Richmond Free Press October 27-29, 2022 edition

VUU’s winning streak

Richmond Free Press

Police Chief Gerald Smith resigns

20-year-veteran Richard Edwards becomes acting chief

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The troubled tenure of Police Chief Gerald M. Smith is over.

The embattled 53-year-old quietly resigned Tuesday after finally losing the confidence of Mayor Levar M. Stoney and his right-hand man,

Just sad

Tamel Durant, a 17-year-old Richmond Alternative School student, was looking forward to graduating next spring. He won’t. His body was found in a trash can after he who was shot and killed in Fairfield Court on Oct. 19.

The teen moved to Richmond two years ago from New York to live with his father, Jemil Durant, right. He was described as quiet, someone who was turning his life around. A Golden State Warriors fan, he loved Steph Curry. During a Monday, Oct. 24, vigil organized by James E. “J.J.” Minor III, president of the Richmond Branch NAACP, family and loved ones gathered to

J.E. Lincoln Saunders, the city’s chief administra tive officer.

He submitted his resignation amid increasing calls for his ouster stemming from his phony claims of thwarting a mass shooting plot on July 4 and public exposure of his retaliation against the detec tive whose report undermined those claims.

Acting Major Richard Edwards, a 20-year veteran and graduate of the University of Richmond where he played basketball, was promoted to acting chief, the mayor announced.

“This is the time to look forward, rebuild trust,

remember and honor the shortened life of Tamel.

In expressing their pain and sor row, Tamel’s family and loved ones, including his stepmother, Daytoria Durant, asked why this unspeakable

act of violence happened to their son, grandson, nephew, friend and classmate. The family hopes to raise money to transport Tamel’s body back to New York for his funeral services.

Gov. Youngkin blames low NAEP scores on former Va. leaders

By Holly Rodriguez

The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, released this week, show that for the first time in 30 years, Virginia’s fourth-grade students have fallen below the national average in reading and are barely above the national average in math.

Gov. Youngkin, a Republican who was elected in November 2021, quickly blamed the low scores on the past two Virginia administrations led by Democrats.

Calling the results “catastrophic,” he said that the bulk of the blame does not lie with the pandemic.

“The past number of years, clearly indicate that too many of Virginia’s leaders did not meet that obligation to provide an excellent and outstanding education for our children,” he said at a news conference in Richmond highlighting Virginia’s per formance on the NAEP results.

“I hope we’re all shocked, because we should be,” he said.

The test was administered to hundreds of thousands of fourth- and eighth-graders throughout the country this year. It’s typically given every two years, but the 2021 administration was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The NAEP results are another loud wake-up call,” he said. “Our nation’s children have experienced catastrophic learning loss, and Virginia’s students are among the hardest hit.”

The results showed lower average scores in both reading and math among fourth-graders, as well as lower eighth-grade math scores, though eighth-grade reading scores were not significantly different than in 2019.

Intervention group secures funding to address gun violence

By George Copeland Jr.

A new plan to prevent gun violence is underway in Richmond as well as funding to support the initiative.

Richmonders Involved to Strengthen Our Communities, an organization of community and religious groups, announced Tuesday that two-thirds of the

funding for the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) framework, more than $300,000, has been secured through collaboration with the recovery group REAL LIFE.

“The city no longer needs to fund or administer GVI,” said Second Baptist Pastor and RISC member Ralph Hodge. “They just

VP Harris celebrates $1B award to schools for electric buses

By Matthew Daly The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Wash ington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program.

The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to ac celerate the transition to zeroemission vehicles and reduce air pollution near schools and communities.

Vice President Kamala

Harris and Environmental Protection Agency Administra tor Michael Regan announced the grant awards Wednesday in Seattle. The new, mostly electric school buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money and better protect chil dren’s health, they said.

“Who doesn’t love a yel low school bus?” a smiling Vice President Harris asked an invitation-only crowd at Seattle’s Lumen Field, with an

electric bus behind her.

“It’s part of our experi ence growing up,″ she added. “It’s part of a nostalgia and a memory of the excitement and joy of going to school — to be with your favorite teacher, to be with your best friends and to learn. The school bus takes us there.”

As many as 25 million chil dren ride the familiar yellow buses each school day, and they will have a healthier future with

High job hopes

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Criminal convictions can be a real barrier to finding work.

Richard W. Walker, a Richmond advocate for the rights of felons, has found a way to open the door to opportunity in a high-demand industry — installing solar panels.

For the past four years, Mr. Walker has been organizing free classes that allow city residents seeking a fresh start to learn the basics of instal lation in just one week and then connect them

a cleaner fleet, Vice President Harris said.

“We are witnessing around our country and around the world the effects of extreme climate,” she said. “What we’re announcing today is a step forward in our nation’s com mitment to reduce greenhouse gases, to invest in our economy ... to invest in building the skills of America’s workforce. All

with companies looking for workers.

This has been his biggest year yet, with eight classes, and one more in the works.

Those who take the course get classroom instruction and hands-on experience and receive a $200 stipend when they finish, along with an introduction to potential employers, said the 64-year-old New Jersey transplant.

Held in partnership with the city’s Office of Community Wealth Building, which has

Please turn to A4

Mr. Smith

George Copeland Jr./Richmond Free Press U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who last year provided nearly $1million in funding for the RVA Gun Violence Prevention Framework, voiced his own support for ending gun violence earlier this week at Second Baptist Church in South Richmond.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks after release of 2022 NAEP scores Monday, Oct. 24 at the Patrick Henry Building at the State Capitol.

Chief Edwards

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

offers former convicts free solar training for brighter futures

Mr. Walker Mr. Cunningham

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File

Vice President Kamala Harris, right, laughs with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, during a tour of electric school buses in May 2022 at Meridian High School in Falls Church.

Reunion planned for RPS’ 1972 high school graduates

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Fifty years ago, thousands of Richmond students were daily boarding school buses to carry out a federal court order to in tegrate the city’s public schools.

This weekend, more than 300 people who earned their high school diplomas in 1972 will gather to catch up and reminisce about their experiences as the first graduates of the busing era.

“This event will bring together students from the seven high schools that had graduating classes in that first year of busing,” said Bernadine Mills Givens, a Maggie L. Walker High School graduate who spearheaded the event.

The three-day 1972 Reunion Gala is open to alums of Armstrong, Huguenot, Thomas Jefferson, John F. Kennedy, John Marshall, Mag gie Walker and George Wythe high schools, Ms. Givens said.

The three-day affair is scheduled to open with a meet-andgreet from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center at Virginia Union University.

The main event, a gala dinner-dance, also will be at the center from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

The celebration is to wrap up with worship 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, 4247 Creighton Road in Henrico County, Ms. Givens said.

This is the latest event for the Richmond classes of 1972, she said. With the help of other graduates, she has previously staged 40-year and 45-year reunions and other events since 2012.

For details or to participate: Ms. Givens, (804) 437-5877 or Givensbm@gmail.com

Community Harvest Festival returns after hiatus

Where can you find a safe place for your children to trick-or-treat on Halloween?

How about the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St.

That is where Richmond state Sen. Jen nifer L. McClellan will host her 15th Annual Community Harvest Festival from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31.

The festival is returning after a two-year pandemic hiatus, and at least 2,000 children and adults are expected at the free event, the senator said.

“I am so excited and look forward to seeing all of the kids dressed up in their costumes! I hope you will join us for some food, fun and a good time,” Sen. McClellan wrote.

Details: Maryn Campbell at maryn@jennifermcclellan.com

Richmonders looking for a spooky seaside treat on Halloween can do so courtesy of Riverfront Canal Cruises, host of a series of tours on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The Eerie Canal Tours will take passengers through a narrated journey of the Kanawha Canal, as they learn about Richmond’s past and the haunted history of some of the city’s oldest districts. The tour is intended for the whole family, and children in at tendance during the tour will receive a candy treat.

The tours will last 20 minutes each, and will leave every half hour, on the hour and half hour, from the Canal Walk’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia St. from 5 to 9 p.m., with the last boat departing at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $6, but free for children ages 4 and under.

More information is available by calling 804-788-6466 or by visiting www.venturerichmond.com/our-events/camp-kanawhahalloween-cruises/.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Who can resist a stroll around Brown’s Island, where visitors are surrounded not only by the James River, but also the past, present and future. Originally formed as part of the Haxall Canal in 1789, Brown’s Island is named after its first settler, Elijah Brown, who acquired the land in 1826. During the Civil War, it was home to the Confederate States Laboratory where women and children produced ammunition and other military supplies. Today, Brown’s Island is managed and maintained by Venture Richmond and offers 6 acres of riverfront with access to the James River.

Virginia NAACP opposes governor’s transgender policies

By Holly Rodriguez

The public comment period for response to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s trans gender policies ended Oct. 26.

On the same day, at 9 a.m., Virginia’s NAACP President Robert N. Barnette, Jr. made clear the organization’s stance on the issue.

“The “NAACP opposes them all,” he said during a news conference.

Mr. Barnette said Gov.Youngkin’s policies will contribute to discrimination against students based on sex, gender, race and even cultural traditions that may refer to children with names not on their birth certificates.

“Africans were stripped of their names and forced to use names chosen by their oppressors,” he said during a Zoom call press conference Wednesday morning. “Calling someone by their preferred name is an easy way to show respect.”

In 2021, then-Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration established guidelines for transgender students including: directing schools to use names and gender pronouns that reflect students’ gender identities, and allowing student participation in programs and access to facilities (such as bathrooms and locker rooms) consistent with their

gender identity. Sharing information about how a student identifies at school with parents should be handled on a caseby-case basis, taking into consideration the health and safety of the student, the guidelines stated.

Released in mid-September, Gov. Youngkin’s policies flip those policies, requiring teachers, staff and administrators to use the student’s names on their pa perwork submitted; use of the gender pro nouns that correspond with the gender the student was assigned at birth; and use of bathrooms, locker rooms and other fa cilities that correspond with the gender the student was assigned at birth. His policies also put educators in the awkward position of exposing students’ sexual orientation to their parents if they use a different name than the parents submitted in the student’s paperwork.

Mr. Barnette explained that this change in policies does not stand firm on its own. He gave an example using three girls’ names: If a student’s name is Danielle, Samantha or Francesca, they would not

Judge rules City can remove A.P. Hill statue

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The last statue of a slaverydefending Confederate still standing in Richmond can be removed after 130 years.

That’s the ruling from Richmond Circuit Court Judge D. Eugene Cheek Sr.

