Richmond Free Press June 3-5, 2021 edition by Richmond Free Press

VOL. 30 NO. 23

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

Stay or go? By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The fate of the giant statue of slavery-defending Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that has loomed over Monument Avenue for more than 130 years now rests with the seven justices of the Virginia Supreme Court. The court has scheduled arguments for next Tuesday, June 8, on lawsuits questioning the authority of the state to remove the

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How Richmonders celebrated Memorial Day B2

JUNE 3-5, 2021

The Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments next Tuesday on whether Gov. Ralph S. Northam has the authority to remove the Monument Avenue statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee

symbol of white supremacy from property owned by the state. The cases involve two sets of litigants seeking to block Gov. Ralph S. Northam from getting rid of the monument. The plaintiffs challenging the governor already have lost in Richmond Circuit Court. However, until the hearing is held, the state’s highest court has refused to dissolve an injunction imposed by the lower court barring Gov. Northam from removing the Lee statue.

In 1889, the General Assembly authorized the governor to accept ownership of the land and the statue on behalf of the state; the statue was installed in 1890 at Allen and Monument avenues. The justices, who agreed during the winter to take up the cases involving the statue’s future, apparently held off oral arguments to avoid having an impact on the Democratic primary Please turn to A4

Below, from left, Hughes Van Ellis, 100; Lessie Benningfield Randle, 106; and Viola Fletcher, 107, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre and older sister of Mr. Van Ellis, attend the Black Wall Street Legacy Festival on May 28 in Tulsa, Okla. Left, this photo shows the ruins of Dunbar Elementary School and the Masonic Hall in the aftermath of the June 1, 1921, race massacre in Tulsa.

Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library, University of Tulsa via AP

‘I have lived through the massacre every day’ Free Press staff, wire report

TULSA, Okla. She was just 7 years old when the white mob stormed through her neighborhood, killing every man they could find, raping defenseless women and burning to the ground virtually every building in a 35-block area. Now 107, Viola Fletcher is the oldest of the three living survivors of the deliberate racehatred fueled destruction 100 years ago of the Greenwood community, the Black section of Tulsa, Okla. Richmond’s Black community, located 1,200 miles east, was spared the kind of terror that hit Greenwood, a two-day massacre May 31 and June 1, 1921, that left hundreds dead and which is now regarded as the largest and most horrific of the largely forgotten white mob

Polls open Tuesday, June 8, for Democratic primary Free Press staff report

Voters are in the midst of choosing the Democratic standard bearers who will run for state and local offices in the fall election, with the nomination contests to be settled by a primary election Tuesday, June 8. At stake: The selection of Democratic nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, as well as for local offices and party nominees for the House of Delegates. Primaries also are being held in four districts in the state to choose Republican nominees for House of Delegate seats. In Richmond, voters will help decide Democratic candidates for the statewide races,

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Polly Irungu/Reuters

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Monthly food distribution program launches in Henrico By George Copeland Jr.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

A real splash Donovan Pelletier, 2, plays in the kiddie pool at the city’s Randolph Pool on Grayland Avenue in the West End. The toddler was enjoying Memorial Day with his mother, siblings and friends. Please see more Memorial Weekend photos, B2.

A new monthly curbside food distribution effort began last Saturday at Quioccasin Middle School in Henrico County, drawing long lines of people in their vehicles despite the intense rainfall. Protected from the showers under the large canopy of the school’s bus zone, volunteers with the Richmond Chapter of the Islamic Circle of North America Relief and Henrico County Public Schools worked to load tote bags filled with fresh vegetables, chicken, canned goods, bread, doughnuts, hand sanitizer and soap, masks, toilet paper and other staples into the waiting vehicles of more than 100 area families in need. It was a demanding start to the new endeavor, but one that showed the commitment of all parties involved. “We’re prepared for all sorts of weather—rain, snow, sleet, shine. We’re here,” said Hamna Saleem, state outreach coordinator for ICNA Relief, a nonprofit organization providing a network of shelters, food pantries, health clinics and refugee and disaster relief services across the United States. “For us, really being there and present for the community matters.” The seeds of the new initiative began with ICNA Relief, which has been running a food pantry in Henrico for more than a year. ICNA organizers reached out to the Henrico school system’s Office of Equity, Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Tote bags filled with food and staples line the hall of Quioccasin Middle School, where volunteers with ICNA Relief and Henrico County Public Schools helped distribute them Saturday to more than 100 families in need who picked up the bags curbside.

Report details racism, sexual assault at VMI Associated Press

The Virginia Military Institute has tolerated and failed to address institutional racism and sexism and must be held accountable for making changes, according to a state-sanctioned report released Tuesday. The 145-page report, put together by an independent law firm at the request of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, states that “racial slurs and jokes are not uncommon” and “contribute to an atmosphere of hostility toward minorities.”

Some graduates welcomed the findings as long overdue at a nearly 200-yearold institution that carries the prestige of educating Gen. George Patton but is also indelibly tied to the nation’s history of racism and sexism. Maj. Gen. Wins Others said the report mischaracterized “isolated” incidents that can happen at any school. Among other findings, the report found

that a racial disparity exists among cadets who have been dismissed by the school’s student-run honor court. Cadets of color represent 23 percent of the corps but make up 41 percent of those dismissed since 2011. The report also said that sexual assault is prevalent yet inadequately addressed at the nation’s oldest state-supported military college. A survey found that 14 percent of female cadets reported being sexually assaulted, while 63 percent said that a fellow cadet had told them that he or she Please turn to A4

Free COVID-19 testing Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following location: • Thursday, June 3, 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Henrico Health Department, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico. Drive-thru testing. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by registering online at https://bit.ly/RHHDCOVID. Testing will be offered while test supplies last. The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites/.

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Richmond Free Press

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Local News

Richmond native rapper Brax lives on in mural to be unveiled By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A new mural will be unveiled this weekend in North Side celebrating Braxton Trenae Baker, a Richmond-born rapper who performed as Brax and made a major splash on social media before her death last year at age 21. The unveiling is to take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at 213 W. Brookland Park Blvd., on the east wall of the building where Da Spot Recording Studio is located. Richmond muralist Jason Ford created the portrait of the talented artist whose popularity soared on music streaming sites in 2017 following the release of her first project “VERSE(atility)” that she released on Soundcloud. Known for her high energy,

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Brax was working on two albums and three novels when she died on Nov. 2, 2020. She also was building her own fashion brand. Essence magazine labeled her a social media influencer due to the size of her audience. She reportedly had 113,000 followers on Instagram, her preferred platform, when she died. Medical examiners determined Brax died from cardiac arrhythmia. Brax’s mother, Letricia L. Russell, stated in a social media post announcing her daughter’s death, “There were no scratches, there were no bruises. It was a spiritual release. God retrieved the angel he loaned to us.” In a 2018 piece posted on her sister’s blog, “The Good Girls Movement,” Brax wrote an emotional essay about being raped

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

A mural honoring the late rapper and social media influencer Braxton “Brax” Baker is on the side of Da Spot Recording Studio at 213 W. Brookland Park Blvd. The mural, which will be formally unveiled Saturday, June 5, was created by Jason Ford.

to help other women heal from their trauma of sexual assault. “This is better than any song I’ve ever written,” she wrote in posting the essay to her Instagram page. Brax was a graduate of the Henrico Center for the Arts at Henrico High School, where she won recognition for her ability to dance, her vivacious personality and her ambition to be famous.

Fashion was a major interest, with her Instagram page filled with modeling photos and videos she directed. “My role is to create art straight from the heart,” she told a magazine interviewer. “For I know that art will be pure, poetic, powerful and healing. All I want to do is help the world heal. That’s when things will begin to shift.”

City, VUU and RRHA join forces to help boost Gilpin Court residents through new partnership By Ronald E. Carrington

Regina H. Boone /Richmond Free Press

Recognizing a naval pioneer The late Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr., a Richmond native who was the first AfricanAmerican to reach the rank of admiral and the first African-American to command a U.S. Navy fleet, was remembered and honored Wednesday during a ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial commemorating the 50th anniversary of his promotion to the rank of admiral. As part of the ceremony, Gov. Ralph S. Northam issued a proclamation designating June 2 as Adm. Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Day in Virginia. Holding the proclamation is, second from left, Cmdr. Corey Odom, commander of the USS

Gravely, an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer based in Norfolk that was commissioned in 2010 honoring Adm. Gravely. He retired from the Navy in 1980 and died in 2004 at age 82. His niece, Laurette Cain Johnson Turner, spoke at the ceremony held by the Richmond Council of the Navy League of the United States to recognize Adm. Gravely’s remarkable achievements in breaking down color barriers in the military. Joining Cmdr. Odom are, from left, Lt. j.g. Connor Partlow, Command Master Chief Dion Dupree and RS 1st Class Victor Nyarko.

The City of Richmond announced a new 20year partnership with Virginia Union University and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority to help support residents of the Gilpin Court public housing community. The partnership’s goal is to position and place residents on a pathway to generational wealth through education and job training opportunities. The city has put up $100,000 to fund mentoring and job training and employment opportunities through the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building. The program is expected to launch in the fall with science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, programming targeting middle school students in Gilpin Court through VUU’s Community Mentoring Initiative. That will be followed early next year by workforce development and training programs for families. According to officials, RRHA will identify and enroll students in grades 6 through 8 in the mentorship and educational and training program, and identify heads of households and young adults for workforce and leadership training that will take place within VUU and outside the university. RRHA also will provide meeting and training space at a soon-to-be established Center for Human and Family Engagement in Gilpin Court. According to RRHA, the program will help lead to higher education opportunities at VUU and elsewhere. The partnership was announced by Mayor Levar M. Stoney during a May 24 news conference outside the Calhoun Family Investment Center in Gilpin Court. Joining the mayor in the announcement were RRHA Interim CEO Stacey Daniels Fayson; VUU President Hakim

J. Lucas; Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, chair of the VUU Board of Trustees; and City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, 6th District. Officials said organizers talked with residents about their needs and used the information to design the program. The concept was originated by Reginald L. Gordon, the city’s deputy chief administrative officer for human services after Mayor Stoney told VUU’s administration that City Hall wanted to be supportive of the community. “Whatever is done has to be long term. It could not be episodic,” Mr. Gordon said. “This matched VUU’s mission. VUU will be the anchor institution and the front door for any organization or ministry wanting to help Gilpin residents for the long haul.” The university’s commitment was reinforced at the news conference by Dr. Richardson. “It is very important for Virginia Union University to create meaningful partnerships that nurture and support the communities where we reside, as well as create a pipeline for the VUU students of tomorrow,” he said. “The goals and objectives…are for public housing families to thrive and have the same opportunities as other communities,” Ms. Fayson said. “This partnership speaks to that mandate. “We look forward, with the help of our partners, to empowering, inspiring and moving our Gilpin Court families to a level of selfsufficiency,” she said. RRHA officials said the plan to raze Gilpin Court in the next 10 to 15 years will not impact the program. Residents are to be moved into newer housing that is to be built along the 1st Street corridor before Gilpin Court apartments are torn down and replaced with affordable housing, like with Creighton Court in the East End, said Ralph Stuckey, RRHA’s residence services manager.

Painting contractor still waiting for payment on work at River City Middle School By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Months after Richmond’s new River City Middle School was completed and turned over to Richmond Public Schools, William Bullock is still waiting to get paid nearly $200,000. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said the 78-year-old painting contractor who has been self-employed for 56 years. “You do the work, you expect to get paid. But in this case, the money doesn’t come.” It’s not clear how many subcontractors like Mr. Bullock are still waiting to receive their payments from the school contract. Like many Black-owned businesses, he can ill afford not to be paid as agreed. Mayor Levar M. Stoney set goals to ensure a high percentage of the work on the new city schools was performed by minority businesses. But Mr. Bullock said the mayor has not responded to his complaint about not receiving full payment. The Free Press also has not received a response from city officials who were involved with the school construction project, including the city’s chief operating officer, Robert Steidel, and Patricia Foster, director of the Richmond Office of Minority Business Development. No evidence has surfaced to show any city official has taken action to ensure Mr. Bullock receives the money that he claims he is due. In the contract, City Hall states that it accepts no responsibility for ensuring that contractors pay subcontractors. All companies involved in

doing construction work for the city are barred from filing liens against the school building in court, a contrast with private projects where such actions are common when subcontractors are not paid. Winchester-based Howard Shockey & Sons, the construction manager at risk for the $64.5 million project, did not respond to a Free Press request for comment on Mr. Bullock’s situation. Mr. Bullock said he has not heard from them. According to Mr. Bullock, he was awarded a $540,000 contract to paint the new school, which he did, but he said he is still waiting to be paid about $47,000 from that contract. The city usually withholds about 8 percent of a contract, called retainage, as a stick to ensure the project is fully complete before the final payment is issued. The building is listed as done. The city’s building commissioner issued the required occupancy permit in November. Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras has advised the School Board that the final fixes to construction mistakes of all kinds – known as the “punch list” – were finished earlier this year, in the final week of March. Still, Mr. Bullock said he has received no notice of when that retainage will be paid. The rest of the money he is due is from what are called change orders, or additions to a contract that were not accounted for in the original bid. Change orders were commonplace in the construction of the three new schools, according to Mr. Steidel. He reported that $124 million in change orders were issued during construction

Jeremy M. Lazarus/Richmond Free Press

Painting contractor William Bullock looks over documents from the River City Middle School project in his office on Hull Street.

of River City Middle and Cardinal and Henry L. Marsh III elementary schools out of the $146 million spent. Mr. Bullock was among those who were supposed to get additional money. In the summer of 2020, Mr. Bullock was instructed to paint the ceilings in the school cafeteria and the two gymnasiums in the building. A review of the plans that Mr. Bullock received and on which he based his winning bid shows blank spaces and no instructions to paint those three ceilings. He said he spent $130,000

just to do that work. He said that if those ceilings had been included as part of the scope of work he initially bid on, his bid would have been around $660,000 to account for the paint and labor involved. He said he was told by AECOM, the company the city hired to manage school construction and other projects, that a change order would be submitted. He said he was told that if he didn’t do the work, another contractor would be brought in. “So I did the work,” Mr. Bullock said. He also was called on to repaint walls in Sections C and E of the school, which had been smeared with Sheetrock coating or “mud,” after he painted the walls the first time. Shockey’s staff reported what happened as “excess pointing.” Mr. Bullock said the workers were supposed to do small touchups on the walls, but he said they did much more, ruining the completed paint job. He said that he spent about $20,000 to redo the walls in those sections. That extra work, too, was supposed to be covered by change orders, he said. Facing a stonewall of silence from City Hall, Mr. Bullock said he is now seeking to engage an attorney to try to collect. Mr. Bullock said the same thing happened about eight years ago when he was awarded contracts to paint Broad Rock and Oak Grove elementary schools. He said he was owed about $130,000, settled for $65,000 so he could move ahead. “I am hoping I don’t have to do that again,” he said.

