Richmond Free Press November 2-4, 2023 edition

NoV. 7

Meet this week’s Personality B1

Black millennials and religion B5

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NOVEMBER 2-4, 2023

Too close to call

Casino outcome hinges on voter turnout

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Will Richmond voters approve a resort and casino project?

That’s the biggest question on the city ballot —– a repeat of 2021 when the proposal narrowly lost Despite pouring more than $9 million in cash and inkind contributions into their campaign, casino advocates have their fingers crossed in hopes that their efforts will pay off with a majority “yes” Mr. Carstanjen vote on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 7.

In the face of scrappy opposition, casino forces continue to struggle to get their supporters out to the polls in early voting that will end Saturday, Nov. 4.

Richmond Grand Resort and Casino is a joint project Ms. Hughes of Churchill Downs and Urban One. Churchill Downs, is one of the nation’s premier racing, gaming, and entertainment names.

In addition to running the iconic Kentucky Derby each May for over a century, Churchill Downs

operates 29 live and historical horse racing and gaming properties in 14 states.

Founded by Cathy Hughes, Urban One is the nation’s largest Black-owned diversified media company, operating more than 50 radio stations around the country and television and digital media assets. Urban One has been part of the Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellers/Richmond Free Press

Above, a Richmonder takes advantage of early voting at the Office of Elections on West Laburnum Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 28.

Isley Brothers party with a purpose

By Darlene M. Johnson

Thousands of people gathered at the Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side to enjoy a free all-day party and concert headlined by the Isley Brothers and hosted by the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino last Saturday. In addition to the free concert, free food was provided to garner Please turn to A4

Clement Britt

Many people, some of whom have already voted, gather last Saturday for a day party and Isley Brothers concert at Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side. The party and event were part of a get-out-the-vote effort sponsored by developers of a planned $562 million casino resort at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard. More voters will decide whether they want the casino on Nov. 7.

Stoney demands DOJ investigation Free press staff, wire reports

Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney doesn’t believe that a “coding error” is the reason 3,400 voters were removed from Virginia’s voter rolls, as stated

by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin last week.

Taking to social media to voice his concerns, the mayor said, “Today I joined @nolefturnsinc, @thedrmikejones, @lwv_va, and other leaders across the Commonwealth to demand a DOJ investigation into the Youngkin Administration’s stunt purging 3,400 eligible Virginians off the voter rolls.

“I do not accept that this was a simple ‘coding error,’” he added. “This is weaponized Please turn to A4

Election Day votes likely to boost state’s Black legislators

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney describes the removal of 3,400 voters from Virginia’s voter rolls as “weaponized incompetence.”

The General Assembly is guaranteed to have a record number of Black members after voters cast their ballots on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 7.

The House of Delegates, at a minimum, is expected to have a record 23 Black members — 22 Democrats and at least one Republican.

And there is a prospect that seven other Black Democrats, now engaged in some of the most competitive races, could gain House seats.

The Virginia Senate is guaranteed to have an unprecedented seven Black senators, with a potential for another three depending on the outcome of hotly contested races in Hampton Roads and the Richmond-Petersburg area.

“I am feeling extremely encouraged,” said Richmond state Sen. Lamont Bagby, who chairs the Legislative Black Caucus and is unopposed in his bid to win the seat for the 14th District that covers most of the city.

Please turn to A4

Unprecedented money flowing in Va. legislative races; latest reports show Dems with edge

By Sarah Rankin The Associated Press

Virginia legislative candidates raised $46 million over about four weeks in the month of October, according to newly filed finance disclosures, with Democrats collectively reporting a fundraising edge as this campaign season nears its end.

Democratic candidates for the state Senate raised about $12.7 million between Oct. 1 and Oct. 26, and ended the period with a nearly $1 million cash-on-hand advantage over their GOP coun-

terparts, according to an analysis of disclosures this week by the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Republican candidates reported raising $10.6 million over the same period.

In the House of Delegates, Democratic candidates outraised Republicans — $14.2 million to $8.4 million — but Republicans ended the period with a cash advantage of about $730,000.

All 140 General Assembly seats are on the ballot this year, and the fundraising, which has exceeded the pace of previous similar election years, is a sign of the competitive nature of this cycle.

Control of the House of Delegates and Senate is likely to come down to about a dozen seats across the two chambers, and the outcome will be closely watched around the country. Virginia is one of just four states with legislative races this year and with its closely divided politics is often looked to as a bellwether ahead of the 2024 presidential cycle.

Republicans are aiming to hold their current, narrow majority in the House and flip the Senate, hoping to deliver a trifecta for GOP Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin. If Democrats are able to hold Please turn to A4

City gains $50M for affordable housing

Curious eyes

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A youngster is intrigued by garden visitors celebrating “El Dia de los Inocentes” or the Day of the Children, also known as All Saints Day, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Saturday, Oct. 28. Please see photos on B3.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

A national housing nonprofit announced Tuesday that it will match Richmond’s five-year $50 million investment in affordable housing — a huge boost to efforts to increase the supply of less costly apartments and homes.

Denise Scott, the veteran president and CEO of the New York-based Local Initiative Support Corp., joined Mayor Levar M. Stoney and members of City Council at City Hall to announce LISC’s new partnership with the city.

Mayor Stoney hailed what he de-

scribed as a “remarkable” contribution from LISC that will boost to $100 million the total the city can make available to create incomeMs. Scott restricted apartments and homes that offer below market rents.

He said it would build on the city’s progress of adding more than 9,000 housing units since 2019.

Ms. Scott, who will retire at the end of the year and leave it to her

successor, Michael T. Pugh, to carry out the commitment, said LISC was impressed with the city’s push to increase affordable housing and sees its new role as helping the city become a model for others.

She said LISC would work with interested lenders and foundations to generate its share of the funding. She said LISC also has begun talks with federal and state officials by putting more resources into this initiative.

LISC also plans to go beyond the financial contribution. Among other things, Ms. Scott said LISC, through Please turn to A4

Richmond Free Press

A2 November 2-4, 2023

Local News

Shaping RPS’ future Free Press staff report

Richmond Public Schools students, families, staff and members of the community are invited to help shape the future of RPS, as the school system will begin hosting Dreams4RPS meetings, beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8, to receive public input on the strategic plan for the district.

More information, including community surveys and ways to host community meetings on Dreams4RPS, can be found at www.rvaschools.net/about/dreams4rps.

Meeting 7 When: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6 p.m.

Where: Westover Hills Public Library, 1408 Westover Hills Blvd.

Meeting 1 When: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

Where: Broad Rock Library, 4820 Warwick Road Meeting 2 When: Thursday, Nov. 9, 6 p.m.

Where: Hillside Community Center, 1615 Glenfield Ave. Meeting 3 When: Wednesday, Nov. 15, 6 p.m.

Where: Southside Boys & Girls Club, 2409 Bainbridge St.

Meeting 8 When: Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.

Where: Hull Street Library, 1400 Hull St. Meeting 9 When: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6 p.m.

Where: Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, 3601 Seminary Ave.

Meeting 4 When: Tuesday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m.

Where: Humphrey Calder Center, 414 N. Thompson St.

Meeting 10 When: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 6 p.m.

Where: Hotchkiss Field Community Center, 701 E. Brookland Park Blvd.

Meeting 5 When: Monday, Nov. 27, 6 p.m.

Where: Calhoun Center, 436 Calhoun St.

Meeting 11 When: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m.

Where: VCU Health Club, 1330 N. 25th St.

Meeting 6 When: Tuesday, Nov. 28, 6 p.m.

Where: Southside Community Center, 4100 Hull Street Road

Meeting 12 When: Thursday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m.

Where: Randolph Community Center, 1415 Grayland Ave.

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Turning back time

Daylight Savings Time will end 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5. Richmonders are advised to turn their clocks back one hour at that time.

Clarification of Fall Line Trail article Norfolk Attorney Charles Lollar was prospecting for clients when he sent a letter in July to homeowners along Brookland Parkway in Richmond.

Mr. Lollar, who has represented property owners for 46 years in cases where the government might take their property under eminent domain, wrote the owners that the government was considering taking part of their front yards for the Fall Line Trail, a 43-mile walking and cycling route planned between Ashland and Petersburg. The project will cost $266.5 million.

The letter was based on a preliminary design Mr. Lollar came across indicating the trail might use that route. So far, City Hall has held no public meetings or issued any public information on the route the trail might follow through its streets.

As it turns out, City Hall already had indicated a realignment of the route to the Virginia Department of Transportation that would avoid Brookland Parkway.

The only public information is posted on the VDOT site.

That now indicates in the North Side city segment would start at Bryan Park, turn east onto Bellevue Avenue and then turn south on Brook Road.

Neither the Mr. Lollar’s firm nor the city responded when the Free Press began asking questions about the letter and the route. Based on information the Free Press received from VDOT concerning the use of Bellevue instead of Brookland Parkway, the letter from Mr. Lollar appeared to be a hoax. Instead, the letter appears to have been based on a preliminary design that already had been changed without any announcement.

COVID-19 updates The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, Nov. 2, 1 to 5 p.m. - Henrico Arms Apartments, 1566 Edgelawn Circle.

• Friday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Women, Infant and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza.

Call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites, or go online at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/ coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid-19-testing-sites.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

Those interested can schedule an appointment with RHHD by calling (804) 205-3501. Vaccines.gov also allows people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, and those interested can also text your ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends children between the ages of six months and 4 years old may need multiple doses of the updated vaccines depending on their COVID-19 vaccine status and whether they previously received Pfizer or Moderna.

Waiting periods for additional vaccines can range from three-to-eight weeks or four-to- eight weeks, depending on the vaccine dose previously received.

Children between ages of 5 and 11 years old who are unvaccinated or received a vaccine before Sept. 12, 2023, should get one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Children 12 years and older who are unvaccinated should get either one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two doses of the updated Novavax vaccine. People in that age range who received a vaccine before Sept. 12, 2023, should get one updated Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine, and are encouraged to talk with their health care providers about how and when to receive them.

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Cityscape Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Site work gets underway at Richmond High School for the Arts in South Side. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new school took place last July. With 2026 its estimated completion date, the new school will cost $154.6 million and house 1,800 students, the Richmond Free Press reported earlier this year.

Candidates contend for school board seats amid increasingly politicized backdrop

By Emily Richardson Capital News Service

RICHMOND —All 140 seats in the General Assembly are up for election this year — but that’s not the only thing Virginians will be voting for on Election Day. Nearly 600 candidates are vying for school board seats over an increasingly politicized backdrop. Most of the school board races in more populous areas are contested, but a majority of the races are uncontested, according to a Cardinal News analysis. In some districts the candidates have been endorsed by political parties, although the candidates run as independents.

Also on the ballot in Hanover County is a referendum that could change the future design of the school board. Hanover is one of 12 Virginia localities where school board members are appointed rather than elected by citizens. If passed, the referendum would do away with school board appointments.

Marcus Newsome is a former superintendent of Newport News, Chesterfield County and Petersburg City school systems.

Some school board candidates may align their candidacy to a single issue related to their political leanings, as opposed to a focus on teaching and learning in schools, Mr. Newsome said.

“It is quite troubling because, in the end, when we get involved in these political divides the children are the ones who get hurt most,” Mr. Newsome said.

The increasingly politicized nature of school board races might deter some potential candidates from running, he added.

“They don’t want to get their families, in some cases their children, involved in the political debate.”

School board candidates as of the end of August raised at least $1.1 million more this year than in 2019, based on financial

statements compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. That is a 66% increase in fundraising.

The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers is a labor union of teachers, counselors, librarians and other staff in Fairfax County Public Schools. District enrollment is the highest in Virginia and among the highest in the country.

David Walrod started teaching in Fairfax in 2010. He is president of the union, and a special education teacher at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

The union endorsed nine candidates for the Fairfax County School Board. Those candidates value education, and understand that improved working conditions for educators attract people to the profession, according to Mr. Walrod. It also supports candidates who “want to teach truth in education,” Mr. Walrod said.

“Education in the last couple years has become kind of a target in various culture wars,” Mr. Walrod said. “We have a lot of folks that are out there trying to do book banning, that are trying to restrict what’s being taught in schools.”

Book challenges by parents across the country continue to increase, according to analysis by Pen America, an advocacy group for writers and publishers that supports freedom of expression. The study found over 40% of all book bans occurred in Florida, which has legislation like the Stop WOKE Act and the Parental Rights in Education law (referred to as the “Don’t Say Gay” law by critics).

“We don’t want to see that happen here in Virginia, and we especially don’t want to see that happen here in Fairfax County,” Mr. Walrod said. “So if we see candidates that are talking about banning books, talking about restricting access to information, that raises our hackles.”

Collective bargaining is the group’s top priority in the upcoming election, after a resolution in March to give educators collective bargaining rights, according to Mr. Walrod.

Fairfax County’s Republican and Democratic committees each endorse candidates in school board races. Beyond that, Mr. Walrod suggests voters take advantage of a candidate’s online presence to decide who to vote for ahead of the election.

“Go to their social media page and see what sorts of articles they’re highlighting, see what sorts of things that they’re putting out there,” Mr. Walrod said.

Daniel Latham is a Spotsylvania County parent and community member.

Mr. Latham first became interested in the Spotsylvania County School Board during the pandemic. Since then, he denounced mask mandates and challenged books in the district’s libraries, according to a Washington Post article.

“The problem that we have in Spotsy currently is that, with every election cycle, both sides of the argument are nominating candidates that are further and further towards the poles,” Mr. Latham said.

Mr. Latham considers himself a conservative voter, but said he understands not everyone is.

“When you’re implementing public policy, which is what the school board’s doing, they need to try and find a middle ground solution that works for everybody and just currently, that’s not even an option,” Mr. Latham said. “Everybody’s so invested in the fight right now that they kind of lost sight of why we’re all there.”

Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.

RPS student is back in school

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Dr. Donna Robinson is heaving a sigh of relief.

Her son, 11-year-old Shamar L. Muhammadali, is finally back in school.

He was among 15 disabled students whose class time was halted Sept. 6 when their private school in North Side shut down.

Shamar was among the 10 Richmond Public Schools students assigned to the Metropolitan Day School because RPS could not provide services based on the

A night of adventure

students’ diagnosed disorders.

The Free Press reported their story in its Oct. 12-14 edition.