In an eight-page decision released Tuesday, Judge Cheek found that the statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill belongs to the City of Richmond and that the city is free to dispose of as it deems best, which is to transfer ownership to the Richmond-based Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

The museum already has been given the other statues that were previously removed.

“We’re gratified by Judge Cheek’s

ruling,” Mayor Levar M. Stoney said after receiving a copy, calling it the “last stand of the ‘Lost Cause’” in the city.

The ruling could still be appealed, the mayor stated, which could delay what he sees as the inevitable: The transfer to a Culpeper cemetery of the remains of Gen. Hill, which have been buried under the statue and the removal of the figure that has stood over him since 1892 at what is now a traffic circle at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue.

“We look forward to a successful conclusion of the legal process,” the mayor said, which he added would ultimately “improve traffic safety at the intersection.”

Judge Cheek’s ruling rejected the position of distant relatives of Gen.

Hill, who claimed that the statue and remains constituted a cemetery and they should be granted the right to decide what happens to statue.

They argued that the statue should be seen as a grave marker and claimed that the city should set up the statue at a place of their choosing rather than sending it to the Black History Museum.

Judge Cheek first ruled that a traf fic circle in a busy intersection does not meet the definition of a cemetery as laid out in the City Code or state law as a place exclusively used for the burial of the dead.

But even if it were a cemetery, Judge Cheek tellingly noted that the descendants cannot prove ownership.

“The A.P. Hill statue cannot belong to A.P. Hill’s descendants because it never belonged to A.P. Hill,” who was

killed at the end of the Civil War or more than 35 years before the statue was created.

The statue along with Gen. Hill’s remains were originally put on a piece of Henrico County property owned by pioneering cigarette manufacturer Lewis Ginter, the judge noted, and the “city has owned and maintained” the statue since annexing the area in 1914.

The city has followed the legal procedure for removal, the judge noted, and wrote that as the city owns it, the court has no authority “to recommend, condemn or suggest the place in which the monument is housed.”

The city is prepared to act and has hired Team Henry, the same company that removed the other city-owned statues, as soon as the legal case is completely over.

be able to be referred to as Dani, Sam and Frank because under Gov. Young kin’s new policies, those nicknames are traditionally male.

“Children have a right to own the expression of their identities including the pronouns they want to use, Mr. Bar nette said.

While the Virginia Department of Education has not proven that using preferred names and pronouns disrupt student learning, transgender students given permission to use the names and pronouns they most identify with have proven to be beneficial to them.

“Researchers have found when trans gender youth are allowed to use their chosen name, the risk of suicide and depression decreases, as much as 71 percent fewer symptoms of severe depression and a 65 percent decrease in suicide attempts.”

Several Virginia school districts, in cluding Richmond Public Schools and Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County Public Schools, have all rejected the gov ernor’s guidelines.

With the public comment period now complete, the Virginia Department of Education will review the comments and possibly edit the guidelines before they are finalized by the state superintendent.

VCU to host conference dedicated to community partnerships

By Karyn Cook

Preventing youth violence, reducing health disparities and improving academic achievement and maternal health are challenges increasingly faced by communities throughout the country.

Organizers of an upcoming community engagement confer ence hope to explore ways to form new partnerships to address such concerns.

During the daylong Nov. 3 “Connect: Community Engagement Conference,” Virginia Commonwealth University faculty will discuss “experiential learning opportunities with VCU students and community-based research to address community identified needs,” according to a news release.

The conference is sponsored by the VCU College of Humani ties and Sciences and the VCU Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success. Community members, community organizations and faculty, staff, students and alumni at VCU are invited to come together for a day of learning, networking

Dr. BelgraveDr. MosavelDr. Pelco

and skill development.

Participants in the event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at VCU’s University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., will engage with speakers from VCU and around the region as they showcase the impact of successful community partnerships.

Keynote speakers include Lynn Pelco, Ph.D., a senior scholar at the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement at the University

of Richmond, and Maghboeba Mosavel, Ph.D., associate vice president of community partnerships at VCU and an associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Policy at VCU’s School of Medicine.

Other speakers include VCU students, faculty and repre sentatives from The Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond, Healthy Heart Plus, Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond City Health District, Richmond Public Schools, and Sacred Heart Center.

Faye Belgrave, Ph.D., associate dean for equity and commu nity partnerships at VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences, is a co-organizer of the event. Unlike similar conferences that took place before the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Belgrave said this year’s conference “is different in that there is an intentional focus on involving community residents as speakers and at tendees (as) seen in our registration.”

The conference is free and open to the public. Lunch will be served. Registration is required by Thursday, Oct. 27. For more information, please visit https://chs.vcu.edu/connect/.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Mr. Barnette

Sen. McClellan

a

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Smith out; 20-year-veteran Richard Edwards becomes acting chief

and chart a new course for the police department and the city,” the mayor stated after approving the change that Mr. Saunders recommended.

The acting chief moved up from acting major of Area I, which includes the First Precinct of Church Hill and Fulton and Second Precinct that covers a major chunk of South Side.

He will be the fifth acting or permanent chief Mayor Stoney has named since taking office in 2017. The mayor and his CAO have the sole authority to appoint chiefs; City Council is not involved.

The mayor announced Chief Edwards would serve while a search is conducted for a replace ment for Chief Smith. How much impact the acting chief will have on the short-handed de partment, which reportedly has more than 150 vacancies, remains to be seen.

Still, the departure of Chief Smith, who will remain on paid administrative leave through December, was greeted with relief by the Rich mond Coalition of Police.

RCOP represents more than 300 members of

the force and has been calling on the mayor to replace Chief Smith since last year after members issued a vote of no-confidence in him.

“We are now entering the next chapter of the Richmond Police Department,” stated Officer Brendan Leavy, president of RCOP. “We would like to thank the administration, City Council and the citizens for listening to the men and women of the Richmond Police Department. We are embrac ing moving forward with the interim chief.”

A former deputy chief in Charlotte, N.C., where he had served 29 years, Chief Smith, 53, arrived in July 2020 amid the turmoil of protests in Richmond over police brutality that had been sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd.

He was hand-picked by the mayor, who had just removed two chiefs in less than three weeks.

Mayor Stoney introduced him as the person “who Richmond needs right now — a reformminded leader with deep experience in com munity policing and de-escalation.”

However, he was unable to gain the allegiance of the rank-and-file officers.

Chief Smith did not help himself as he re shuffled the department’s command staff and fired Major William “Jody” Blackwell, who was popular with officers and had briefly served as acting chief before his arrival. The former major has now embroiled the mayor and Chief Smith in a lawsuit over that abrupt dismissal.

The new chief proved unable to stem the loss of officers as violence began to surge in the city as the pandemic faded.

He also could not escape the self-imposed tarnish after he held a press conference to an nounce that investigators from the department had thwarted a plot by two illegal immigrants to shoot up the July 4 celebration at Dogwood Dell.

But his story about the “terrorists” who threatened Richmond quickly began to unravel and was demolished when the two men went to court and no evidence of a plot was presented against them.

The final straw appears to have been the recent news story about his retaliation against Michael Kiniry, the veteran detective who led the investigation into the alleged plot and whose

report contradicted the chief’s claims.

Despite two majors signing off on the ap pointment, the chief blocked Detective Kiniry from becoming RPD’s representative on the FBI task force focusing on gangs and violence in the Richmond area.

In addition, RCOP disclosed fresh surveys from members showing that there had been no improvement in members’ confidence in Chief Smith, while members of City Council began issuing their own calls for his removal.

In replacing him, Mayor Stoney, who had been his staunchest defender until now, thanked Chief Smith “for his service to the City of Richmond and his leadership during the height of civil unrest and the global pandemic. But at this point, the mayor stated that Chief Smith no longer is the right man for the job.

“The challenges faced by police departments have changed since 2020,” the mayor continued, “and we, like so many of our counterparts, are pivoting to ensure we have the infrastructure, including leadership, in place to meet the needs of the current landscape and for the future.”

Gov. Youngkin blames low NAEP scores on former Virginia leaders

Continued

an

Virginia’s

fourth-graders in Virginia

the largest

by the Youngkin

2017 and 2022

in reading and math in the nation.

Gov. Youngkin said that decisions made by former administra tions led by Virginia governors Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe included: the Virginia Department of Education lowering accredita tion standards in 2017; lowering of proficiency standards in math in 2019; and during the pandemic, delays in reopening schools, leaving many Virginia students to learn virtually.

actions resulted in declines in SOL scores, declines in the number of students taking Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum and sitting for the exams; and college-level educators reporting that Virginia high school graduates are not college-ready.

Dr. James Fedderman, president of the Virginia Education Association, a union of teachers and support staff, said in a statement that Gov. Youngkin’s proposals fall short, including by failing to offer “a dime of new spending.”

“Addressing our real challenges in public schools will take real targeted investments in what’s proven to work: competi tive pay, adequate support staff, after school activities, teacher mentorship programs, small class sizes, and modern school infrastructure,” Dr. Fedderman said.

Senate Democrats accused the governor, who has been zipping around the country in recent months to campaign with GOP midterm candidates, of politicizing the issue and pointing fingers.

“In a time where we need proper leadership from the gov ernor, instead of taking time off the road to find solutions to

Free COVID-19 vaccines

Continued from A1

Center, 1519 Williamsburg Road.

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?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations:

• Thursday, Oct. 27 & Nov. 3, 1 to 4 p.m. - Richmond Henrico Health District, 400 E. Cary St., Pfizer for ages 6 months and older, Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years old and ages 18 years and older, appointments encouraged.

• Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2 to 4 p.m. - Henrico Health District West Headquarters, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Pfizer for ages 6 months and older, Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years old and ages 18 years and older, appointments encouraged.

People can schedule an appointment online at vase.vdh.virginia.gov, vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received.

RHHD also offers at-home vaccinations by calling (804) 205-3501 to schedule appointments.

New COVID-19 boosters, updated to better protect against the latest variants of the virus, are now available. The new Pfizer booster is approved for those aged 12 and up, while the new Moderna booster is for those aged 18 and older.

As with previous COVID-19 boosters, the new doses can only be received after an initial two vaccine shots, and those who qualify are instructed to wait at least two months after their second COVID-19 vaccine.

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts is now offering bivalent Pfizer and Moderna boosters to children between the ages of 5 to 11 in clinics in the near future. Children in this age range will be eligible after at least two months since their last vaccine dose.