CHoR_FreePress_vaccine-facts_print-ready.pdf

5/28/21

11:17 AM

Richmond Free Press

June 3-5, 2021 A3

6 facts kids ages 12+ should know about the COVID-19 vaccine Fact #1

You will not contract COVID-19 from the vaccine.

Fact #2

The vaccine has been tested in teens and is safe!

Fact #3

This vaccine could provide protection against multiple strains of the virus.

Fact #4

The vaccine will not alter your DNA.

Fact #5

The vaccine is not linked to infertility or reproductive health issues.

Fact #6

We know exactly what’s in the vaccine. The ingredient list is available.

CMY

Kids and the COVID vaccine: What should a parent know? Kids ages 12 and up can now get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine – another giant leap forward in the fight against this coronavirus.

Adolescents typically don't develop severe COVID-19 symptoms. Why do they need to be vaccinated? Generally, adolescents who contract COVID-19 usually don’t develop severe symptoms, but they have in rare cases. Adolescents can also contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Vaccinating adolescents and everyone who is eligible is critical in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 and keep everyone healthy. The vaccine will also help make life a little more normal and prevent adolescents and teens from missing school, sporting events and other activities if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19.

How do we know it's safe? Before the FDA grants an emergency use authorization, vaccines go through a rigorous series of trials. Children’s immune systems are different from adults and they can even vary at different ages. Vaccines are fully tested on specific age groups for their unique stages of development. EUAs are granted for age groups only once the vaccines have proved to be safe and effective. Multiple federal partners are working together to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines are as safe as possible. The COVID-19 vaccines were developed rapidly not because corners were cut, but because they were a top priority and, thankfully, research on a COVID-19 vaccine didn’t have to start from scratch. Scientists have significant prior experience working with other coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS.

RƞʅƪĻěʅǊðččŀţěʅðƞʅěȁěčƪŀǊěʅŀţʅðĔůŘěƞčěţƪƞʅðƞʅŀƪʅŀƞʅŀţʅðĔƲŘƪƞɑ The Pfizer-BioNTech clinical trial was found to be 100 percent effective in preventing COVID-19 (at least 7 days after the second dose) during a clinical trial including about 2,000 participants aged 12–15. Trials are currently underway to study effectiveness in children younger than 12.

ƖěʅƪĻěʅƞŀĔěʅěȁěčƪƞʅƪĻěʅƞðšěʅŀţʅŕŀĔƞʅðţĔʅðĔƲŘƪƞɑ The vaccine trials showed that side effects observed in the 12-15 age group were generally consistent with those in the 16-25-year-olds. Mild side effects – such as arm pain, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, chills and fever – are a sign the body is building protection. While they can be annoying, they should go away in a couple days.

Where can kids 12 and up get the COVID vaccine? Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov to find a vaccine location near you. CHoR patients can call 804-828-CHOR(2467) to schedule an appointment at the Children’s Pavilion.

Learn more at

chrichmond.org/covidvaccine

Richmond Free Press

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News

‘I have lived through the massacre every day’ Continued from A1

attacks that brought death and destruction to more than two dozen growing and thriving Black communities during that era. “I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home,” Mrs. Fletcher told a congressional committee last month to which she came “seeking justice” for those impacted. “I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire,” said Mrs. Fletcher, one of five children her parents sought to hustle to safety. “I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams. I have lived through the massacre every day.” Greenwood is one of 26 communities where Black people were massacred between 1917 and 1923, according to historians. The records show that 300 people were killed in Greenwood and at least 1,100 businesses, homes and churches were destroyed by firebombs dropped from planes and blazes set from the ground. “I am here asking my country to acknowledge what happened in Tulsa in 1921. Our country may forget this history, but I cannot. I will not, and other survivors do not. And our descendants do not,” Mrs. Fletcher said. While Tulsa and Oklahoma still barely acknowledge the horror, President Biden traveled to that city Tuesday on the 100th anniversary to show Mrs. Fletcher that the pain and suffering is finally gaining recognition and that the federal government is committed to promoting change. The president said what happened in Greenwood “was an act of hate and domestic terrorism with a through line that

exists today, still.” He cited the violent and deadly 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in calling white supremacy “the most lethal threat to the homeland today.” He also toured the Greenwood Cultural Center and met with Ms. Fletcher, her 100-year-old brother, Hughes Van Ellis, and Lessie Benningfield Randle, 106, the last known survivors of the massacre. To help provide redress, President Biden said he would use federal purchasing power to increase contracting with small, disadvantaged businesses—many of them Black- or minority-owned—from 10 percent to 15 percent, pumping an additional $100 billion in new federal spending with such companies over five years. President Biden noted that his American Jobs Plan proposal, if passed by Congress, would provide $10 billion in community revitalization funding targeted to economically underserved and underdeveloped communities like Greenwood. The money, according to the Biden administration, would fund remodeling of vacant buildings and storefronts to provide low-cost space for services and community entrepreneurs, including health centers, arts and cultural spaces, job training programs, business incubators and community marketplaces. It also would support removing toxic waste to create new parks and community gardens, the administration said. That also could benefit Richmond’s Black neighborhoods and business corridors, which have been impacted in the past by more subtle racist tools, such as highway development and urban renewal. Such a fund also could benefit other

places that were destroyed like Greenwood, including East St. Louis, where the white reign of terror was unleashed in 1917 during World War I and that culminated in 1923 with the destruction of the Black town of Rosewood, Fla. Race massacres during that time engulfed a lengthy list of communities ranging from Chicago and Washington, D.C. to Houston, Omaha, Neb., and Elaine, Ark. President Biden also touted other initiatives in his infrastructure bill, such as $15 billon in competitive grants targeting neighborhoods where people have been cut off from jobs, schools and businesses because of previous transportation investments, officials said. Whether he satisfied Ms. Fletcher and the other survivors’cry for justice is unclear. But his visit and remarks helped put the legacy of the trauma and injustice created by the massacre in the national spotlight. Those who went through what President Biden called “a living hell,” said the event caused more than property damage. “We were made to feel that our struggle was unworthy of justice, that we were less than the whites, that we weren’t fully Americans,” Mr. Van Ellis, a World War II veteran, said in following his sister in providing testimony to the May 19 congressional hearing. “Even at the age of 100, the Tulsa race massacre is a footnote in the history books of us. We live it every day and the thought of what Greenwood was or what it could have been,” Mr. Van Ellis said. Like his sister, he called for the remaining survivors of the Greenwood horror to be recognized and compensated. “Please, do not let me leave this earth without justice,” he said, “like all the other massacre survivors.”

Lee statue to stay or go? Continued from A1

which also culminates Tuesday. The governor’s attorney, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, is running for reelection against a tough challenger, Delegate Jay Jones of Norfolk. Both have favored the removal of Confederate statues. The legal fights over the Lee statue have been ongoing since Gov. Northam announced last June plans to take down the Lee statue. He made the announcement amid daily demonstrations in Richmond spawned by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police. Demonstrators were advocating for racial justice and protesting police brutality and decades of oppression of Black people and other minorities. The upheaval also led to City Hall’s removal of city-owned Confederate statues along Monument Avenue and in other parts of Richmond. City officials now are seeking authority to remove the pedestals of those statues that were long part of city, state and federal historic districts. One lawsuit, which was quickly thrown out in Richmond Circuit Court, involves claims that the Lee statue was given to the state on a promise that it would forever be cared for and protected. That suit was brought by William C. Gregory, the purported heir of the property owners who gave to the state the Monument Avenue land upon which the statue stands. The Richmond court found Mr. Gregory had no legal right to sue, but the high court still took up his appeal. The other suit was brought by five property owners who claimed that the gift

to the state came with a deed restriction that ensured the statue would always be there. Only three of those property owners, Janet Hetzel, George Hostetler and Morgan Massey, are still on the appeal. In October, Richmond Circuit Judge W. Reilly Marchant rejected their claims that the deed restriction was still enforceable. He cited as “the most significant evidence” the General Assembly’s passage of a budget that included language repealing the 1889 resolution accepting the Lee statue. The approved language also directs the governor to proceed with removal and provides funding to cover the cost. Judge Marchant said that was proof that the “current public policy … is to remove the Lee Monument.” Even the plaintiffs agree their claims largely would fail if the state Supreme Court upholds that legislative action, wrote Virginia Solicitor General Toby J. Heytens in urging their claims to be thrown out. Mr. Heytens is the member of Mr. Herring’s staff who handles such appeals. Mr. Heytens stated, “The governor has determined that a Commonwealth-owned statue should be relocated from one area of Commonwealth ownership and control to another. The General Assembly has agreed. That should be the end of the matter. “In contrast,” he continued, “the plaintiffs insist that those who held power in Virginia more than 130 years ago made a binding promise that a massive monument to the (Confederate) ‘Lost Cause’ must remain in its current location forever and that any (person) may enforce that promise

in perpetuity by way of an injunction. “Government-owned monuments on government-owned land are core government speech,” he wrote, “and plaintiffs are seeking to use the equitable powers of the courts to force the government of 2021 to continue saying things it no longer wishes to say.” Mr. Heytens noted that the court has long held that the “legislative powers of the General Assembly are without limits,” which includes the authority to alter or abolish deed restrictions or to remove publicly owned statues, he stated. Separately, City Hall has cleared its first hurdle for the proposed removal of the pedestals that once held city-owned Confederate statues. Last week, the internal Commission of Architectural Review, which governs Old and Historic Districts, recommended approval of a city plan to remove four pedestals from Monument Avenue, another from Libbie Hill in the East End and the statue and grave of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill in North Side. The commission voted unanimously May 25 to support the proposal with small modifications, after being told the removal would not affect the historic designations of the neighborhoods where the pedestals are located. The Stoney administration’s plan now goes to the Urban Design Commission. The city Planning Commission, which governs public monuments, also will consider the proposal later this month and send its recommendation to City Council for consideration.

Food distribution program launches in Henrico Continued from A1

Diversity & Opportunity about helping to address the ongoing issue of food insecurity for many area families. From there, Quioccasin Middle School in Western Henrico was chosen as a food distribution site because it already was being used for similar school lunch distributions, is designed in a way that makes curbside pickup easier and safer, and carries a sense of familiarity for the families that would come for help, organizers said. The school, which has a large number students for whom English is a second language, also helped spread the word about the food giveaway in multiple languages to community members needing help. The curbside food distribution program is set to run every third Saturday of the month at the middle school until September. While some families registered for help ahead of Saturday’s

kickoff, volunteers were more than happy to provide groceries to anyone who came. “I’m really impressed with the organization and everything that they brought out,” said Letitia Beasley, who works with the school system’s equity, diversity and opportunity office. “We have poultry, we have bread, we have vegetables. So they’re getting a lot of food that should last them for two weeks.” Ms. Beasley and Melanie Phipps, principal of Quioccasin Middle School, helped unload the food and goods brought to the school by the ICNA and then load it into the cars of families. The tote bags had been packed the day before by ICNA Richmond with the help of children. Ms. Saleem said every distribution is special to the ICNA. “Every distribution is important to us because we know that we’re reaching the community that needs it,” she said. “That’s our main goal — making sure the people that need it feel comfortable coming, and I think we’ve accomplished that.”

Report details racism, sexual assault at VMI Continued from A1

was a victim of sexual assault. “The racist and misogynistic acts and outcomes uncovered during this investigation are disturbing,” the report states. “Although VMI has no explicitly racist or sexist policies that it enforces, the facts reflect an overall racist and sexist culture.” The report includes several other concerns at the 182-year-old institution: VMI is less diverse than other schools. It maintains an “outdated” reverence for the Civil War and Confederacy. And a rift between athletes and non-athletes has led “to the incorrect perception that ‘athlete’ means ‘African-American.’ ” The report said the state should require VMI to submit quarterly reports on diver-

sity and inclusion efforts, adding that VMI “will likely follow through on its promised reforms only if it is forced to do so.” The school’s first Black superintendent, retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, who graduated from VMI in 1985, said the school has been moving toward becoming more inclusive and welcoming. Those efforts include the removal in December of a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson, who taught at VMI. Gen. Wins added that he developed an action plan following “deep dives” into VMI’s policies that will help to better unify cadets. “And so now it’s up to us to take the report, along with our Board of Visitors, and look at it and understand what the

recommendations are,” Gen. Wins told The Associated Press during a phone interview. “And we’ll certainly have conversations with state agencies ... and chart a path in terms of the direction that we need to go.” Founded in Lexington in 1839, VMI didn’t accept African-Americans until 1968 or accept women until after a 1996 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The school said that enrollment of cadets of color rose from 12.7 percent in 1992 to 23.4 percent in 2020, and that people of color make up 11 percent of full-time, tenure-track faculty members. VMI also said it is one of the highest producers of minority commissioned officers in the U.S. military. Independent law firm Barnes & Thornburg conducted the investigation.

