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VOL. 27 NO. 32
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august 9-11, 2018
‘Smell of marijuana’ new police tactic? By Jeremy M. Lazarus
A new police tactic is opening the door to warrantless searches of individuals, vehicles and homes. To generate the “reasonable suspicion” that courts require for police to conduct such a search, officers are claiming to smell marijuana, possession of which is still illegal in Virginia, according to defense attorneys and area residents. “It’s hard to crossMr. Chavis Ms. DesPortes examine on an odor,” said criminal defense attorney Betty Layne DesPortes, who said it has become common to hear officers across Central Virginia use the reason of an illegal smell in court testimony to justify an otherwise inexplicable search. “They need ‘reasonable suspicion,’ ” she said. Omari Al-Qadaffi, an East End activist and founder of the anti-racism Leaders of the New South, has issued several Facebook posts about the use of what he calls “Richmond’s new stop-and-frisk.” He posted the messages after hearing multiple anecdotes about people being stopped by officers claiming to “smell marijuana” and receiving a pat down. He’s not alone. The New Virginia Majority and Legal Aid Justice Center have been pressing the Richmond Police Department for details of police stops of African-Americans in lowincome areas of Richmond. The Southside Chapter of the New Virginia Majority held a “power” march Monday evening to protest the lack of data on what it consider the overuse of police stops. The department has advised both organizations it does not collect the kind of detailed data Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press on police stops of individuals that the two organizations are seeking. Justin-Mychal White, 28, adjusts the straps of his 2-year-old daughter Reagan’s new backpack last Saturday The department also deat the 10th Annual Back-to-School Rally sponsored by the Northside Coalition for Children. Reagan’s older clined to comment or provide brother, Jeremiah seems like an old pro with his new backpack. The 6-year-old will be a first-grader at Longdale data in response to Free Press Elementary School in Henrico County in the fall. The nonprofit coalition gave away the backpacks stuffed with
Richmond School Board accepts resignations of former Carver Elementary School Principal Kiwana Yates and 5 others alleged to be part of SOL cheating ring. More resignations expected, official said.
By Ronald E. Carrington
The Richmond School Board accepted the resignations of former Carver Elementary School Principal Kiwana Yates and five other school employees named by state officials as part of a cheating ring at the school. Following a closed session Monday night, the board voted to accept the resignations of former Assistant Principal Fay Joyner and teachers Evette Cartwright, Kayiesha Golds, Chireda Cotman and Betty Alexis. A board member said at least three additional resignations are expected. A report by the Virginia Department of Education released by Richmond schools officials last week alleged that Ms. Yates orchestrated a cheating ring to ensure students at the Leigh Street elementary school scored high on state Standards of Learning tests. Mr. Kamras T h e state investigation was launched earlier this year after “testing irregularities” were discovered, chiefly that a majority of Carver students who passed reading and math SOLs in fifth grade were unable to pass SOLs once they entered middle school. According to the 34-page VDOE report, Ms. Yates gave special perks to a small, compliant group of teachers who monitored the tests and inappropriately coached or provided signals to the students so they would mark the correct answers. Superintendent Jason Kamras said last week that Ms. Yates, who was removed as principal in June yet remained an employee of Richmond Public Schools, and others involved would not return for the upcoming school year. “We allowed them to resign to avoid protracted legal battles which would have cost the Please turn to A4
Ready for school
school supplies at the Richmond Raceway.
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Plan launched to rename the Boulevard for tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr. By Jeremy M. Lazarus
A new effort is underway to rename the Boulevard in honor of Richmond-born humanitarian and tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr. Richmond City Councilwoman Kim B. Gray said this week she plans to introduce legislation in September to change the street’s name to Arthur Ashe Boulevard. “I think it would be very appropriate to honor Arthur Ashe this way,” the 2nd District councilwoman said. “This could a first step in renaming streets in honor of other Richmond greats like Dorothy Height and John Mitchell whom the city has yet to recognize.” Ms. Gray said she is submitting the name change proposal
at the request of the Ashe family. David Harris, nephew of the late Mr. Ashe, broached the idea at a recent civic group meeting in Scott’s Addition. The idea already has received significant attention. This would be the second time such a proposal has been before City Council. In 2003, 6th District Councilman Walter T. Kenney Sr.’s proposal to rename the Boulevard in honor of Mr. Ashe was rejected on a 7-2 vote. Ms. Gray is taking on the issue because a major portion of the Boulevard is in the 2nd District. She believes the proposal has a greater chance of success this time. She said she has heard from businesses and museums along the
GRTC CEO leaving By Jeremy M. Lazarus
Mr. Green told employees in his email that the time had come for him to seek “a new opGRTC is looking for a new leader. portunity and professional growth” after nearly The search is about to begin following the two decades with the company. sudden resignation of David Green, GRTC’s Sheryl Adams, GRTC’s chief operating ofchief executive officer, less than two months ficer, is expected to be named interim CEO after launching the new Pulse bus during the board’s search for a new rapid transit system ushering in a chief executive. controversial overhaul of all other In his email to employees, Mr. GRTC bus routes. Green said he had sought to develop Mr. Green, who had led the coma company of which the entire region pany since January 2014, notified could be proud by ensuring GRTC employees following a special board offered meaningful service. meeting Wednesday that he would be He also ticked off 16 innovations leaving at the end of August. he helped usher in since taking over Mr. Green It is was not immediately clear from former CEO Eldridge Coles, who whether he made the decision to step down or was is now a board member. They ranged from fundforced out by the six-member GRTC board that ing, developing and starting Pulse to the creation includes three representatives from Richmond Please turn to A4 and three from Chesterfield County.