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia rose by 1 percent during the last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health, and data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association showed hospitalizations statewide fell by 3 percent.

Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover have remained at low levels of community COVID-19. No localities in Virginia are ranked at high community COVID levels, while 12 are ranked at medium.

A total of 1,206 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide Wednesday for the 24-hour period, contributing to an overall state total of 2,114,758 cases in Virginia since the pandemic’s outbreak.

As of Wednesday, there have been 455,711 hospitalizations and 22,155 deaths statewide. The state’s seven-day positivity rate dropped to 9 percent on Wednesday. Last week, the positivity rate was 9.9 percent.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 73 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while around 83 percent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State data also showed that over 4.4 million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine.

Among ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 338,174 have received their first shots as of Wednesday, accounting for 46.7 percent of the age group in the state, while 297,053 children, or 41 percent, are fully vaccinated and 54,440 children have received a monovalent booster, making up 7.5 percent of that age group.

As of Wednesday, 53,309 children from the ages of zero to four have received their first doses, making up 11.7 percent of the population in Virginia, while 38,769 are fully vaccinated, or 8.5 percent of the population.

As of Tuesday, fewer than 176,830 cases, 1,066 hospitalizations and 15 deaths have been recorded among children in the state.

data also shows that African-Americans comprised 22.1 percent of cases statewide and 22.9 percent of deaths for which

and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 11.2 percent of

4.9 percent of

learning loss problems in Virginia’s schools, he’d instead place the blame on previous administrations,” said Sen. Louise Lucas, who chairs the Senate Education and Health committee. “While Youngkin is trying to prove he is fit for national leadership, he isn’t dealing with the problems in his Commonwealth.”

Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras would not directly comment on the Gov. Youngkin’s comments, but his office issued the following statement:

“We are staying the course with the plans that we have in place regarding literacy, math (and science) to address learning loss and declines after COVID. While we had declines, per the SOLs, as a reminder, our declines, for certain subgroups, especially in math, were less than the state. We were recently featured in the New York Times because of our tremendous work with the science of reading.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Group secures funding to address gun violence

Continued

need to cooperate and support REAL LIFE as they help to make our city safe.”

Grants from the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services have provided half of the GVI funding received so far. The grants, which were awarded to REAL LIFE in July, account for two-thirds of the roughly $500,000 needed for the full two-year GVI project, according to REAL LIFE Director and Founder Sarah H. Scarbrough.

This new development comes after years of attempts by RISC to convince Mayor Levar M. Stoney to use GVI to address gun violence in the city. The funding so far has allowed REAL LIFE to sign and begin a contract last month with the Na tional Network for Safe Communities to implement GVI in Richmond.

The city government’s participation is now one of the last components of the GVI that RISC and REAL LIFE are seeking as they work to establish the community roles and boards necessary to ensure the plan’s success by December 1st.

“We’re very hopeful,” Dr. Scarbrough said. “Do we have to have them? No, but we want to be partners of people in this

city that could all come together to bring this and other programming forward.”

If implemented, the GVI would be one of several initiatives seeking to prevent gun violence developed in recent years, including a service from city officials focused on Richmond youth, a Violence Interrupters program led by the Richmond Police Department and a RVA Gun Vio lence Prevention Framework from Virginia Commonwealth University.

U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who last year provided nearly $1million in fund ing for the RVA Gun Violence Prevention Framework, voiced his own support for ending gun violence at the assembly. On Tuesday he referenced federal efforts to address gun violence and stressed the need for the public to keep elected officials aware and active when it comes to addressing the community’s concerns.

“I am encouraged to see all of you here tonight,” said Rep. McEachin, who is running for re-election for his 4th District Congressional seat on Nov. 8. “Let’s get together. Teach me what you’re doing.”

While RISC’s efforts to see the GVI framework implemented are beginning to see progress, other campaigns have stalled. Despite convincing Richmond officials to

allocate $300,000 in funding for mobile homes replacements and repairs as part of a budget amendment, the money has yet to be distributed to those in need.

Concerns also were raised about the dedicated funding stream created last year for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, with RISC officials believing the city isn’t following the Ordinance that first created the Trust Fund stream, leaving those most in need of housing.

RISC members and 5th District Coun cilmember Stephanie A. Lynch voiced their frustrations with the state of housing in Richmond and the lack of preparation from city officials, amid ongoing evictions in the city and the upcoming winter season.

“It irritates and it burns me up inside that there is a lack of urgency,” said Ms. Lynch, who promised to vote in favor of the $300,000 allocation during RISC’s Nehemiah Action Conference months earlier. “We need that follow-through. We can’t do it without your voices, without the voices of the people.”

These campaigns will be a major focus for RISC during the Richmond City Council meeting on Nov. 14, with officials urging members to attend and seek answers on these discrepancies and call for the city’s participation in the GVI program.

VP Harris celebrates $1B award to schools

with the goal of not only saving our children, but for them, saving our planet.″

Only about 1 percent of the nation’s 480,000 school buses were electric as of last year, but the push to abandon traditional diesel buses has gained momentum in recent years. Money for the new purchases is avail able under the federal Clean School Bus Program, which includes $5 billion from the bipartisan infrastructure law President

Joe Biden signed last year.

The clean bus program “is accelerat ing our nation’s transition to electric and low-emission school buses while ensuring a brighter, healthier future for our chil dren,” Mr. Regan said, calling it “just the beginning of our work to ... reduce climate pollution and ensure the clean, breathable air that all our children deserve.″

The EPA initially made $500 million avail able for clean buses in May but increased that to $965 million last month, responding to

what officials called overwhelming demand for electric buses across the country. An ad ditional $1 billion is set to be awarded in the budget year that began Oct. 1.

The EPA said it received about 2,000 applications requesting nearly $4 billion for more than 12,000 buses, mostly electric. A total of 389 applications worth $913 million were accepted to support purchase of 2,463 buses, 95 percent of which will be electric, the EPA said. The remaining buses will run on compressed natural gas or propane.

Nonprofit offers former convicts free solar training

supported Mr. Walker’s efforts, the latest class began Monday at the East District Initiative in Church Hill.

At least 55 people already have gradu ated previous classes this year, said Mr. Walker, who said most of the students learn about the classes through OCWB.

Caprichia Smith Spellman, director of OCWB, could not be reached for com ment.

Mr. Walker’s initiative comes as solar development climbs rapidly in Virginia and across the country. The Solar Energy Industry Association reports solar is now a $4 billion industry in the state with 179 companies employing nearly 5,000 people.

SEIA projects that employment in solar in Virginia could grow four times in the coming years, fueled by federal tax credits and state laws promoting the growth of renewable energy.

Training people in solar installation also is in keeping with the mission of our program,” said Mr. Walker, a lanky, raspyvoiced man who leads the nonprofit Bridg ing the Gap in Virginia that he launched 13 years ago.

“Our mission is to empower the formerly incarcerated, at-risk youths, substance abus ers, the homeless and veterans by helping them overcome barriers that hinder them from being successful,” said Mr. Walker, a former convict himself whose rights have been restored.

To support the program, he has secured grants from the Mertz Gilmore Founda tion and the Richmond-based Community

Foundation. OCWB has provided space, but not yet contributed to the program, he said, but added that could soon change.

At this point, Bridging the Gap is the first and only Black organization to provide such training in Virginia, according to a search of online training programs.

There are other programs, most notably the four-year-old SHINE, an acronym for Solar Hands-on Instructional Network of Excellence. A coalition of private and public partners created SHINE in 2018 to create a pipeline of potential employees for solar companies.

SHINE promises to get those who enroll certified as solar installers after just two days of training, which is held at various community colleges.

It is not free. The price for the training is listed at $1,295, though there are scholar ships that pick up about $770 of the tab for those who cannot cover the full cost.

“The people I serve couldn’t afford that,” Mr. Walker said.

Mr. Walker said he started organizing the program in 2018 during the successful fight to halt Dominion Energy’s efforts to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline through the Union Hill community in Buckingham County. His family still owns land in Union Hill and opposed the natural gas pipeline.

“I held my first training in Union Hill,” he said. “It was my way of counteracting against Dominion’s fossil fuel pipeline.”

He said he connected with one of the nation’s foremost solar trainers, Sean White of White House Solar of California, who led the first class and several others in Richmond for him.

One of the students who took the course, Duane Cunningham, an electronics and electrical engineer who runs a data center at Langley Air Force Base in Newport News, is now the instructor.

“The reason I am interested in teach ing the class is that I come from the same background as many of the students,” said Mr. Cunningham. “I grew up in extreme poverty, and I had no way of gaining access to the opportunities. Even if I had known, there was no way my family could afford the training.”

A former Army staff sergeant, he said he gained access and opportunity after joining the military. He was able to go to college, he said.

But he knows his students are where he was.

“Solar training is very expensive, even though it is a lucrative field,” said Mr. Cunningham. “Not many qualified professionals want to come to inner-city communities to teach. We have many ca pable people in lower-income areas, but the training they need is out of their price range,” he said.

“Fortunately, this program takes care of that because it is free,” he said.

He said that there is a demand for in stallers. One company’s owner came to the class to tell students they would have a job if they completed his program, he noted.

“This program is changing lives,” Mr. Walker said. “People who come through our program can walk out with jobs paying $23, $24, $25 an hour.”

He is just hoping that more people will seize the opportunity.

Therapy for area youths is more than just talk

By Holly Rodriguez

When Ticeses Teasley sepa rated from her children’s fa ther, her teenage son, Nahkai, started acting out and fighting in school.

As a licensed mental health professional and life coach, the mother of four boys recognized the behavior as a result of her son experiencing emotions he did not know how to appropri ately handle.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Virginia, one in six children in the United States be tween the ages of six and 17 experience some form of mental illness. In Virginia, 97,000 teens struggled with depression in 2021, and 56.2 percent of them did not receive any treatment in the last year.

Students with depression are twice as likely to drop out of school than students who do not suffer from the condition, and seven in 10 children in the juvenile justice system have a mental health condition.

Ms. Teasley hopes to dis rupt those statistics through her organization, Nurturing Minds. She knows what it is like to work through mental health issues with youths from her experience with Nahkai, who addressed his mental and physical issues at East End Boxing Club. Ms. Teasley’s program, Therapy Undefeated, collaborates with the club, of fering trauma-informed mental health care.

Ellwood Patterson, “Coach Pat” as he is known by the kids who learn boxing from him, said he partnered with Ms. Teasley because he could see where the two businesses shared a common goal in serv ing youths.