Polls open Tuesday, June 8, for Dem primary Continued from A1

settle heated nomination battles for commonwealth’s attorney and sheriff and choose the nominees for two House of Delegates seats. Plenty of ballots already have been cast in the primary because of early voting that began April 23. Across the state, more than 120,000 people – nearly four times the 2016 total — have voted in person or by mail. Next Tuesday, June 8, polls at all precincts in the city and across the state will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., with unofficial results to be announced during the evening. In the primary race for governor, former Gov. Terry R. McAuliffe is considered the front-runner, having dominated in fundraising and endorsements, including garnering the backing of current Gov. Ralph S. Northam whom one recent poll indicated as having an 83 percent approval rating. Mr. McAuliffe, confident of a win, already has pivoted to challenge the Republican nominee, businessman Glenn Youngkin, who was chosen by a GOP convention in May. Four others, though, are still hoping to upset Mr. McAuliffe in the Democratic primary. They included current Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax, Richmond state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan and former Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy and Delegate Lee Carter, both of Prince William County. The race to replace Lt. Gov. Fairfax is still rated a toss-up given there are six Democrats vying for the position. Roanoke Delegate Sam Rasoul, who leads in fundraising, held a small lead among decided voters in one poll of the race taken six weeks ago, though as many as 60 percent of voters were undecided. However, Prince William Delegate Hala Ayala is considered to have moved up after winning the endorsement of Gov. Northam. Reflecting the depth of the Democratic bench, the four other hopefuls include Norfolk City Councilwoman Andria McClellan (no relation to the state senator); Alexandria Delegate Mark Levine; Fairfax NAACP activist Sean Perryman and charity lobbyist and sports agent Xavier Warren of Northern Virginia. The winner will face Republican Winsome Sears, a businesswoman and former state delegate, in the November general election. In the attorney general’s contest, incumbent Mark R. Herring is seeking a third term. Endorsed by some of the top Black leaders in the General Assembly, Mr. Herring is facing a strong challenge from attorney and Norfolk Delegate Jerrauld C. “Jay” Jones, who has the backing of Gov. Northam among others. The winner will face Delegate Jason Miyares, a Virginia Beach attorney, who won the Republican nomination. In Richmond House of Delegates contests, incumbent Delegate Jeffrey M. Bourne is in a re-election fight with challenger and activist Richard W. Walker in the 71st District, which encompasses much of the city’s North Side. The winner would be unchallenged in the Nov. 3 election. In the 68th District that includes the city’s West End and a portion of the city’s South Side, incumbent Delegate Dawn Adams is facing an active re-election challenge from attorney Kyle R. Elliott. The winner would face the victor of a Republican primary, also on June 8, between attorney Mark Earley Jr. and businessman Mike Dickinson. In the Richmond commonwealth’s attorney’s race, primary voters are choosing between incumbent Colette W. McEachin, who has held the top post since 2019, and her challenger, attorney Thomas P. “Tom” Barbour Jr. The winner is expected to be unchallenged in the Nov. 2 general election. Separately, city voters also must decide between incumbent Sheriff Antionette V. Irving and her challenger, William J. Burnett, who managed the city’s jail for 12 years and also has served as a city police officer. No challenger has filed to run in the fall general election.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine? Continued from A1 The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: • Thursday, June 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Gilpin Resource Center, 436 Calhoun St., Moderna vaccine. • Friday, June 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Virginia Union University, 1359 W. Graham Road, Pfizer vaccine. Appointments are not required, but individuals can schedule an appointment online at vax.rchd.com or by calling (804) 205-3501. VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine. The Chesterfield County Health District’s mobile vaccination unit is offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the following locations: • Thursday, June 3, 9 to 11 a.m. – Rockwood Park, 3401 Courthouse Road; 1 to 4 p.m. – Falling Creek Apartments, 6407 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Want a free lunch? The City of Richmond is offering to pay for lunch for anyone who gets vaccinated at a walk-up event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at Southside Plaza. All three approved vaccines — Moderna, Pfizer and the single-shot Johnson & Johnson — will be available at the event, which also will feature children’s activities and a job fair. At a news conference Wednesday, city officials announced that the Richmond City Health District plans to switch focus this summer from large mass vaccination events to small mobile vaccination clinics. The health district will host at least eight events weekly, which will include vaccination clinics at George Wythe High School in South Side and in Western Henrico. Businesses and community organizations also can request that a mobile clinic be held at their location by filling out a form online at vax.rchd.com or by calling (804) 205-3501. According to state health data, 3.8 million people have been fully vaccinated in Virginia as of Wednesday, or about 44.6 percent of the population, while 55 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. State officials reported 675,783 cases of COVID-19 statewide on Wednesday, along with 29,815 hospitalizations and 11,206 deaths. Virginia’s seven-day positivity rate is 2.6 percent. Last week, it was 2.7 percent. According to state data, African-Americans comprised 22.4 percent of cases statewide and 25 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 16.3 percent of cases and 6.5 percent of deaths. Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesay, June 4, 2021 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Richmond 17,099 809 268 Henrico County 25,541 1,083 620 Chesterfield County 28,092 993 441 Hanover County 8,196 286 162

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If enjoying good music matters, Get your COVID-19 vaccine. A jazz legend who studied chemistry in college, Plunky misses live music—and knows the COVID-19 vaccine is how all of us will get our groove back. Because your health, community and reasons matter, get the shot.

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Wilberforce forgives graduates’ debt Free Press wire report

WILBERFORCE, Ohio Wilberforce University graduates had another reason to celebrate after an announcement at last Saturday’s commencement for the Classes of 2020 and 2021. University President Elfred Anthony Pinkard announced at the end of the morning ceremony at Gaston Lewis Gymnasium that the graduates’ financial debts to the university were being eliminated. Thanks to the United Negro College Fund, Jack and Jill Inc. and funding from other sources, $375,000 in debt and fines owed to the school by graduates of the two classes was Dr. Pinkard being taken care of. Graduates and their families were overcome with joy and emotion. “I couldn’t believe it when he said it,” graduate Rodman Allen of Detroit told the Dayton Daily News. “I know now God will be with me. Now I can use that money and invest in my future.” While students will still be responsible for federal loans and debts owed to other lenders, several students said the unexpected gift will help them start the next phase of their lives with less anxiety. “During the ceremony I was thinking, ‘I have to pay all this debt back. I have to get a job.’ But as soon as Dr. Pinkard said ‘debt free,’ I didn’t have to worry about anything else,” said Joshua Spears. Since the start of the pandemic, the private, historically Black university started in 1856 has been providing a major share of financial help for students. Students

Video screen grab

Wilberforce University graduates scream, shout and jump for joy as President Elfred Anthony Pinkard announces during last Saturday’s commencement that their debts to the school have been forgiven. The ceremony was streamed on the university’s YouTube channel.

received refunds for food and housing when the campus shut down in 2020. But since March 2020, scholarships and other institutional funding provided for more than 90 percent of students’ school bills. Dr. Pinkard said after he got approval for the debt forgiveness from the university’s Board of Trustees, he held the information in secret until the commencement. “As these graduates begin their lives as responsible adults, we are honored to be able to give them a fresh start by relieving their student debt to the university,” Dr. Pinkard said in a statement. “They did not allow a global pandemic to derail their journey to complete their college education, and I think that’s an incredible acknowledgement of their resilience and their fortitude.” Dr. Pinkard said he hoped the university’s “show of our appreciation of their resilience and fortitude instills in (graduates) the willingness to reach back and

help others as well.” More than 160 students received degrees during the ceremony. Wilberforce also awarded honorary degrees posthumously to civil rights activists Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer, both of Mississippi. Mr. Evers, a field secretary for the NCCAP who helped organize boycotts and protests to fight racial segregation, was assassinated at age 37 outside his home in Jackson, Miss., by a white nationalist in June 1963. Ms. Hamer, who worked for decades for voting rights and women’s rights, helped organize Mississippi’s Freedom Summer in 1964 to register African-American voters. She also was a co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party that she sought to have seated as the state’s official delegation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She also was a co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus. She died in 1977 at age 59.

Howard U. renames College of Fine Arts in honor of late alumnus Chadwick Boseman Free Press wire report

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WASHINGTON While studying at Howard University, young Chadwick Boseman helped lead a student protest against plans to merge his beloved College of Fine Arts into the College of Arts and Sciences. He failed in that goal. But 20 years later, the acclaimed actor is being posthumously honored as the namesake of Howard’s newly re-established Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts. Mr. Boseman, who graduated in 2000 with a bachelor’s in directing, died in August at 43 of colon cancer. He rose to prominence playing a succession of Black icons in biographical films — baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, singer James Brown and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. The South Carolina native’s portrayal of African superhero Black Panther spawned a thousand memes and its cultural impact launched him to broader stardom. At the time of his death, Mr. Boseman’s character was poised to become an anchor of the Marvel Comics movie machine, with multiple sequels planned. Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said he and Mr. Boseman discussed ways of reviving the College of Fine Arts multiple times. “It was always important to him,” Dr. Frederick told The Associated Press. “His commitment was very strong.” The May 26 announcement comes a few weeks after his former professor and mentor, actress Phylicia Rashad, was announced as the new dean of the fine arts college. Mr. Boseman declared his love for Howard University in his 2018 commencement speech, praising, “the magic of this place. Almost anything can happen here.” Mr. Boseman’s family said his student protest proved his passion for his alma mater. “Chad fought to preserve the College of Fine Arts during his matriculation at Howard and remained dedicated to the fight throughout his career, and he would be overjoyed by this development,” the Boseman family said in a statement. Mr. Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, called him “a very proud Bison” and said the naming of the school “brings this part of his story full circle and ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire young storytellers for

years to come.” Howard Fine Arts alumni include actors Taraji P. Henson, Oscar-nominated cinematographer Bradford Young, and

singers Roberta Flack and Jessye Norman, as well as Ms. Rashad and her sister, dancer-choreographer Debbie Allen, a Kennedy Center Honors recipient.

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Sports respite Good for tennis star Naomi Osaka, 23, who put her mental health needs above the demands of Grand Slam organizers, media and spectators this week. Ms. Osaka, the world’s No. 2-ranked player, withdrew from the French Open on Monday after she was fined $15,000 and threatened with suspension for not participating in the customary news conference after her first round victory at the tournament. While the postgame interviews are required of players in Grand Slam tournaments, including the French Open, Ms. Osaka tweeted on Sunday that she would not talk with the media, setting off a chain of surprising events and very personal revelations. Ms. Osaka acknowledged in a subsequent statement announcing her withdrawal that she has suffered social anxiety and “long bouts of depression” since her first Grand Slam win in the 2018 U.S. Open against champion Serena Williams. It was a controversial win, with fans, angered by an umpire’s call against Ms. Williams, booing from the stands as Ms. Osaka accepted the trophy. Ms. Osaka, then 20, burst into tears on the court. It should have been the first triumphant moment of her young career. Instead, during the post-match interview, she apologized for winning. Ms. Osaka said in her French Open withdrawal announcement she was feeling “vulnerable and anxious” in Paris for the tournament and “thought it was better to exercise self-care and skip the press conferences” during the intense competition. She said she is going to take some time off from tennis now. She also said she wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and said, “when the time is right,” she would be happy to work with the tour to “discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans.” We hope Grand Slam officials take her up on her offer. Of course it helps that Ms. Osaka is among the world’s highest-earning women athletes because of her endorsement contracts totaling tens of millions of dollars. We don’t know exactly, but a $15,000 fine to someone who reportedly earned more than $55 million during the past year probably amounts to nothing more than pocket change. What we do know is that Ms. Osaka stood to lose more meeting with the media than a few thousand dollars. No price can be put on one’s mental health. To its credit, sports apparel company Nike, one of Ms. Osaka’s biggest sponsors, put out a statement of support. “Our thoughts are with Naomi. We support her and recognize her courage in sharing her own mental health experience.” Mastercard, another backer, also released a statement of support, saying her decision “reminds us all how important it is to prioritize personal health and well-being.” And so we offer a tip of the racquet to Ms. Osaka for her act of courage in both defying the French tennis federation and for making public the very private truth about her mental health that so many people would rather hide. She has shined a light also on the incredible pressure and high expectations foisted onto elite athletes, whose public performances and private struggles often are fodder solely for the prurient interests of spectators and scoops for invasive media. As media and as people, we need to re-examine how we treat people at all levels, including highly paid athletes who are in the public’s eye. Like most people, they are using their skills and talents simply to do a job. And like most of us, they deserve some of the privacy we expect.

on June 8 Tuesday, June 8, is primary day in Virginia. Voters who haven’t cast their ballots early will go to the polls next Tuesday to choose Democratic candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. The winners of the primary will stand for election in this fall’s general election. On Tuesday, there also are some primary contests for the House of Delegates and for local races, including for commonwealth’s attorney and sheriff in the city of Richmond. These primary races are important and we urge voters to get to the polls next week. Why? Because some candidates running in the primary election may not face a challenger in November’s general election, the winner of the primary will become the office holder. Such is the case in the Richmond commonwealth’s attorney’s and sheriff’s races. So far, no Republican or independent challengers have filed to run in November. So the primary is your chance to decide who you want to hold those offices come Jan. 1. It’s also important to vote now because of the widespread assault nationally on voting rights. We need to send a message that we don’t take our constitutionally protected right to vote for granted. By showing up to vote in numbers, we send a clear signal that we will vote in every election and we will challenge any obstacles put in our way. Our vote is our voice. Please use it on June 8.

Tulsa As the nation turned its attention this week to the 100th anniversary of the horrific massacre of Black people in Tulsa, Okla., in 1921, we have two main thoughts: Never again. And reparations. We must work to ensure both.