RPS officials and School Board members have not responded to requests for comment about the problems the students have faced in returning to class.

According to Dr. Robinson, RPS did not offer any substitute placement for Shamar until mid-October, and has not placed others of this small group despite being required to provide each enrolled disabled student with a free and appropriate public education.

Shamar began attending the John G. Wood School Oct. 23, said Dr. Robinson, who runs a Christian educational operation in Chester.

The Wood School, founded in 1974, is located in Henrico County. It is an arm of the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls.

“He loves it,” Dr. Robinson said.

Until he started classes, she had been taking him to work with her and providing schooling in some of his subjects.

But it wasn’t the same, she said.

“He needed to be in a regular classroom, and that finally has happened.”

Photos courtesy of Rep. Jennifer McClellan

Harry Potter would have been pleased Tuesday evening had the beloved character happened upon the Science Museum of Virginia yesterday where U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan’s hosted her 16th Annual Community Harvest Festival.

From 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Halloween, Rep. McClellan met and mingled with guests that ranged from first responders and elected officials to children of all ages. Almost everyone got the memo to wear a costume befitting their innerselves, hence the attire of Rep. McClellan and her daughter, Samantha, who dressed as “Harry Potter” characters.

Rep. McClellan’s husband and son also were in attendance, along with Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney and his wife, Brandy Stoney. “We had a record crowd for the Community Harvest Festival,” Rep. McClellan’s Facebook page reads. “Thanks to everyone who attended and to our amazing volunteers. Same time and place next year!

Richmond Free Press

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A4 November 2-4, 2023

Richmond Free Press

News

Casino outcome hinges on voter turnout Continued from A1

Richmond community for over 20 years through its operation of KISS FM, Power 92, Praise 104.7, and community events.

The two companies, in planning for a $562 million casino resort at Commerce Road and Walmsley Boulevard just off Interstate 95, have mounted a massive campaign that has included an Isley Brothers concert, repeated door knocking, phone calls, multiple mailers, radio and TV ads.

The proposed project has won endorsements from the Richmond Free Press and other Richmond newspapers, a former mayor, a former police chief, ministers, a host of business leaders and labor union representatives.

Still that has not generated any big rush to the polls.

In an off-year election, the total vote is at best expected to be down sharply from the 80,000 Richmond residents who voted in the 2021 election.

As of Tuesday, about 14,000 city residents had cast ballots either by mail or in-person at the three sites, City Hall, Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side and city voting headquarters on Laburnum Avenue in North Side, according to Voter Registrar Keith Balmer.

Mr. Balmer is projecting total turnout through Election Day of fewer than 50,000 people, or about two-thirds fewer than in 2021, with others projecting that 35,000 or fewer ballots would be cast in a city with nearly 160,000 registered voters.

The indifference to voting is partly due to the lack of competition in the General Assembly races that also are on the ballot.

While there is tough competition elsewhere, Richmond’s three candidates for the House and two candidates for the state Senate are either unopposed or considered likely victors against weak opposition.

As a result, the casino opposition, led by political strategist

Stoney demands DOJ investigation Continued from A1

incompetence, and a federal investigation is necessary.”

Gov. Youngkin’s administration last week said the 3,400 voters were improperly removed from the state’s rolls due to probation violations — a greater number than previously acknowledged — but that local registrars have reinstated the vast majority of those individuals.

The governor’s administration first disclosed the problem in early October following reporting from VPM News about concerns raised by civil rights advocates over improper voter removals. The error, which the administration has blamed on a data-sharing issue that misclassified probation violations as new felonies, has sparked criticism from Democrats, including a call from the state’s Democratic congressional delegation for a Department of Justice investigation.

The full scope of the problem had been unclear until the Department of Elections announcement last Friday — less than two weeks before Election Day. A department spokeswoman, Andrea Gaines, acknowledged in mid-October that at least 275 misclassified voters had been identified, but she had since declined to answer questions about the latest available figures. At the same time, inquiries made to local registrars’ offices by The Associated Press and other news outlets made clear the total surpassed 275, according to the Associated Press.

In Richmond, which has a population of 230,000 — about 200 affected voters have been reinstated, according to a recent Associated Press interview with Keith Balmer, the city’s general registrar.

Eric Olsen, the director of elections and general registrar for Prince William County, said last week by email that 87 voters had been reinstated. The number had risen to 107, he said in an update Friday.

The Department of Elections said Friday that all affected voters have been notified by mail.

“As of today, all but approximately 100 of these records have been processed by general registrars. ELECT staff continues to check in with localities to ensure each record is reinstated,” the department said in a news release.

City gains $50M for affordable housing Continued from A1

its Virginia office led by Jane Ferrara, would set up a developer training institute, work with local housing groups to help them build their capacity for home creation and be involved in other programming activity.

This “is a tremendous partnership,” said 6th District City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson, who is credited with being the city’s top champion of affordable housing.

The former leader of a housing nonprofit that helped transform Highliand Park, Ms. Robertson lobbied the administration and the council for years to secure a $10 million-a-year investment in the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund that provides grants to support housing development.

Ms. Robertson recalled the help LISC provided her housing organization and said the when “LISC promises to do something, it gets done.”

LISC is an independent community development financial institution that the Ford Foundation created in 1979 to enable financing of affordable housing.

The group has long been active in the Richmond area. In the past three decades, LISC has invested $165 million to help create 7,000 units of affordable housing, Ms. Scott said.

Nationally, LISC annually provides about $2 billion in grants, loans and investments to 700 partners, enabling about $4.4 billion in housing investment, according to its financial reports. Since its founding, LISC has invested $24 billion and helped create hundreds of mixed-use communities that include apartments, retail stores and community centers.

“The dollars that we are investing into affordable housing send a clear message to where the City of Richmond’s heart is,” said outgoing Council President Michael J. Jones. “All this begins with a roof.

“We understand that having a roof over your head points to having a stable living environment for families and children,” he said. “Too many Richmond families have fallen through the cracks.

By committing $100 million to affordable housing, we are seeking to seal up those cracks and address this problem head on.”

Paul Goldman and community activist Farid Alan Schintzius, appears to be doing well among passionate foes of the casino, who largely ignore the fact that a casino-style slot-machine center already exists in the Rosie’s operation on Midlothian Turnpike.

A new public poll that a company called co/efficient conducted between Oct. 23 and 25 of 941 potential voters suggested a virtual tie between “yes” and “no” supporters.

A second loss would be a blow to Mayor Levar M. Stoney and eight members of City Council. They united in backing the project and getting it on the ballot.

The casino has pushed plenty of selling points.

For example, the development, like the three other casinos now in operation in Virginia, is projected to create jobs, including more than 1,500 construction jobs and 1,300 permanent jobs, mostly for city residents.

The proposed gambling mecca also is to include a 55-acre public park, a 3,000-seat concert venue, a production stage for media content, multiple restaurants and shops, a 250-room hotel — a total package that advocates argue would lure thousands of people off Interstate 95 who might not otherwise have

stopped.

There are additional selling points: The project will be paid for entirely by the developers without any city funding. The project also is to initially deliver an upfront payment to the city of $26.5 million if the casino measure passes. The casino operation would pay out $30 million a year to the city in tax revenue after it opens.

In a bid to attract more “yes” votes, City Hall has announced that $14 million from the initial upfront payment would be devoted to building new child care centers and that $19 million of any new tax revenue would be used to subsidize child care.

But so far, none of the selling points have softened the opposition, which continues to decry the casino as an exploitive operation that largely requires a lot of working class and lowincome losers to generate its profits.

Even though Bristol, Danville and Portsmouth have hailed the casino developments there as positives for their community, the Richmond opposition continues to press the arguments that a casino would be a bad development that would harm residents.

In just a few days, the question of a casino coming to Richmond is going to be answered.

Isley Brothers party with a purpose Continued from A1

support for the proposed Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.

The event’s 6,000 reserved tickets quickly were snatched up by Isley Brothers fans. The Isley Brothers, an iconic group whose career spans more than six decades, is considered one of the “longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music.”

A win for the event organizers came in the form of Richmond residents voting on-site for or against the casino referendum which voters further will decide on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Ms. Taylor Lorna Cosby, 67, of North Side, and Dorothy Wilkinson, 92, of Henrico County, both voted by mail well before the event took place. Mrs. Cosby supports the casino proposal “100%” and attended a Howard Hewett concert two weeks ago during the “Second Time Around Grand Block Party” hosted by Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.

“We need a casino here. We need the jobs,” Mrs. Cosby said.

Mrs. Cosby also is excited about plans for a recording and video studio at the casino and resort, citing the need for more Black films to be made and produced in Richmond. The free incentives are a welcome treat, she said. Attendees at the event should vote if they have not

already voted, Mrs. Cosby added.

“Why say ‘no’ to this? These people are giving all this money so that we can have more,” Mrs. Cosby said. “I don’t understand why they’re so against it, but I’m for it 100%.”

Tisha Taylor, 41, also attended the Isley Brothers event. Ms. Taylor has not yet voted, but votes every year and plans to vote “yes” for the casino. She has been to casinos before and looks forward to the benefits it could bring to Richmond’s South Side.

“It’s entertainment and it’ll bring fun to the city,” Ms. Taylor said. “It also brings revenue and helps Black businesses and helps multiracial businesses as well. I Mr. Smith think it’s a good look to bring the casino and more fun into the city of Richmond. I love the city of Richmond.”

Ms. Taylor believes the free food and concert brought more people out to vote and to support the businesses serving food at the event. The employment opportunities the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino could bring would help people who do not have degrees to have a fresh start, she said.

Some concertgoers were unaware of the opportunity to vote at the event.

Levin Smith, 52, of Chesterfield, attended the event to see the Isley Brothers ,but learned more about voting. Mr. Smith supports the casino proposal and believes it will bring more revenue to

Lorna Cosby, left, and Dorothy Wilkinson

the area, he said. He also believes it will raise money for education, to build up surrounding areas and reduce crime.

“It’s more pros than cons,” he said.

The free incentives were a “good tactic” to bring out voters, Mr. Smith said.

He felt that the purpose for voting was better explained to him at the event.

Stacy Shepperson, 51, of South Side, also was unaware of the ability to vote at the event until he arrived. He plans to vote in favor of the casino and resort.

Mr. Shepperson has visited many casinos along the East Coast including in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Atlantic City, N.J. He believes the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino will bring opportunities for everyone through entertainment, employment and education.

He echoed similar sentiments that the revenue raised would benefit children’s education, specifically with maintaining schools and preventing the degradation of building infrastructures.

The city has to have things for residents to do for people to want to remain residents, Mr. Shepperson said. “If they don’t let this casino come here, I’m moving out of Virginia. It’s as simple as that.”

Unprecedented money flowing in Va. legislative races; latest reports show Democrats with edge Continued from A1

or take at least one chamber, it would mean at least two more years of divided government, allowing the party to continue blocking elements of Gov. Youngkin’s legislative agenda during the second half of his term.

Virginia governors are prohibited from seeking a second consecutive four years in office.

Democrats said their fundraising showed momentum was with their candidates.

“The Caucus has given $9 million directly to candidates — a record amount — because we know that we can, and will, win this election,” House Democratic Caucus Leader Don Scott said in a statement.

“Our goal has been getting our message out to voters and we’ve been up on all mediums early to ensure people know our

candidates’ stories and where they stand on the issues that matter most.”

Of the top 10 House fundraisers, seven were Democrats.

Dean Goodson, chief of staff for House Speaker Todd Gilbert, said the last-minute “deluge” of money for Democratic candidates was notable. But he said Republicans had until this final week generally kept pace on spending, a far cry from the 2021 House cycle.

“We always knew that we were going to be outspent, and we are pleased with how we have been able to stay competitive on the spending front,” he said.

While the fundraising and spending totals this cycle will continue to grow, it’s clear from another VPAP analysis that the total amount of money raised by candidates this year is eclipsing previous comparable cycles.

Pre-election fundraising by Senate

Election Day votes likely to boost state’s Black legislators Continued from A1

“We are currently at 20 members,” he said, including Senate and House members.

“After Tuesday, we will be at least 30.”

A record 53 Black candidates are competing for seats in the House and Senate, with more than half considered likely to win.

That includes 12 Black candidates who are unopposed. Among the dozen guaranteed to win are newcomers Destiny Bolling, Rae Cousins and Michael J. Jones and incumbent Delores L. McQuinn, who will fill House seats in the Richmond area.

The Richmond area is expected to have at least seven Black delegates, while Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads

Ms. Cousins

Dr. Jones

are each expected to send at least eight Black delegates.

The Richmond area is poised to have two Black state senators, Sen. Bagby and Petersburg’s Lashrecse Aird, who defeated Joe Morrissey in the June primary and appears on track to win easily in the general election next week.

In Hampton Roads, veteran state Sens.

Mamie Locke and L. Louise Lucas are expected to be joined by newcomer Angelia Williams Graves, who is on track to win the Senate 21st District. And Jennifer Carroll Foy is expected to win in Senate District 33 in Northern Virginia.

A seventh Black senator is assured no matter who wins in Senate District 22. Incumbent Democrat Aaron Rouse is engaged in a tough rematch with Kevin

candidates across the entire election cycle at a similar point in 2019 totaled $53.6 million, for example. This year, that figure stands at $80.8 million.

In the House, the 2019 cycle fundraising total at the comparable point was $67.5 million among candidates of both parties, according to VPAP. This year, it’s $77.5 million, the group’s analysis shows.

Virginia has some of the nation’s loosest campaign finance laws, with no limits on contributions from individuals, corporations or political action committees.

The sums being raised and spent this year have staggered longtime political observers. Campaign finance reform advocates have equated this year’s robust raising and spending to a money arms war that weakens the voice of working-class voters who can’t give on the scale of major donors or corporate players.

Del. McQuinn

Sen. Bagby

Adams, a Black Republican.

A second Black Republican senator could emerge from Senate 24th District in the Newport News-York County area if challenger Danny Diggs knocks out incumbent Democrat Monty Mason in one of the most competitive battles this cycle.

Other districts that could produce Black senators are the Senate 4th District in the Roanoke area where Trish White-Boyd is seeking to oust a Republican incumbent and Senate 17th District in Hampton Roads, where outgoing Delegate Clinton Jenkins is battling outgoing Republican Delegate Emily Brewer.