“I ran my own group home for 20 years, and I get kids in here from all walks of life — including kids from the juvenile justice system,” he said. “[Ms. Teasley] deals with the anger management piece; I deal with the physical.”

As students learn discipline and develop skills required for boxing, they also learn to more constructively deal with the obstacles they face and the emotions that can come with them.

Through peer support groups with Ms. Teasley, participants make healthy connections with themselves and others. They are taught to examine the source of feelings they struggle to outwardly express — such as anger, anxiety and depression — and given tools to develop alternative ways to channel their emotions.

“We can help them un derstand their anger — the boxing helps them get out that

emotion,” Coach Pat said. “It teaches them that there are other ways to deal with your anger, starting with figuring out what triggers them, what makes them tick.”

Therapy Undefeated oper ates under Ms. Teasley’s non profit organization, Nurturing Minds. The organization was created in 2016, and recently received a $10,000 grant from Venture Richmond to help re locate the business to 420 W. Broad St. The location is more accessible for students and their families — the building is near The Greater Richmond Transit Corporation (GRTC) Pulse bus stop — and to expand the orga nization beyond the parenting, peer and trauma-healing group services she initially offered, she said.

In addition to the East End Boxing Club partnership, Nurturing Minds has opened The Nurturing Café, another outlet for children to build

healthy coping mechanisms for their emotions. Located in Ms. Teasley’s building, partici pants take on marketing, meal preparation, hosting, serving, and ringing up customers—the entire operation is run by youths under her supervision. Working at the cafe is an after-school program offered to Richmond Public Schools students.

“We provide the food and revenue generated from patrons goes to the cafe,” Ms. Teasley

said, “and the kids get to keep their tips.”

Located near Virginia Com monwealth University, the cafe offers “nurturing wraps” made of chicken, shrimp, cheese burger, salmon and vegetables; French fries; chicken strips; and other items. “The kids get a week of training and hands-on experience to learn skills and how to manage their emotions.”

Ms. Teasley also offers out

lets for students to express those emotions. The building has a stage where Ms. Teasley plans to offer spoken-word engage ments. She also has an urban art gallery to encourage students to express themselves through art. The gallery sometimes is open during First Fridays.

“Everything we do is cen tered around expression and entertainment to keep kids safe and off the street,” Ms. Teasley said.

Need a better job or a new career?

Explore Virginia’s Community Colleges.

To learn more about high-demand jobs and training programs, scan the QR code here:

Photo courtesy of Nurturing Minds

Sequan Bullock, left, and Jamela Thorpe are student workers at The Nurturing Café.

Ms. Teasley

Fade to dark

What a week.

From failing test scores to another vigil for a young Black person to yet another police chief’s resignation.

So much bad news within just a few days leaves many of us cynical, fearful, speechless and definitely exhausted.

What you will read in this week’s Free Press is just a smidgen of the crime, violence, despair and darkness that appears to have consumed our city in a matter of weeks. We don’t enjoy publishing any of it, but sometimes we must.

The shift from light to dark was swift and sudden, similar to what we’ll see on Nov. 6 when forced to adjust our clocks and enter an even stronger sense of gloom. Take us back.

Just two weeks ago crowds basked under sunny skies and warm weather, dancing and swaying to music from the Bayou, New York, Richmond, Calif., Nova Scotia, Zimbawe and other parts unknown.

We ran our hearts out when Djimon Hounsou brought his 16.19 race to Richmond, calling attention to his foundation that commemorates the achieve ments and sacrifices “our African-American brothers and sisters have made for our nation and celebrates Unity in Diversity through symbolic courses of 16.19 kilometers, and 6.19 miles.”

And we burst with pride, sprinkled with a little skepticism, when plans for a new Diamond District were announced in September. Do you remember?

An extra dose of back slapping and high fives were shared upon learning that nearly 50 minorities will be involved in the wheeling and dealing for the $2.4 billion mixed-used project, which includes a new baseball stadium. Leading the project is RVA Diamond Partners, 45 percent of whose members are Black-owned. The largest Black-owned business is Loop Capital, which has a taken a 45 percent stake in the development, according to the partnership

Yet, amid all the excitement and gaiety, darkness continued to swirl in certain parts of our city. The Bon Secours story exposing its thirst for profit over poor patients. The uncertainty about housing for the city’s homeless population. The upsetting failure found in many of our schools.

The deaths. There is scant opportunity to honor and lift pillars of this town who spent their lives educating and fighting for others because so many tears are be ing shed for the young people who will never know the strength of such greatness. All because they were denied by a gun and a bullet.

This darkness can no longer be ignored or pushed aside for the sake of fun and games.

We are in crisis and there needs to be account ability. Now.

Adults need to stand up and stop the nonsense. Or in Richmond’s case, shootings, murders, ignorance, dishonesty, mistrust, finger pointing and basically disgraceful behavior.

Mayor Levar Stoney: Hire a police chief who won’t have to be shown the door just days or months after he or she arrives. Conduct a thorough vetting process. Allow citizens to comment and share their thoughts. Ensure that all candidates walk through Richmond’s various neighborhoods and talk to people. Host com munity forums. If it takes six months to hire the right person, fine. It simply will have to take six months to hire the right person.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin: Stop pointing fingers and picking fights about why Virginia’s test scores are so abysmal. (Politifact and the Poynter Institute actually counter some of the governor’s assertions. Another editorial, another time.)

Do your homework before broadcasting what you’re going to do. You’ve been in office less than a year, hardly enough time to visit and assess the state’s 132 school districts, which truly is needed for anyone who is serious about enacting change.

As Sen. Louise Lucas says in our front-page Free Press article about Gov. Youngkin’s reaction to the release of the 2022 National Assessment of Educa tional Progress test scores:

“In a time where we need proper leadership from the governor, instead of taking time off the road to find solutions to learning loss problems in Virginia’s schools, he’d instead place the blame on previous administrations.”

Civil, social, universities and business leaders: Demand more, give more and be more present.

We know that many of you, especially secondary schoolteachers, work tirelessly to improve the lives of your students. You do so for minimal pay and even less appreciation.

Please know that we hear you, see you and ap preciate you each and every day.

Better wages for low-wage workers at tipping point

As our pre-pandemic way of life struggles to make a come back—which I, for one, am rooting for it to do—one tradition that I greet with mixed emotions is my personal subsidy to low-wage workers.

I’m talking about tipping.

First, it’s important to note, I try to be a good tipper, especially as a reward for excellent ser vice, which I learned long ago, toiling in my parent’s restaurant as a preteen.

Parents can be notoriously skimpy in pay ing for such family labors. I was just “paying tuition,” they wisely advised me, “in the school of life.”

Decades later, I appreciate how that school of life helps me to appreciate the value of a fair wage.

I still want to help our low-wage workers make up the difference between what they’re paid and the minimum wage, a gap the government allows as a break to restaurants and other service industries.

But even as I go through the annoyance of calculating a fair and appropriate tip at the end of a meal, a car-sharing ride or bellman’s services, I also am increasingly aware that I have a lot of company

in questioning our tipping etiquette and its execution.

After seemingly endless scenes of tip jars and outstretched palms, I wonder, how about workers who we don’t have to tip?

As a concession to lobbyists for the restaurant industry, fed eral minimum wage laws allow a subminimum for food servers and other select tipped workers which they are calculated to work off in tips. That’s fair, proponents say, because the worker is likely

to make up the difference in tips. Indeed. But what if they don’t?

And how about the workers who we don’t have to tip?

Who writes these rules any way? Well, that brings up an unhappy aspect to the history of tipping, according to various accounts. After legal slavery and the Civil War ended in 1865, many freed enslaved people who didn’t end up sharecropping took menial jobs such as servants, restaurant servers and railroad porters, often paid in tips instead of regular wages.

“These industries demanded the right to basically continue slavery with a $0 wage and tip,” Saru Jayaraman, co-founder and president of Restaurant Op portunities Centers United told Time magazine. He also directs the Food Labor Research Center

at University of California at Berkeley, which advocates for the equalization of wages for tipped and non-tipped workers.

Jim Crow racial segregation may be behind us, but studies unfortunately find racial discrimi nation endures in low-wage service jobs. Black servers, for example, have been found to receive less in tips than white servers even when customers rate the service the same, according to some studies.

But, by early 2020, many experts and activists say, tipping may have reached a tipping point. For decades, California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Montana, Arkansas and Minnesota have required full minimum wage in addition to tips, according to One Fair Wage, an advocacy group pushing to end the subminimum wage.

Other states are following suit, although slowly.

In Illinois, for example, One Fair Wage has supported House Bill 5139, introduced by Rep. Ca mille Lilly, a Chicago Democrat, to do away with the subminimum wage paid to servers, bartenders and other tipped service workers and extend the minimum wage to them instead. Unfortunately, the bill has not received a full committee assignment and has no co-sponsors.

Yet, as Nataki Rhodes, a Chicago-based national organizer for One Fair Wage, told me in a

telephone interview, the group has been encouraged by an apparently growing number of restaurant owners who are raising their staffs’ wages on their own, even when it means higher menu prices or service charges.

Whatever the market will bear, as an old saying goes. Unfortunately, the consumer market is operating in a political atmosphere currently heated by some of the worst inflation we’ve seen in years.

Which only worsens the burden of low-wage workers trying to keep up with their bills and feed their families. At the height of the pandemic, direct aid helped low-wage workers—and the rest of us—keep our economic heads above water until more Americans could get back to work.

Here’s a tip: Raising the minimum wage can offer help to them again, so they can help themselves.

The writer is a syndicated columnist and senior member of the Chicago Tribune editorial board.

Richmond

East Franklin Street Richmond, VA 23219 Telephone (804) 644-0496 FAX (804) 643-7519

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 27709 Richmond, VA 23261

In this campaign season, I am reminded of the fable of the scorpion and the frog. For those unfamiliar, a scorpion asks a frog to carry him across a river on his back. The frog fears being stung, but the scorpion argues that if it did so, both would sink and drown. The frog agrees, but midway the scorpion does indeed sting the frog, dooming them both. Before they drowned, the frog la ments the treachery and asks why. The scorpion said, “You know who I am! It’s just in my nature.”

One of Maya Angelou’s most famous quotes is, “When some one shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” As Republicans anxiously prepare to regain control of Congress, voters of sound mind and good conscience should consider what a Republican majority in even one of the two houses would mean. From my vantage, I can only predict turmoil and misfortune. Hopefully, better voter judgment and choices will prevail.