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Mr. Ashe
Free Press wins NNPA award B2 May 18-20, 2017
Richmond Free Press
Happenings
Celebrating weekend commencements — ‘Cause other people to want to learn,’ Hampton U grads told Free Press wire reports daughters and three of her six grandchildren all are Hampton University graduates. HAMPTON Dr. Harvey also awarded two outstanding Love learning, help others and do your alumnus-at-large awards to HU graduates best. who have impacted the world. The recipients That was the advice that NASA pioneer were John B. Spencer, an HU professor Katherine G. Johnson offered Sunday to emeritus who was chair of the university’s the 917 people awarded undergraduate and Department of Architecture for 25 years, graduate degrees at Hampton University’s and Rear Adm. Sylvia Trent-Adams, acting 147th commencement. U.S. surgeon general and a former officer Mrs. Johnson is the retired NASA Langley in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. mathematician who was a key to the nation’s “There is a job for you, graduating Class early success in manned space flights and of 2017, in every single occupation known gained national prominence through the to man,” Dr. Harvey told the graduates. movie “Hidden Figures.” “Look at the dais. Look at Mrs. Johnson. The 98-year-old West Virginia native Look at the surgeon general. It is your who now lives in a retirement community responsibility to make something happen. in Newport News was on stage at the comNobody’s going to give you anything. You mencement, but delivered her remarks in a make it happen.” video recording. In her talk, valedictorian J’niyah Knox“You will do better if you cause other Wilson of Hampton directed her classmates Retired NASA mathematician and pioneer Katherine G. Johnson, 98, gets a laudatory handshake people to want to learn. And you will do from Hampton University President William R. Harvey after her videotaped commencement to change the world. better if you at all times want to learn, address Sunday to graduates and their families. “Across the globe, there are humans want to teach, want to help,” she told the whose lives are afflicted by some oppressive audience at Armstrong Stadium on campus. Johnson’s calculations to send a man into orbit and her Presiden- types of ‘isms,’ whether it is sexism, racism, classism, colorism “You’ve got it made graduating from Hampton,” she contin- tial Medal of Freedom awarded in November 2015 by President or even ageism,” Ms. Knox-Wilson said. “Although those fights ued. “People already know that you know a lot of information, Obama. He added to her list of awards by bestowing her with are a part of our journey ahead and will be formidable challenges and you will use it and use it well, because they know that you an honorary doctorate of science from the university, which was to our progress, I know we can win those fights. picked good information to pass along.” founded in 1868 and held its first graduation in 1871. “Do you know how I know? I know because we are resilient, Hampton University President William R. Harvey noted Mrs. Mrs. Johnson’s husband, retired Lt. Col. JamesA. Johnson, her three we are purposeful, we are Hamptonians.”