With other minorities poised to win, including Latinos and Asians, the General Assembly in 2024 is likely to be the most diverse ever.

Richmond Free Press

November 2-4, 2023 A5

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Richmond Free Press

A6 November 2-4, 2023

News

Wind farm planned off Va. coast blows away federal agency, gains OK The Associated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH A power company’s plans for an enormous offshore wind farm off Virginia’s coast gained key federal approval Tuesday after the Biden administration evaluated the project’s potential impact on the environment.

Dominion Energy received what’s called a favorable “record of decision” from the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The agency considered efforts to minimize effects on marine life, such as endangered North Atlantic right whales, among other factors.

The utility still needs federal approval of its Mr. Blue construction and operation plans before more pilings rise above the Atlantic Ocean. Two pilot turbines have been in place since 2020.

Dominion plans to build 176 turbines more than 20 miles off the coast from the hotels and touristy boardwalk of Virginia Beach. Dominion said its project will be the largest offshore wind farm under development in the United States.

The project is expected to generate 2.6 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power up to 660,000 homes once fully constructed, according to the utility. It added that the wind farm’s output should generate fuel savings of $3 billion for

customers in its first decade of operation.

Dominion expects construction to be completed by late 2026.

“Today’s approval of the largest offshore wind project in U.S. history builds on the undeniable momentum we are seeing,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a statement, referring to four other offshore wind projects approved

by President Joe Biden’s administration.

The administration said it wants to build 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030 — enough to power more than 10 million homes.

Construction of the project in Virginia is expected to support about 900 jobs each year and then an estimated 1,100 annual jobs during Ms. Haaland operations, the Interior Department said.

The initiative has gained wide support from Virginia policymakers and political leaders, including Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who last week attended a reception marking the arrival of eight monopile foundations for the windfarm.

The monopiles, which are each about 272 feet long — about the length of a football field — and 31 feet in diameter, will be driven into the seabed. Each turbine, when fully assembled, will be 836 feet high.

Construction on the wind farm is set to begin

in May, and the turbines will be operational by the end of 2026, said Robert M. “Bob” Blue, Dominion chair, president and CEO, in a Virginia Business magazine article.

“This is the real beginning of the offshore construction part of the project,” Mr. Blue said.

“To get the first delivery of them, on time and on budget, is critical for our company, for our customers, for the state, and we’re very excited to have all those partners here,” he said.

He described seeing the monopiles arrive at Portsmouth Marine Terminal as “a great moment. … Seeing these and seeing the size makes it even more real.”

Massive single vertical steel cylinders, the monopiles are manufactured in Germany by EEW SPC, and the trip to ship them across the Atlantic takes about 2½ weeks. Eight will be delivered

VSU team takes off with NASA challenge Free Press staff report

A team of students at Virginia State University has been invited for the first time to participate in the NASA Student Launch Challenge.

The Trojan Takeoff Team, made up of 31 VSU students from a range of majors, will compete against 48 other teams from colleges across the nation in designing, building and launching a high-powered

rocket to an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. VSU announced the team’s invitation Monday.

“I’m tremendously proud of everything we’ve accomplished so far,” Team Founder and VSU senior MaKhaila Bentil said in a statement. “The progress we’ve made has been outstanding, and our goal is to represent VSU to the best of our ability next April, and hopefully inspire more Trojans to test the boundaries in the world of engineering. The

sky really is the limit.”

As part of its preparation, the Trojan Takeoff Team has designed a 3D model of a rocket they plan to fully build in the months before the competition.

They then will receive rocket launch training from a member of the National Association of Rocketry at VSU’s Randolph Farm, Saturday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. The competition is currently scheduled in April in Huntsville, Ala.

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at a time until all 176 arrive in Hampton Roads, according to Virginia Business magazine.

Environmental groups also have praised the undertaking.

The Southern Environmental Law Center cited the importance of offshore wind for cutting carbon pollution, which fuels climate change.

The project will “significantly reduce Dominion’s reliance on coal and methane gas and also means cost savings for customers,” Will Cleveland, a senior attorney in the law center’s Virginia office, said in a statement.

Michael Town, executive director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, added in a separate statement that “we must do everything we can to transition to a clean and just energy future, and offshore wind will play an outsized role.”

Richmond Free Press

November 2-4, 2023 A7

Election Coverage Stories by Jeremy M. Lazarus

An overview

Nov. 7 election will determine state’s direction on abortion, taxes and environment Next week, voters across Virginia will fill 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 40 seats in the state Senate — and determine whether Democrats or Republicans hold a majority in each house of the General Assembly.

Polls in every locality will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Despite candidates raising and spending tens of millions of dollars, voter interest remains low in an election that observers say will determine the state’s direction on a wide range of issues, ranging from abortion, taxes and protection of the environment.

As of Tuesday, about 571,000 Virginians had voted early or less than half the number who had voted early at the date when the governor’s office and General Assembly seats were at stake in 2021.

Virginia has 6.1 million registered voters,

but based on voting levels when only legislative seats were on the ballot, only about 2.3 million voters are projected to participate — creating high anxiety for both parties and their candidates.

Both parties expect the election to be decided by very close margins.

Only a small number of seats are considered highly competitive — eight in the House and eight in the Senate.

Most of the races are clustered in places like Loudoun County and racially diverse Prince William County in Northern Virginia as well as in Hampton Roads.

Although Richmond has no competitive races, Henrico County features two House races and a state Senate race that are among those closely watched. Chesterfield County also has a tight race for delegate as does the Petersburg area.

House races to watch All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are up for election, but only 54 are contested and just a few involve races where the outcome is uncertain.

Heading into Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 7, Democrats hold a 33 to 13 advantage in the 46 uncontested races, according to Ballotpedia. But in the contested races, Republicans already are ahead by at least the same margin.

The bottom line is that all eyes will be on the results in eight toss-up races that will decide whether Democrats or Republicans win control of the lower chamber.

According to Virginia Public Access Project, Ballotpedia and CNalysis, the most competitive races: 21st House District: Prince William County, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Democrat Joshua Thomas, Marine Corps veteran and an attorney.

Republican John Stirrup, lobbyist and former Prince William supervisor.

22nd House District: Prince William County, rated as tilting Republican.

Candidates Democrat Travis Nembhard, an attorney.

Republican Ian Lovejoy, former member of Manassas City Council and owner-operator of recruiting firm Reliant Hiring Solutions.

57th House District: Parts of Henrico and Goochland counties, rated a toss-up with a Republican tilt.

Candidates Democrat Susanna Gibson, nurse practitioner.

Republican David Owen, home builder.

58th House District: Henrico County, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Two-term Democratic incumbent Rodney Willett, vice president of Merakata Inc. Republican challenger Riley Shaia, group fitness instructor at the Tuckahoe YMCA. 65th House District: Fredericksburg, rated as toss-up with Democratic tilt.

Candidates Democrat Joshua Cole, former delegate, pastor and president of Stafford County NAACP Branch.

Republican Lee Peters III, captain

in the Stafford County Sheriff’s Department.

82nd House District: Petersburg area, rated as toss-up with Democratic tilt.

Candidates Democrat Kimberly Pope Adams, Virginia State University assistant director of finance.

First-term Republican incumbent Kimberly A. “Kim” Taylor, coowner and operator of three auto repairs shops with her husband.

89th House District: Parts of Suffolk and Chesapeake, rated a toss-up.

Candidates Democrat Karen L. Jenkins, Suffolk School Board member and mental health professional.

Republican N. Baxter Ennis, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and member of Chesapeake Hospital Authority.

97th House District: Virginia Beach, rated a toss-up.

Candidates Democratic challenger Michael Fegans, U.S.Air Force veteran and chief executive of technology firm Outerbridge Technical Solutions.

First-term Republican incumbent Karen Greehalgh, founder and chief executive of Cyber Tyger, a health care and cyber-security firm.

As the U.S. News & World Report observed, “Enough seats are competitive that just about any combination is conceivable – A GOP Senate takeover, a Democratic Senate hold or a Democratic flip of the House.”

Going into the campaign, Republicans held a 50-46 advantage in the House, with four vacancies, while Democrats held a 22-18 advantage in the Senate.

Democratic candidates have focused heavily on abortion rights — and this election will help determine how potent that issue remains since the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned its own 50-year decision legalizing abortion nationally and left it to the states to determine abortion rights.

Virginia remains the only southern state where abortion remains legal up almost to 27 weeks and longer based on a determination by

several doctors that the procedure is needed to save the life of the mother.

Republican candidates are backing Virginia’s adoption of a Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks with some exceptions, which Democratic candidates argue is a stepping stone to a complete ban.

Candidates also have sparred over public education spending, job development, traffic congestion other bread-and-butter issues.

Democrats also have sought to rally progressives over Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s decision to pull Virginia out of a regional initiative to reduce one of the biggest environmental threats, global warming, and Republican efforts to halt progress on state efforts to end the use of carbon-based fuel.

The final grades for the campaigns will be issued after the polls close next Tuesday.

Va. Senate races to watch Of the 40 Senate races, only five have no competition. Of the 35 other races, these eight are rated as the most competitive, with the final results considered most likely to determine which party gains a majority by the Virginia Public Access Project, CNalysis and Ballotpedia.

4th Senate District: Roanoke area, rated as tilting Republican.

Candidates Two-term Republican incumbent David Sutterlein, a real estate agent.

Democratic challenger Trish White-Boyd, a member of the Roanoke City Council and a home-care business operator.

16th Senate District: Henrico County, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Two-term Republican incumbent Siobhan S. Dunnavant, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

Democratic challenger Schuyler T. VanValkenburg, a public high school teacher and threeterm member of the House of Delegates.

17th Senate District: Portsmouth-Suffolk area, rated a toss-up with a slight Democratic tilt.

Candidates.

Republican Emily M. Brewer, three-term delegate and Suffolk beer and wine retailer.

Democrat Clinton “Clint” Jenkins, two-term delegate who helps run family real estate business.

22nd Senate District: Virginia Beach, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Incumbent Democrat Aaron R. Rouse, founder-operator of educational nonprofit.

Republican challenger Kevin H. Adams, retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander and owneroperator of handyman contractor business.

This race is a rematch of the January special election that Sen. Rouse narrowly won to enter the Senate.

24th Senate District: Newport News-Williamsburg area, rated a toss-up.

Two-term incumbent Democrat T. Monty Mason, former executive with Visa and LandAmerica Finance Group.

Republican challenger J.D. Diggs, former sheriff for York County and Poquoson.

27th Senate District: Fredericksburg area, rated a toss-up.

Candidates

Democrat Joel Griffin, owner of growth consulting firm and chair of Stafford County Economic Development Authority.

Republican Tara Durant, firstterm delegate and former schoolteacher.

Independent Monica Gary, Stafford County supervisor and founding pastor of a community church.

30th Senate District: Manassas and Prince William County, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Democrat Danica Roem, threeterm member of the House, former journalist, musician and mobile yoga studio operator.

Republican William C. Woolf, government relations consultant and former Fairfax police detective.

31st Senate District: Loudoun-Fauquier area, rated as leaning Democratic.

Candidates Democrat Russet Perry, attorney, former CIA operative and former assistant Loudoun commonwealth’s attorney.

Republican Juan Pable Segura, co-founder of Babyscripts, a digital maternal health care company.

Mike Jones endorses Nicole Jones as his replacement on City Council

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Outgoing City Council President Michael J. Jones is hopeful that a Jones will continue to fill the 9th District seat after he gives it up to prepare to serve in the General Assembly.

A full-time minister, Dr. Jones is encouraging his colleagues on the city’s governing body to name current 9th District School Board member Nicole Jones as his successor. Dr. Jones, a San Diego native, has previously said that they are not related despite sharing a last name.

“I am backing her because I think she would do a wonderful job for the people of this district,” he said. “I don’t believe there is anyone more qualified.”

Ms. Jones, deputy director of the nonprofit Art 180, confirmed Monday that she has advised her colleagues of plans to leave to take the appointment and also would run for a four-year term on council in 2024.

However, her plan to run next year could create some pushback.

The Free Press has been advised that several members of the council want to uphold the policy of only appointing

a short-term successor and would not be interested in selecting Ms. Jones if she was considering running for a full term in 2024.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, an aide to one member noted, “This time there will be a year left in the term, and that would give an appointee a significant advantage if they run for the seat.

“Council has tried to avoid doing that,” the aide continued, “and has mostly sought to fill vacancies with people who are willing only to serve until voters can elect their choice for

a new council member.”

Dr. Jones is the only member of the council to publicly recommend an individual for the 9th District post.

Others members are keeping mum and offering no comment about their choice for the position.

Dr. Jones is expected to resign around Nov. 10 after his election to be the delegate in the 77th House District is certified.

Now in his second term as the 9th District council representative, he is unopposed in his bid for the House seat that includes parts of the city’s South

Side as well as a portion of Chesterfield County. Ranked strongly Democratic, the district is a product of the redraw of legislative district boundaries that followed the 2020 Census.

Once he formally notifies the council that he has stepped down, that would trigger a plan now in place for council to select a successor. The plan calls for the vacancy to be advertised, for submissions to be reviewed, for several finalists to be interviewed and for an appointment to be made ahead of the final meeting before Christmas.

Collective bargaining effect

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Collective bargaining is becoming a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the wages that the city pays its employees.

Richmond police officers, and potentially city firefighters, could see pay jump 11%t or at least $6,000 a year, the Free Press has learned, as City Hall and the Richmond Coalition of Police seek to finalize their first three-year union contract, the Free Press has learned.

The potential for a large boost in public safety is emerging as labor and trades employees finally selected their bargaining agent, Teamsters Local 322, which already represents Richmond Public Schools bus drivers.

The local fell one vote short of winning a majority in June, but won the runoff election 152-130 on Oct. 27 to best a competitor, LIUNAor Laborers International Union of North America.

The unit includes 610 employees, including building inspectors from the Department of Planning and Development Review as well as electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, refuse col-

lectors and a host of other workers involved in labor and trades in the departments of Public Works and Public Utilities.

Professional employees are the only ones who have yet to organize. Two other unions are in place.

One is for firefighters, who are represented by Local 995 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The other is for administrative and technical employees who are represented by the Service Employees International Union Local 512.

No information on the status of their contract negotiations is available.

Both RCOP and IAFF Local 995 are in formal arbitration with the city on several issues after reaching an impasse in talks with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration.

But the pay issue appears closer to settlement, at least for RCOP, due to the Richmond Police Department shrinkage.

Already down about 160 officers as Chief Rick Edwards has noted, the Richmond Police Department has struggled to attract recruits and transfers with a starting pay of $53,000 a year or at least $5,000 to $6,000

below virtually every other department in the RichmondPetersburg area.

That’s regarded as a key reason that the department now fields fewer than 600 sworn personnel rather than more than 725 officers who were once available for patrol, investigation and other duties. Even more worrisome, the department has nearly 100 veterans who have 25 years of service and are eligible to retire, and an equal number who will reach eligibility within three years, according to department data.

Under a plan the administration has advanced during bargaining, the Free Press was told that the 2024-25 city budget to be introduced in March would include starting police pay at least 102% of the collective average starting pay for Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico sworn officers in the current 2023-24 fiscal year.

The administration, the Free Press was told, has proposed to index starting pay so that in the 2025-26 fiscal year, officers’ starting pay would be 103% of the average for the three suburban departments in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

In the 2026-27 city budget, it would be 104% of the average of the three suburban departments in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

The goal is to sharply reduce the wide pay gap that has developed and help make the city department more competitive, the Free Press was told.

The higher starting pay is to flow through other ranks, who

also have been promised a step increase in their pay plan, the Free Press was told.

The wage package alone could run more than $11 million for police. Previously, the city has sought to provide the same raises to firefighters that it has provided to police officers.

When final contracts will be completed remains uncertain.

Any final contracts that are approved by the Stoney administration and ratified by the union would still need approval from the council, according to the ordinance the council passed approving collective bargaining. The proposed 2024-25 budget is to be presented to City Council in March.

Richmond Free Press Bed of roses at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Editorial Page

A8

November 2-4, 2023

One more thing By the time most of you read this, many will have voted early and voted “YES” for the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino. And we thank you for your vote that will, when completed, economically move Richmond in ways unimaginable by those who seek to hold Richmond back politically and racially.

The publisher of this newspaper, the Richmond Free Press, is a resident of the “Mighty 8th” District represented by one of the hardest working council persons ever elected in that office. Reva Trammell knows her constituents, from the poorest to the not-so-poor.

From those who live in mobile home communities off Richmond Highway (once known as Jefferson Davis Highway) to the neatly manicured lawns in Brookbury where former Mayor Dwight C. Jones resides.

The leaders who oppose Richmond Grand do not live in the 8th District. The proposed site is so far removed from their everyday lives that they most likely need their GPS to guide them to the “other side” of Richmond.

The paternalistic argument against the casino and resort is such a red herring. Their “oh, we know what’s best for them” attitude is steeped in a false belief the Richmond Grand would lead to more poverty and reckless spending.

That is not the reason for opposition.

Their real fear is the shift of political and economic power.

If the casino referendum passes, it opens the door for Black political power to increase and the election of a mayor more aligned with an agenda based on a balance of power.

Cathy Hughes and her smart-as-a-whip son Alfred C. Liggins III will stir the pot even more. They are the dynamic duo of a team that has partnered with Churchill Downs to bring the Richmond Grand Casino and Resort to this city. Each entity is well-trained in the racing, gaming, entertainment, television and digital media industries.

To put it simply, they are legend.

They are challenging Paul Goldman who still rides the coattails of former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder when he was elected governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia more than 30 years ago. Paul Goldman was the campaign manager, NOT the Black man who won the governorship.

Mr. Goldman reportedly is backed by James E. “Jim” Ukrop, who has a long track record of using his financial largesse to influence outcomes and appears to be attempting to continue his record from the plush confines of a North Side retirement community. He may be retired from his grocery-selling days, building banks and consulting, but he’s resistant to retiring from meddling in other folks’ business.

While we applaud your drive, Mr. Ukrop, you’re in the wrong lane when it comes to Richmond Grand.

Richmond, remember to vote “YES” on Nov. 7 for the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.

Jean Patterson Boone

Labor wins Sending a message to corporate America, the United Auto Workers has proven that labor unions are no longer on the wane.

A nearly seven-week strike has forced America’s big three vehicle manufacturers to ink historic five-year deals with the UAW that have reversed 44 years of waning influence. The manufacturers bent as losses due the strike soared into the billions for Ford, GM and Stellaris.

President Biden, who supported the strike and became the first leader of the nation to participate in a picket line, hailed the deals.

We agree with his assessment that these agreements are “a testament to the power of unions and collective bargaining to build strong middle-class jobs while helping our most iconic American companies thrive.”

In our view, when companies invest in their workforce rather than in their stockholders, families and communities are better off.

The deals with the three companies, which union members at each company still must approve, include 25% pay increases and restoration of cost-of-living adjustments that will push starting pay to more than $62,000 over the nearly five-year life of the contract and top pay to more than $87,000, the UAW noted.

Just as importantly, the companies can no longer employ temporary workers indefinitely and agreed to give up a two-tier system in which new workers were paid less than older workers.

The UAW, which has watched 64 auto plants close over the past two decades, got Stellaris to agree to reopen one plant and restart production that it planned to close.

The company also agreed to beef up the workforce at two other plants that were on a shutdown list. For the UAW, that means growth in jobs and members and economic progress for the factories’ localities.

Ford, too, agreed to more than $8 billion in new investment that also will mean more domestic growth and jobs for UAW members, while GM’s agreement, among other things, will provide the first payments in 15 years to retired employees to boost pensions.

GM, which is partially owned by UAW’s health and retirement trust, also agreed to use the UAW wage scale at new battery plants, another boost for workers.

Such bullish terms for workers were never included in President Obama’s bailout package for the auto industry.

In 2009, when automakers were facing collapse in the Great Recession, auto workers had to agree to give up the right to strike for six years, accept the two-tier wage system and agree to an end to company contributions to the UAW health and pension trust.

The UAW victory follows significant wins for unionized workers at United Parcel Service as well as for Hollywood writers.

The bottom line: Big Labor is back after years of kowtowing to corporate managers. And that’s good news.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

‘Right to repair’ movement could risk patient care for disadvantaged communities In state legislatures across the country the “right to repair” movement is gaining momentum. Thirty-three states and Puerto Rico considered right to repair legislation during the 2023 legislative session.

And while this might be a good idea for some products, policymakers should oppose any attempts to weaken regulated safety requirements for repairing life-saving and life-enhancing medical devices. Patient safety is too great a risk.

In theory, expanding repair options might seem like a good idea. It is the democratization of product repair. And certainly, there are many industries in which this is the right path forward.

In fact, advocates for this movement notched a symbolic win in California after tech giant Apple unexpectedly supported a bill that would require electronics companies to provide more access to the parts and instructions to fix their products.

What the right to repair movement ignores though is

that not all product classes are created equal. And a onesize-fits-all solution is not a real solution, especially when it comes to regulated products like medical devices.

Medical devices are an important part of the health care services industry. Every single person has been helped by a medical device – whether it’s an EKG machine, a defibrillator,

ity and safety. I know firsthand the diversity and sophisticated nature of these products. By granting broad, open access by repair shops unregulated by the FDA, we could be undermining device integrity maintained by the whole regulatory system.

Essentially, if a smartphone or tablet malfunctions from a bad repair job, there’s sure to be some headaches, but you’ll survive. On the other hand, if a sophisticated medical device experiences the same type of error because a hospital chose unregulated repair options, it can be a matter of life or death.

It is also important to consider possible unintended consequences this type of policy might have on underserved and racial minority communities, which are most often among the truly disadvantaged.

One report from researchers with UCLA, Johns Hopkins and Harvard shows that hospitals with a large share of African-American patients have significant funding disparities and receive lower payments for care from programs like Medicare.

Unfortunately, these facilities are the ones that will most likely use the unregulated repair option to fit necessary

maintenance into tight budgets. Therefore, we could be unintentionally putting our community on the front lines of the increased risk a broad right to repair policy would enable.

Cutting corners in the medical field should never be an option. A 2016 study by the National Library of Medicine found that cutting corners was a “common practice” that contributes to adverse outcomes.

That’s simply unacceptable.

The writer is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Maryland’s 4th Congressional District. While in the House, he served as a member of the Subcommittee on Health.

Americans overwhelmingly support corporate diversity initiatives

bonniedavis@richmondfreepress.com

“Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.”

–Verna Myers, vice president of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix.

In the unfolding aftermath of the Supreme Court’s pivotal decision on affirmative action, our country stands at a crossroads.

It’s a juncture where the corporate world has the power, and I’d argue, the responsibility, to reshape our understanding of diversity and inclusion in the modern age.

And while the roadmap may not be as clear-cut as before, the destination remains unequivocal: An America where every individual, regardless of their background, has an equal shot at success.

For decades, affirmative action has been a tool employed to address historic and systemic inequities. However, with the Supreme Court’s new stance, corporations must be more intentional and innovative about fostering diversity. First and foremost, it’s essential for corporations to understand that diversity is more than a moral or ethical obligation – it’s a business imperative. Second,

Albert R. Wynn dialysis pump, X-ray machine, or any of the other more than 24,000 devices that medical professionals use every day.

Now imagine if that device didn’t work.

It is this risk that should give policymakers considering these right to repair laws pause. Given the influence medical devices have on public welfare, do we really want to introduce more risk? Risk that could impact functionality?

During my time in the House of Representatives, I served on the Subcommittee on Health whose jurisdiction included oversight over the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency in charge of the effective regulation of these devices to guarantee their qual-

national polling done by U.S. Harris Poll revealed 81% of Americans overwhelmingly support corporate diversity initiatives.

At the recent National Urban League’s Whitney M. Young Leadership Development Conference in New York, the Black Economic Alliance Foundation presented their research to our affiliate CEOs and staff, detailing how companies can

Marc H. Morial best navigate corporate diversity after the Supreme Court’s decision. Their presentation suggested what we’ve known all along — that corporate diversity is beneficial to the overall culture, profitability, talent recruitment and retention efforts of an organization.

However, there are instances where corporations have seen the fallout behind implementing DEI initiatives due to emboldened objectors against the change. For example, the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) filed a lawsuit against Fearless Fund, an Atlanta-based venture capital firm run by two Black women, alleging that the fund was engaging in racial discrimination by running a grant program exclusively for

early-stage companies owned

by Black women.

Earlier this year, America First Legal filed complaints against Kellogg’s, Nordstrom, and Activision Blizzard alleging that their diversity and inclusion policies constitute racial discrimination. Now is the time for corporations to meet the moment and they must do so tactfully and innovatively in order to make permanent and effective policy changes.

Affirmative action was birthed from a historical necessity — to redress centuries of systemic discrimination and level the playing field. But now, as the legal landscape shifts, it is up to businesses to champion the values at the core of this initiative.

The Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action has unquestionably reshaped the landscape of diversity initiatives in the corporate realm.

But as businesses grapple with these changes, the essence of what diversity stands for must not be lost. Instead of viewing the decision as a constraint, businesses should see it as an opportunity to authentically and innovatively put their best foot forward.

The writer is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

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Richmond Free Press

November 2-4, 2023 A9

News

Some striking UAW members carry family legacies

By Corey Williams and Aisha I. Jefferson The Associated Press

WAYNE, Mich.

As Britney Johnson paced the picket line outside Ford’s Wayne Assembly plant, she wasn’t just carrying a sign demanding higher pay and other changes.

Autoworker jobs have long been a pillar of the Black middle class in America, and the strikes and the fight for higher wages have had even deeper significance for workers

with General Motors that could end the nearly six-week-old strikes that at the peak saw about 46,000 workers walk off their jobs and thousands more laid off.

Union wages, and the battles to keep them, have elevated the fortunes of countless Black families, Ms. Brooks said.

Ms. Brooks’ grandfather, Bobbie Allen Sr., left Texas in the early to mid-1900s and found work at Ford Motor Co. Despite having only an eighthgrade education, Mr. Allen was able to build homes, buy 40

Photos by Carlos Osorio, Associated Press

Tracy Brooks, an auto worker retiree, points out her grandfather, Bobbie Allen Sr., in a group photo at Local 600 during an interview Oct. 18 in Romulus, Mich. Tracy Brooks’ grandfather, Bobbie Allen Sr., left Texas in the early to mid1900s and found work at Ford Motor Co. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, Mr. Allen was able to build homes, buy 40 acres of land in rural southeastern Michigan, purchase luxury cars and take his family on vacations.

like Johnson.

Ms. Johnson’s great-grandfather, grandfather and mother all worked on assembly lines for one or more of Detroit’s automakers, as did some of her uncles.

“We told her she’s representing our family,” Ms. Johnson’s mother, Tracy Brooks, jokes.

It seems the efforts of Ms. Johnson and her co-workers are starting to pay off. All striking Ford workers were called last week by the United Auto Workers to return to their jobs after the union said it reached a tentative contract agreement with Ford that would give them a 25% general wage increase, plus cost of living raises that will put the pay increase over 30%, to above $40 per hour for top-scale assembly plant workers by the end of the contract. Union members still must approve the deal.

Ford’s deal was followed Saturday by a similar one with Stellantis and one Monday

acres of land in rural southeastern Michigan, purchase luxury cars and take his family on vacations.

“It meant a lot, being in the union,” Ms. Brooks said.

“Those were the good jobs that were available for Blacks. They knew they could go in there and work hard, make money and obtain things like homes and cars. It allowed them to have the ability to take care of their families and help to build that Black middle class.”

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a “significant rise” in the Black middle class nationwide, particularly in Detroit and other metro areas, said Dr. Andre M. Perry, a senior fellow at Brookings Metro, a program at the public policy nonprofit, the Brookings Institution.

Black people were able to buy homes in urban neighborhoods that were once predominantly white.

“Black people could take

advantage of that and buy homes in neighborhoods throughout Detroit,” Dr. Perry said. “And as a consequence, you had also thriving commercial corridors, businesses and other ancillary enterprises that supported the rise in income among Black workers.”

The union provided protection for Black workers who historically faced harsher treatment in the workplace than their white colleagues, Ms. Brooks added.

“Without the union jobs, (employers) can do anything, say anything and you’re out the door,” she said. “At least with the union, you have some type of cushion.”

Ms. Brooks, 61, was in her early 30s when she began working the assembly line at what was then Daimler Chrysler. Her seven years in that job helped pay for her training to become a preschool teacher and buy a home. “(My grandfather’s) goal was to have his own property,” Ms. Brooks said. “It was his, that no one could take and he worked hard to get that. Being able to own land and property, that was one of the things that was emphasized with us — that property was money.”

Giving city residents the chance to earn a good living and buy homes in Detroit was included in a 2019 land development deal with Fiat Chrysler, which merged with PSA Peugeot in 2021 to form Stellantis. Detroit required the automaker to hire more than 3,800 residents for its new assembly plant in the city, with pay starting at $17 per hour, climbing to $28.

“What we want is for people to own homes and raise families in this city,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in 2019. “If you’re making $60,000 you can get a nice house in the city of Detroit.”

The auto industry and union jobs have been “so important to our quality of life and economic future here in Detroit,” said Anika Goss, chief executive officer of Detroit Future City, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of the city’s residents through community and economic development.

As the auto industry muddled through downturns, car buyers’ shifting tastes and the migration of jobs overseas, cities dependent on manufacturing jobs suffered.

In 1980, there were 84,920 people in Detroit employed as machine operators and laborers, according to U.S. Census data.

A decade later, that number had dropped to 52,316.

The Chicago and Detroit metropolitan areas each lost more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs between 1995 and 2005, the Brookings Institution wrote in 2006.

Currently, individuals and families earning between $55,000-$139,000 are in the middle-class income bracket.

Only about 25% of Detroit’s residents are in that range,

and about two-thirds of city residents earn less than $50,000 per year, Ms. Goss said.

Yolanda Martin, 55, is a second-generation Ford employee who has spent 34 years with the company. She said a two-tier wage system prevents newer employees from making the same financial gains as legacy autoworkers like herself and her late father, who spent 40 years at Ford.

“That is something that I believe is so detrimental to the middle class. It basically wiped out the opportunity for them to be able to make those” higher salaries, said Ms. Martin, who has held various positions at Ford and is currently apprenticing to become an industrial

electrician.

Ms. Martin described her childhood during the 1970s and 1980s in her predominantly Black Detroit neighborhood as among the “happiest times” of her life. The GrandmontRosedale community was safe, had plenty of shopping and entertainment, and residents looked out for one another. Families usually had two parents and regularly took vacations, and most children received a new car once they learned how to drive because at least one parent worked for an automaker, she explained.

The community is still strong today and unlike other areas of Detroit, Grandmont-Rosedale staved off blight and maintained

its resiliency, according to Tracy Hadden Loh, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, adding that 92% of the neighborhood’s residents are Black.

Now living in Novi, an upper middle-class suburb about 28 miles northwest of Detroit, Ms. Martin worries that future generations of autoworkers won’t be able to afford to live in nicer communities or send their children to better schools.

“I shouldn’t be working next to a person who makes half of what I make, and they’re doing the exact same thing,” Ms. Martin said. “And that’s what I think the fight is about, to kind of bring it to where we’re all on an even playing field.”

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Notice/Employment Opportunities REQUEST FOR BIDS For Easement, Franchise, Privilege, Lease or Right Upon, Over, Under, and Across 1 Hull Street, 101 Hull Street, and 2 Decatur Street In the City of Richmond The City of Richmond is seeking bids for an easement upon, over, under, and across certain property located at 1 Hull Street, 101 Hull Street, and 2 Decatur Street for the relocation, construction, maintenance, and operation of improvements and associated appurtenances of communication systems and facilities on that property as described and under the conditions set forth in the Deed of Easement.

All bids for the easement hereby offered to be granted PXVW EH VXEPLWWHG LQ ZULWLQJ WR WKH &LW\ &OHUN·V RIÀFH by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023. Bids will EH SUHVHQWHG WR WKH SUHVLGLQJ RIÀFHU RI WKH &RXQFLO RI the City of Richmond on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in open session and then will be presented E\ WKH SUHVLGLQJ RIÀFHU WR WKH &RXQFLO DQG EH GHDOW ZLWK and acted upon in the mode prescribed by law.

The City of Richmond expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred in connection with the advertisement of this ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and shall post the bond required by the ordinance. $ FRS\ RI WKH IXOO WH[W RI WKH RUGLQDQFH LV RQ ÀOH LQ WKH &LW\ &OHUN·V 2IÀFH DQG WKH IXOO WH[W RI WKH RUGLQDQFH DQG Right of Way Agreement to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=6362783&GUID=7038D4C5-FEE4-42FB$ % &)$ %$( &% 2SWLRQV 6HDUFK Please address any questions or bids to: Candice D. Reid, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

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Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond.

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Immediate opening for Church Administrative Assistant ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

225 Byrne Street Petersburg, Virginia.

Hours 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Salary negotiable. General duties to include handling of delicate and confidential church business. Maintaining Sunday attendance records, scheduling of church events, maintaining church calendar, printing of bulletins, communicating with church vendors and maintenance of financial documents.

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Excellent command of language and communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills desired. For in depth job description call the church office at (804)733-7561 or send resumes to church email at zionbapt2@verizon.net

Richmond Free Press

A10 November 2-4, 2023

Sports

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Stories by Fred Jeter

Battle for I-95 comes to VUU on Saturday And now, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the main event. after the CIAA championship.

Nine weeks of preliminaries have passed.

Both coaches are confident their clubs will make the playSaturday at 1 p.m., Virginia Union will play host to Virginia offs if they win the CIAA title game against perennial southern State for the CIAA Northern Division title, a trip to Salem for kingpin Fayetteville. the CIAA title game, and perhaps a shot at the NCAA Division Dress rehearsals: With little resistance, VUU eased into the II playoffs. grand finale with a 57-12 win at Bluefield State.

“Ever since our loss to Elizabeth City, we’ve been playing The Panthers had 26 first downs to the Big Blue’s nine and sudden death,” VSU Coach Henry Frazier said. “Now we’re 520 total yards compared to the host’s 180. just looking for more meaningful games in With so many contributing, the top November.” shout-out was was an 81-yard crowd pleasWhile both teams have excelled on the field, ing pass from Christian Reid to Reggie STANDINGS they’ve fallen a bit short in the all-important Vick that was more run than pass.

Northern Division NCAA Super Region 2 Division II poll.

Vick broke several tackles along the CIAA Overall Neither were in the top 10 in the first sidelines in a spirited sprint to the goal line.

Virginia Union 5-1 8-1 Regional poll, even though both VUU and Said Sidibe had eight catches for 165 yards, Virginia State 5-1 8-1 VSU have a voice on the polling and selecmaking his case for All-CIAA receiver.

Bowie State 4-3 5-4 Lincoln 3-4 4-5 tion committee.

Virginia State, shaking off its puzzling Elizabeth City 1-6 2-7 “Our schedule hasn’t been as tough; that’s loss to Elizabeth City the week before, was Bluefield State 0-7 1-8 why we’re a little down this season,” said back to its dominating ways in routing VUU Coach Alvin Parker.

Lincoln, 68-19, at Rogers Stadium.

The traditional finale is officially the L. Douglas Wilder The Trojans outgained the Lions, 586 yards to 320, and for Classic, but “The Poll Bowl” would be just as fitting. the seasons have 354 points to the opposition’s 153.

Fayetteville State was in the top 10, although it’s hard to tell Quarterback Jordan Davis has been outstanding since taking where since it was listed in alphabetical order. over for injured Romelo Williams at midseason. Against Lincoln VUU is ranked 10th in Super Region 2 in this week’s poll. he threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns.

The top eight advance to the NCAA tourney Nov. 18, a week A defender to watch for VSU is Willie Drew, a transfer from

Reggie Vick Panthers VUU d. Morehouse, 45-13 VUU d. Shaw, 26-13 VUU d Livingstone, 28-20 Fayetteville d. VUU, 10-7 VUU d. St. Augustine’s, 47-7 VUU d. Elizabeth City, 42-20 VUU d. Bowie State, 52-3 VUU d. Lincoln, 57-0 VUU d. Bluefield, 57-12

Jordon Davis Trojans VSU d. Norfolk State, 33-24 VSU d. Tusculum, 21-17 VSU d. St. Augustine’s, 55-12 VSU d. Livingstone, 33-0 VSU d. Shaw, 38-19 VSU d. Bowie State, 44-16 VSU d. Bluefield State, 39-23 Elizabeth City d. VSU, 17-16 VSU d. Lincoln, 68-19

James Madison, who leads the CIAA with five interceptions and may be the conference’s top NFL prospect.

The final word: Both VUU and VSU are having perhaps the best regular seasons ever since taking up football around 1900.

Unfortunately, one will likely see their good work end in the long, late afternoon shadows Saturday on Lombardy.

Spurs’ ‘Wemby’ grabs attention “Wembymania” is sweeping the nation.

The NBA opened is 78th season last week with all eyes on intriguing 7-foot-3, 19-year-old Victor Wembanyama, aka “Wemby.”

Drafted first overall by San Antonio, the Frenchman may be the most talkedabout newcomer since Wilt Chamberlain 1959, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1969 and LeBron James in 2003.

“It’s pretty crazy what he does on the court,” said Dallas’ Luka Doncic, the 2019 Rookie of Year. “The things he does for his length; it’s unbelievable the way he moves.

“He is an amazing player.”

The prized rookie, who combines size, skill athleticism like few others in history, will make $12.2 million this season and a total of $55.2 million for a contract ending in 2027.

In five preseason games, “Wemby” averaged 20 points, five rebounds and three blocks in around 21 minutes per night.

In his first official game, “Wemby” had 15 points (hitting three of six 3-balls),

five rebounds and one block in the Spurs’ 126-119 loss. In 23 minutes, he also had five turnovers and five fouls.

Two nights later he had 21 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes in the Spurs’ 126-122 overtime win over Houston.

Both games in south Texas drew packed houses of 18,418 at Frost Bank Center as well as national ESPN audiences.

Wearing jersey No. 1, the towering Frenchman has been the premier attraction wherever he played, starting with the pro league in his native France.

“It’s an exciting time,” said Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich.

To the pleasure of ticket buyers, he’s already stated he plans to play all 82 games if health allows. Only 10 players a year ago appeared in all 82.

Most stars take nights off.

The Spurs have had just two previous overall No. 1 picks, and they turned out to be historically great ones – David Robinson in 1987 and Tim Duncan in 1997. San Antonio won five NBA titles with the pair.

u Small world: This season’s NBA opening-night rosters included a record 125 international players (born outside the U.S.) representing 40 nations.

Canada has produced 26 NBA players with France second at 14. Then comes Australia (nine), Serbia (seven), Germany (six) and Nigeria and Turkey with five each.

The last three MVP’s have been international – Nicola Jokic of Serbia in 2021 and 2022, and Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (Cameroon) last season.

A year ago, Duke’s Paolo Banchero (Italian) was the first overall draft pick and rookie of the year for Portland.

Wembanyama would like to follow his lead.

Price is right: Again, Golden State’s Steph Curry is the NBA’s highest paid player with a $51.9 million deal this season.

He is followed by Jokic, James, Embiid ($47.6 million) and Brad Beal (all at $46.7 million), then Kevin Durant, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard (all

Three NBA rookies from France, from left, are Rayan Rupert of Portland, Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio, and Bilal Coulibaly of Washington.

$45.6 million).

Former University of Virginia standout Joe Harris is Detroit’s top-paid player with an $18.8 million salary.

Bones Hyland, the former VCU star, has a third-year salary of $2.7 million with the L.A. Clippers.

It’s a marathon not a sprint: The 82-game, 2023-24 regular season runs from Oct. 24 to April 19. The playoff Finals are set for June 6-23.

The NBA All-Star Game will be Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.

Repeat after me: Denver won last year’s Finals, ousting Miami, four wins to one, with Jokic MVP. The last repeat champ was the Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

San Antonio has won NBA titles in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.

If “Wemby” is as good as some think, that list could grow.

VUU has restocked its hoops roster for new season

“Starting over” might be the theme for this season’s Virginia Union University’s basketball Panthers.

Only two players return from last year’s 24-8 squad that went to the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament.

The lone returnees are junior Tahj Harding (eight starts last year) and sophomore Michael Harrell.

Still, Coach Jay Butler hasn’t brought out the crying towel. Thanks to the transfer portal, Coach Butler has compiled a 19-man roster at Barco-Stevens Hall.

“We’ve got the talent. It’s just a matter of putting it all together,” he said.

The rebuilding project may not take as long as skeptics might think.

In a preseason scrimmage, VUU scored a one-point win over Division I Maryland-Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Md. UMES went to the MEAC tournament finals a year ago.

The first official tests come this weekend in the Small College Hall of Fame Classic at Florida Southern in Lakeland.

VUU will play host Southern at 5:45 p.m.

Tahj Harding

Jonathan Salazar

Jakobe Williams

Saturday and then Emporia State, Kan., at 8 p.m.

Sunday.

Coach Butler plans to use many combinations this season but pressed for a “starting five” right now, here is his likely opening night lineup: Harding: The 6-foot-5 guard from Ohio was the fourth leading scorer a year ago, averaging 6.2 points.

“Tahj is coming into his own,” Coach Butler said.

Jonathan Salazar: The 6-foot-6, 240-pound post player is a native of Panama and a transfer from Pacific University, Cal.

Josiah Freeman

Jonathan King

“We hope Jonathan is our Robbie (Osborne) clone,” Coach Butler said. “He has a lot of physical toughness.

Jakobe Williams: From Jacksonville, Fla., the 6-foot-3 guard transferred from Paine College, Ga., where he averaged 15 points per.

Josiah Freeman: Following an outstanding career at Manassas Park High, Va., the 6-foot-3 junior transferred to VUU from Western Michigan.

“Josiah shot the ball really well at UMES,” Coach Butler said.

Jonathan King: VUU got a break when Alderson Broaddus, W. Va., went out of business.

A 6-foot-6 junior from Akron, King averaged 12 points and six boards in the Division II school’s final season of play.

A local addition also is a towering addition, 7-foot-1 Eric Rustin from Huguenot High byway of Tennessee-Martin. Rustin sat out of basketball last season for medical reasons.

“Eric is coming on,” Coach Butler said. “He can be our rim protector. His skill level is starting to catch up with his body.”

No matter how talented the newcomers may be, they’ll have a hard time matching the four starters lost from a year ago.

Previously mentioned Robert Osborne (CIAA Player of Year), CIAA rebounding leader Raemaad Wright and Keleaf Tate (67 three-pointers) combined for 43 points and 22 rebounds per outing.

Also, defensive minded Charles Tart has transferred to Ferrum College.

The new-look Panthers will have to learn on the fly away from home. After Florida, VUU will travel to Millersville, Pa., (two games) Uncasville, Conn., (two games) and Shepherd, W.Va., before the home opener Nov. 25 against Fayetteville.

Tyreek Williams is VSU’s newest baller Tyreek Williams

Virginia State basketball Coach Lonnie Blow is looking for new stars and Tyreek Williams has raised his hand to volunteer.

Williams made his Trojans debut Oct. 25 with 10 points in VSU’s 80-59 exhibition loss at Division I Old Dominion.

Coach Blow’s squad will play its official opener Nov. 4 at the Multi-Purpose Center against invading Division III Averett of Danville. Tipoff is 4 p.m.

At ODU, Coach Blow played a total of 15 players, with 12 getting at least 10 minutes of court time.

The Trojans, 17-11 a season ago, must replace two prolific scorers, Terrence HunterWhitfield (18 points per game) and B.J. Fitzgerald (15.4) Williams figures to help. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound post player starred at L.C. Bird High in Chester before spending one season

each at Troy, Ala., and Catawba, N.C. Returnee Tremere Brown had 10 points and seven rebounds at ODU and newcomer Chris Hampton chipped in five points, four rebounds and two assists.

Hampton is a 6-foot-2 junior transfer from Tallahassee, Fla., Community College.

November 2-4, 2023 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

B

Personality: Tyee Davenport Mallory Spotlight on Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women president Tyee Davenport Mallory is helping to show the worth of women’s organizations.

As president of the Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women, Ms. Mallory has worked to expand the nonprofit’s presence and mission through new partnerships and increased membership.

She’s also worked to bring new energy to the nearly 90-year-old organization dedicated to empowering African-American women, their families and communities.

“We’re just kind of reintroducing ourselves to the community,” says Ms. Mallory, who was elected president in April 2022. “We want to make people know the NCNW is alive, we are well, we are vibrant, we are growing and we are still relevant in the community.”

An ongoing aspect of NCNW’s vision and mission in the Richmond area includes supporting programs such as RVA Reads, FeedMore, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Diversity Richmond and Sisters Network.

Such social outreach is key to Ms. Mallory’s goals as president and a mother.

A freelance consultant who has worked with political campaigns, nonprofits and advocacy groups for two years, she decided to strike out on her own after working on campaigns for Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan and U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine.

Ms. Mallory says that giving her children a positive example to follow and a lasting legacy through her actions are important. She credits her own experience with the NAACP, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and work as a Girl Scout troop leader as leading her to her current path.

“When I had my daughters, I became committed to making sure that I dedicated my time to women’s organizations,” Ms. Mallory says, “because I wanted to be an example for them and show

why Black women’s public service is important. I want to be able to leave a legacy for them from Black women’s organizations.”

That desire and her appreciation for civil rights groups led Ms. Mallory to join NCNW Richmond in 2020, initially as a volunteer.

As a longtime admirer of former NCNW President and Richmond native Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, Ms. Mallory was happy to contribute. In addition to leading NCNW, Dr. Height also was a civil rights activist and the 10th national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

And when NCNW Richmond’s previous president, Martha E. Hancock-Carter, asked Ms. Mallory to take on a leadership role in the nonprofit, she was more than ready for the responsibility.

“I did not hesitate,” says Ms. Mallory about her choice to become president. “I hit the ground running and I have been going ever since.”

NCNW Richmond’s efforts coincide with a larger push to revitalize the national organization, and have proven to be successful according to Ms. Mallory, with 60 financial members currently in the Richmond Section and more joining each month.

Ms. Mallory sees this recent expansion in outreach as necessary for NCNW Richmond and the national organization’s future. She believes the generational gap is a big challenge NCNW and other civil rights groups currently face, and one she and others work to address by creating roles and spaces for young members to contribute to their operations.

“Legacy organizations struggle in appealing to younger generations,” Ms. Mallory says. “So, we have to show why we are relevant in the community and showcase all that we have to offer to Black women interested in strengthening their communities through sisterhood.”

Ms. Mallory plans to con-

National Council of Negro Women is: An “organization of organizations,” comprised of 330 campus and community-based sections and 33 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2,000,000 women and men.

Founder: It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist.

National headquart e r s : Wa s h i n g t o n , D.C.

tinue her time as president into a second term, with a long-term goal of stabilizing membership. Although the work involved in NCNW Richmond can be consuming and sizable, she is steadfast in her commitment to the group and the value it brings to the Richmond area.

“You do a little bit of social work and project management and leadership all at the same time,” Ms. Mallory said. “I’m an all-in president and I take the job seriously.”

“I wouldn’t have taken it if I didn’t want to commit all and all to it.”

Meet a tireless women’s advocate and community leader and this week’s Personality Tyee Davenport Mallory: Volunteer position: President, Richmond Section of the National Council of Negro Women.

Occupation: Political adviser and advocacy consultant.

Date and place of birth: April 3 in Gloucester County.

When NCNW Richmond Section was f o u n d e d : N o v. 6 , 1956.

Richmond founders: Mrs. Ora Stokes, Mrs. Bernice Sampson, Mrs. Laura Jackson Hall, Mrs. Rosa Meade, Mrs. Luvinia Banks, Mrs. Marian Bell Saunders Richardson, Mrs. Susie Williams, and Mrs. Doris Ford.

Membership requirements: Women of African descent who reside in the Greater Richmond area with a passion for strengthening their communities and sisterly fellowship.

How I became involved: Dr. Height has always been a personal SHERO of mine and I have a lot of love for legacy civil rights organizations. I joined the Richmond Section in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Over the course of the next two years, I gained an admiration and commitment for the organization and its rich history.

Why I accepted the position as president: I was elected

president in April 2022 and my term began October 2022.

Length of term: 20222024.

No. 1 goal or project as president: Increase membership, increase name recognition in the Richmond area and increase community partnerships.

Strategy for achieving goals: Engage in new spaces and partnerships in the community, widening our footprint.

Ways to participate with NCNW Richmond Section: After joining, members are encouraged to join one of our many committees such as RVA Reads, Social Justice, Young Adults or Good Health WINS (our vaccination education campaign).

Upcoming events: 2023 Harambe Celebration – Nov. 16, 5:30 p.m. at Trinity BaptistChurch on Fendall Avenue with keynote speaker the Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women. Harambe (meaning “all come together” in Swahili) is our annual membership recruitment event where we showcase the programs and work of NCNW-Richmond.

African/ancestral attire is encouraged but not required.

This event is free and open to the public.

How I start the day: Our family wakes up between 6 and 6:30 each morning and we prepare for the day together.

The three words that best describe me: Grateful. Intentional. Driven.

If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I would meditate.

My dream dinner party

special guest would be: My grandmothers, both of whom died before I was born. I just want to look into their faces.

Best late-night snack: Cheese and crackers.

The music I listen to most is: ’90s R&B. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: As a former high school drum major, I love watching marching band performances of all levels—high school, college and professional drum corps.

A quote that inspires me: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 At the top of my “to-do” list: Home renovation projects.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Steady wins the race. No need to rush.

The person who influenced me: My great-grandmother Marie Gray Keyser. She loved her entire family unconditionally.

Book that influenced me the most: “Open Wide the Freedom Gates” by Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. This book really is a textbook for public service, personal sacrifice and visionary leadership for the greater good. That’s the leader I want to be.

What I’m reading now: “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson.

I will admit, it has taken me over a year to finish this book. It’s so emotional that I can only absorb it in small doses. It’s so heavy.

Next goal: Continue to expand the mission and vision of NCNW in the Richmond area.

Where I live now: Glen Allen.

Education: Bachelor’s in marketing management, Virginia Tech; MBA, Strayer University.

Family: Husband, Mark, daughters Zuri and Nyla.

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B2 November 2-4, 2023

Happenings Putting women on the map

National Center of Women’s Innovations selects Dr. Gladys B. West as inaugural honoree Free Press staff report

Dr. Gladys B. West, the African-American mathematician whose mapping of the world enabled Global Positioning System (GPS), was chosen by the newly launched National Center of Women’s Innovations (NCWI) as its inaugural “Forgotten Women Innovator.”

Born in rural Dinwiddie County, Gladys Mae Brown West graduated first in her high school class, earning a scholarship to Virginia State College (later Virginia State University), where she earned a bachelor’s in mathematics in 1952.

After teaching in public schools, she completed a master’s degree from VSU in 1955, and the following year began working at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren. She was the second African-American woman hired at the base, among only four African-American employees in total.

Admired by her colleagues for her Tech. She was a 2019 Strong Men & skill in calculating complex mathematiWomen in Virginia History honoree by cal equations, she excelled in computer the Library of Virginia and Dominion programming. Dr. West emerged as an Energy. integral part of the team that developed Dr. Lance Collins, executive directhe modern GPS, tirelessly collecttor of Virginia Tech’s Innovation Caming data from orbiting satellites and pus, was among those who honored developing mathematical algorithms the 93-year-old Sutherland native at for supercomputers to process precise the Ritz-Carlton in Pentagon City on surface elevations. She later became her birthday, Oct. 27. project manager for the radar altimetry “I only recently discovered Dr. West Dr. West data processing project of Seasat, the and her breathtaking accuracy in meafirst satellite designed for remote sensing of the suring the world,” Dr. Collins noted, expressing Earth’s oceans, for which she received a commen- pride for the Virginia Tech alum in an NCWI dation. Dr. West published numerous papers and press release. “How many other Gladys Wests made presentations on her work at national and are out there? I salute her amazing accomplishinternational conferences before retiring in 1998. ments and the NCWI for shining a light on her Throughout her career, Dr. West continued her and the thousands of other women and minority education and in 2000 received a Ph.D. in public innovators we have buried.” administration and policy affairs from Virginia Keynote speaker Deborah Roberts, ABC

Anniversary celebrations at Richmond Public Library Free Press staff report

Richmond Public Library will celebrate memory, music and community in honor of the library’s 100th anniversary Saturday, Nov. 4.

Starting at 11 a.m., visitors to the Main Library at 101 E. Franklin St. can explore RPL’s local history, business and law collections in the newly-established Richmond Room. Staff also will be on hand to answer questions about the artifacts and exhibits on display during the library’s Special Collections Open House.

A presentation will highlight RPL’s 100-year history, its nine branches and the different services it offers in support of its mission to inform, enrich and empower Richmond’s residents.

In return, the library will accept written submissions or brief interviews during the open house from residents who want to share their experiences of the library as part of RPL’s Stories and Memories Project.

At 2 p.m., the Commonwealth Concert Opera Unleashed will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Gellman Room Concerts Series with musical selections that will include pieces from 1923, which is the year the Library Board of Trustees was established, as well as 1973, when the Gellman Room Concert Series began.

Finally, the Friends of the Library’s Fall Book Sale is on Friday, Nov. 3 and will continue during Saturday’s celebrations.

Richmond Bandits leave it on the field

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Three youth football teams from the city-based Richmond Bandits made it to title games in their age brackets, but none came away with a title.

The 6U, 9U and 13U Richmond Bandts fell to opponents in the championships held Saturday and Sunday at Varina High School, said Darryl H. Johnston, who launched the Bandits’ program at the city’s Broad Rock Sports Complex in August.

The 9U team he coaches fell 12-6 to the Henrico-based Richmond Spiders in a thriller that required double overtime before the game was decided.

“We scored a game-winning touchdown, but it was called back for holding,” he said. The Spiders halted the Bandits from any further advances and then scored after regaining the ball to gain the victory and the right to represent the Richmond area in regional play.

The two teams were evenly matched. The Bandits eked out a 7-6 win over the Spiders in their regular season contest.

PROC Foundation hosts 27th Beautillion Free Press staff report

The achievements of four beaux (young men) will be recognized during the Professionals Reaching Out to the Community (PROC) Foundation’s 27th Beautillion on Nov. 11 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The Beautillion offers high school juniors and seniors educational, social and cultural experiences, along with the chance to earn a college scholarship during the eight-month Beautillion program.

The theme of this year’s Beautillion is “Creating the Narrative for a Better Tomorrow.”

During the black-tie event, educational and book scholarships will be awarded.

This year’s participants include: Matthew Lamar Edwards – A junior at Matoaca High School, he is the son of Mr. Marvin L. Edwards and Mrs. Letitia M. Edwards. His escort is J’adore Cadet.

Bishop Ramon Foster – A

junior at Collegiate School of Richmond, he is the son of LaMarr R. Daniel and Philip Foster. His escort is Tyeia Lewis.

Jahleel Kenan Miller – A senior at Deep Run High School, he is the son of Perry J. Miller and Tanya C. Fisher-Miller.

His escort is Alexa Elizabeth Sneed.

DeWight Alan Robinson, Jr. – A junior at Richmond Christian School, he is the son of Mr. Dewight A. Robinson Sr. and Mrs. Monica W. Robinson.

His escort is Jhaelyn Gordon.

Information about the annual event and applications for next year’s Beautillion may be found online at www. procfoundation.org, or by contacting Mrs. Brenda J. Foster at beautillion@procfoundation. org or (804) 347-9562. The application deadline is March 24, 2024.

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Darryl H. Johnston and the Richmond Bandits

News senior national affairs correspondent and co-host of “20/20,” emphasized the importance of recognizing forgotten women innovators.

“What an honor and privilege to shine a light on those hidden and extraordinary figures like Dr. Gladys B. West who helped change the world.

We are grateful for your genius and example,” Ms. Roberts said.

NCWI was formed in Alexandria in late 2022 to unearth the buried stories of women innovators who have or are changing the world.

NCWI is committed to highlighting women such as Dr. West with STEM educational modules and interactive mobile exhibits, and an interactive, digital data file of all women innovators past and present.

To support this goal, the nonprofit has established a $250,000 initial fundraising goal.

For more information, visit www.womensinnovations.org

Olive Davenport Richardson

Happy

100ayth!!!

Birthd

Richmond Free Press

November 2-4, 2023 B3

Happenings Gardens and goblins “HarvestFest: Dia de los Muertos” kept Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden busy on Saturday, Oct. 29. The daylong festival included cultural activities in to celebrate fall, along with live performances, an Hispanic Craft Market, bilingual storytime, pumpkins and more.

Guests were encouraged to honor passed loved ones by bringing a photo or placing a tea light (provided, while supplies last) on the Dia de los Muertos Altar.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Fun and games A multicultural celebration of love, language, and culture took place Oct. 28 at the 2nd Annual “Fall for All Festival,” hosted by River City Middle School, RPS School Board member Nicole Jones (9th), and the RPS Language Instruction Educational Program. The free event included resources for families, carnival games and activities for children, along with refreshments and music. River City Middle School is located at 6300 Hull Street Road.

Photos Courtesy of MBL

MBL Summit The Metropolitan Business League’s “Women Who Mean Business Summit” drew attendees from throughout the Richmond region on Friday, Oct. 27 at the Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St. The daylong enabled women to explore entrepreneurship, leadership and share innovative ideas regarding their businesses. During the luncheon event, Kimberley L. Martin, founder of the KLM Scholarship Foundation, received the MBL’s Remarkable Woman of the Year Award. From left, Floyd E. Miller, MBL’s president and CEO, Mrs. Martin and Nickkol Lewis, Nickkol Lewis, board chair, MBL, principal and senior creative, Visual Appeal, LLC-The Design Studio.

Movie review: ‘Rustin,’ with an outstanding Colman Domingo, is a terrific look at March on Washington

By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press

The 1963 March on Washington drew an estimated 250,000 people from across the country — the largest march at that point in American history — and was the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

It likely wouldn’t have happened without the work of a master strategist: Bayard Rustin, a gay Black socialist and pacifist-activist from Pennsylvania, whose close friendship with Dr. King was the engine in the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.

The winning, triumphant Netflix movie “Rustin” explores the stressful weeks leading up to the march from the grassroots level, with Colman Domingo starring as the organizer who many people know nothing about.

It was he who wrangled 80,000 boxed lunches, 22 first aid stations, six water tanks, 2,200 chartered buses, six chartered flights, 292 latrines, over 1,000 Black police officers and a change to the city’s subway schedule, not to mention snagging celebrities like Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston, Lena Horne and James Baldwin.

Mr. Domingo is debonair, frisky, droll, passionate and utterly captivating as Mr. Rustin — the film representing the electric meeting of winning material with the perfect performer.

“You’re irrelevant,” Mr. Rustin is told at an after-work gettogether by a more militant activist. “It’s Friday night. I’ve been called worse,” Mr. Rustin responds, taking a sip of his cocktail.

But as wonderful as Mr. Domingo is, it’s the astonishing amount of talent in front of and behind the camera that will take your breath away. No matter how small, each performance brings fire and makes the most of a few minutes on camera.

Is that Jeffrey Wright as a dour Rep. Adam Clayton Powell? Yes, indeed. Wait, isn’t that Adrienne Warren? Yup. Kevin Mambo and Audra McDonald, too? Yes and yes. Chris Rock ages up to play a stuffy NAACP Executive Secretary Roy Wilkins and Glynn Turman is awesome, as always, as labor leader A.

Netflix via Associated Press

The winning, triumphant Netflix movie “Rustin” explores the stressful weeks leading up to the march from the grassroots level, with Colman Domingo starring as the organizer who many people know nothing about.

Philip Randolph.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph plays Mahalia Jackson, Michael Potts is “Cleve” Robinson, CCH Pounder as Dr. Anna Hegeman, appropriately, gets her own warm round of applause during the movie. And Aml Ameen plays an understated Dr. King, his moments with Mr. Rustin playing like two old friends.

There’s excellence in the music — Branford Marsalis provides the jazzy score, including lonely sax solos and mournful double bass plucks — and Lenny Kravitz contributed an original song, “Road to Freedom.”

The biopic has a presidential seal or at least a former presidential seal — Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground produced. (Mr. Obama awarded Mr. Rustin a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.)

“Rustin” is more than just the public-facing story of how the March on Washington came about. It’s also a portrait of a man who has to hide his sexuality. If it was widely known, his

career, the march and maybe even the Civil Rights Movement itself would have been at risk.

Mr. Domingo shows the immense pressures faced by being a religiously-raised, Black gay man in the racist and homophobic 1960s, enough psychic forces to tear a man apart.

“On the day that I was born Black, I was also born a homosexual,” Mr. Rustin tells Dr. King before a crucial meeting with Black leadership. “They either believe in freedom and justice for all or they do not.”

Director George C. Wolfe, a theater legend, keeps this biopic intriguing, making it almost feel like a caper. Will they pull off their audacious effort? Of course, but the twists and turns endured make organizing the march a bit like the rush to get a big musical on its feet. Mr. Wolfe adds that energy.

The screenplay by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black isn’t shy about exposing the divides within the movement and the ugly homophobic feelings of the era. There is a smart flashback to 1942 when the camera goes to black and white.

The movie takes viewers to places perhaps unfamiliar, like to training sessions where Black police officers were taught about nonviolence and to Manhattan apartments where protesters would talk about their own stories of segregation to convince rich white folks to contribute money for buses.

The final section — the actual march itself — mixes new footage with some from that day. There was some fear by the organizers that not enough people would come, but the hero of “Rustin” doesn’t waver — and is seen bluffing with reporters right up until the end. “Rustin” is as vibrant as the movement it covers.

Mark Kennedy is an entertainment writer, editor and critic for The Associated Press.

“Rustin,” a Netflix release in select theaters Friday and hits Netflix on Nov. 17, is rated PG-13 for “some violence, sexual material, brief drug use, racial slurs, thematic material, language and smoking.” Running time: 108 minutes.

Three and a half stars out of four.

B4 November 2-4, 2023

Richmond Free Press

Church)

Richmond Free Press

November 2-4, 2023 B5

Faith News/Directory Documentary on Black millennials depicts wide range of religion, rebellion

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service

who was chastised by the church or adults who scolded them for views or behavior deemed A member of the second- immoral by congregational oldest Black Catholic order in leaders. the United States.

“I grew up in a faith context A voodoo priestess. that basically told me that if my A gay atheist woman. mother obeyed and loved God A new documentary from the more, I wouldn’t be here,” said National Museum of African Candice Marie Benbow, a selfAmerican History identified “seeker” and Culture explores who also is an octhe range of faith and casional columnist Animation by Kyle Yearwood , courtesy NMAAHC spiritual expressions for RNS. An animation from the documentary “gOD-Talk: A Black of Black millennials She described Millennials and Faith Conversation.” and the choices they how her mother took have made to reject refuge in a church said. cessing down a center aisle. But — or embrace — the where they were “They’re walking away from the film also includes depictions religious rituals of “able to live and institutions. And so that, for us, of non-Christian traditions, their childhood. thrive” after an ear- is something for us to begin to such as mystic Tamil Jones Dr. Teddy Reeves, lier one sought an grapple with as we think about using tarot cards and lighting Dr. Reeves the creator and proapology from her the longevity and sustainability sage or former Baptist Rashid ducer of “gOD-Talk: A Black during her unwed pregnancy of our religious institutions in Hughes practicing mindfulness Millennials and Faith Conver- with Ms. Benbow. The author this country.” and yoga. sation,” said the documentary and theologian nevertheless The documentary’s more Mr. Hughes was among the shows that the term “nones” also describes herself as “Bap- than 100 images — drawn three dozen featured speakers in — used by academics and tist born, Baptist bred, when I from the museum and from the the film and described the need journalists to describe people die I’ll be Baptist dead.” wider Smithsonian collections to find himself in a practice without a particular religious Tre’vell Anderson, an enter- — often feature the traditions different from his childhood affiliation, often of younger tainment journalist who identifies of the Black church, from the generations — frequently does as “a nonbinary person of trans dimpled young usher handing not apply to this demographic experience,” recalled growing up out church fans to a choir proof Black people born between Baptist Church 1981 and 1996.

In an Oct. 23 interview after 1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403 the film’s weekend premiere Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor at the downtown Washington museum, he said the two-hour Celebrating 29 Years documentary, a product of the of Pastor & People museum’s Center for the Study of African American Religious Life in partnership with the Pew Research Center, aims to give voice to the people of this Dr. Lawrence generation and let them identify themselves.

“We show the pluralistic Courtesy NMAAHC nature of the African American religious experience,” Rev. A still photograph from the documentary “gOD-Talk: A “Your Home In God’s Kingdom” Reeves told Religion News Black Millennials and Faith Conversation.”

Service, “from those who are in a Pentecostal church where beof some formal faith tradition ing gay was considered a sin and to those who are not.” becoming the subject of a special 1127 North 28th Street, Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402 And from those who are “after-church” ceremony. somewhere in between, the “I remember them turning The Rev. Sylvester T. Smith, Ph.D., Pastor ones who say “’I’m Christian- lights down low, lighting some “There’s A Place for You” ish’ to those who say, ‘I am a candles and there being a prayer, spiritualist. I’m just finding my a massive prayer situation about Join us at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday way,’” said Dr. Reeves. me,” said Mr. Anderson, who is for in-person worship service “So we tried to make sure described in the documentary as or that we show that breadth.”

“Christian-ish.”

Live-stream on YouTube Though the traditions vary As Dr. Reeves relies on Pew (Good Shepherd Baptist Church RVA). widely and Black millennials are data that shows Black millenniless religious than older Black als’ continuing connections to Americans, Pew’s research spiritual matters, he compares found that the vast majority — the stances of some of them to 96% — still say they believe in the work of Protestant reformer Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor God or a higher power.

Martin Luther — but notes milWorship Opportunities The documentary includes lennials’ concerns are wider than critiques of the traditional Black institutional Christianity.

Sunday Worship Opportunities: church, with featured speakers “They’re not walking away 10 A.M. [In-person and Livestream] describing what it was like to from the belief in something Sunday Church School grow up with a single parent greater than themselves,” he Opportunities:

Moore Street Missionary

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

St. Peter Baptist Church

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

“Please come and join us” Every Sunday @ 11:00 am.

Adults [In-person] at 8:30 A.M. Children [Virtual] online via our website.

1858

The People’s Church

Pastor Kevin Cook

216 W. Leigh St., Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 (PDLO ṘFH#HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ ZHE HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ

Sunday Morning Worship • 11am (in-person and livestream on YouTube)

Wednesday Bible Study • 7pm (Zoom)

Scan the QR Code with your smartphone or tablet for more information!

“The Church With A Welcome”

Sharon Baptist Church 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sundays Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

Back Inside

Riverview Baptist Church Sundays Sunday School - 9:30 A.M. Worship Service - 11 A.M. Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In Person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube 2604 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 • www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. John E. Johnson, Jr., Interim Minister

Triumphant

Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

Worship With Us This Summer!

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Please visit our website Ebenezer Baptist Church Richmond, VA for updates http://www. ebenezerrva.org

Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

ance with Reverence Relev

Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor ❖

The doors of the church are open for worship!

No registration required.

Join us in person or online on Facebook or YouTube

10:30 a.m. Sundays

*Worship Through Giving

Via: http://mmbcrva.org/give Or through Givelify

th Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) om Meeting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 le Study (Wed. @ 7:00 PM) om Meeting ID: 854 8862 2296

3200 East Broad Street | Richmond, Virginia 23223 www.tmcbc.org | (804) 226-1172

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come worship with us!

Back Inside Sundays Join us for 10:00 AM Worship Service

(Zoom)

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

The Mount Carmel Baptist Church

A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

Sunday Church School • 9am

Moms with Sons Prayer Call (Tues. @ 6:00 AM) (302) 202-1106 Pin: 618746 Early Morning & Noonday Corporate Prayer Call Wednesdays @ 6:00 AM & 12:00 Noon (415) 200-1362 Pin: 9841218

Join Us for Worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM!

2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

Additional Summer Worship Opportunities

WE SAVED A SEAT FOR YOU!

Conference Calls are still available at: ( 503) 300-6860 PIN: 273149 Facebook@:triumphantbaptist

Bible Study online and in person Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join us on: mmbcrva.org or Facebook.com/mmbcrva or youtube.com/MosbyMemorialBaptist

seeker,” said he expects the audience for the film will not solely be African-Americans or people who live in the U.S. “We had individuals who attended the premiere who were not Black and they were saying the same thing,” he said. “White Jewish temples are struggling just as much as Black Christian spaces are struggling to get young people to come beyond High Holy Days.”

The film is set to screen at the annual meetings of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature in November. “gOD-Talk” was a finalist in the documentary category at the Charlotte Black Film Festival in July.

OPEN FOR IN PERSON WORSHIP Morning Worship - 11 am

Bible Study Opportunities: Noon [In-person] 7 P.M. [Virtual]; Please contact the church office for directives.

Live Streaming Every Sunday At: BRBConline.org or YouTube(Broad Rock Baptist Church)

Sunday Morning Worship In Person & Online 10:00 A.M.

faith, even as he had “deep fear” of losing the community that helped raise him.

“There was a part of me that recognized that I was really used to and familiar with exploring the questions of like: Who is God? What is God? But I wasn’t as familiar with the question of who am I?” he said. “And when I really got introduced to kind of Buddhist practices and mindfulness practices, what that provided for me was a moment to let go of the seeking, the constant striving, the laboring, to kind of get God closer to me.”

Dr. Reeves, 37, an ordained minister in the Progressive National Baptist Convention who describes himself as a “wisdom

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

Live on Facebook @ 4ixth #aptist $IVSDI 37" Live on Youtube @4#$ 37" Or by visiting our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 `VeaUON]aV`aPUb_PU_cN www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose”

1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

Richmond Free Press

B6 November 2-4, 2023

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities 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, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2023-261 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 3600 West Broad Street for the purpose of a residential use located on a portion of the first floor of the existing mixeduse building, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-269 As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 3418 R Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-286 To amend City Code § 23-45, concerning refuse collection at a point other than a curb or alley for the elderly and persons with disabilities, for the purpose of authorizing the collection service for as many refuse receptacles as provided by the City.