For years, the Republican Party has shown that its primary concern is in the interests of the privileged, wealthy, big busi ness, and, under any and every circumstance, the raw excess of retaining power and control. Its acceptance and defense of the criminal excesses of the disgraced, twice-impeached ex-president Donald Trump is itself criminal, and disrupts the design of social equilibrium in

herent in a system of democracy. Moreover, those who support the criminality increasingly accept its profitability and enhance ments as perks to which they are also entitled.

Violating constitutional emol ument provisions, The Trump organization grossly overcharged the government for services provided to Secret Service

protective details for the Trump family. Trump properties became a hub for foreign influence and resulted in a source of personal enrichment.

Taking a cue from their leader, the current threat to our futures comes from the Republican Congress. While claiming alarm at the rising inflation, Republi cans are planning to extend the $1.5 Trillion Trump Tax Cut to the benefit of the 1 percent. In order to offset the loss of this tax revenue, prominent Republican senators are proposing to require reauthorization of the Social Se curity System every five years. Even more radically, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin advocates an annual reauthorization.

Republicans have already promised to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act. This would end the infrastructure construction/ revitalization provisions of the act, as well as the provisions protecting consumers from the burdensome excesses of pharmaceutical pur chases. This course of action would mean that caps on out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment and $35 per month cap on insulin would disappear.

The Republican success in the coming election not only poses a physical threat to the underserved and people of color, but it also threatens the psyche, self-esteem, and critical thinking skills of generations of our children. We already have witnessed a revisionist whitewashing of ethnic history in public schools to appease those made uncomfortable about the truth of our nation’s history. They would have you erase the truth of the historical brutal ity of human enslavement, the slaughter of Native Americans, the immigration exclusion of Asians, the generalized “Other ization” of people of color, and the continuing legacy of hatred spawned by these acts. Like Nazi Germany, book-banning is becoming increasingly popu lar, and humans of all ages are shamed and victimized for their gender orientation.

In the face of increasing vio lence, Republicans have pledged to protect unfettered access to guns.

They have stripped the right of women to make independent reproductive health decisions.

Like the scorpion, Republi cans have shown their true col ors. They have announced their intentions which can only have a malevolent impact upon those they consider dispensable.

It’s in their nature! Will intel ligent voters choose to yield to the Republican “nature” or will they vote to protect our collec tive futures?

The writer is president of the Dick Gregory Society and a United Nations Peace Ambassador.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond

Press

‘When someone shows you who they are, believe them’

Clarence Page

Dr. E. Faye Williams

Yellen boosts Biden’s agenda in Virginia as midterms near

By Fatima Hussein The Associated Press

HERNDON

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is promoting

the nation’s “long-term

the

the

September. In Virginia, Ms. Yellen talked about how a boost in domestic industrial manufactur ing will be one of the solutions.

to the

well-being”

The former Federal Re serve chair recently visited a Virginia research and development business park with Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va. and talked up administra tion efforts to revitalize America’s manufacturing capacity, spur computer chip production and upgrade the country’s infrastructure. Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., was also in attendance.

Ms. Yellen’s visit is part of the Treasury leader’s ongoing tour of the U.S., as she and other adminis tration officials try to quell the impact of persistent high inflation. Republicans say the administration’s outsized pandemic spending and other domestic policies have contributed to high inflation.

Voters have made clear that price increases are a top concern. A June Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll showed that 40 percent of U.S. adults specifically named inflation in an open-ended question as one of up to five priorities for the government to work on next year.

Democrats want to retain their control in Congress and will need to convince voters they can wrangle inflation, which accelerated in

“Our government’s failure to invest in in novation has had wide-ranging impacts on our long-term economic well-being,” she said during her speech. “At the most fundamental level, it impacted our productive capacity.”

She said that over the past year, President Biden’s administration “has begun to reverse that trend.”

“We have advanced an economic plan that finally puts innovation and tech nology at the forefront of our national agenda,” Ms. Yellen said.

Sen. Kaine said Virginia “was a laggard in clean energy even up to five or 10 years ago.” But with investments from the new federal climate and health care law and other programs “we’re now positioned to lead the United States in offshore wind,” he said.

Ms. Yellen also attended a roundtable with local entrepreneurs and people representing Virginia colleges who are focused on semi conductors, advanced manufacturing and other emerging technologies.

“Together, our efforts are raising our econo my’s aggregate production capacity,” she said.

“And in turn, we are raising America’s long-term economic outlook.”

Early voting is underway in many states, including Virginia.

Gun violence rips through RPS

By Holly M. Rodriguez

Richmond Public Schools students are being shot on the way to the store and on the way to school. It is happening on Northside, Southside, in broad daylight and at night. Elementary school students have had their school day interrupted because of gunfire.

The RPS school year has not yet completed two full months. Four students have been shot and hundreds of students have been near gunfire while at their schools.

Following one of the recent incidents, Superintendent Jason Kamras, in RPS Direct, his daily digest to the RPS community, said: “I don’t know what the

answer is to the pandemic of gun violence that plagues our city, and disproportionately impacts RPS students. But we have to find a way to end it. We simply have to.”

The superintendent recom mended students and families call ChildSavers if help is needed in working through the trauma of these incidents: ChildSavers Immediate Re sponse line at (804) 305-2420 or send a text to 741741. The Richmond Free Press reached out to Superintendent Kamras, but he has not responded about the school system’s approach for helping students, parents, teachers, staff and administra tors navigate the trauma and grief from the recent loss of

life and experiences of gun violence experienced in the RPS community.

Sept. 12, 2022: RPS student shot and killed in crossfire while walking to the store.

Sept. 30, 2022: RPS student shot by someone passing by in a car as he walked to the bus stop.

Oct. 4, 2022: RPS student shot in crossfire.

Oct. 13, 2022: Armstrong High School football game interrupted by nearby gunfire.

Oct. 14, 2022: Westover Hills Elementary School put on lockdown following a fatal shooting outside the school.

Oct. 19, 2022: RPS student shot, killed and his body thrown into a trash can.

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Sen. KaineMs. Yellen

Jada Byers keeps a rockin.’ The Panthers keep a rollin.’

There’s a pigskin party going on at Virginia Union University and the music is about to be cranked up to top volume.

On Saturday, VUU will play host to Chowan in a game likely to determine the CIAA Northern title and a berth in the CIAA championship game Nov. 12 in Salem.

CoachAlvin Parker’s Northsiders couldn’t be having more fun this fall. Following its 45-20 win at Lincoln, VUU is 8-0 overland, 6-0 in the CIAA and ranked 12th in all of Division II by D2football.com.

Sophomore sensation Byers rushed for 187 yards and four touchdowns at Lincoln and continues to lead Division II in rushing (1,560 yards) and TDs (18).

The 5-foot-7 whirlwind in Maroon and Steel is also a dangerous receiver. He has 12 catches for 113 yards and another two TDs via the air.

Meanwhile, Chowan (non -HBCU) kept in the hunt by shocking Bowie State, 21-15, at Bowie. The Hawks are 6-1 in CIAA play, but a head-to-head win over VUU would likely

If Richmond-area baseball fans are looking for a “hometown hero,” the Houston Astros offer two choices.

Houston manager Dusty Baker played parts of three seasons for the Richmond Braves, and Astros ace Justin Verlander hails from Goochland High School and Old Dominion University.

Baker played outfield for Richmond from 1969 to 1971 when the local pros played at Parker Field. His Black teammates included Tommie Aaron, Ralph Garr, Oscar Brown, Leo Foster, Bob Chance and Julio Navarro, all of whom went on to play in the big leagues.

Verlander, who figures to start the Series

send the North Carolinians to Salem.

VUU closes with a dicey assignment against a much improved Virginia State Nov. 5 while Chowan ends its regular season at downtrodden Elizabeth City.

To the nationally acclaimed Panthers’ credit, they might receive an NCAA playoff berth at 9-1 even if they do not win the CIAA. Chowan’s only shot for an NCAA invite would be to win the CIAA outright.

While Byers’ is the most talked about subject on Lombardy Street, quar terback Jahkari Grant isn’t far behind. The political science grad student was 17-for-25 for 236 yards against the Lions.

opener Friday, will be a certain Hall of Fame inductee in the future.

The right-hander ranks with the greatest pitch ers of his era.

To reach baseball’s summit, Houston won the American League West in regular season, then trounced Seattle (3-0) and the New York Yankees (4-0) in playoffs.

After finishing just third in the National League East, the Phillies have defeated St. Louis (2-0), Atlanta (4-1) and San Diego (4-1) in the postseason.

The Phillies have won two World Series crowns, in 1980 and 2008. Houston’s only Series title came in 2017.

ous months.

The Panthers have outscored their op ponents 385-118. VUU has 185 first downs to its foes’ 132 and 3,420 yards compared to 2,187 for the other side.

Averaging 7.3 yards a carry, Byers has 1,560 rushing yards and is just 100 behind Andre Braxton’s school record of 1,660 set in 2000 in 11 games.

Host with the most Saturday, Oct. 29 Chowan, N.C., University at Virginia Union University, 1 p.m., Hovey Stadium/Lanier Field

Wearing jersey No. 1, Grant throws to a galaxy of receivers. Eight different Panthers have at least one TD catch.

Larry Hackey, an emerging sophomore star from Maryland, made three grabs for 57 yards and a TD.

Dwayne Chandler, a sophomore from Manassas, had just one catch, but it was a full-extension, full-speed 49-yarder from Grant that sent the visiting VUU fans into a frenzy. It looked like the tips of Chandler’s fingers were a foot long.

VUU has dominated the statistics as well as the scoreboard through two glori

Men of Troy, 5-3, favored to defeat Lincoln Oct. 29

There are thousands of college football play ers but probably only one Jordan Davis.

The do-it-all Virginia State University junior has added place kicking to his already wheelbarrow full of Trojans’ contribu tions.

In VSU’s 34-12 win at Elizabeth City, Davis passed for 158 yards, ran for 10 more, punted six times for a 38-yard aver age and kicked three extra points.

The junior from Woodbridge with quadruple talent also had a field goal try blocked.

Davis shared the spotlight with the double-barreled backfield of Upton Bailey (115 yards rushing) and Darius Hagans (111).

Byers has been at his best against the best, racing for 319 yards at Valdosta State and 277 at Bowie.

The scintillating scat back is a leading candidate for the Harlon Hill Award, which goes to the nation’s top player in Division II. No HBCU athlete has even won the Hill trophy that was es tablished in 1986.