‘Know who you are rolling with,’ VSU graduates are told By Thomas Kidd to use your mind, body and talent without your control over it?” Virginia State University graduates were told He then encouraged the graduates to take in no uncertain terms during commencement time to identify their true value, to master their last Saturday to “Get Out.” craft and gifts and to seek a mentor so they These words came from a fired up Jeff Johnson, won’t fall under the temptation of selling out a media and messaging strategist who delivered for a paycheck. the keynote address at the ceremony held in the “I like money,” Mr. Johnson said as the audience university’s Multi-Purpose Center. laughed. “I get excited every time the check clears. Mr. Johnson, the managing principal of But you don’t have to sell your soul to get it.” the Baltimore-based strategy firm JIJ ComMr. Johnson did not hold back in citing munications, referenced the companies and institutions blockbuster film of the same that he said he considers to name by writer-producerbe sellouts. director Jordan Peele several “I’ve been on BET times during his speech to and I watched them do it drive home the necessity of (sellout),” he said of the Black African-Americans to sucEntertainment Network that ceed without selling out. was co-founded by Sheila “In the last two years, Johnson and her former we’ve seen more content husband, Robert Johnson, but on the small and big screens sold for $3 billion in 2001 produced by those who to the media conglomerate look like us,” Mr. Johnson Viacom. told the graduates and their “I’ve seen people turn their families. backs for six figures,” Mr. The communications exJohnson told the crowd. pert then singled out the film He was equally frank in his not only for its financial criticism of Bethune-Cookand critical success but man University in Florida. for having a message relThe historically black instievant for African-American tution invited U.S. Secretary graduates about to enter the of Education Betsy DeVos workforce. to be their commencement “As you go out into the speaker last week despite VSU valedictorian Stacey Elder world, know who you are petitions signed by hundreds rolling with,” he told the audience. “Chris didn’t of students, alumni and supporters of the college know who he was rolling with,” he said about urging the university’s administration to rescind the film’s main character, an African-American the invitation. who had a white girlfriend whose parents were Earlier this year, Mrs. DeVos, who was apwealthy. pointed to the cabinet post by President Trump, He went on to explain that Chris couldn’t called HBCUs “real pioneers when it comes to identify with his girlfriend’s values, cultural back- school choice,” failing to realize and acknowlground and, more importantly, family history. edge that most of the colleges were the only “Who you talk to, hang with and be around option for African-American students because have a lot to do with your success,” he said. of segregation. “Are you aware that there is a system set up During her commencement address May 10,
Fashion forward
Deron Bennett gets hooded by Octavia Bryson during Virginia State University’s commencement Saturday at the VSU Multi-Purpose Center.
Mrs. DeVos was interrupted by persistent boos from the crowd, while about half the graduates stood and turned their backs on her. BethuneCookman’s president, Dr. Edison O. Jackson, was widely criticized by students, their family and alumni, for inviting Mrs. DeVos on such an important occasion. “You don’t stand for a legacy when you invite folk who don’t believe what you believe or support you,” Mr. Johnson told the VSU graduates and their families. He ended his address with gentle words of hope and a charge to the graduates to pay back the blessings they have received thus far. “It is my hope that you will be the freest human beings — whether black, Hispanic, Asian or white. Get out, but go back in and build up.” With 624 degrees conferred on Saturday, VSU officials elected to have a morning and afternoon ceremony to accommodate the graduates, their
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Models strut the runway, showing off fashion forward designs at Runway 2017: LAUNCH. The event last Wednesday showcased 125 original garments designed by juniors and seniors in Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising. The show, held at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, drew a crowd that was awed by the fashion segments featuring knitwear, dresses, menswear and denim, among others. The production was staged by VCU students in collaboration with faculty and sponsors.
families and friends in the new facility. Mr. Johnson performed double duty, offering the keynote address at both. VSU also recognized two outstanding students — valedictorian Stacey Elder of Richmond, who had a perfect 4.0 GPA in earning a bachelor of science degree in management, and Aicha Camara who was this year’s winner of the annual Reginald F. Lewis Prize that is awarded to a senior in the VSU College of Business. Ms. Camara was presented with a plaque and a check for $1,000. Retired Lt. Col. Darryl W. Sharp Sr. received the Virginia State University Alumnus of the Year Award. “We are proud to call you grads, scholars and Trojans,” VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah told the graduating class. “In the words of The Temptations, ‘Get ready ’cause here they come!’ ”
The Richmond Free Press has been recognized with a national award. The Free Press won the Ada S. Franklin Best Women/ Lifestyle Award June 28 at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual convention in Norfolk. Judging for the category was based on layout, photos, extensiveness and variety of local coverage and comprehensiveness of stories and columns in two consecutive issues of the Free Press published in 2017. The winning sections, from May 2017, included the Free Press Personality, along with coverage of commencement Please turn to A4
Richmond Free Press
May 18-20, 2017
B3
Happenings
VUU, VCU, VSU and Hampton Class of 2017 ‘We all fail. The key is what you do that next day,’ Gov. McAuliffe tells VUU grads
By Saraya Wintersmith statement accompanying the May 5 appropriations act signed by President Trump to keep the federal government operating Gov. Terry McAuliffe stressed the importance of taking chances through Sept. 30. and embracing setbacks as he addressed Virginia Union UniverIn the statement, the White House announced that it would sity’s Class of 2017 during commencement on Saturday. treat a program that helps HBCUs obtain low-cost construction He said his own path to entrepreneurship and his loss of the loans “in a manner consistent with the (constitutional) requireDemocratic gubernatorial nomination in 2009 were not easy. ment to afford equal protection of laws.” “You’re going to fail. We all fail. The key is what you do Many HBCU administrators and supporters fear the statement that next day,” the governor said. signals that President Trump will end a capital financing program “I got crushed 2-1” in that initial primary election, he said. that helps HBCU repair, renovate and build new facilities. “It was a painful experience. The VUU audience groaned in “But let me tell you something, folks. disapproval at Gov. McAuliffe’s menI got out of bed that next day and I got tion of it. right back to work and I spent four years “I’d be lying if I sugarcoated the world crisscrossing the Commonwealth of you are about to inherit,” the governor Virginia, and that is why I am now the told the graduates. “Like generations 72nd governor of the Commonwealth past, you will be charged with doing of Virginia,” he said to the cheering everything in your power to make it a graduates and their families. better world. The good news is, Virginia Commencement for the 152-year-old Union University has prepared you to historically African-American institurise to that challenge.” VUU Co-Valedictorians tion was moved because of the threat He also acknowledged three highNhat Hoang Van Le and Taylor White of foul weather from Hovey Field on achieving students during his remarks. campus to St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County. The He praised Dominique Vaultz, a mass communications major university awarded 177 undergraduate degees, 133 master’s from New York, for her achievement as a first-generation college degrees and 13 doctorates during the ceremony. student, and announced her acceptance to Emory University’s Gov. McAuliffe offered remarks in his usual lively, high-energy Law School. style before receiving an honorary degree and then dashing off He also hailed VUU’s co-valedictorians, Nhat Hoang Van Le to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for the commence- of Vietnam and Taylor Lauren White of Maryland, who both ment of his daughter. had 4.0 GPAs. He described for the audience the national political climate In his own address to the graduating class, Mr. Le thanked in 2013, around the time that many students from the graduating the university for its support as he became VUU’s first graduate class arrived and enrolled at VUU. with a triple major of chemistry, mathematics and physics. “We had just re-elected America’s first black president. ISIS Remarking on the emotions connected with moving on from was not yet a household name, and for some people, for some college, Gov. McAuliffe said he also found the occasion equally reason, they thought Macklemore was actually a good rapper,” festive and bittersweet. he said, laughing with the crowd. “As governor, I have given many commencement addresses,” “Today we find ourselves in a world where saying ‘Black he said. “This will be the last address as governor, so I clearly Lives Matter’ is somehow a political statement and where a saved the best for last,” he said to cheers. president of the United States just this week questioned the Also receiving honorary degrees were the Rev. Yvonne J. Bibbs, value and constitutionality of HBCUs,” he said, referring to a the first female pastor in the 94-year history of Sixth Baptist Church
Marquis Johnson of Newport News is elated to get his degree in mass communications from Virginia Union University during Saturday’s ceremony at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico.
in Richmond, in recognition of her “outstanding humanitarian efforts” in Richmond and in the state; VUU benefactors James E. and Barbara B. Sellman, who have donated more than 300 pieces of art to the university’s Museum Galleries from their worldwide travels and art collecting; and Dianne Watkins Walker, who spearheaded the effort to restore a carillon in the university’s historic Belgian Building through the nonprofit she founded, Bells for Peace, and to repair the building’s exterior and light the tower. Former VUU President Claude G. Perkins also was granted the title of president emeritus by the VUU Board of Trustees.
‘People just want to be listened to,’ Sen. Kaine tells VCU grads By Thomas Kidd
The graduating class of Virginia Commonwealth University received a message aimed at the head as well as the heart during Saturday’s commencement exercises. University President Michael Rao thanked the graduates for assisting VCU in becoming one of the premier research universities in the country, and then offered a unique twist on how they should continue the learning process. “Changing your mind is not a sign of weakness,” President Rao told the graduates. “But it is a sign that you know more than you knew yesterday.” He went on to encourage them to enter the next phase of their lives challenging generally accepted beliefs, including things they learned at VCU. To further support this view, he quoted George Bernard Shaw, “Progress is impossible without change. Those who cannot change their minds can’t change anything.” “We are counting on you,” he told the audience at the Richmond Coliseum for the commencement, where more than 5,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees were conferred.
He then introduced the morning’s keynote speaker, U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, a former Virginia governor and former Richmond mayor who ran for vice president in November on the Democratic ticket with presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Sen. Kaine said that while he graduated from the University of Missouri and Harvard Law School, he enjoyed a long and intimate relationship with VCU. “All three of my kids attended VCU and I’ve been many times to the MCV emergency room,” he quipped. He said he was honest with himself about his role as keynote speaker. “No one is interested in what a graduation speaker has to say,” he continued. “I remember nothing of what my high school graduation speaker said — and I was the speaker.” He said he did, however, remember an after-graduation conciliatory kiss from his ex-girlfriend and also recalled being too cool to hug his parents, offering them handshakes instead. He advised graduates that before they embark on an evening of celebration, they should reconcile any ill feelings they have with classmates or professors and then to show enthusiastic appreciation to those who helped them to get to this point in
Newly minted nurses celebrate receiving their degrees during the Virginia Commonwealth University commencement Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum.
their life. He then detailed three experiences in his life that illustrate the power of listening. A congressional aide impressed him, he said, with her ability to calm ranting constituents simply by allowing them to vent.
The second involved a conversation with a Republican colleague in the Virginia General Assembly who he discovered by listening that he had more in common with philosophically than he originally thought. The last example involved a
cultural connection he made while campaigning for vice president. He said he was the first candidate on the national ticket to speak fluent Spanish. And after talking on the campaign trail with voters from a Latino community, he discovered they were not impressed so much by the fact that he could speak with them in Spanish, but that he could listen to them in their language. “You will find that listening will be involved in many aspects of your success. People just want to be listened to,” he said. Returning to the podium, President Rao let the senator know his words didn’t fall on deaf ears. “Senator, they were listening,” President Rao said. Also at the ceremony, VCU recognized Pamela K. and William A. Royall Jr. with the Edward A. Wayne Medal, which honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions or provided exemplary service to the university. Sogand Karimian, who majored in nursing, also received the VCU Board of Visitors Award, which recognizes an outstanding undergraduate for academic achievement, leadership and service to the university and community at large.
Virginia Beach woman wins Miss USA crown, stirs controversy Miss District of Columbia USA Kara McCullough was named Miss USA 2017 during the annual pageant held Sunday in Las Vegas. Little did the 25-year-old scientist from Virginia Beach know that after triumphing over 50 other contestants, her crown would come with controversy. Her first days as Miss USA have been spent trying to put out the flames that her words ignited. It all started during the Q&A portion of the pageant, when contestants must show off their poise and knowledge in answering questions related to current events. Ms. McCullough, who graduated with a degree in chemistry from South Carolina State University and now works at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, was asked whether she considered affordable health care for all United States citizens a right or a privilege. “I’m definitely going to say it’s a privilege,” she answered Sunday night. “As a government employee, I am granted health care and I see firsthand that for one to have health care, you need to have jobs.” During another question-and-answer round, she was asked her opinion on feminism and if she considers herself a feminist. She responded that she would like to exchange the term for “equalism.” “I don’t want to consider myself like this die-hard, you know, like, ‘I don’t really care about men,’ ” she continued. “One thing I’ll say, women, we are just as equal as men when it comes to opportunity in the workplace.” When she won, social media blew up over her answers to the pageant questions, particularly the notion that health care
should be tied to a job. On Tuesday morning, she went on ABC TV’s “Good Morning America” to respond to the mounting backlash. In talking with host Michael Strahan, she shifted her earlier stance. “I am a woman. I’m going to own what I said,” she told Mr. Strahan. “I am privileged to have health care, and I do believe that it should be a right. And I hope and pray moving forward that health care is a right for all worldwide. “I am privileged to have health care. I want people to see where I was coming from. Having a job, I have to look at health care like it is a privilege,” she continued. With regard to feminism, Ms. McCullough said she wanted to be clear that women should get the recognition they deserve. “I don’t want anyone to look at (it) as if I’m not all about women’s rights because I am,” Ms. McCullough said on the show Tuesday. “We deserve a lot when it comes to opportunity in the workplace as well as leadership positions. I’ve seen and witnessed firsthand the impact women have.” As Miss USA, Ms. McCullough will go on to represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant. This is not the first crown for Ms. McCullough, who was born in Naples, Italy, to a military family. She was crowned Miss South Carolina State University at the historically black college in Orangeburg in April 2012. She is the second consecutive Miss District of Columbia to win the Miss USA pageant. Deshauna Barber, a 2011 graduate of Virginia State University and commander in the Army Reserve, was Miss USA 2016. Ms. McCullough said she wants to inspire young people to pursue careers in the STEM fields.
Miss District of Columbia USA Kara McCullough reacts Sunday as she is announced as Miss USA 2017. The 25-year-old scientist from Virginia Beach was crowned by Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber, a 2011 graduate of Virginia State University.