Ordinance No. 2023-287 To p r o v i d e f o r t h e granting by the City of Richmond to the person, firm or corporation to be ascertained in the manner prescribed by law of an easement upon, over, under, and across certain property located at 1 Hull Street, 101 Hull Street, and 2 Decatur Street for the relocation, construction, maintenance, and operation of improvements and associated appurtenances of communication systems and facilities in accordance with a certain Deed of Easement.

Ordinance No. 2023-288 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Lease between the City of Richmond, as lessor, and Capital Area Health Network, doing business as Vernon J. Harris East End Community Health Center, as lessee, for the purpose of providing health center office space for the Vernon J. Harris East End Community Health Center at 719 North 25th Street.

Ordinance No. 2023-289 To amend and reordain City Code § 26-355, concerning the levy of tax on real estate, to establish a tax rate of $1.20 for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2024, pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-3321(b), and increasing such rate from the Rolled Back Tax Rate of $1.125 as computed in accordance with Va. Code § 58.1-3321(a).

Ordinance No. 2023-290 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Landowner Concurrence Form to Install Structural or Vegetative Conservation Activities between the City of Richmond and The Happily Natural Day for the purpose of funding community garden improvements to the Sankofa Community Orchard located at 309 Covington Road.

Ordinance No. 2023-292 To amend Ord. No. 2023071, adopted May 8, 2023, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, to (i) increase General Fund revenues by an amount equal to ten percent of the calculated general fund surplus for the Fiscal Year 20222023, (ii) create a new line item entitled “HumanKind” in the Non-Departmental A g e n c y, a n d ( i i i ) appropriate such amount to such new line item in the Non-Departmental agency, for the purpose of providing additional funding for families of the city of Richmond experiencing crisis.

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coordinator position and opioid abatement strategies and programs.

Ordinance No. 2023-294 To amend Ord. No. 2023071, adopted May 8, 2023, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by (i) transferring the total amount of $663,856.00 from the Non-Departmental agency United Nations Church International of VA, Inc. – Inclement Weather Shelter line item, (ii) creating a new line item entitled “HomeAgain Emergency Shelter” in the Non-Departmental agency, (iii) appropriating $542,056.00 of the transferred funds to such new line item in the NonDepartmental agency, and (iv) appropriating $121,800.00 of the transferred funds, and increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services by $121,800.00, all for the purpose of making a grant to operate a new 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter for families.

Ordinance No. 2023-295 To amend Ord. No. 2023071, adopted May 8, 2023, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, to (i) transfer $40,000.00 from the NonDepartmental agency Reserve for Children’s Fund line item (ii) create a new line item entitled “Greater Richmond Fit4Kids (for Safe Routes to School Bicycling Programs)” in the NonDepartmental agency, and (iii) appropriate such $40,000.00 to such new line item in the NonDepartmental agency, for the purpose of assisting with the purchase of a vehicle to transport bicycles to and from elementary schools administered by the School Board of the City of Richmond.

Ordinance No. 2023-296 To amend Ord. No. 2023071, adopted May 8, 2023, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, to (i) transfer $20,000.00 from the Non-Departmental agency Reserve for Children’s Fund line item (ii) create a new line item entitled “Read to Them (for FY24 Imagination Library RVA)” in the NonDepartmental agency, and (iii) appropriate such $20,000.00 to such new line item in the NonDepartmental agency, for the purpose of supporting the expansion of Imagination Library RVA in the city of Richmond.

Ordinance No. 2023-297 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Fiscal Agency Agreement between NextUp RVA and City of Richmond for the purpose of authorizing NextUp RVA to act as a fiscal agent on behalf of the City to facilitate funding for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ 2023 CarMax Basketball Youth Development and Summer Camp program.

Ordinance No. 2023-298 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of funding the operations of a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter to be located at 7 North 2nd Street.

Ordinance No. 2023-299 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease between the City of Richmond as lessee and Potomac Area Hostels, Inc., as lessor, for the purpose of leasing the property located at 7 North 2nd Street for the operation of a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter.

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amend Ord. No. 2023073, adopted May 8, 2023, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 20232024, and determined a means of financing the same, to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Complete Streets Project in the Transportation – G.O. Bonds category by $1,333,764.00, for the purpose of providing funding for Richmond Highway resurfacing projects from Yorktown Avenue to Chesterman Avenue, from Bells Road to Yorktown Avenue, and from Atwell Drive to Alexander Avenue.

Ordinance No. 2023-302 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Deed of Quitclaim of Utility Easement between the City of Richmond and Deepwater I, LLC and Matan Deepwater, LLC, for the purpose of vacating by quitclaim deed certain easements on the property known as 2301 Commerce Road, for nominal consideration, to Deepwater I, LLC and Matan Deepwater, LLC. Ordinance No. 2023-303 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Deed of Quitclaim of Utility Easement between the City of Richmond and Deepwater I, LLC and Matan Deepwater, LLC, for the purpose of vacating by quitclaim deed certain easements on the properties known as 3001 Commerce Road and 3205 Commerce Road, for nominal consideration, to Deepwater I, LLC and Matan Deepwater, LLC. Ordinance No. 2023-304 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the installation of left turn hardening measures at approximately ten stop controlled intersections.

Ordinance No. 2023-305 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the installation of flashing yellow arrow signal heads, high visibility signal backplates, and high visibility crosswalks at signal controlled intersections.

Ordinance No. 2023-306 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of providing funding for the replacement of regulatory and warning signs and pavement markings at approximately 200 stop controlled intersections.

Ordinance No. 2023-307 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the resurfacing of Richmond Highway from Yorktown Avenue to Chesterman Avenue, from Bells Road to Yorktown Avenue, and from Atwell Drive to Alexander Avenue.

Ordinance No. 2023-308 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, Afton Avenue Apartments LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential development located at 2400 Afton Avenue and 2420 Afton Avenue.

Ordinance No. 2023-293 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $1,259,411.69 from the National Opioids Settlement Fund, to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services called the National Opioid Settlement Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services by $1,259,411.69, for the purpose of funding a new opioid response

Ordinance No. 2023-300 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Sublease Agreement between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of subleasing the property located at 7 North 2nd Street to Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the operation of a 50-bed, year-round emergency shelter.

Ordinance No. 2023-301 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the total amount of $1,333,764.00 from the Virginia Department of Transportation, to

Ordinance No. 2023-309 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, 2100 Bainbridge LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable residential

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development located at 2100 Bainbridge Street.

Ordinance No. 2023-310 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Lease Amendment No. 8 between the City of Richmond and the Government of the United States of America for the purpose of incorporating a prohibition on a ByteDance covered application and reducing the number of parking spaces leased to the federal government at a City-owned parking facility located at 500 East Marshall Street.

Ordinance No. 2023-312 To authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds of the City of Richmond, Virginia (the “City”) in the maximum principal amount of $150,000,000 to finance the cost of funding a portion of the City’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability to the Richmond Retirement System, as initially adopted November 18, 1952, by Ordinance No. 52-189175, as subsequently amended and restated (the “RRS”), with respect to the City’s defined benefit retirement plan for City employees; to authorize the establishment and funding of an irrevocable trust under Section 115 of the Internal Revenue Code to provide the City budget flexibility with respect to its current and future contributions to RRS; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, to negotiate, execute and deliver a Section 115 Trust Agreement, for and on behalf of the City; to authorize the Director of Finance, with the approval of the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City, to sell such bonds for such projects, to provide for the form, details and payment of such general obligation bonds; to authorize the issuance of general obligation notes of the City in anticipation of the issuance of such general obligation bonds; and to authorize the issuance of taxable general obligation bonds, for the same purposes and uses, in the same maximum principal amount and payable over the same period as such general obligation bonds.

Ordinance No. 2023-313 To repeal City Code § 22-113, concerning assets and contributions and employer contributions; to amend ch. 12, art. V, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new section numbered 12-265.1, concerning funding of the Richmond Retirement System; to amend ch. 22, art. IV, div. 1 by adding therein a new section numbered 22113.1, concerning assets and contributions and employer contributions; to amend ch. 22, art. V by adding therein a new section numbered 22-146, concerning vesting of members who elect to or become members of a VRS Retirement Plan; to amend ch. 22, of the City Code by adding therein a new art. XIII, consisting of §§ 22-341—22-343, concerning the transition to the Virginia Retirement System; and to amend City Code §§ 2-1244 and 2-1246, concerning deferred compensation, and 22-2, 22-52, 22-112, 22-142, 22-143, 22-145, and 22-317, all concerning the Richmond Retirement System, for the purpose of facilitating the transition to the Virginia Retirement System.

Ordinance No. 2023-314 To authorize the City Attorney to file an appropriate petition pursuant to Va. Code § 23.1-815(B)(iv) for concurrent jurisdiction by the City’s Department of Police and the campus police force of Virginia Commonwealth University in certain designated areas.

Ordinance No. 2023-315 To amend ch. 2, art.

V of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 21, consisting of §§ 2-1202.6—2-1202.8, for the purpose of establishing a Public Utilities and Services Commission.

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL

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 on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance:

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, November 6, 2023 at 1:30 p.m in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2023-311 To amend Ord. No. 2022310, adopted Jan. 9, 2023, which amended City Code § 26-1065, concerning Downtown General Special Service and Assessment District boundaries, for the purpose of expanding the Downtown General Special Service Assessment District to include the Manchester area of the city, to change the effective date from Jan. 1, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

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-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

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 on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2023-281 To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020236, adopted Dec.14, 2020, to incorporate the Priority Neighborhoods Master Plan Amendment designating Creighton Court, Fairfield Court, Hillside Court, Mosby Court North, Mosby Court South, and Whitcomb Court as priority growth neighborhoods.

Ordinance No. 2023-282 To amend Ord. No. 2006194-200, adopted Jul. 24, 2006, and last amended

by Ord. No. 2013-197186, adopted Oct. 14, 2013, which authorized the special use of the property known as 900 West Franklin Street for the purpose of the expansion of a nonconforming retail bookstore, additional signage, and an increase in the radius within which required parking must be provided, to authorize uses permitted in the B-5 Central Business District and to waive parking requirements for those uses, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-283 To authorize the special use of the property known as 615 Maple Avenue for the purpose of an accessory building to a single-family detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-284 To authorize the special use of the property known as 6426 Three Chopt Road for the purpose of an accessory building, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-285 To authorize the special use of the property known as 4400 Warwick Road for the purpose of a singlefamily detached dwelling with an accessory garage, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

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, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

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-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Ordinance No. 2023-316 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 75-309-302, adopted Dec. 15, 1975, as most recently amended

by Ord. No. 2021-204, adopted Sept. 13, 2021, pertaining to the “Stony Point Community Unit Plan,” for the purpose of amending the development standards, as they pertain to Map Section E of the Southern Portion of the Plan, to allow for additional signs on the property known as 3000 Stony Point Road.

Ordinance No. 2023-317 To authorize the special use of the property known as 7 North 2nd Street for the purpose of a certain hostel use or emergency housing use, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 2011-141-144, adopted Jul. 25, 2011.

Ordinance No. 2023-318 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 3731 Grubbs Lane, 3731-A Grubbs Lane, 4045 Walmsley Boulevard, and 4057 Walmsley Boulevard for the purpose of up to ten multifamily dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-319 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3500 Hanover Avenue for the purpose of a singlefamily attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-320 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1904 Powhatan Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

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-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF HOPEWELL CAROLYN ANNETTE ALEXANDER Plaintiff, v.

DAVIS TITUS ALEXANDER, Defendant.

Case No. CL2022-27 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit, brought by Carolyn Annette Alexander, is a Complaint for divorce. It appearing from an affidavit that the Defendant, Davis Titus Alexander, is a nonresident individual; it is hereby ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before November 30, 2023, to protect his interest herein; A Copy Teste: TAMARA J. WARD, Clerk I ask for this: W. Allan Burns Jr. VSB #68002 CRAVENS & NOLL, PC. 15871 City View Drive, Suite 300 Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 330-9220 Telephone (804) 330-9458 Facsimile Counsel for the Plaintiff VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER WANDA KARGBO, Plaintiff Continued on next column

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v.

SOLOMON KARGBO, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23003563-00 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 19th day of December, 2023 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

FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SANDRA PERKINS, Plaintiff v.

BOBBY PERKINS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23001696-00 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 a Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 11th day of December, 2023 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER IMMANUEL WATSON BEY, Plaintiff v.

TIERRA BEY, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23001306-00 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 18th day of December, 2023 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 GLORIA MOUNTFORD, III, Plaintiff v.

RUFUS MOUNTFORD, III, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23003503-00 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 December, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BALWINDER SINGH MALHI, Plaintiff v.

AMARJIT KAUR, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23002867-00 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 a Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 11th day of December, 2023 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 Continued on next column

Custody VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING In the matter of the adoption of Harper Grace Robbins

By Mary Burwell Mayo Case # CA 23000059-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to waive the consent of Justin Smith Robbins birth father of Harper Grace Robbins, to the adoption of Harper Grace Robbins by Mary Burwell Mayo and approve a Final Order of Adoption. And it appearing by affidavit filed herein that the whereabouts of Justin Smith Robbins is unknown, and that due diligence to locate Justin Smith Robbins has been used. without effect it is therefore ORDERED that Justin Smith Robbins appear on or before December 15.

2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Richmond Circuit Court and do what is necessary to protect his interest.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk Susan H. Brewer VSB#15889 2224 Park Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220-2715 Telephone: (804) 359-0897 SusanBrewer97@gmail.com

ABC lICENSE Selenite Enterprise Trading as: Cigarette Plus 13216 Midlothian Tpke, Midlothian Chesterfield, VA 23113 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Off Premises Wine and Beer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Murad M. Charania, Member/ Manager 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) 552-3200.

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call

644-0496

The University of Virginia VHHNV D ¿UP WR SURYLGH One Card System Maintenance, Equipment, and Services RFP# UVA00085-JK102023 KWWSV ELGV VFLTXHVW FRP DSSV 5RXWHU 3XEOLF(YHQW" &XVWRPHU2UJ 89D RU HPDLO SXU UIS#HVHUYLFHV YLUJLQLD HGX

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s): Request for Proposals: 240005211 for Community Development and Regulations (CDR) Software.

For all information pertaining to this RFP conference call, please logon to the Richmond website (www.RVA.GOV).

Proposal Due Date: December 06, 2023, Time: 11:00 A.M. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RVA. GOV), or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.