As powerful as VUU has been as a team, and as dynamic as Byers has been individually, the mission needs some finish ing touches.

Hovey Stadium/Lanier field has been a fun zone so far this season and VUU’s Ambassadors of Sound marching band will be sure to be prancing Saturday.

The band will be loud. The crowd will be roaring.

As for the Panthers, this is no time to lose the rhythm.

Bailey is a sophomore from Petersburg, and Hagans is a senior from Chesapeake. Hagans has 798 yards overall on the season and could pass 1,000 with a fast finish.

Linebackers Zion Johnson and Kymon

Northbound Oct. 29 – Virginia State at Lincoln, Pa., 1 p.m.

Pope, along with safety Willie Drew, are all building All-CIAA De fensive resumes.

In Coach Henry Fra zier’s first season, VSU is arguably the comeback story of the year in the CIAA. Following a 3-6 mark a year ago, the Men of Troy are 5-3 and heavily favored this Saturday at Lincoln. After that, VSU is anticipating a grand finale against its I-95 rival Virginia Union on Nov. 5 at Rogers Stadium.

Hampton loses homecoming game to Richmond

Hampton University is finding out, the hard way, why the Colonial Athletic Association ranks with the nation’s toughest FCS conferences.

For homecoming, the Pirates fell to 1-3 in the CAA with a 41-10 loss to the University of Richmond, and the road ahead doesn’t offer much relief.

Now 4-3 overall, HU travels to Villanova Oct. 29 before finishing with William & Mary, Elon and Towson.

This is Hampton’s first season in the CAA after a short spell in the Big South and much longer stints in the MEAC and CIAA.

The CAA is rated the sixth best FCS conference, with three national championships to its credit, and five runner-up finishes. This season UR, Villanova, Delaware, W&M and Elon have all appeared in the National Top 25.

Before the UR game, HU had lost to Delaware and Maine in CAA play and defeated Albany, N.Y.

Hampton football player reveals his sexuality

Hampton University’s Byron Perkins has become the first HBCU football player to announce he is gay.

“I will no longer be living a lie … I am who I am,” Perkins stated on his Instagram page.

A starting defensive back for the Pirates, Perkins is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound Chicago native who transferred to HU from Purdue.

The red-shirt junior has 17 tackles and two pass breakups this season.

There have been other college players to come out.

In 2013, Missouri linebacker Michael Sam won All-American honors and was Southeast Conference defensive player of the year.

After announcing he was gay, Sam went on to play in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys.

Perhaps the first openly gay player in big-time football was Jerry Smith, who went from Arizona State to play tight end with Washington from 1965 to 1977.

Smith caught 60 touchdown passes for Washington. In 1984 Smith became the first professional athlete to die of AIDs.

Bethune-Cookman grad Willie Mack III wins APGA

HBCU’s have produced an impres sive list of pro football, basketball, baseball and track stars.

But golf?

Willie Mack III, a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University in Florida, is the latest Black golfer to make a name for himself on the playfor-pay circuit.

The 34-year-old native of Flint, Mich., won the APGA (Advocates Pro Golf Association) Butterworth Ber muda tournament earlier this month.

The title was worth $15,000 and earned Mack an exemption to the PGA Butterworth Bermuda tournament start ing Oct. 27 on the same Port Royal Golf Course.

Mack has been APGA Player of the Year the past two seasons and has won 70 pro tournaments on various tours. As a Bethune-Cookman Wildcat, he won 11 college tournaments.

Also, in 2011 Mack became the first Black golfer to win the Michigan Amateur State crown.

Stories by Fred Jeter

Dusty Baker

VUU’s winning streak continues with rout of Lincoln Saturday’s Chowan match may decide CIAA Northern title

Byron Perkins

Randy Singleton/Richmond Free Press

Kymari Gray holds on to the ball during Hampton University’s match against the University of Richmond on Oct. 22 in Hampton. The Pirates were disappointed by the loss, but still celebrated its homecoming in grand style.

JustinVerlander

Laura Coleman knows firsthand the challenges of managing a disability, and the need for a world that fully embraces and empowers those who live with disabilities.

As a child, Ms. Coleman was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. She often sought to hide her conditions while navi gating obstacles they created in her education and life.

When her daughter Abigail was diagnosed with Beck width-Wiedemann syndrome and primary ciliary dyskinesia in 2017, however, Ms. Cole man began a new approach to caregiving and instruction.

In 2019, she reached out to the Next Move Program, a nonprofit organization that partners with businesses to create guided internship and externship experiences for peo ple between 18 to 25 years old with disabilities. She believed the organization could help her daughter avoid the same challenges she experienced, while learning to take pride in her unique strengths.

In addition to teaching young people work readiness, Next Move also provides les sons in social skills that help them build confidence, build relationships and prepare them to lives of greater in dependence, according to its website.

Impressed with the orga nization, Ms. Coleman soon joined its efforts and became board chairperson in 2021.

“The mission and future vision is something that reso nates deeply with me,” says Ms. Coleman when asked why she accepted the role in 2021. “Richmond is my community and I am proud to be a small part of an outstanding group making a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities.”

Personality: Laura Coleman

Spotlight on board president of the Next Move Program

As board president, Ms. Coleman’s focus in securing long-term funding to expand the services and growth of Next Move. The sheer num ber of ideas and potential goals, along with the work and resources needed to see them through, is a challenge, but Ms. Coleman is resolute in her hopes for Next Move’s future.

Meeting the challenges of this goal and this challenge, fortunately, seem to share some of the same solutions, Ms. Coleman says. She em phasizes the importance of growing community aware ness of the nonprofit’s work and its services, as well as establishing new internships and fundraising sources.

“Their grassroots effort to really dig in and build a community and a network and get funding has been phenomenal,” Ms. Coleman says, “and I just would love for them to grow their team, to be able to offer more ser vices and not have to worry about the monthly bills that they have to pay for and just be able to really give back to the community.”

“When they can, as they do every day, it’s amazing.”

Ms. Coleman’s work with Next Move extends outside her current role as board president. She also serves as the co-founder of the Rise Employee Resource Group for Altria employees and families living with disabilities.

Rise partnered with Next Move in 2020 for a virtual job shadowing program with Richmond students, enabling the nonprofit to maintain its commitment to giving its students work readiness and social skills that helps them gain and keep employment.

It’s this kind of opportunity that Ms. Coleman sees as key to Next Move’s part in the community. Even as she hopes to see more growth for the nonprofit in the future, her respect and admiration for the work it’s done so far is clear.

“It’s a phenomenal orga nization that has really built something from the ground up that I wish we had more of,” says Ms. Coleman of Next Move’s work. “I see so much value to the community and I wish they had a bigger team. They are small and mighty for all that they accomplish.”

Meet an advocate for those with disabilities and this week’s Personality, Laura Coleman:

Volunteer position: Board president, Next Move Pro gram.

Date and place of birth: June 28 in Fairfax.

Where I live now: Rich mond.

Occupation: Senior manager, operations lo gistics indirect materials purchasing.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Virginia Tech, and MBA, University of Richmond.

Family: Husband David, Abigail (5), Nicholas (9 months)

Next Move Program founders: Mary Townley and Elizabeth Redford.

Why I became involved with Next Move: I have a learning disability and have always tried to hide that. My daughter has two rare genetic conditions, and she was my catalyst for reaching out to next move. I don’t want her to experience the same challenges I have, and want her to grow up proud of her unique strengths that make her special.

Why I accepted position as the board president: The mission and future vision is something that resonates deeply with me. Richmond is my community and I am proud to be a small part of an outstanding group making a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities.

Number one goal as board president : Secure funding long term to allow for fu ture growth and expanded services.

Strategy for achieving goals: • Growing monthly cookie club subscriptions

• Engaging with the community to establish new internship pro grams and generate consistent revenue sources.

• Getting the word out about this amazing organization!

Next Move’s No. 1 chal

lenge: Too many amazing ideas and goals, which requires ad ditional resources and funds.

How we plan to meet it:Fundraising through capable campaign, the great RVA bakeoff, cookie club and educating the community on the impor tance of this nonprofit.

Most important accom plishment: Opening the Tablespoons Bakery in Oc tober 2021! This facility has created a central place to host internships, create jobs, expand services provided to students, interact with the community, and “bake” a difference one cookie at a time!

How Next Move reaches Black and Brown communi ties: Providing internship op portunities through Richmond Public Schools and partnering with the YMCA.

Next Move partners with: Al tria, Richmond Public Schools and Capital One.

Ways to get involved with Next Move: Join The Cookie Club! Support Table spoons Bakery. I like to stop and pick up treats for my team on my way to work. (It is a) great place for hanging out on the weekend and enjoying cof fee and a breakfast treat. It is a place where we celebrate the potential of young adults with developmental disabilities to achieve and succeed. Our baking program gives them the chance to do just that. It is located at 1701 Westover Hills Blvd. Donations are always an amazing and tax-deductible way to support as well.

Upcoming events: Our first “The Great RVA Bake-Off” is Nov. 19 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at 1707 Westover Hills Blvd. It is just like “The Great British Bake-Off” on Netflix, but with

local Richmond celebrities and our own Tablespoons’ Cookie Crew.Tickets may be purchased on the website: www.tablespoonsbakery.com and sponsorship opportuni ties are available. Or contact Suzanne Burns at suzanne@ humblehavenyoga.com

How I start the day: Big morning snuggles from my family.

A perfect day for me is: Eating my way through Richmond! Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Shooting clay tar gets; my husband and I met on the Virginia Tech Clay Target Team.

My friends describe me as: Patient, caring, fun.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Planning a trip! We love to travel and explore.

Best late-night snack: Ore os.

Best thing my parents taught me: Caring for others.

Person who influenced me the most: My reading special ist in second grade. She was the only person outside of my parents that believed I could graduate high school and (do) so much more. She showed belief in me and that changed my entire future.

Book that influenced me the most: “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein.

What I’m reading now: Reading time is limited, but I love a good podcast! “Crime Junkie Podcast” is my choice at the moment

Next goal: Continuing to grow myself and setting a good ex ample for my children through volunteering and giving back to the community.

One step at a time

Henrico resident Robin Williams, lead right, was di agnosed with breast cancer in May of 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mrs. Williams, who is legally blind, relied on her husband, Larry D. Williams for support, in that he was the only family member who could be with her inside the hospital due to the COVID19 restrictions at the time. Mrs. Williams’ breast cancer treatment plan included 16 rounds of radiation at the VCU Massey Cancer Center in Richmond. Since coming home to recover nearly three years ago, Mrs. Williams continually has been supported by her family and friends.