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Tulsa: Legacy of white supremacism

“I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home. I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire. I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams,” she said. “I have lived through the massacre every day. Our country may forget this history but I cannot.” — 107year-old Viola Fletcher, survivor of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre They killed an estimated 300 people. They inflicted serious injury on more than 800 people. They burned more than 1,250 homes to the ground, along with every church, school and business. They left 10,000 people homeless and wreaked about $200 million in property damage in today’s dollars. Not a single one of the murderous white mob that obliterated the affluent Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Okla., ever was prosecuted. Every insurance claim filed by a Black property owner was denied. Though it was covered extensively in newspapers at the time, the Tulsa race massacre, which happened 100 years ago this week, was nearly lost to history. Someone ripped an article about the arrest that triggered the massacre, along with half the editorial page, from the only copy of the May 31 Tulsa Tribune to be microfilmed. Even most Black residents of Tulsa never

heard about the massacre when they were growing up. Oklahoma schools began including it in their curriculums only last year. A century later, the Tulsa massacre is one of history’s clearest examples of America’s deepseated reluctance to confront the legacy of white supremacism, and of the intense, enduring economic scars Black Americans bear to this day.

Marc H. Morial Critical race theory, a decades-old academic concept that suggests that racism is embedded in American law and public policy, is white supremacy’s latest bugbear. The idea that America’s social and economic inequities are the result of deliberate policy choices — rather than differences in effort and ability — is a dangerous one for those invested in preserving the status quo. As Adam Serwer writes in The Atlantic, it suggests that different policy choices could produce a more equitable society. It may be this fear, rather than the more commonly cited factor of shame, that motivated suppression of the Tulsa race massacre. To acknowledge that the wealth of Greenwood was taken by force is to acknowledge that a massive debt is owed. The violence that raged for 24 hours in Greenwood ostensibly was triggered by an accusation — likely false, according to the 2001 report of the Tulsa Race Massacre Commission — that a 19-year-old Black male shoeshiner assaulted a 17-year-old white female elevator operator. But many observers at the time

suggested that white resentment of Black prosperity was the primary cause of the attack. The Chicago Defender reported in June 1921: Letters had been sent to prominent men of the Race demanding that they stop extending the bounds of the district within which they were segregated. A rumor has been extant for some time to the effect that it was the desire of white industry or of private citizens to appropriate the lands which the Race had gained possession of. Since the area had become a segregated district to them, the value had increased and white speculators saw a chance for immense profits if they could only drive the inhabitants out. According to the 2001 Commission report, “At the time, many said that this was no spontaneous eruption of the rabble; it was planned and executed by the elite. Quite a few people — including some members of this commission — have since studied the question and are persuaded that this is so, that the Tulsa race riot was the result of a conspiracy. This is a serious position and a provable position — if one looks at certain evidence in certain ways.” Whatever the true motivation, white Tulsans moved quickly to exploit the economic devastation and terror of Greenwood residents, swooping up their land for a pittance. A city committee proposed converting the land to commercial use, emphasizing the desirable racial segregation that would result: We further believe that the two races being divided by an industrial section will draw

more distinctive lines between them and thereby eliminate the intermingling of the lower elements of the two races, which in our opinion is the root of the evil which should not exist. In its 2001 report, the commission recommended payment of reparations to survivors and descendants of survivors, but 20 years later they have not been paid. Hughes Van Ellis, who was an infant at the time of the massacre, testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee earlier in May. “We were made to feel that our struggle was unworthy of justice, that we were less than the whites, that we weren’t fully Americans,” he said. “We were shown that in the United States, not all men were equal under the law. We were shown that when Black voices called out for justice, no one cared. “Please, do not let me leave this Earth without justice.” The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League.

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GOP senators block truth

Republicans in the U.S. Senate are a threat to our democracy. Here’s the latest proof: Republicans are using the Senate’s filibuster rules to stop Congress from creating a commission to investigate the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The filibuster has a long and dishonorable history. It was used over and over to block passage of civil rights laws. Now it is being used to undermine democracy in another way. On one level, we all know what happened on Jan. 6. A violent mob of Trump supporters tried to stop Congress from affirming the victory of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. They wanted to overturn the results of the election and keep former President Trump in power. That mob had blood on their minds. And they ended up with blood on their hands. Fortunately, they didn’t get a chance to hang then-Vice President Mike Pence or to kill House Speaker Nancy Pelosi or other members of Congress they were targeting. But five people died that day. And more than 100 Capitol Police officers were wounded. One lost an eye, one lost fingers, some suffered brain injuries.

Many are traumatized by a battle they didn’t expect they would have to fight. We also know what fueled the rage of that mob: Mr. Trump’s big lie — the lie that Mr. Trump won the 2020 presidential election and had it stolen from him and his supporters by Black voters and corrupt election officials. Everyone who spread that lie helped to light the fuse and fan the flames that exploded on Jan. 6.

Ben Jealous Those who committed violence must be charged, tried, convicted and sent to prison. And the whole enterprise — those who incited violence and those who planned it — must be thoroughly investigated. People must be held accountable. The best way to do that is with a bipartisan panel committed to finding the truth. Thanks to online activists and journalists, we are learning more about what happened that day. Regular people are helping identify those who committed violence and the U.S. Justice Department is bringing criminal charges against them. Rep. Jamie Raskin, a Democrat from Maryland, and his colleagues have been holding hearings about the threat of violent white supremacy and the involvement of extremist militias on Jan. 6. But there is much we don’t know. U.S. Sen. Mitch McCon-

nell, the leader of the Senate Republicans, is trying to protect Republicans running for election in 2022 from having to confront the truth. And while wounded police officers and family members of an officer who died that day went from office to office asking Republican senators to support a commission, Sen. McConnell was calling in favors to stop it from happening. Some other congressional Republicans have been spitting in the faces of those officers and family members by downplaying what happened that day. One even said the rioters were just visiting the Capitol like tourists. How many tourists bring a gallows and lynching noose with them? How many smash down doors and windows in their attempt to get their hands on members of Congress? We cannot let this happen again. History tells us that the best predictor of an eventual successful coup is a recently failed one. Militia groups and other extremists are out there planning more violence, fantasizing about starting a new civil war. If we’re going to stop them, we must learn the whole truth about Jan. 6. We must hold people accountable. The writer, a former president and CEO of the national NAACP, serves as president of People for the American Way and the People for the American Way Foundation.

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Racial justice and democratically governed schools

STA Y

I am writing in response to a letter the Richmond School Board received this spring from the Virginia Department of Education regarding the body’s ability to effectively govern. It is a letter that I believe should concern us all. Without question, this has been an unprecedented time to serve on the School Board. Despite all the talk of needing to rethink public education, no one predicted a day would come when schools would completely transform overnight because of a pandemic. In response, we have fielded countless questions about the closure brought on by COVID19, staff requirements, online curriculum, food distribution and access to technology. The board also has debated a possible year-round calendar, how to spend sorely needed stimulus funding and using buildings for emergency child care. It is true we have had many long meetings this year. It is also true that community engagement has soared, which is evidenced by hours of public comment at the start of each meeting. During each meeting, debate is robust. And after we adjourn, our decisions aren’t always universally popular. This is what democracy looks like. And although it is messy at times, given its history in the Commonwealth, democratic school governance is not a privilege we should take for granted. Just two years ago, our school district embarked on a process for rezoning schools. For many months, we engaged in a citywide dialogue on the impact of Massive Resistance, a shameful mark on Virginia’s history, made possible by a landscape of appointed school boards throughout the state. Similar to efforts to restrict access to the polls, appointed governing bodies are a method to undermine democracy and ensure that those with power remain in control. While Virginia’s schools integrated in the early 1960s, school boards remained appointed until the General Assembly moved to

allow elected boards decades later. This was signed into law by then-Gov. L. Douglas Wilder in 1992. The following year, the Richmond Crusade for Voters successfully fought to change the City Charter and establish an elected School Board in Richmond. The current elected model has remained unpopular among some, including influential members of Richmond’s most affluent business community.

Kenya J. Gibson In 2007, 26 business leaders organized to overturn the elected School Board model and revert back to the appointed system. Thankfully, their efforts failed. Unfortunately though, disparaging the work of school boards continues today. In Richmond, differences in how members of the body vote are belittled as squabbles between women to overshadow the political stakes behind the debate. In April, this narrative was formalized when the Richmond School Board received the VDOE’s letter regarding the quality of our governance. I am proud that, despite all the obstacles, we have a School Board that is committed to putting students above the political agenda of any person. It is the students who will bear the consequence of whether we acquiesce, go along to get along, or whether we stand up and fight for the schools that only true democratic governance can provide. The majority on the School Board — those who voted for my Schools Build Schools resolution — are RPS parents. Those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. That is what democratic governance is about. From my perspective, the state education department’s letter is posturing without truly exploring, and it is outrageous. We are a majority Black women body, governing a majority Black city school system, dealing with decades of racist defunding of Richmond Public Schools from the state. The notion that Black people cannot govern goes back in Virginia to the ugliest of racist ideology used to discredit the first Black

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public officials following the end of the Civil War. Richmonders demand and expect the School Board’s democratic authority to be respected, and we will fight to defend our democratic authority because we know it is the only way to do right by students. The push to limit democratic governance is a true threat. Evidence of this can be seen around the country. In Gary, Ind., the state recently took control of an elected school board and gave authority to an appointed emergency manager. According to Domingo Morel, author of “Takeover: Race, Education and American Democracy,” as of 2017, 33 states had takeover laws and 22 states had taken over school districts. In its statement on ending state takeovers, appointed school boards and mayoral control, the grassroots organization Journey for Justice Alliance writes, “We want elected, representative school boards. While they are not a panacea, we view democracy as a necessary ingredient in moving towards an equitable school system, a practical application of the notion of accountability to the public.” As we continue to fight the vestiges of Massive Resistance and seek true racial justice, we must protect democratically governed schools. In the words of Pastor Dwight Gardner from Trinity Baptist Church in Gary, Ind., “The right to vote to select your own representation is a right of what we call freedom.” The writer is the 3rd District representative on the Richmond School Board.

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The Plan will serve as a comprehensive planning document discussing Richmond’s community development and housing needs. The needs emphasize the provision of decent affordable housing, a suitable living environment, assisting and preventing homelessness, assisting special needs community, and the expansion of economic opportunities, particularly for low- and moderate-income persons. The funds below are federal entitlement dollars allocated to the City through the U. S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to implement the housing and community development priorities and activities LGHQWL¿HG LQ WKH ¿YH \HDU &RQVROLGDWHG 3ODQ ZKLFK LV FRQVLVWHQW ZLWK &LW\¶V )RFXV $UHD 3ULRULWLHV CDBG Entitlement Grant (includes prior year surplus, program income and additional funding awarded by +8' +20( (QWLWOHPHQW *UDQW LQFOXGHV SURJUDP LQFRPH (6* (QWLWOHPHQW *UDQW HOPWA Regional Entitlement Grant: $1,500,245 7RWDO )XQGV $YDLODEOH IRU 3< The following projects have been recommended for CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA allocations to undertake the following activities to preserve and revitalize the City’s neighborhoods and further the City’s economic growth for the 2021-22 Annual Action Plan: CDBG Projects

Provider

Project Description

AMOUNT

Housing & Neighborhood Preservation Blackwell HOPE VI - SCDHC

SCDHC

Single Family Development

$ 200,000

Exterior Homes Repairs

Habitat

Homeowner Repair

Citywide Critical Home Repair

Homeowner Repair

Citywide Owner Occupied Home Repair

Homeowner Repair

$ 164,000

Keystone Program City-wide DPA

H.O.M.E.

Homeowner Assistance

$ 455,000

Pathways to Independence - DPA

SCDHC

Homeowner Assistance

$ 50,000

Homeowner Repair

Rebuilding Together Year Round

Rebuilding Together

6HFWLRQ /RDQ 5HSD\PHQW

Finance

/RDQ 5HSD\PHQW

The Hollands

SCDHC

Single Family Development

$ 300,000

Sub-Total - Housing & Neigh Pres.

$3,177,969

Economic Development 0HWURSROLWDQ %XVLQHVV /HDJXH 3URJUDP

0%/

Economic Development

$ 146,401 *

Neighborhood Economic Development

HCD

ED Technical Assistance

$ 100,000

Sub-Total - Economic Dev.

$ 246,401

Planning & Administration Block Grant & Finance Administration

HCD

Administration

$ 400,000

Fair Housing Support and Outreach

HOME

Administration

Historic Review

DPDR

Administration

Neighborhood Planning

HCD

Administration

DPDR

Planning

$ 100,000

Southside Plaza Area Plan Sub-Total - Planning & Admin.

40,000

$ 883,000

Public Services Cyber Security Workforce

OCWB

Job Training

Housing Code Enforcement Counseling

RDSS

Housing Counseling & Assistance

Housing Information and Counseling

HOME

Housing Counseling

$ 200,000

Health Services

$ 120,000

RCHD SCDHC

Housing Counseling

Call Rudy McCollum at (804)218-3614

RBHA

Homeless Services

$ 130,000

Sub-Total - Public Services

$ 665,000

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

TOTAL CDBG BUDGET

$4,972,370

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.

Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com

CARES ACT UTILITY RELIEF PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS?

HOME Projects

Provider

Project Description

Customers are encouraged to submit applications NOW as they will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. DPU eligible customers will: • Have an active residential or commercial utility service (excluding stormwater). • Have experienced/been impacted by an economic hardship due to COVID-19. • Have fallen behind on their City water, wastewater or natural gas utility bill for services after March 1, 2020.

More information including eligibility criteria and application is available at: www.rva.gov/public-utilities

FUNDS ARE LIMITED AND AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS!

@FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

30,000

AMOUNT

Blackwell HOPE VI - SCDHC

SCDHC

Single Family Construction

$ 250,000

Citywide Owner Occupied Home Repair

Homeowner Repair

Homeowner Assistance

$ 340,000

Community Housing Empowerment NiB DPA

H.O.M.E.

