investing their own assets. Instead, the funds are raised from partners of the participating funds: Acrew Capital.

Mr. Teodorshi

Mr. Teodorski previously served as the first permanent superintendent for the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in South Carolina since 2018. He also worked as the chief of interpretation at Congaree National Park in South Carolina, a park ranger at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Kentucky, and at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.

“I am very excited to be part of an amazing team managing these very special places,” said Mr. Teodorski, who assumes his new role in late July. “I look forward to working with park staff and community partners to showcase the wide range of stories represented at these sites.” pet cause Infections temporarily close two local animal shelters

By Debora Timms

Henrico Police Animal Shelter temporarily closed its doors to the public on June 22 after seeing a rise in infections that could lead to canine influenza.

Lt. Matthew Pecka with the Henrico Police Department said in an email on June 28 that “nearly a half dozen animals are showing some sort of respiratory infection.” Those animals currently symptomatic are being quarantined.

Symptoms of canine influenza in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge and reduced appetite. The H3N2 strain of the virus can also infect cats.

“The safety of all the animals housed in the care of our shelter is of utmost importance,” he wrote. “We continue to partner with medical staff as these animals are undergoing testing, which remains an active process. Results have not been received.”

The Henrico Police Animal Protection Unit won’t be able to pick up stray dogs or accept surrenders except for bite/cruelty cases, but community members should still report animal related matters or concerns as these calls will be reviewed by the unit.

While the shelter does not yet have a reopening date, adoptions are still able to proceed on a case-by-case basis.

“Community members are encouraged to contact our shelter and express their interest in available animals,” added Lt. Pecka. “Our team will evaluate adoptions based upon best practices and in conjunction with our veterinarian.”

In the days before the Glen Allen shelter’s temporary closure, Richmond Animal Care and Control also announced it would close its doors to the public for two-weeks.

According to RACC’s Facebook page, two dogs returned positive tests for the canine flu; however, the shelter is planning to resume canine adoptions with an event on July 1. The post notes that all the adoptable dogs “have either been treated and recovered, or were never symptomatic and have cleared quarantine.” It adds that no shelter cats were affected and can be adopted by appointment anytime. Normal operations are expected to resume on July 7.

Both shelters are reminding pet owners to make sure all animal vaccinations are current and to contact their veterinarian if they see any signs of canine influenza.

“An endowed university is not only an institution of learning, but a beacon of endurance and limitless possibilities. It grants us the flexibility to adapt to emerging challenges, seize new opportunities and invest in the long-term sustainability of our institution,” said Hampton University President Darrell K. Williams. “We are grateful to have the support of this special venture capital fund. To be in the inaugural cohort of The Historic Fund is an honor. It allows us to foster an environment of intellectual curiosity, empowering students to become globally astute leaders

B Capital, Cowboy Ventures, First Round Capital, FirstMark Capital, Foundry, General Catalyst, Spark Capital and Union Square Ventures. The schools will function as traditional limited partners and will be free to use the returns as they wish.

The partnerships also will foster connections between the HBCUs and the venture capital community, expanding opportunities both for funding and for employment. The Historic Fund hopes to develop programming for students interested in entrepreneurship, as well as support

“As we continue to combat the racial inequities that Black students face, The Historic Fund aims to relieve the disproportionate financial pressure on Black families, while also providing essential funding for research and innovation at each of these institutions,” said Ken Chenault, chairman and a managing director of the venture capital firm General Catalyst. Mr. Chenault was the CEO and Chairman of American Express from 2001 until 2018.

Along with Hampton University, the inaugural cohort of HBCU partners will be Benedict College, Bennett College, Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Morehouse College, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Xavier University of Louisiana.

VUU elects new board members

Free Press staff report Virginia Union University Board of Trustees announced that it has elected new members to serve as trustees of the University:

• Lawrence P. Bancroft, president and CEO, Bivium Capital Partners;

• Kenya Blake, managing director and General Manager, Horizon Inno- vations;

• Carolyn Jacobs ‘64, retired guidance coordinator, Richmond Public Schools;

• Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. ‘65, president emeritus, Livingstone College;

• Darius A. Johnson, vice president and treasurer, Dominion Energy;

• Rev. Dr. Lance D. Watson ‘85, senior pastor, The St. Paul’s Baptist Church.

Richmond police provide Monroe Park shooting update

By George Copeland Jr.

It’s been three weeks since the shooting in Monroe Park after Huguenot High Schools graduation that killed a graduate, Shawn D. Jackson, his stepfather Renzo Smith and injured five others. Since then, official information about the investigation has been scarce, with the Richmond Police Deparment canceling a planned in-person briefing last Friday and releasing information in statements instead, after a consultation with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office.

According to a statement from Richmond police, one victim of the shooting is still recovering in the hospital and may be released soon. A second suspect was cleared of involvement in the shooting, after video evidence was reviewed, police say.

Police reports also note that none of the guns confiscated in the aftermath were brought into the Altria Theater, where the Huguenot High graduation ceremony took place. The police also reiterated that the shooting sprang from a confrontation between Mr. Jackson and the shooter, Amari Pollard.

“While we understand the public’s right [to] know, we must balance that with the case we present to the Commonwealth Attorney,” RPD said. “It is our priority to turn over the best case, and releasing too much information can jeopardize the final result.”

The police ask that anyone with information related to the shooting contact officials at 804-780-1000, while those injured in the shooting or those who know someone who was injured may call the Victim/Witness Services of the Commonwealth’s Attorney office at 804-646-7665.

“Virginia Union University welcomes these visionary leaders to join our work of building the university of the future in the present, for the present,” said the Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chairman of VUU’s Board of Trustees. “These individuals have devoted their lives to community service, and we are excited to have them join our team that is shaping the future of higher education.”

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