In recognition of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mrs. Williams started her first “Robin’s Walk” in October 2020. On Oct. 23, she was joined by family and friends who have shown up each year to support her wellness journey and to build awareness about the disease. Despite the chilly, drizzly afternoon at Henrico County’s Osborne Park, Ms. Williams, along with family (including 18-month-old Kaleb Quivers shown holding a balloon) and friends, completed a 1-mile loop around the park before returning to a picnic shelter for lunch, pink cupcakes (baked by Myra Nelson, Mrs. Williams’ cousin), games and fellowship.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

26th Beautillion to recognize area students

By George Copeland Jr.

young men

Professionals

Foundation’s 26th Annual Beautillion.

“Unmasking Greatness.”

presented to select honorees for excellence dur ing a specific eight-month period.

The honorees include Pierce Isaac Britt, a senior at Manchester High School, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Britt Sr.;

year’s

During the black-tie event two educational scholarships

book scholarship

“All six of our participants excelled in educa tion, and in extracurricular activities within their schools and their community,” said Brenda J. Foster, co-chair of PROC’s Beautillion Steering Committee, in a statement. “We as an organiza tion are just happy to be able to sponsor them again this year.”

Under the pines

Carrington Elijah Jones, a senior at Cristo Rey High School, son of Ms. Danielle Jones; Isaac Lee Mason, Jr., a junior at Meadow brook High School, son of Mr. Isaac Mason and Ms. Raja Mason; Milton Dewayne Minns Jr., a senior at Dinwiddie High School, son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Minns Sr.;

Kendall B. Scott, a senior at Thomas Jef ferson High School, son of Mr. Dwayne Daryl Scott and Ms. Kelly Johnson; Raymond Chase Thomas, a senior at Clover Hill High School, son of (Ret.) Lt. Col. Armond Thomas III and Mrs. Mia Thomas.

More information, including applications for the 2023 Beautillion, is available by contacting Mrs. Foster via email at beautillion@procfounda tion.org or on the Foundation’s website at www. procfoundation.org.

Centennial celebration

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Jowarnise Caston and Unicia Buster chat as Richmond area residents enjoy art created by local professional artists, browsed craft vendors, show art demonstrations, kids crafts, textile making live music and nature on Oct. 22 at “Art Under the Pines” at Pine Camp in the city’s North Side.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

First-grader Luz Luna plays a game of Jenga with firstgrade teacher Carla Lewis during the Barack Obama Elementary School Centennial Celebration and Fall Extravaganza at the North Side school on Oct. 22. The usual array of child-play equipment brought on lots of smiles as well as the fellowship shared by students, former students, faculty and neighbors.

Pierce

Isaac

Britt

Carrington

Elijah Jones

Isaac Lee Mason Jr.

Milton Dewayne Minns Jr.

Kendall

B. Scott

Raymond

Chase Thomas

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Anson Lloyd Bell, a Richmond con tractor and businessman who was active in community affairs, has died.

Mr. Bell, who crusaded for Black inclusion in city contracts and on other issues, died Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. He was 69.

Family and friends celebrated his life Saturday, Oct. 22, at March Funeral Home.

Born in Richmond, Mr. Bell pursued a career in the construction field after graduating from Richmond Public Schools.

For nearly 40 years, he owned and operated a small independent company specializing in com mercial and residential plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation and lead paint remediation.

He also operated Plans & Permits 4 You through which he secured building permits for

Faith

other contactors. Such efforts, he wrote, grew out of “my passion for community and helping fellow busi ness owners build and create.”

Mr. Bell was a persistent advocate on several issues. Most notably, he publicly and privately pressed City Council members and government of ficials to beef up Richmond’s support for the federal Section 3 program that promotes the hiring of public housing residents and enables support for businesses located within high-level poverty communities.

He also sought to increase the number of Black students admitted to the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in Richmond, and was active in the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

Survivors include his two sons, Jahad Bell and Malik Bell; stepchildren Jessica Brice and Mustafa Jones; sister Catherine Dabney; and a grandson.

Educator Charles L. Walker, 71, dies

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Charles Len “Herm” Walker spent more than 35 years involved with the education of Richmond chil dren.

Dr. Walker was best known for his tenure as the princi pal of Summer Hill Elementary School in South Side.

“He was a warm, caring person who loved helping developing the minds and character of school children,” said his brother, Johnny Walker.

Dr. Walker died Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. He was 71. Family and friends were

to pay final tributes to Dr. Walker at noon Thursday, Oct. 27, at All Souls Presbyterian Church, 19 Overbrook Road in North Side.

Born in Rich mond, Dr. Walker was among the first Black students to attend a previously all-white Richmond school during the school choice era in the early 1960s.

He went on to attend John Marshall High School, where he captained the football team.

While serving as a circu lation manager for a daily newspaper in Richmond, he took night courses to earn his

bachelor’s degree at Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue his dream of teaching.

He later added a master’s from VCU in special educa tion and a doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern Uni versity.

After more than 20 years as a teacher, Dr. Walker was promoted to principal of Sum mer Hill. He led the school for about 15 years and retired when it closed in 2012. The building was reopened four years later as a preschool center.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary G. Walker.

Survivors include his second wife, Ella C. Walker; daughter Charlene Walker Briggs; and sons Charles L. Walker Jr. and Dr. James A. Walker.

CeCe Winans first Black female to win Dove Artist of the Year

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service

CeCe Winans, already a multi-Grammywinning gospel singer, added a historic win at the 2022 GMA Dove Awards, the contem porary Christian music honors, becoming the first African-American female solo artist to be named Artist of the Year. She also won Song of the Year for “Believe for It,” the title track of her 2021 live recording.

As the applause subsided after the announce ment of Artist of the Year, Ms. Winans broke into “To God Be the Glory” as her acceptance speech during the Oct. 18 ceremony of the Gospel Music Association that aired Friday on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

“To God be the Glory for the things he has done,” she sang, and added: “God bless you. Thank you.”

Ms. Winans added in a written statement: “All I wanted for this record was for it to touch the hearts of people so they would be encour aged and filled with hope; but its success far exceeded all that I could have imagined. To

God be the glory!”

Ms. Winans, 58, won Song of the Year for the track she co-wrote with Dwan Hill, Kyle Lee and Mitch Wong.

“It’s just amazing what God is doing, working with these guys, and grabbing songs that touch my heart,” she said in expressing thanks to her co-writers and producers on the album.

“I just want us to understand that the God of miracles is still working miracles. So keep believing for it.”

Ms. Winans is on the first leg of her 21-city tour for “Believe for It,” and is set to release her new book, “Believe for It: Passing on Faith to the Next Generation,” on Nov. 15.

Ms. Winans, the eighth of 10 children born to the Winans gospel music family, is the copastor, along with her husband, Alvin Love, of Nashville Life Church, a nondenominational congregation in Tennessee.

She won her first New Artist of the Year award with her brother, BeBe Winans, in 1988 — the same year she won her first of 15 Grammys — and now has more than two dozen Dove Awards.

Scholar and preacher Walton named next president of Princeton Seminary

Adelle M. Banks

Religion News Service

The Rev. Jonathan Lee Wal ton, an academician, preacher and administrator who has served on the faculties of Wake Forest and Harvard divinity schools, has been named the next president of Princeton Theological Seminary.

He will be the first Black president of the seminary, which was founded in 1812, and is to officially begin his new role on Jan. 1, 2023.

Rev. Walton, 49, who has been dean of Wake Forest Uni versity’s School of Divinity in North Carolina and dean of its chapel since 2019, will succeed President M. Craig Barnes, who has led Princeton’s seminary since 2013.

“Theological education is at an inflection point,” Rev. Wal ton said in a statement in the seminary’s Oct. 14 announce ment. “The church is changing. Society is changing. So we need clear-minded, faith-informed professionals who can speak hope, equity, and healing in all fields of human endeavor.”

Rev. Walton, whose scholar ship has included evangelical Christianity, political culture and mass media, is the author of “Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Televan gelism” and “A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World.”

The ordained Baptist min ister will be returning to his

alma mater, where he earned his doctoral degree in 2006 and his master’s of divinity in 2002.

“Dr. Walton’s profound commitment to scholarship and strong leadership experi ence perfectly position him to advance Princeton Seminary’s mission to serve as a vital and engaging hub for pastoral formation, Christian theology, and leadership generally,” said Michael Fisch, chair of the seminary’s trustee board, in a statement.

Eddie S. Glaude, a university professor at Princeton Univer sity, welcomed the decision about Rev. Walton.

“He will model excellence for the students and faculty, and he will help lead the way to re vitalizing theological education in the 21st century,” Dr. Glaude said in a statement.

“This is a historic appoint ment, and I can think of no one better suited for the tasks ahead.”

Earlier this year, the semi nary’s board voted to dissociate the name of anti-abolitionist and slaveholder Samuel Miller from the school’s chapel. The action followed a petition and demonstrations by the school’s Association of Black Seminar ians and allies. It is now known as the Seminary Chapel.

Moore Street

Baptist Church

Photo courtesy of Wander Creative

CeCe Winans accepts an award during the recent Dove Awards.

Rev. Walton

city of richmond, virginia ciTY cOUNciL

PUBLic NOTicE

Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 1:30 p.m in the Fifth Floor Conference

of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, November 14, 2022 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. 2022-290

amend Ord. No. 2021192, adopted Jul. 26, 2021, which authorized the special use of the property known as 205 West Brookland Park Boulevard for the purpose of art gallery, artist studio, outdoor entertainment, and outdoor retail uses, to modify the design and building materials for the art gallery and artist studio use, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Community Mixed Use, which is defined as a “Cluster of medium-density, walkable commercial and residential uses that provide neighborhood services to nearby residential communities and sometimes feature regional attractions.” (p. 58)

Ordinance No. 2022-291

To amend Ord. No. 2022022, adopted Feb. 28, 2022, which authorized the special use of the property known as 1628 North 27th Street for the purpose of a singlefamily detached dwelling, to increase the square footage of the ground floor plan, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use, which is defined as “Existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.” (p. 56)

Ordinance No. 2022-292

To authorize the special use of the property known as 1618 North 27th Street, for the purpose of a singlefamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use, which is defined as “existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.”(p. 56)

Ordinance No. 2022-293

To authorize the special use of the property known as 1308 North 38th Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-5 - Residential (Single Family) zone. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Neighborhood Mixed-Use, which is defined as “existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.” (p.56). The density of the proposed development is approximately 12 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2022-294

To authorize the special use of the property known as 207 Avon Road for the purpose of a dwelling unit within an accessory building to a single-family dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is situated in an R-1- Residential (Single Family) zone.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Residential, is defined as a “Neighborhood consisting primarily of single-family houses on large- or medium-sized lots more homogeneous in nature.”