Constructing Safe, Affordable Housing

Habitat

Single Family Construction

HOME Program Administration

HCD

Administration

140,000

The Hollands

SCDHC

Single Family Construction

200,000

TOTAL HOME BUDGET

City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is now accepting NEW applications from customers that have fallen behind on their water, wastewater and gas utility bills as a result of an economic hardship due to COVID-19. Previous recipients are eligible to reapply for a different service period.

Follow the Richmond Free Press on

Citizens and interested persons are invited to give their views regarding the use of CDBG, HOMES, ESG and HOPWA funds for the proposed Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan. The City will arrange for reasonable accommodations for non-English speaking persons or those persons with visual, hearing, or PRELOLW\ LPSDLUPHQWV ZKHQ QRWL¿HG $Q\RQH ZLVKLQJ WR VSHDN DW WKH SXEOLF KHDULQJ SOHDVH FRQWDFW WKH 2I¿FH RI WKH &LW\ &OHUN E\ DP -XQH DW

Residential Support for Homeless Families

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

“All Souls To The Polls”

Richmond City Council will hold a virtual public hearing on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. on the City’s 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan and proposed 2021-22 Annual Action Plan budget for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. The HOPWA funds are allocated to the City to administer for the Richmond-Petersburg MSA. This is a correction of the previously corrected ad published on May 20, 2021, which did not include the additional CDBG funding awarded by HUD to the City of Richmond in a letter dated May 13, 2021. The City received an additional $66,401* in CDBG funds.

Pathways to Independence - PS

FR E E to

In accordance with HUD citizen participation requirements, a 30-day public comment period for the 20212025 Consolidated Plan and the proposed 2021-22 Annual Action Plan (City FY 2022) will begin on April 22, 2021, and was to expire on May 31. However the comment period will be extended until June 11, 2021. %\ WKLV QRWLFH WKH &LW\ RI 5LFKPRQG DQQRXQFHV WKH DYDLODELOLW\ RI WKH VW \HDU RI WKH ¿YH \HDU Consolidated Plan, also known as the proposed 2021-22 Annual Action Plan, is ready for public review and comment.

/HDG 6DIH DQG +HDOWK\ +RPHV 2XWUHDFK Support

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AMENDED PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF RICHMOND 2021-2025 CONSOLIDATED PLAN & 2021-22 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN

$1,636,128

Emergency Solutions Grant

Provider

Project Description

AMOUNT

Hilliard Housing/Building Neighbors

HFF

Homeless Services

60,000

ESG Program & Finance Administration

HCD

Administration

21,000

Shelter & Case Management

CARITAS

Homeless Services

55,000

Homeward Community Information System

Homeward

Data Collection

Rapid Re-housing

YWCA

Homeless Services

65,000

Rapid Re-housing & Emergency Shelter

HomeAgain

Homeless Services

TOTAL ESG BUDGET

$ 389,042

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

Provider

Project Description

AMOUNT

Housing Assistance Program

Serenity

Short Term Financial Assistance

$ 154,000

HOPWA CIS

Homeward

Data Management

HOPWA Greater Richmond

CCC

6KRUW /RQJ 7HUP )LQDQFLDO Assistance

HOPWA Program & Finance Admin

HCD

Administration

Stratford House

VSH

Residential Facility

TOTAL HOPWA BUDGET

20,000

36,000

$ 1,500,245

Copies of the 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan and proposed 2021-22 Annual Action Plan are available for public review online on the HCD’s website located at www.rva.gov. Citizens can also request a hard copy or electronic copy via e-mail or US Mail. To request a copy, contact Emily DeHoog at Emily.DeHoog@ richmondgov.com or by mail at the City Department of Housing & Community Development, 1500 E Main 6WUHHW 6XLWH 5LFKPRQG 9$ 7KH &LW\ RI 5LFKPRQG GRHV QRW GLVFULPLQDWH RQ WKH EDVLV of disability status in the admission of, or access to, or treatment in its federally assisted programs or DFWLYLWLHV 9LUJLQLD 5HOD\ &HQWHU 7'' 8VHUV Citizens and interested persons are invited to give their views regarding the use of CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA funds for the Five-Year Consolidated Plan and proposed Annual Action Plan. The City will arrange for reasonable accommodations for non-English speaking persons or those persons with visual, KHDULQJ RU PRELOLW\ LPSDLUPHQWV ZKHQ QRWL¿HG ZLWKLQ ¿YH EXVLQHVV GD\V RI WKH FORVH RI WKH SXEOLF comment period. Submit written or oral comments and views to: Emily DeHoog, Project Development 0DQDJHU +RXVLQJ DQG &RPPXQLW\ 'HYHORSPHQW ( 0DLQ 6WUHHW 6XLWH 5LFKPRQG 9$ RU E\ H PDLO WR (PLO\ 'HKRRJ#ULFKPRQGJRY FRP &RPPHQWV PD\ DOVR EH VXEPLWWHG E\ YRLFHPDLO

Richmond Free Press

A10 June 3-5, 2021

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

NSU wins MEAC baseball championship with help from area players; next stop NCAA Regional Two athletes from Chesterfield County have helped Norfolk State University win its first MEAC baseball title. Khie Simms, a senior outfielder from Clover Hill High School, and freshman shortstop Raphy Rodriguez from Thomas Dale High School are among the NSU Spartans standouts under MEAC Coach of the Year Keith Shumate. By virtue of winning the MEAC, the Spartans are headed to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament, where they will play East Carolina University at noon Friday, June 4, in the Greenville, N.C., regional. Other schools in the region are the University of Maryland and the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Simms and Rodriguez, both outstanding defensively, were factors on offense in NSU’s 7-6, 11-inning win over North Carolina Central University in the MEAC finals at the Spartans’ Marty Miller Field. Simms contributed a hit, an RBI and a walk in the champion-

Khie Simms

Raphy Rodriguez

Alsander Womack

ship game, while Rodriguez added two walks. On the season, Simms is hitting .278 and Rodriguez is hitting .222 with eight stolen bases. Rodriguez’s senior season in 2020 at Thomas Dale High School was wiped out by the pandemic.

Brandon Henson brings firepower to VCU Rams baseball Brandon Henson is a notable reason why Virginia Commonwealth University hasn’t lost a baseball game in about seven weeks. The right-hander bats cleanup and plays left field for a Rams squad that will carry a nation-leading 21-game winning streak into the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The Rams will play in the Starkville, Miss., regional, where their first round opponent will be Campbell University of North Carolina at 8 p.m. Friday, June 4. Other schools in the region are host Mississippi State University and Samford University of Alabama. The red hot Rams are 37-14 after defeating University of Dayton 7-6 for the Atlantic-10 Conference crown May 29 at The Diamond. VCU hasn’t lost a game since a 5-4 setback at George Washington University on April 11.

Henson, who hit safely in each of the Rams’ A-10 tournament games, provides plenty of firepower to Coach Shawn Stiffler’s explosive lineup. On the season, the well-put-together Brandon 6-footer from the CoHenson lumbus, Ohio, area is hitting .314 (27-for-86) with three homers, eight doubles, a triple, 20 runs batted in and a .535 slugging percentage. He has stolen three bases in four tries. Defensively, Henson has 29 putouts and an assist while being charged with just one error. Henson earned second-team, All A-10 honors despite missing almost a month (March 10 to April 7) with an injury. He

sat out 23 games. This is Henson’s second season with the Rams after transferring from Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. At Sinclair, Henson set the school’s single season home run record and, in 2018, he helped the squad to the Junior College World Series in Enid, Okla. In his first season for VCU, Henson swatted six homers in 2020 before the season ended due to the pandemic. The Rams’ most consistent slugger this season has been freshman Tyler Locklear. The third baseman from Maryland has slugged 16 homers and was named A-10 Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Rams catcher Hunter Vay from Thomas Dale High School in Chester blasted three homers and was named Most Outstanding Player in the A-10 Tournament.

The Spartans are headed to the NCAAs with plenty of firepower. Danny Hosley, a senior from Vienna, Va., has hit .375 with nine stolen bases. Hosley is also a front-line starting pitcher with a 7-1 record, 2.95 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 59 innings. Second baseman Alsander Womack, a senior from the Charlotte, N.C., area, has hit. 358 with three homers, 12 doubles, 36 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Womack, who delivered the walk-off, game-winning hit in the 11th inning against North Carolina Central, is the son of former MLB player Tony Womack, a Danville native. Tony Womack helped the Arizona Diamondbacks win the 2001 World Series, splitting time between second base and shortstop. He was a National League All-Star in 1997 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a three-time NL stolen base leader from 1997 through 1999.

JMU to face Oklahoma in Women’s College Softball World Series James Madison University has ridden the powerful and tireless right arm of Odicci “Ci Ci” Alexander to the Women’s College Softball World Series. The Dukes, 39-2, will face No. 1 seed University of Oklahoma at noon Thursday, June 3, in Oklahoma City. The series will be televised by ESPN. A senior right-hander from South Hill, Odicci “Alexander the Great,” as Alexander has Alexander come to be known, has emerged as one of the nation’s elite performers. In defeating host University of Missouri 7-2 last Sunday in the finals of the Columbia Super Regional, Alexander pitched the full seven innings, throwing 104 pitches. She added two hits on offense with an RBI and a run scored on a daring duck and dodge head-first slide into the plate. In the best-of-three match in Columbia, she threw 269 pitches. JMU won Game One but lost Game Two. On the season, Alexander is 16-1, with a 1.14 earned run average and 186 strikeouts in 117 innings.

Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from French Open highlights mental health, expectations of athletes Free Press wire report

The world’s No. 2-ranked tennis player shined a light on mental health awareness and the sports world when Naomi Osaka stunningly withdrew Monday from the French Open after boycotting a postmatch news conference, explaining she has been suffering from depression for almost three years. Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, wrote in a message posted on Twitter that she would be taking a break from competition. The stunning move came a day after Osaka, a 23-year-old who was born in

“I think now the best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris. “I never wanted to be a distraction and I accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer.” Osaka, one of the biggest names in women’s sports, went on to say she had suffered from depression since 2018. “The truth is that I have suffered long bouts of depression since the U.S. Open in 2018 and I have had a really hard time coping with that,” she said. “Anyone that knows me knows I’m

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Japan’s Naomi Osaka returns the ball to Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig during their first round match Sunday at the French Open at Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

Japan and moved with her family to the United States at age 3, was fined $15,000 for skipping the postmatch news conference after her first round victory at the French Open. She also was threatened by Grand Slam organizers, who later issued a strongly worded statement warning of possible additional punishment, including disqualification or suspension from the French Open and future tournaments if she continued with her intention to not “do any press during Roland Garros.” On Monday, Osaka decided to take matters into her own hands to end the stand-off, framing the matter as a mental health issue and saying that it can create self-doubt to have to answer questions after a loss. “This isn’t a situation I ever imagined or intended when I posted a few days ago,” Osaka wrote on Twitter.

introverted, and anyone that has seen me at the tournaments will notice that I’m often wearing headphones as that helps dull my social anxiety. ... I am not a natural public speaker and get huge waves of anxiety before I speak to the world’s media.” Reading from a prepared statement at a news conference, French tennis federation President Gilles Moretton said, “We are sorry and sad for Naomi Osaka. … We wish her the best and quickest possible recovery, and we look forward to having Naomi at our tournament next year.” He added that the major tennis bodies were committed to athletes’ well-being and improving their tournament experience, including their interaction with the media. “Mental health and awareness around it is one of the highest priorities to the WTA,” the Women’s Tennis Association

said in a statement. “We have invested significant resources, staffing and educational tools in this area for the past 20-plus years and continue to develop our mental health support system for the betterment of the athletes and the organization. We remain here to support and assist Naomi in any way possible and we hope to see her back on the court soon.” After beating Serena Williams to claim her first major at the 2018 U.S. Open, Osaka was booed by the crowd during the presentation ceremony as her victory was overshadowed by the American’s outburst following a row with the umpire. Osaka said that since then, she has struggled with being in the spotlight. Williams offered support to Osaka. “I feel for Naomi. I feel like I wish I could give her a hug,” the 39-year-old William said after her first round win. “Because I know what it’s like. I’ve been in those positions.” American Sofia Kenin, who won the Australian Open and finished as runner-up at Roland Garros last year, said dealing with the media demands of elite tennis is “definitely not easy,” but it is what players “signed up for.” “There’s expectations from the outside, sponsors and everyone. You just have to somehow manage it. You have to have a good team around you who support you,” Kenin said. Osaka, who according to sports business website Sportico earned $55.2 million during the past 12 months, said that she would take some time away from tennis and hoped later to meet the sport’s organizers to improve the system. “I wrote privately to the tournament apologizing and saying that I would be more than happy to speak with them after the tournament as the slams are intense,” Osaka wrote. “I’m gonna take some time away from the court now, but when the time is right, I really want to work with the tour to discuss ways we can make things better for the players, press and fans.” Several athletes in tennis and other sports tweeted their support for Osaka. Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, wrote, “I am so sad about Naomi Osaka. I truly hope she will be ok. As athletes we are taught to take care of our body, and perhaps the mental & emotional aspect gets short shrift. This is about more than doing or not doing a press conference. Good luck Naomi — we are all pulling for you!” Two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry wrote that it was “impressive taking the high road when the powers that be don’t protect their own. major respect.”

Alkin Barkley

Ashanti Day

Student-athletes shine at VUU, VSU

Athletes at Virginia Union University and Virginia State University who have been standouts in their sports are being recognized as stars in academics. Alkin Barkley traveled all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend school and play golf for Virginia Union University. It would be an understatement to say he made the most of the experience. Barkley has been selected as the winner of the Lowe’s CIAA Senior CLASS Award. The honor goes to the conference’s top all-round senior student-athlete. Barkley, a business accounting major, compiled an overall 3.9 GPA as he played on the VUU golf team since 2018. Under Coach E. Lee Coble, he averaged 76.5 per 18-hole round in 2019, leading the Panthers to their first CIAA golf title in 48 years. He also served as a volunteer for Feed More, a nonprofit organization that collects, prepares and distributes food for those in need. Each CIAA school submitted one male and one female nominee for the award. Selection was made by fan balloting, a media committee and the CIAA Management Council. At VSU, few have earned the title of “student-athlete” more than Ashanti Day of Winchester. Day, an engineering major, is valedictorian of VSU’s spring 2021 commencement class, with a perfect 4.0 GPA. As an athlete, she starred three seasons on the Trojan’s volleyball team as a middle hitter. For her career, she scored 84.5 points, with 42 kills, 29 blocks and 26 aces. Day served as vice president of the National Society of Black Engineers and was honored with the Outstanding Senior of the Year Award in VSU’s honors program. She has been hired as an analyst with Deloitte in Northern Virginia.

NSU heads to NCAA Track and Field Nationals Norfolk State University’s 4x100 relay team is heading to Eugene, Ore., for the NCAA Track and Field Nationals June 9 through 12. The Spartans covered the one-lap sprint in 29.37 seconds to finish ninth at the NCAA East Preliminary Meet in Jacksonville, Fla. The top 12 teams advance to Eugene, Ore. The NSU relay team foursome includes Keith Brown Keith Brown of Prince George, Kai Cole of Alexandria, Anthony Franklin of Lexington, Ky., and BryanMadison Ahouman of Woodbridge. The NSU record of 39.20 was set in 1998.

Richmond Free Press

June 3-5, 2021 B1

Honoring their legacy Leroy M. Bray Jr. Gordon Coleman Gloria C. Collins

The

Ford Tucker Johnson Jr. Milton Johnson Celia E. Jones

Robert B. Dalton

Clarence A. Jones

Joseph E. Ellison

John J. McCall

Marise L. Ellison

Frank George Pinkston

Wendell T. Foster Jr.

Larry Pridgen

Anderson J. Franklin

Ceotis L. Pryor

Donald Vincent Goode

Raymond B. Randolph Jr.

Woodrow B. Grant

Samuel F. Shaw

Albert Van Graves Jr.

Charles Melvin Sherrod

George Wendall Harris

Virginia G. Simms

Thalma Y. Hickman

Ronald B. Smith

Joanna Hinton

Barbara A. Thornton

Carolyn Ann Horne

Randolph A. Tobias

Richard C. Jackson

Patricia A. Washington

Elizabeth Patricia Johnson

Lois B. White

n Feb. 22, 1960, 34 Virginia Union University students were arrested following a peaceful sit-in protest at the whites-only lunch counter of Thalhimers Department Store in downtown Richmond. The Richmond 34 sit-in ultimately led to the integration of Thalhimers and inﬂuenced legislation in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels have announced the following initiatives to honor the legacy of the Richmond 34: • Retirement of the No. 34 by the Flying Squirrels organization never to be worn on-ﬁeld again • Creation of a Richmond 34 Legacy mural at The Diamond painted by Richmond-based painter & sculptor Andre Shank • Plans to host Richmond 34 Legacy Weekend, a two-day event to be held in conjunction with home games July 16-17 • Establishment of the Richmond 34 Legacy campaign to provide education outreach opportunities to schools • Career advancement & mentorship program for Virginia State University & Virginia Union University students

648,55(/6%$6(%$// &20

Richmond Free Press

B2 June 3-5, 2021

Happenings Memorial Day holiday 2021

Richmonders flocked to parks, cookouts and the James River during the long Memorial Day Weekend. With the state’s COVID-19 restrictions lifted last Friday, it was the first time in months many people gathered to enjoy activities like they did before the pandemic. Even those who were chased indoors by the weekend rain found a way to have fun during the holiday by taking in the new exhibit,

“The Dirty South: Contemporary Art, Material Culture and the Sonic Impulse,” at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Hundreds also attended the state’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday at the Virginia War Memorial in Downtown. The names of four Virginians killed during military service were added to the Shrine of Memory.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

From left, Willie Lee, Cynthia Gordon and Cmdr. Mable Farris, all members of American Legion Post 1703 in Prince George, salute during the solemn ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial in Downtown honoring service members killed during various wars. Left, Arnella Agudogo, 6, of Chester holds an American flag during the Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony she attended Monday with her mother, Nana Agudogo, and other family and friends. Masks were not required at the outdoor event.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Players hit the court for a pickup basketball game Monday at the Randolph Community Center in the West End, while Rawkea Pryor commands the grill in the 1400 block of Grayland Avenue.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Out on the James River at Downtown, Anna Port, left, of Waterfront Kayak & Paddleboard Rental, cuts through the water near Brown’s Island. Center, a pedestrian bridge from Brown’s Island to Belle Isle is busy with people, while youngsters, at right, enjoy the sun, sand and water at Brown’s Island.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

A visitor to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts takes in all the red in an art piece titled “From Asterisks Dockery” by artist Rodney McMillian. The work is part of the exhibition, “The Dirty South,” which runs through Sept. 6.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Julian Donovan takes a chilly plunge Monday in the city’s outdoor community pool at Randolph in the West End.

W E I N ST E I N AU T HOR SE R IE S

VANESSA M. HOLDEN

Surviving Southampton: African American Women and Resistance in Nat Turner’s Community

Thursday, June 10, 2021 6:00–7:30 PM Online | FREE T

he Carole Weinstein Author Series supports the literary arts by bringing both new and well-known

authors to the Library of Virginia. Free and open to the public, the series focuses on Virginia authors and Virginia subjects across all genres. Most events will include light refreshments, a question-and-answer session with the author, and book signings. For more information, contact

S P R I N G 2 019

Emma Ito at 804.692.3726 or emma.ito@lva.virginia.gov.

ZACHARY WOOD

UNCENSORED

at the Wall Street Journal, will discuss

Tuesday, March 5, 2019 | Noon–1:00

achary R. Wood, a columnist and assistant opinion editor at The

Guardian and a Robert L. Bartley Fellow

Join us for a virtual discussion with author and historian Dr. Vanessa M. Holden on her book Surviving Southampton, which sheds new light on the places and people surrounding America’s most famous rebellion against slavery.

800 East Broad Street | Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.lva.virginia.gov | 804.692.3999

Richmond Free Press

June 3-5, 2021 B3

Happenings

Personality: Tyrone E. Dickerson Spotlight on recipient of the Ruth Coles Harris Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Award In the world of number crunching and accounting, Tyrone E. Dickerson stands out. And he’s working to create a more equitable place for others like him. The Pennsylvania native and Richmond area certified public accountant is the latest recipient of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Ruth Coles Harris Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Award. Mr. Dickerson was recognized for bringing new voices and perspectives to the profession through his work as chairman of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy’s diversity committee, as well as mentoring young CPAs in the field. The news, delivered via phone call from the VSCPA, was unexpected but exciting for Mr. Dickerson, who said he is “humbled and appreciative” of the recognition. Mr. Dickerson’s career in public accounting began the summer after his high school graduation in 1961 when he met Donald Redcross, one of only six African-American CPAs in Philadelphia and one of the first in that state. The insights Mr. Redcross provided about the profession convinced Mr. Dickerson to change his college major from physical education to accounting. This new career path wasn’t easy, however, Mr. Dickerson explained. CPAs at the time needed two years of experience before getting a license. This made entry into the profession especially difficult, according to Mr. Dickerson, as the major accounting firms weren’t hiring young Black students, depriving them of necessary experience to succeed in the field. Nevertheless, Mr. Dickerson managed to earn his license in 1974 and soon established a management consulting firm with two colleagues. He has taken on a number of roles in the years since, from aiding organizations with their applications for IRS tax exempt status and completing audits for young organizations, to serving on the Virginia Board of Accountancy

for eight years, including four years as chairman. Despite the decades that have passed since joining the field, Mr. Dickerson says the requirements to become a CPA in the state have changed only slightly. Aspirants must have a college degree that includes 24 credit hours in accounting in order to sit for the CPA exam in Virginia. In order to be licensed as a CPA in the state, a person would have to pass the exam, have 150 hours of education and have at least one year, or 2,080 work hours, of experience. Combined with the debt typically accumulated during college, Mr. Dickerson is not surprised that many graduates don’t opt to become CPAs. In his view, that is, in part, why there is still a lack of diversity in the field. “You really have to put the pedal to the metal if you want to become a CPA,” Mr. Dickerson says. The lack of diversity in the field means a lack of perspectives, voices and knowledge within teams and companies that may be required to work with a wide variety of individuals, cultures and situations. As such, Mr. Dickerson’s work is especially vital, helping newcomers get their footing and pushing firms to broaden their searches for up-and-coming graduates and professionals to better ensure a representative field for those who rely on them. “I think I’ve been a good ambassador to the profession, not only here in Richmond, but also in Virginia” Mr. Dickerson says. Meet an advocate of diversity and inclusion in the accounting

receive the award. I am humbled and appreciative. How I got the news: Telephone call from Virginia Society of CPAs. Who is Ruth Coles H a r r i s : D r. H a r r i s was the first AfricanAmerican woman to pass the CPA exam in Virginia. Dr. Harris had an illustrious career as a professor at Virginia Union University. When award was established: 2019. VSCPA’s criteria for award: The award recognizes a VSCPA member who champions diversity and inclusion in the field of accounting by doing one or more of the following: Plans and implements organizational initiatives to help insure a diverse and inclusive workplace; champions policies and programs aimed at improving diversity in the profession; and serves as a role model for current and future CPAs through mentoring, coaching or other types of volunteering work in the community.

world and this week’s Personality, Tyrone E. Dickerson: Occupation: Certified public accountant. Latest accomplishment: Recipient of the Ruth Coles Harris Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Award presented by the Virginia Society of CPAs. Date and place of birth: Dec. 18 in Abington, Penn.

Why I was chosen: I was chosen because of my work advancing diversity in the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy as chairman of the diversity committee as well as my work mentoring young CPAs.

Where I live now: Richmond. Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Central State University; MBA in finance, Harvard Business School. Family: College sweetheart and wife, Denise P. Dickerson; children, Juliet M. Yeates-Trotman and Kimberly E. Dickerson; and grandchildren, Brooke and Nicholas Yeates-Trotman and Cameron Dickerson.

Why I became a certified public accountant, or CPA: I met an African-American CPA in my hometown of Philadelphia during the summer after graduation from high school. There were only six Black CPAs in the city. He provided

Reaction to receiving Ruth Coles Harris Award: Very excited. I had no idea I would

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How many Black CPAs in the United States: Truly an estimate — 7,500 out of 650,000. How my role as a CPA helps our community: I have been called upon many times to help organizations apply for their tax exempt status with the IRS free of charge. I also have helped young organizations that needed an audit so they can apply for grants. Skills needed to be a good CPA: Be a good listener and a problem solver. Lessons I share with CPAs starting in the field: The major lesson I share is to get involved with as many community organizations as time permits. It exposes you to a variety of individuals where people are assessing your skills. How I start the day: I take each day as it comes, but I have a plan for things that need to get done. Words that best describe me: Calm, pressure-free. Best late-night snack: Butter pecan and black walnut ice cream. How I unwind: Playing golf.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Skiing. I learned to ski in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. When I moved to Boston, we would often head to the slopes of New Hampshire for a fun weekend. Quote that I am most inspired by: “The measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. At the top of my “to-do” list: Going on an African safari. Best thing my parents ever taught me: Get an education because once you have the knowledge, you can never lose it. Person who influenced me the most: Herbert Willis, my accounting professor at Central State University. He pushed and pushed to help me achieve my goal to become a CPA. Book that influenced me the most: “A Promised Land” by former President Barack Obama. What I’m reading now: “Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads” by the Rev. Al Sharpton. Next goal: Retire within the next three years, play golf three times a week, travel with Denise and enjoy watching my grandkids grow up.

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How many Black CPAs in Richmond: Too few.

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Richmond Free Press

B4 June 3-5, 2021

Faith News/Directory

Judge blocks meeting called by Fourth Baptist pastor By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A Richmond judge on Tuesday blocked the pastor and the deacon board of a divided Fourth Baptist Church from holding a special congregational meeting on Saturday, June 5, to take a second vote on removing trustees, the church treasurer and the chair of the finance committee. Richmond Circuit Court Judge W. Reilly Marchant told the pastor, Dr. William E. Jackson Sr.; deacon board chair, Gerard A. Dabney; and their attorney, Justin R. Coleman, any such meeting and vote of the Church Hill congregation would violate the terms of an April 15 consent decree reinstating the church officers who had been removed last year and then sued to challenge their ouster. The judge reminded the defendants that the consent decree froze the status quo and barred the church from making any major changes until a full hearing is held on the issues in dispute. That hearing is set for Monday, Aug. 16.

The freeze includes transferring assets, overhauling the church’s financial structure or removing church officers. The church, founded 162 years ago, is not a party to the litigation. “You can hold all the meetings you want to,” Judge Marchant said, but noted that only routine matters, such as payment of bills and the like to keep the church operating, Dr. Jackson could be considered. The judge noted that both Mr. Coleman and William F. Seymour IV, the attorney for the trustees and other plaintiffs who had sued Dr. Jackson and the deacons, had signed the consent order. Judge Marchant said that both sides must agree to any meetings on substantive matters prior to the August hearing. The plaintiffs had not agreed to this Saturday’s meeting, Mr. Seymour told the judge. He said no progress had been made on

Is it safe to sing at church yet? Depends on who you ask Religion News Service

On Pentecost Sunday, some members of Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Neb., sang hymns without masks for the first time in more than a year. They vocalized “Multilingual Grace” in four languages after music director Denise Makinson taught them how to express thanks in Spanish, Arabic, Swahili and Korean. “I do have to say it was quite emotional yesterday to hear the congregation singing all the hymns,” Ms. Makinson said in an interview on May 24. “It was definitely something I missed.” Pentecost is often celebrated as the “birthday” of the Christian church. It frequently includes a reading from the New Testament Book of Acts about the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus’followers, who then begin to speak and understand languages they had not known.

“I think they were also emotional about it, to hear people’s voices,” Ms. Makinson said of Southwood’s congregants. Some people sang with masks on, others with them off — a mix that is likely to continue across the country for a while as congregations navigate the “new normal” of the continuing pandemic when not everyone is vaccinated. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent announcement that fully vaccinated people could generally resume pre-pandemic activities has played a part in new decisions by congregations. But the CDC’s guidance was about individuals; its advice for “communities of faith” has not been updated since Feb. 19 and currently does not mention singing. The Hymn Society’s Center for Congregational Song has declared in its own latest guidance: “We do not currently recommend that congregations sing.”

Its May 20 blog post also included questions that might further guide congregations about higher- or lower-risk activities. They covered such topics as the percentage of fully vaccinated congregants, the chances of some congregants remaining unmasked and not distanced, and whether people wear their masks properly. But it added, no matter how those questions are answered, “there is still risk.” The Rev. Ed Phillips, coconvener of the Ecumenical Consultation on Protocols for Worship, Fellowship and Sacrament, said his organization is also coming down on the side of caution, urging maskwearing indoors for “any sort of congregational responses or singing that would cause us to use a loud voice or sustained singing voice.” He said “restrictions are much less necessary” for outdoor worship. “Our guidance around sing-

ing at this point is to take a relatively conservative approach because congregations tend to be multigenerational gatherings and also gatherings where we will have both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, possibly of differing ages,” said Rev. Phillips, associate professor of historical theology and Christian worship at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Rev. Phillips said the consultation advises congregation leaders to use websites such as covidactnow.org to keep tabs on the latest information about the pandemic, along with advice from their local health officials, to determine what is considered safer in their particular situation.

Moore Street Missionary

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1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

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THEME: “Transforming Lives For The Kingdom — Rooted And Grounded In Christ Jesus”

Scripture reference: Colossians 2:7

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e with Reverence elevanc R ing Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor bin m ❖ o Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic All regular activities have been suspended until further notice. Please join us on

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823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

Triumphant

Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 “Due to the Corona Virus all services at Triumphant Baptist Church are suspended until further notice.” Join us on Sundays at 12 noon via Conference Call: 1(503)300-6860 Code:273149#

Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info. Drive-thru giving will be available the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. (Bowe Street side) You also may give through Givelify. Be safe. Be blessed.

Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (515) 606-5187 Pin 572890#

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Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

Due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus All regular activities have been suspended until further notice. Visit https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith

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Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

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holding a session to iron out the differences between the two sides. Much of the opposition relates to Dr. Jackson’s efforts to incorporate the church and operate it through a corporate structure. When Dr. Jackson testified that, based on legal advice, the meeting was called in conformance with the church’s bylaws, Judge Marchant said that the court order trumps the bylaws. The judge also warned that there would be consequences if any further attempts are made to make “an end run around the order.” Mr. Seymour sought the court’s intervention after Dr. Jackson announced plans for the special June 5 meeting just four days after the consent order was signed. Separately, Judge Marchant gave the pastor and deacons 20 days to arrange to turn over documents, reports, records and recordings of church meetings that the plaintiffs requested and were in the church’s possession. Mr. Seymour noted the church’s clerk, Darlene Graham, had supplied only written minutes.

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

“Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, Services Are Cancelled, until further notice; but, please join us, by visiting BRBCOnline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church).”

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Richmond Free Press

June 3-5, 2021 B5

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City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, June 14, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2021-083 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 109 North Plum Street for the purpose of no more than one dwelling unit within an accessory building to an existing single-family dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. Ordinance No. 2021-085 As Amended To conditionally rezone the property known as 1801 East Main Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the TOD-1C Transit-Oriented Nodal District (Conditional), upon certain proffered conditions. Ordinance No. 2021-128 To repeal City Code § 2-3, concerning the City logo, and to amend ch. 2, art. I of the City Code by adding therein a new section 2-3, concerning the City logo, for the purpose of abandoning the former City logo and establishing a new City logo. Ordinance No. 2021-137 To amend Ord. No. 2020049, adopted May 11, 2020, which adopted the Fiscal Year 20202021 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by reducing total appropriations by $687,353 and the amount transferred from the Budget and Revenue Stabilization Contingency Reserve pursuant to Ord. No. 2021-022, adopted Feb. 22, 2021, by $565,426, transferring funds from various agencies and nondepartmental programs and the Budget and Revenue Stabilization Contingency Reserve, and appropriating the transferred funds to various agencies and nondepartmental programs. Ordinance No. 2021-138 To amend Ord. No. 2020-053, adopted May 11, 2020, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2020-186, adopted Sept. 14, 2020, which appropriated and provided funds for financing the school budget for the fiscal year commencing Jul. 1, 2020, and ending Jun. 30, 2021, by increasing estimated revenues from certain federal programs. Ordinance No. 2021-140 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to submit a Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an application for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds; to accept funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the total amount of $8,497,785.00; and to appropriate $8,497,785.00 for various projects. Ordinance No. 2021-141 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept grant funds in the amount of $358.50 from the Library of Virginia, and to appropriate the funds received to the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond’s Library of Virginia Records Preservation Grant special fund by $358.50 for the purpose of preserving land records. Ordinance No. 2021-142 To authorize the Chief Continued on next column

Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $600,000.00 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency; to amend the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development called the Brownfields Coalition Grant Special Fund; and to appropriate the grant funds received to the Fiscal Year 20202021 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Economic Development’s Brownfields Coalition Grant Special Fund by $600,000.00 for the purpose of funding the inventory, assessment, and cleanup of brownfields in the City and Henrico County. Ordinance No. 2021-143 To amend Ord. No. 2021003, adopted Feb. 8, 2021, which amended Ord. No. 2020-049, adopted May 11, 2020, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by re-appropriating a $500,000.00 portion of the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 fund balance excess, assigned to the Capital Reserve, to the General Fund Cash Transfer for Capital Projects program, and to appropriate these transferred funds to the Capital Improvements Projects for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 and to amend the Fiscal Year 20202021 Capital Budget by appropriating such transferred funds in the amount of $500,000.00 to the Department of Public Works’ City Hall project in the City Facility Maintenance & Improvements category for the purpose of constructing improvements to the southwest quadrant of City Hall necessary to house either an employee health clinic or a relocated credit union office, or both, to instead house a community resource center or a space for a relocated credit union office, or both. This meeting will be held through electronic communication means pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance No. 2020-093, adopted April 9, 2020, as most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2020-232, adopted December 14, 2020. This meeting will be open to participation through electronic communication means by the public and closed to in-person participation by the public. Less than a quorum of Richmond City Council will assemble in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most Council members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams. Video of the meeting will be streamed live online at the following web address: https:// r i c h m o n d v a . l e g i s t a r. com/Calendar.aspx. To watch the meeting’s live stream at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “In Progress” in the farthest right hand column entitled, “Video”. The agenda for the Richmond City Council meeting is accessible through the City’s legislative website at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. aspx. To view the agenda at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “Agenda” associated with the June 14, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting listed in the calendar. Interested citizens who wish to speak at the Richmond City Council meeting will be given an opportunity to do so by following the “Formal Meeting Citizen Participation Instructions” attached to the June 14, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ richmondgov.com in lieu of calling in. The person responsible for receiving comments in writing is Candice D. Reid, City Clerk. All comments received prior to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 14, 2021, will be provided to Council members prior to the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https://www.rva.gov/ office-city-clerk. Candice D. Reid City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2021-146 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1518 Perry Street for the purpose of a mixeduse building containing office and personal service uses on the first floor and one dwelling unit on the second floor, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-63 Multifamily Urban Residential District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Neighborhood MixedUse. Primary uses are single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multifamily and open space. Secondary uses are large multi-family, retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government. Ordinance No. 2021-147 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2910 Q Street for the purpose of a mixeduse building with outdoor dining, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in a B-2 Community Business District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Neighborhood MixedUse. Primary uses are single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multifamily and open space. Secondary uses are large multi-family, retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government. Ordinance No. 2021-148 To rezone the property known as 423 Hull Street from the B-5 Central Business District to the TOD-1Transit-Oriented Nodal District. The Master Plan recommends a future land use of “Destination Mixed‑Use” for the property. The primary uses envisioned for Destination Mixed‑Use are retail/office/personal service, multi‑family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary uses are institutional and government. Ordinance No. 2021-149 To rezone the properties known as 2116 East Main Street, 2126 East Main Street and 16 North 22nd Street from the M-1 Light Industrial District to the B-5 Central Business District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Corridor Mixed-Use. Primary uses are retail/ office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural and open space. No residential density is specified for this land use designation. Ordinance No. 2021-150 To amend the official zoning map for the purpose of rezoning certain properties in t h e G r e a t e r S c o t t ’s Addition neighborhood, in order to implement the adopted Richmond 300 Master Plan, and to amend the official zoning map for the purpose of designating certain street blocks as “priority streets” and certain street blocks as “street-oriented commercial streets” in the Greater Scott’s Addition neighborhood. Ordinance No. 2021-151 To amend the official zoning map for the purpose of rezoning certain properties in the Science Museum, Allison Street, and VCU&VUU Pulse BRT Station Areas, in order to implement the adopted Richmond 300 Master Plan and Pulse Corridor Plan, and to amend the official zoning map for the purpose of designating certain street blocks as “priority streets” and certain street blocks as “street-oriented commercial streets” in the Science Museum, Allison Street, and Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Union University Pulse BRT Station Areas. The meetings will be held through electronic communication means pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance No. 2020-093, adopted April 9, 2020, as most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2020-232, adopted December 14, 2020. The meetings will be open to participation through electronic communication means by the public and closed to in-person participation by the public. Less than a quorum of Richmond Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

City Planning Commission members and Richmond City Council will assemble in City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams. The meetings will be streamed live online at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. a s p x . To w a t c h a meeting’s live stream at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “In Progress” in the farthest right hand column entitled, “Video”. The agenda for the Richmond City Council meeting is accessible through the City’s legislative website at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. aspx. To view the agenda at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “Agenda” associated with the June 28, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting listed in the calendar. Interested citizens who wish to speak at the Richmond City Council meeting will be given an opportunity to do so by following the “Formal Meeting Citizen Participation Instructions” attached to the June 28, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ richmondgov.com in lieu of calling in. The person responsible for receiving comments in writing is Candice D. Reid, City Clerk. All comments received prior to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 28, 2021, will be provided to Council members prior to the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https://www.rva.gov/ office-city-clerk. Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHERYL BECOATJACKSON, Plaintiff v. JAMES JACKSON Defendant. Case No.: CL21001888-00 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 13th day of July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, 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 CHARMIN CLARENCE, Plaintiff v. MELVIN CLARENCE, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001869-00 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 July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, 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 BRITTANY STAGG, Plaintiff v. CHRISTOPHER STAGG, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001232-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

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 6th day of July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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 23rd day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that: It is ORDERED that the defendants Samuel Bly, (Father), Unknown Father (Father), Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 7/20/2021, at 9:40 AM, Courtroom #2.

being in the City of Richmond, Virginia, known as 2580 Gravel Hill Road, containing 2.00 acres and more particularly described as: BEGINNING at a point in the southern boundary of State Route 689 and at its intersection with the western line of Gravel Hill Road; thence from such point of beginning S. 32 dg. 11’57” E. 55.00 feet to a point; thence N. 28 dg. 25’ 35” W. 653.08 feet to a point; thence N. 61 deg. 33’ N. 105.00 feet to a point; thence N. 28 deg. 27’ E 682.50 feet to the point and place of beginning. Being that same property conveyed unto Plaintiff, Gravel Hill Baptist Church, by deed dated January 31, 2017 from Sarah L. Smith, executor of the estate of Herbert W. Smith and recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond, Virginia as instrument no. 17-2182. And further being that same property claimed to have been conveyed unto Herbert W. Smith from Edmonia Smith, maiden name Edmonia Green, by operation of law. Based upon information and belief Edmonia Smith was married to Herbert W. Smith on October 29, 1956, and remained married to him until the time of her death; however, Herbert W. Smith was not the biological father of her children. Based on information and belief, Edmonia Smith had three children from her marriage to Monroe James Frye; and those three children were Elizabeth Beatrice Cunningham Moon, Rosezier Mavis Coleman, and Clarence Edward Frye. Based on information and belief, Elizabeth Beatrice Cunningham Moon departed this life on May 19, 2019, leaving behind her spouse, Roy Moon, and her children from her first marriage to McKenly Cunningham. Such children are Vaughan Cunningham, Theresa Bailey, Faith Goodall, Sterling Cunningham, Lisa Shelton, Gregory Cunningham, Jon Cunningham, Tracey Cunningham, and Paul Cunningham; she was predeceased by three children: Ethel Cunningham, Herbert Cunningham, and Maurice Cunningham. Based on information and belief, Rosezier Mavis Coleman departed this life on February 15, 2015, leaving behind her children Acquilla Coleman Perkins, Rochelle Edmonica Coleman, Margeurite Ann Turner, and James M. Coleman, Jr. Based on information and belief, Clarence Edward Frye departed this life on February 25, 1994, leaving behind his son, Clarence Edward Frye, Jr., who departed this life on March 27, 2020. It is unclear what heirs Clarence Edward Frye, Jr. may have left, if any. An affidavit having been made and filed in this Court that due diligence has been used on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain the location of many of the Defendants, but without effect, and that the last known address of many of the Defendants is unknown or not located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is hereby ORDERED that his Order be published at least once a week for four successive weeks in the Richmond Free Press, a newspaper of general circulation within The City of Richmond, Virginia, and that the parties named herein appear on or before June 21, 2021 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond, Virginia, and do what may be necessary to protect their respective interests in this suit. Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ASK FOR THIS: Danielle J. Wang VSB# 85964 Howard Bullock VSB# 86760 SHAHEEN LAW FIRM, PC 8890 Three Chopt Road Richmond, Virginia 23229 Phone: (804) 474-9423; Fax: (888) 641-3611 dwang@shaheenlaw.com hbullock@shaheenlaw.com Counsel for Plaintiff

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER VERA VENABLE, Plaintiff v. EDWARD JONES, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001282-00 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 July, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER FAITH MALLORYSTINNET, Plaintiff BILLY STINNETT, Defendant. Case No.: CL20001903-00 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 17th day of July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, 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 HANOVER CIRCUIT COURT Commonwealth of Virginia, in re BRIAN LAMONT GREEN v SALA EL Case No.: CL20004183-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Divorce. It is ordered that Sala El appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 21, 2021 at 9:00 AM. VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MAURICE SMITH, Plaintiff v. CASSANDRA SMITH, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001061-00 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 1st day of July, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MAURICE BLAND, Plaintiff v. AKILAH AR-RAHEEM, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001642-00 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 Continued on next column

Custody VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KHAZA WOODRUFF RDSS V. DAISHA WOODRUFF, JARON CAREY, UNKNOWN FATHER File No. JJ097254-08-09-10 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of the (Mother) Daisha Woodruff, (Father) Jaron Carey & the Unknown Father of Khaza Woodruff DOB 11/18/2018, child. “TPR” 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 defendant Daisha Woodruff (Mother), Jaron Carey (Father) & Unknown (Father) to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 08/09/2021, at 2:30 PM, Courtroom #4 VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re TRINITY HORNES RDSS V. DAISHA WOODRUFF, TONY HORNES, UNKNOWN FATHER File No. JJ095632-06-07-08 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of the (Mother) Daisha Woodruff, (Father) Tony Hornes & the Unknown Father of Trinity Hornes DOB 04/19/2016, child. “TPR” 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 defendant Daisha Woodruff (Mother), Tony Hornes (Father) & Unknown (Father) to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 08/09/2021, at 2:30 PM, Courtroom #4 VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re LEILIANA LYNNAE FELIX RDSS v. UNKNOWN FATHER, JENNIFER LYNN WARNER Case No. J-97950-06, 07-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) Unknown Father (Father) & Jennifer Lynn Warner (Mother), o f L e i l i ana Lynna e Felix, child, DOB 9/22/2019, “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, Unknown Father, (Father) & Jennifer Lynn Warner (Mother), to appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his/her interest on or before 6/11/2021, at 10:20 AM, Courtroom #1. VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ISAIAH ANTHONY GILCHRIST RDSS v. SAMUEL BLY, Unknown father, & andrea renee gilchrist File No. J-98407-8, 9, 10 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Samuel Bly, (Father), Unknown (Father), & Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother), of Isaiah Anthony Gilchrist, child DOB: 7/27/2011. “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with Parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re DESTINI RENEE GILCHRIST RDSS v. DEVIN RONALD WILLIAMS, SR., Unknown father, & andrea renee gilchrist File No. J-98757-4, 5, 6 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Devin Ronald Williams, Sr., (Father), Unknown (Father), & Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother), of Destini Renee Gilchrist, child DOB: 6/17/2016. “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with Parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that: It is ORDERED that the defendants Devin Ronald Williams, Sr., (Father), Unknown Father (Father), Andrea Renee Gilchrist (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 7/20/2021, at 9:40 AM, Courtroom #2.

PROPERTY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND GRAVEL HILL BAPTIST CHURCH, an unincorporated non-stock, non-profit entity Plaintiff v. ROY MOON, Serve: 467 Westover Hill Blvd, Apt 106 Richmond, Virginia 23225 VAUGHAN CUNNINGHAM, Serve: 8509 Spring Hollow Drive Richmond, Virginia 23227 THERESA BAILEY, Serve: 5108 Downy Lane, Apt 204 Henrico, Virginia 23228 FAITH GOODALL, Unknown address Serve by Publication STERLING CUNNINGHAM, Unknown address Serve by Publication LISA SHELTON, Serve: 3315 Dorset Road Richmond, Virginia 23234 GREGORY CUNNINGHAM, Serve: 1108 E 17th Street Richmond, Virginia 23224 JON CUNNINGHAM, Serve: 804 Brook Hill Road, Apt 532 Richmond, Virginia 23227 TRACEY CUNNINGHAM, Serve: 3448 Chapel Dr. Richmond, Virginia 23224 PAUL CUNNINGHAM, Serve: 2017 Fairfield Ave, Apt A Richmond, Virginia 23223 ACQUILLA COLEMAN PERKINS, Serve: 4901 Laudeen Drive North Chesterfield, Virginia 23234 ROCHELLE EDMONICA COLEMAN, Serve: 2510 Gravel Hill Road Richmond, Virginia 23225 MARGEURITE ANN TURNER, Serve: 2510 Gravel Hill Road Richmond, Virginia 23225 JAMES M. COLEMAN, JR., Serve: 5634 Hogan Bridge Drive Providence Forge, Virginia 23140 SARAH L. SMITH, EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF HERBERT W. SMITH, Serve: 3110 Lees Landing Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF SAM GREEN, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF BEVERLY GREEN, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF EDMONIA GREEN SMITH, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ELIZBETH BEATRICE CUNNINGHAM MOON, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ROSEZIER MAVIS COLEMAN, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF CLARENCE EDWARD FRYE, ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS OF CLARENCE EDWARD FRYE, JR., and PA R T I E S U N K N O W N , including but not limited to all unknown heirs, devisees, and successors in interest to those named herein or anyone claiming an interest in this action Defendants. Case No. 211375-8 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is for an order of partition sale concerning that certain real property, located in the City of Richmond, Virginia located on Gravel Hill Road, City of Richmond, Virginia 23225, Tax Map Number C0040826002, and more particularly described as follows, to wit: ALL that certain lot, piece or parcel of land lying and Continued on next column

NOTICE COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #21-2172-5JOK Deep Run Park – Fairfield Middle School New Basketball Courts Due: June 23, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

LICENSE JRG Markets, LLC Trading as: The Stables Market 5081 LIbbie Mill Blvd East Suite 135 Henrico County Richmond, Virginia 23230 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Beer and Wine On and Off Premises and Keg license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Steven Gooch, 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.

Richmond Free Press

B6 June 3-5, 2021

Sports Plus Stories by Fred Jeter

NCAA golf tournament offers time for reflection on Tiger Woods’ early career Since its inception in 1897, college golf’s most prestigious tournament has been a mostly all-white affair. The exception came in 1996. And what an exception it was! With the NCAA championships going on this week in Scottsdale, Ariz., here’s a look back at the 1996 event in Ooltewah, Tenn., and the emergence of a talented African-American golfer named Eldrick Tont Woods. His Stanford University teammates good naturedly called him “Erkel,” a nickname given him by teammate and close friend Notah Begay. But the public came to know him simply as “Tiger.” Before Tiger Woods became the most dominant and marketable player on the PGA circuit, he ruled the college game. In two seasons at Stanford, Woods averaged 71.37 per round as a freshman and 70.67 as a sophomore. A two-time All-American and National Player of the Year in 1996, Woods won 11 of 26 tournaments he entered for the Stanford Cardinal, including eight of 13 as a sophomore. Twice he won the Pac-12 title. Woods scored under 70 in 18 of his 61 rounds in 1996, with an other-worldly 61 as his personal best. The highlight was the 1996 NCAA event in which Woods posted rounds of 69, 67, 69 and 80 to defeat runner-up Rory Sabbatini of Arizona by four strokes despite the final-round glitch. Stanford finished third as a team in 1996 behind Arizona State University and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The 1996 starting lineup for the Cardinal was quite diverse by college golfing standards. Begay, who later played on the

Not only was Woods the first African-American to claim the NCAA title, he became the first to win a PGA Major, the Masters in 1997. Now 45 and recovering from serious leg injuries suffered in a February car accident, Woods has won 15 PGA Major championships, including the Masters five times — mostly recently in 2019. He has been the PGA Player of the Year on 11 occasions. Woods has come a long way. While there are always uncertainties due to injuries, a fully healed Woods still may make a run at catching Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Major titles. Regardless, when he reaches 50, he qualifies for the PGA extremely popular senior tour. There is little doubt he may dominate the older tour just as he rocketed to the top of the leaderboard on the main circuit and before that, for Stanford, where he was the “exception” of all time. ◆ The 1991 women’s NCAA golf championships in Columbus, Ohio, had a Central Virginia flavor. Petersburg native and Matoaca High School alumna LaRee Sugg scored a crucial birdie on a playoff hole to help UCLA win the team crown by a stroke over San Jose State University. The 1991 individual winner was the University of Arizona’s Annika Sörenstam. The NCAA Player of the Year Award is named in Sörenstam’s honor. Sugg later became the third Black woman to play on the LPGA circuit.

PGA circuit, is Native American. Will Yanagisawa, who also turned pro, is of Japanese ancestry. Woods also drew national acclaim as three-time winner of the U.S. Amateur Championship from 1994 through 1996. Following the 1996 NCAA crown, Woods left Stanford to join the PGA. Within a few months of going pro, he rose to being arguably the greatest player in the history of the game.

VUU’s football season to open against Hampton on Sept. 4 Finally, some good news for Virginia Union University football. After missing the entire 2020 season because of the pandemic, there is reason for optimism for 2021. Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers are ranked 25th among NCAA Division II programs by Lindy’s Sports Magazine. Coach “Lindy’s is among the most trusted publications when it comes to college football,” Coach Parker said. “Our players and coaches have worked extremely hard this past year to be put in such a prestigious position.” The early season schedule will make it difficult, however. VUU opens Saturday, Sept. 4, at FCS Hampton University of the Big South Conference. In a Hovey Field home opener on Saturday,

Sept. 11, the Panthers will face Valdosta State University of Georgia, which ranked eighth in the Lindy’s poll. The Willard Bailey Classic on Saturday, Sept. 18, presents an interesting matchup with Virginia University of Lynchburg. Coach Willard Bailey coached at Parker both VUU and at Virginia University of Lynchburg. He directed the Panthers on two occasions — 1971 to 1983 and again 1995 to 2003. He directed the VUL program from 2011 to 2013. VUU is 15-5 under Coach Parker, who was a standout player for the Panthers under Coach Bailey. VUU’s last game was Nov. 9, 2019, when the Panthers lost at Virginia State University 27-24.

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804.358.5543

AVAILABLE Downtown Richmond first floor office suite

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Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities Overland Contracting Inc. (OCI), a Black & Veatch company, will be issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) packages in support of the construction of a new manganese control system at the existing wastewater treatment plant for the City of Emporia, Virginia located at 1521 Wiggins Road, Emporia, VA 23847. e furnish and install RFP packages available to bid include masonry, waterproofing, insulation, roofing and gutters, doors and windows, wall framing, drywall, painting, HVAC and I&C so ware programming. e RFP packages are tentatively scheduled to be issued week of May 31, 2021. Firms interested in receiving RFPs are required to submit company name and contact information, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification(s) (if applicable) and RFP Packages of interest (detailed above) to EmporiaProject@bv.com.

Henrico County Public Hearing Ridge Road Sidewalk This project involves the construction of 0.36 miles of sidewalk on the southwest side of Ridge Road between Old Providence Circle and N. Ridge Road. Approximately 260 linear feet of new curb and gutter and road widening is to be constructed along the southwest side of Ridge Road between Ziontown Road and the adjacent business parcel. The purpose of this meeting is to provide information about the project and receive public input. The meeting will be open-house format and County staff will be available to answer questions. The meeting will be held at the Tuckahoe Library, 1901 Starling Drive, Henrico, VA 23229 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

OCI is committed to equal opportunity and will not discriminate with regard to race, religion, color, ancestry, age, gender, disability, medical condition or place of birth and will not do business with any firm that discriminates on any basis. is Project includes VDH Drinking Water Funding and therefore, all firms must adhere to all associated requirements including American Iron and Steel and Davis-Bacon Act. It is the policy of OCI to encourage equal opportunity in its construction, consultant, material and supply contracts. Minority/Woman Business Enterprise (M/WBE) firms are encouraged to participate and non-M/WBE firms are encouraged to utilize M/WBE firms as sources of goods and services. Bidders must submit documentation of the affirmative steps taken to utilize M/WBEs in the work and documentation of its intended use of M/WBEs in the work prior to contract award.

IT Project Manager to lead the assessment, roadmap planning & launch of a global agile transformation effort for the company & its customers. Set up an agile center of excellence, provide SAFe training & launch new release trains, etc. Mon-Fri., 40hrs/wk. Bachelor’s in Computer Science, IT, or Business Admin. req’d. Alternately, 24 mos. of exp. in related occupation accepted. Mail Resume to Genesis Consulting Partners, LLC, 1401 E Cary Street, Suite 401, Richmond, VA 23219.

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RVA.gov.) The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

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NOTE: Bidders choosing to submit bids through hand-delivery should allow extra time for delivery of bids. Due to COVID-19, hand-delivered bids will be accepted only during the hours of 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at the 9 th Street entrance to City Hall at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221. Bidders choosing to hand-deliver bids must call Corliss Spurlock at 804-646-5804 when arriving at City Hall, and Corliss Spurlock will meet the bidder at the 9 th Street entrance of City Hall to collect the submittal. Bids will not be accepted after the Due Date and Time listed above.

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

IFB No. 210014000: Broad Street @ 16th Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Project (UPC 111164) For all information pertaining to this IFB please logon to the Richmond website (www.RVA.gov). Due Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021/Time: 2:00 P.M.

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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

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