Ordinance No. 2022-295

To authorize the special use of the property known as 316 South Linden Street for the purpose of a fence with signs, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 2006-191-198, adopted Jul. 24, 2006. The property is located in the R-7 Single and Two Family Urban Residential District.

The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as

Neighborhood MixedUse, which is defined as “existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.”

Ordinance No. 2022-296

To authorize the special use of the property known as 3401 Monument Avenue for the purpose of a dwelling unit within an accessory building to a two-family dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The current zoning for the subject property is R-6 Single Family Residential. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates this property as Neighborhood MixedUse, which is defined as “existing or new highly-walkable urban neighborhoods that are predominantly residential with a small, but critical, percentage of parcels providing retail, office, personal service, and institutional uses.”

Ordinance No. 2022-297

To authorize the special use of the property known as 961 Pink Street for the purpose of a (i) two-family dwelling and (ii) dwelling unit within an accessory building, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond 300 Master Plan recommends a future land use of “Neighborhood Mixed-Use” for the property. The primary uses recommended for Neighborhood Mixed-Use are single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multifamily buildings (typically 3-10 units) and open space. Secondary uses include large multi-family buildings (10+ units), retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural and government.

Ordinance No. 2022-298

To authorize the special use of the property known as 1701 Stockton Street for the purpose of a day nursery for up to 12 children, upon certain terms and conditions. The Richmond 300 Master Plan recommends a future land use of “Community Mixed-Use” for the property. The primary uses recommended for Community Mixed-Use are retail, office, and personal service uses, multi-family residential, cultural uses, and open space. Secondary uses single-family dwellings, institutional, cultural and government.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 14, 2022 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, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, November 7, 2022 at 5:00 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. 2022-300

To amend Ord. No. 2019188, adopted Jul. 22, 2019, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2020-094, adopted May 11, 2020, and Ord. No. 2021-268, adopted Oct. 11, 2021, and to amend Ord. No. 2020-164, adopted Aug. 10, 2020, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2020-191, adopted Sept. 28, 2020, Ord. No. 2021089, adopted Apr. 26, 2021, Ord. No. 2021184, adopted Jul. 26, 2021, and Ord. No. 2021268, adopted Oct. 11, 2021, which authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to submit original and amended Fiscal Year 2020 Consolidated Annual Action Plans to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as an application for the receipt of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds; accepted funds from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the total amount of $15,027,206.00 and appropriated

$16,854,300.00 for various projects, to re-appropriate $485,689.00 for public facilities projects in CDBG funds and re-appropriate $229,698.00 in CDBG-CV funds, for the purpose of an inclement weather shelter project.

Ordinance No. 2022-301

To amend Ord. No. 2022055, adopted May 9, 2022, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, to (i) create a new line item entitled “ARPA - HCDCommonwealth Catholic Charities - Inclement Weather Shelter Operations” in the NonDepartmental agency, (ii) transfer $615,000.00 from the Department of Housing and Community Development, and (iii) appropriate such $615,000.00 to such new line items in the NonDepartmental agency, for the purpose of providing a grant to Commonwealth Catholic Charities to operate an inclement weather shelter located at 1900 Chamberlayne Parkway.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 7, 2022 Richmond City Council Special 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 cOUNTY OF HANOvEr ANELiA vAUGHN, Plaintiff v. JOrDAN vAUGHN, Sr Defendant. case No.: cL22000708-00 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, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

virGiNiA:

iN THE circUiT cOUrT FOr THE cOUNTY OF HANOvEr MicHELLE HArriS TEMPLETON, Plaintiff v. NATHAN TEMPLETON Defendant. case No.: cL22003118-00 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 7th day of December, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

virGiNiA:

iN THE circUiT cOUrT FOr THE cOUNTY OF HENricO THErESA EvANGALiNA BUrWELL, Plaintiff v. THAD HArLEY BUrWELL, Defendant. case No.: cL21-5552-00 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON

The object of this suit is for the Plaintiff to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption, and with Plaintiff’s intent to terminate the marriage, for a period exceeding twelve (12) months, namely since January 9, 2014.

It appearing by affidavit that Plaintiff has no knowledge of the Defendant’s current address and Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown and diligence has

been used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is without effect.

It is accordingly ORDERED that Thad Harley Burwell whose whereabouts are unknown, appear before this court on or before the 5th day of December, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and do what is necessary to protect his interests herein.

A Copy, Teste: HEIDI S. BARSHINGER, Clerk Richard J Oulton, Esq VSB #29640 America Law Group, Inc 8501 Mayland Drive #106 Henrico VA 23294 (804) 308-0051 Fax (804) 308-0053

virGiNiA:

iN THE circUiT cOUrT FOr THE cOUNTY OF HANOvEr rOBiN SHEAriN, Plaintiff v. DEXTEr SHEAriN Defendant. case No.: cL22002971-00 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 28th day of November, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

virGiNiA:

iN THE circUiT cOUrT FOr THE cOUNTY OF HANOvEr BrET ALDEN, Plaintiff v. MAriLYN ALDEN, Defendant. case No.: cL22002972-00 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 28th day of November, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

virGiNiA:

iN THE circUiT cOUrT FOr THE cOUNTY OF HANOvEr ALLEN QUiNONES, Plaintiff v. EvELYN vELEZ QUiNONES, Defendant. case No.: cL22002956-00 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 21st day of November, 2022 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste:

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

cUSTODY

virGiNiA: iN THE JUvENiLE AND DOMESTic rELATiONS DiSTricT cOUrT OF THE ciTY OF ricHMOND commonwealth of virginia, in re LAvASiA ELLA TOWNES rDSS v. TAUrUS WiLLiAMS & UNkNOWN FATHEr File No. J-99339-06-08 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON

The object of this suit is to: terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown Father (Father), Taurus Williams (Father) of Lavasia Ella Townes, child DOB: 10/15/2020, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with Parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that; It is ORDERED that the defendants , Unknown Father (Father), Taurus Williams (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 12/8/2022, at 10:20 A.M., cOUrTrOOM #3

virGiNiA: iN THE JUvENiLE AND DOMESTic rELATiONS DiSTricT cOUrT OF THE ciTY OF ricHMOND commonwealth of virginia, in re LLOYD cLiNTON JONES iii rDSS v. STArLEY cOLEY LLOYD JONES Jr., & UNkNOWN FATHEr File No. J-100464-04, 05, 06 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON

The object of this suit is to: terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Unknown Father (Father), Lloyd Jones, Jr. (Father, & Starley coley (Mother) of Lloyd c linton Jones, iii, child DOB: 12/27/2021, “RPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with Parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: Visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support and that; It is ORDERED that the defendants, Unknown Father (Father), Lloyd Jones, Jr. (Father, & Starley coley (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 3/1/2023, at 10:20 A.M., cOUrTrOOM #5 (AkT)

PrOPErTY virGiNiA: iN THE circUiT cOUrT OF THE ciTY OF ricHMOND JOHN MArSHALL cOUrTS BUiLDiNG ciTY OF ricHMOND, Plaintiff, v. rOY E. WiLLiS, et al, Defendants. case No.: cL22-4398 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3113 Letcher Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number N0001053011, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record roy Edward Willis and Lillian M. Willis

An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, r oy Edward Willis and Lillian M. Willis, who have have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title

and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of Parties Unknown.

iT iS OrDErED that roy Edward Willis, Lillian M. Willis and Parties Unknown come forward to appear on or before DEcEMBEr 15, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

virGiNiA: iN THE circUiT cOUrT OF THE ciTY OF ricHMOND JOHN MArSHALL cOUrTS BUiLDiNG ciTY OF ricHMOND, Plaintiff, v. MAriLYNN WOODS HOWArD, et al, Defendants. case No.: cL22-3291 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3720 cottrell r oad, Tax Map Number c 0080948032 , Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Marilynn Woods Howard An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, MA ri LYNN WOODS HOWA r D, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to her last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.

i T i S O r DE r ED that MA ri LYNN WOODS HOWA r D, and Parties Unknown , come forward to appear on or before DEcEMBEr 15, 2022 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

virGiNiA: ciTY OF ricHMOND circUiT cOUrT 400 N 9th Street, John Marshall courts Bldg., richmond, vA 23219 commonwealth of virginia, in re LUcY JOHNSON v. All Heirs, Devisees, And/ Or Successors in Title to Willie W. Winston, if any, etc. case No.: cL22-3849 OrDEr OF PUBLicATiON The object of this suit is to: Quiet title to real property

as 1602-1602 1/2 Sewell St., Richmond, VA 23222-5021.

It is ORDERED that any defendant

at

the

HOME-ARP ALLOCATION PLAN PUBLIC NOTICE

Allocation Plan for HOME American Recovery Plan Act (HOME-ARP) funding and Urban Development (HUD) will be

371-7073. The Plan will appear on the

and Community Development will receive

Data Engineer, Glen Allen, VA. Design, dvlpmt, testing & implementation of Data Eng’g solutions. Apply online w/Data Concepts, LLC at LLC at http://dataconcepts-inc.com/Jobs.aspx

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com.

EOE M/F/D/V

Part-Time Custodian 15 hours per week

Salary Commensurate with Experience

Mount Olive Baptist Church is seeking a part-time Custodian during the morning hours from Monday – Friday, 9 A.M. – 12 P.M. Duties include but are not limited to: opening and/or closing church buildings in accordance with scheduled activities and or events, keeping the church buildings and grounds clean Preferred candidate should possess previous custodian and/or sexton experience as well as experience in operating a floor buffer. A Criminal History Background Check is required.

This position will remain opened until filled. Applicants may pick up an application from the church office or submit a resume in lieu of an application to: Mount Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Avenue, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. The e-mail address is mstyles@mobcva.org, and the fax number is (804) 262-2397. For more information, please call (804)-262-9614 ext. 227

Application can also be filled out online at https://www.mobcva.org/job-openings

of

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Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk