Richmond Free Press October 15-17, 2020 edition

Deadline for registration extended to 11:59 p.m.

Oct. 15 A2

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VOL. 29 NO. 43

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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October 15-17, 2020

Another case of inequity?

2 people rob the same SunTrust Bank but sentences different as black and white

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Two people robbed the same SunTrust Bank branch in Hanover County four years apart.

Both were caught, both were convicted.

But their sentences offer a prime example of the racial disparities for which the court system is notorious, as numerous research studies have documented.

One of the robbers is an African-American, Henry C. Brailey, who participated in robbing the branch on Beaverdam School Road in 2006.

His sentence: 93 years in state prison, with 53 years suspended. The judge in his case sent him to prison for 40 years.

The second robber is a white woman, Tori K. Pollard, who robbed the same branch in 2010.

Her sentence: 20 years in prison, with 15 years and three months suspended.

Henry C. Brailey

The judge in her case sent her to prison for three years and nine months, even though he was aware that Ms. Pollard had pleaded guilty to robbing a different bank in Spotsylvania County.

Ms. Pollard has completed her sentence, while Mr. Brailey remains behind bars.

Under current state law, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence, or 34 years,

before he possibly could be released based on his record in prison. He was 36 when he was convicted and is now 50. He will be 70 before he can be considered for release if nothing changes.

A former truck driver with a spotless record since going inside, Mr. Brailey is Please turn to A4

General Assembly passes police reform measures

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Smaller steps.

Eight weeks into a special session, that appears to be the General Assembly’s approach in dealing with issues, including police reform.

For example, the legislature sidelined a bill that would have made it easier to sue police officers and local communities for an officer’s alleged use of force.

And according to the online list of legislation that has passed both the House of Delegates and the state Senate, the chambers have not yet given final approval to a bill that would require trained

mental health professionals to be dispatched to deal with crises involving the mentally ill and potentially reduce the role of police in such episodes.

However, the two chambers are ushering in change. This week, the General Assembly approved bills to ban no-knock warrants that allow entry into a home or business without any notification; require every locality with a police department to establish a civilian oversight panel to deal with use of force complaints; and to ban police departments from acquiring military equipment.

Some of the reform legislation that could prove Please turn to A4

Judge Barrett’s confirmation to U.S. Supreme Court expected to sail through Senate Free Press staff, wire report

Anti-abortion Judge Amy Coney Barrett is on her way to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Judge Barrett, who also has previously criticized a high court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, withstood questioning Wednesday in her third and final appearance before the Republican-dominated U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

The hearings began Monday for President Trump’s nominee to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a recognized champion of women’s and human rights.

Please turn to A4

Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via AP, Pool

Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett speaks Monday during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill.

Remembering the past Sydney Woodson, 6, left, and her brother, Kailin Woodson, 7, attend the 18th Annual Gabriel Gathering last Saturday in Shockoe Bottom commemorating the rebellion of Gabriel Prosser, an enslaved blacksmith in Henrico County in 1800. The commemoration, presented by the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project, was held at the site of a planned memorial park to the enslaved.

The youngsters were attending the event with their grandmother, Lenora White.

Please see more photos, A6.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Governer Northam

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Gov. Northam alleged target of anti-government militia group

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

mentioned as a potential target for abduction by a paramilitary group under arrest Gov. Ralph S. Northam is calling on for conspiring to kidnap Michigan Gov. President Trump to stop encouraging ex- Gretchen Whitmer. tremists after an FBI agent disclosed in a Gov. Northam made the appeal — which Grand Rapids, Mich., courtroom Tuesday drew a quick rebuke from the White House that Virginia’s chief executive had been — on Tuesday during his first public appearance since announcing on Sept. 25 that he and his wife Free COVID-19 testing tested positive for COVID19. The governor showed no Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. outward adverse effects from The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: the virus.

Gov. Northam, a 61-yearDate Location old physician and veteran of Thursday, Epiphany Lutheran Church the U.S. Army Medical Corps, Oct. 15, 1400 Horsepen Road, Western Henrico brushed off concern about his Drive-thru testing only.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. personal safety and instead Friday, Eastern Henrico Health Department focused on what he considers Oct. 16, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico the root cause of the kidnapDrive-thru testing only for those pre-registered.

1 to 3 p.m. ping plot — the president’s Tuesday, Diversity Richmond rhetoric.

Oct. 20, 1407 Sherwood Ave. in North Side “Not everything we do is 4 to 6 p.m. agreeable to all Virginians. But Thursday, The Saint Paul’s Baptist Church when language is used such as Oct. 22, 4247 Creighton Road in Henrico 10 a.m. to noon

Drive-thru testing only.

Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Eastern Henrico Health Department 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico Drive-thru testing only for those pre-registered.

Appointments are encouraged by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Testing will be offered while test supplies last.

The Chesterfield County Health Department also is offering free COVID-19 testing at the following locations: • Cornerstone Church, 10551 Chalkley Road, 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 and 26, and Thursday, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29.

• Walmsley Boulevard United Methodist Church, 2950 Walmsley Blvd., 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 and 27.

• Faith and Family Center, 7900 Walmsley Blvd., 5 to 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17, 24 and 31.

Testing is encouraged for those who have COVID-19 symptoms.

The testing is free, and no reservations are necessary.

Details: Chesterfield County Health Department at (804) 318-8207.

The Virginia Department of Health reported on Wednesday a total of 161,610 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide, along with 11,628 hospitalizations and 3,381 deaths. Officials reported a steady 4.9 percent positivity rate statewide.

According to the data, African-Americans comprised 25 percent of cases and 27.1 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 28.6 percent of the cases and 9.8 percent of deaths.

Richmond experienced a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases last week, according to health officials. Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Richmond and Henrico County health districts, cited outbreaks at the Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in South Richmond and resulting from a recent wedding as the major contributors in this spike.

Dr. Avula said during an Oct. 8 news conference that contact tracers are working to determine exposures, although he didn’t share where the wedding was held or how many guests were present.

“Residents from across the region all congregated at this wedding and there are multiple cases that we continue to work out of that incident,” Dr. Avula said.

Four deaths and more than 80 people tested positive for the virus also were reported at Tyler’s Retreat at Iron Bridge, a retirement community in Chesterfield County. According to the data, AfricanAmericans comprised 25.3 percent of cases and 27.2 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 29.2 percent of the cases and 9.8 percent of deaths.

Please turn to A4

Northams out of isolation

By George Copeland Jr.

After spending 18 days in isolation following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Gov. Ralph S. Northam appeared for the first time in public, speaking at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.

In addition to addressing the kidnapping plot against him by an anti-government militia group that was uncovered by the FBI, discussing federal CARES Act funding and making Juneteenth a permanent state holiday, Gov. Northam talked about his time in isolation in the Executive Mansion with his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, who also tested positive for the virus on Sept. 24.

He said because several days had passed since the emergence of their virus symptoms, they were cleared to leave isolation Please turn to A4

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Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

Local News

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Cityscape

City leaders and community members take part in a “Push In” ceremony to put a new fire engine Slices of life and scenes in service at Fire Station 16. Location: 3901 Chamberlayne Ave. Among the participants at the Oct. 9 in Richmond event are Mayor Levar M. Stoney and Richmond Fire Chief Melvin Carter. Four other stations around the city also are planning similar ceremonies when their new trucks arrive. Firefighter Carlos Samuels said the ceremony is a nod to the bygone era when fire equipment was horse-drawn and firefighters literally had to push the wagons and pumpers into the station after the horses were unhitched.

Deadline to request absentee ballot Friday, Oct.23 Voting information The presidential election, as well as contests for U.S. Senate, Congress, Richmond City Council and Richmond School Board, will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

• Early in-person voting: Through Saturday, Oct. 31.

• Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Friday, Oct. 23.

Contact: Virginia Department of Elections, www.elections. virginia.gov or (800) 552-9745, for details on early in-person voting, voting by mail, requesting an absentee ballot to vote by mail and acceptable forms of ID to vote.

Richmond Early in-person voting: Richmond Voter Registrar’s Office, 2134 W. Laburnum Ave. — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

City Hall, 900 E. Broad St. in Downtown and Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 E. Belt Blvd. in South Side – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30.

All three locations open for early voting 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31.

Drop box locations for mail-in ballots:Richmond Voter Registrar’s Office, first floor lobby; City Hall lobby; Southside Social Services Center lobby, Southside Plaza, 4100 Hull Street Road; or at the voter’s polling place.

Details: (804) 646-5950 or www.richmondgov.com/ registrar/ Henrico County Early in-person voting: Henrico Western Government Center, Voter Registrar’s Office, Administration Building Annex Room 105, 4305 E. Parham Road – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Henrico Eastern Government Center, Room 100, 3820 Nine Mile Road – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Both locations open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 24 and 31.

Drop box locations for mail-in ballots: *Henrico Wester n G o ve r n m e n t C e n t e r, Administration Building Annex Room 105; and Henrico Eastern Government Center, Room 100.

Details: (804) 501-4347 or henrico.us/registrar/

Chesterfield County Early in-person voting: C h e s t e r f i e l d Vo t e r Registrar’s Office, 9848 Lori Road – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, four satellite locations open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

T h ey a r e M e a d ow d a l e Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd.; LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road; Nor th Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road; and Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road.

All five locations open for early voting 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31.

Drop box locations for mail-in ballots: C h e s t e r f i e l d Vo t e r Registrar’s Office; and, beginning Monday, Oct. 19, the four library satellite locations.

Details: (804) 748-1471 or www.chesterfield.gov/ Registrar Hanover County Early in-person voting: Hanover County G ove r n m e n t C o m p l ex , Wickham Building, 7497 County Complex Road – 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 31.

Drop box location for mailin ballots: 24-hour drop box that is under surveillance is available on the northeast side of the Wickham Building at the Hanover County Gover nment Complex.

Details: (804) 365-6080 or www.hanovercounty. gov/365/voting

Voter registration deadline extended through Oct. 15 Free Press staff, wire report

Virginians have until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 to register to vote because of a 48- hour extension negotiated in court after the state’s online voter registration system went down Tuesday because of an accidentally severed cable.

The order issued Wednesday morning by U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney Jr. in Richmond is an effort to make up for several hours of lost time on Tuesday, which had been the last day to register before the November general election.

The shutdown of the state’s website caused “a tremendous harm” to the people who want to register to vote, Judge Gibney said.

Both the voting rights advocates seeking the extension and the Virginia state officials they sued agreed that more time should be granted. The extension gives people a few more hours to register to vote online and in person.

“This extension is critical to ensuring that no eligible voter across Virginia is locked out

and penalized as a result of the state’s failure,” Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, stated Wednesday following the judge’s order. “This underscores the need for states to put in place backstops to address 11th hour issues and disruptions in our electoral process.”

People can register to vote online through the state Department of Elections website at www.elections.virginia.gov/ voterinfo or go to their local voter registrar’s office.

The Lawyers’ Committee filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Elections and state election officials seeking the extension. They were joined in the suit by the New Virginia Majority Education Fund, the League of Women Voters and the Virginia Civic Engagement Table.

“We are 21 days away from the most important election of our lifetimes, and I want to make sure that every Virginian who wants to vote has the opportunity to do so,” Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring

said in a statement.

Mr. Herring represented the defendants in the lawsuit but didn’t oppose the lawsuit’s goals, seeing it as a way to “vindicate the public interests of ensuring access to the voting booth and election integrity.”

As part of the consent decree, Mr. Herring said Virginia officials will “take all action necessary to provide notice to the public of the reopening and extension of this deadline” and provide additional information on alternative registration methods to the public and to voters attempting to register, if another outage occurs during the extension.

No objections to the extension were raised in court or from lawmakers.

Voting advocates said the accident couldn’t have come at a worse time. Many people wait until the day of the deadline to register, particularly after being reminded on social media and in the news.

State officials said a 10gigabit optical fiber circuit was inadvertently cut during a Chesterfield County roadside

utilities project. Gov. Ralph S. Northam said the state lacked a backup plan for this particular cable, showing the need for continued efforts to create a secure network.

State Secretary of Administration Keyanna Conner said the circuit was installed this spring to handle increased web demand during the coronavirus pandemic. She said backup circuits aren’t as large as the main circuit, but plans are in place to upgrade them.

Gov. Northam, a Democrat, supported the extension, but said it appeared that only the courts could change the state’s voter registration deadline.

This isn’t the first time technical problems affected Virginians’ ability to register to vote under a looming deadline.

In 2016, an unknown number of people were not able to register because of computer glitches amid unprecedented demand spurred by social media reminders. A voter advocacy group, the New Virginia Majority Education Fund, sued for an extension, and a federal judge granted one.

VSU opens John Mercer Langston Institute for African-American Political Leadership

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

were among the speakers participating in the announcement.

Virginia State University is opening “As we look at the current political clia new institute to prepare, cultivate and mate, it is imperative that clear avenues for empower African-Americans for political Black political development are available,” leadership across the state.

Dr. Abdullah stated in an announcement VSU President Makola M. Abdullah an- release for the institute that will be part of nounced the creation of the new John Mercer VSU’s Department of Political Science.

Institute for African-American Political Dr. Abdullah noted that VSU has long Leadership on Wednesday. sought to equip people with the An attorney, educator and knowledge to play leadership diplomat, John Mercer Langston roles and called the institute an was the first president of the “additional voice and pathway historically Black university to make that happen.” in Ettrick that opened in 1882.

“This institute will help deHe also was the first Africanvelop a pipeline for Black politiAmerican to represent Virginia cal leadership across the state to in the U.S. House of Represenensure that the voices of those Mr. Langston tatives in 1890. who are often unheard will be The purpose of the institute is to represented,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, chair provide training, networking opportuni- of the department. “We hear loud and clear ties, research, programming and policy the need for change, for new voices.” collection.

Dr. Bellamy said the institute would to The launch announcement included the seek to slake the “thirst for understanding release of the institute’s inaugural poll political structures” and to assist in elevating of Black Virginia voters that highlights “people eager to make a difference.” their needs.

The institute is scheduled to host its Petersburg Delegate Lashrecse Aird first training program in February, VSU and Hampton state Sen. Mamie Locke, officials stated. chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Born a free Black man in 1829 in Louisa

County, Mr. Langston was orphaned at age 4 and raised by a half-brother and guardian in Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1849 and a master’s in theology in 1852 from Oberlin College. After being denied admittance to several law schools because of his race, he studied the law under an abolitionist attorney in Ohio and was the first Black admitted to the Ohio bar in 1854.

Active in the abolitionist movement, Mr. Langston was appointed after the Civil War as inspector general for the Freedmen’s Bureau that assisted formerly enslaved people. In 1868, he established and served as the founding dean of Howard University’s Law School.

He was appointed as the U.S. minister to Haiti by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877, and later returned to Virginia, where he was appointed as the first president of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute, the land grant institution founded in 1882 in Ettrick that later became Virginia State University.

After a contentious congressional election that ultimately was decided by a committee, Mr. Langston was seated in September 1890 as the first African-American in Congress representing Virginia.

City Council authorizes use of $500,000 of $18.9M surplus for COVID-19 relief

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond City Council on Wednesday informally agreed to steer $500,000 from a ballooning surplus into a COVID-19 relief fund, with a potential for the money to provide emergency aid for city residents in desperate circumstances.

The move came as the City Council majority rejected a recommendation from Mayor Levar M. Stoney to use the one-time dollars to pilot initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence, improving mental health services and cutting the higher infant and maternal mortality rates among AfricanAmericans.

Council members worried about whether the funding to continue the programs would be available once the initial money runs out.

Fifth District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch helped gain the money for the COVID-19 relief fund after telling

members that she is besieged with pleas from people who need immediate help paying for food or shelter.

She said the city’s funding for emergency relief has dried up, leaving dozens of struggling families and individuals with no place to turn.

The debate over use of the money followed the Stoney administration’s disclosure Ms. Lynch Monday that the surplus from the 2019-20 fiscal year that ended June 30 had grown to $18.9 million, an increase of $5.2 million from the $13.5 million surplus originally reported.

The increase was attributed to better than expected collections of sales, meals and personal property taxes and of business license revenue, indicating the resilience of the city’s economy in the face of the pandemic.

Most of the unspent dollars already were spoken for, with more than $7 million going to untouchable savings and another $5.5 million earmarked for a fund to pay for maintenance and repairs to city buildings and other infrastructure.

The council adopted two other mayoral recommendations, including steering $5.78 million into a trust fund to help cover health insurance and other benefits for retirees other than the pension.

A new audit report has indicated the mayor and the council are facing an increasing liability for those retirement benefits called OPEB, which has long been underfunded. According to Finance Director John Wack, the city will need to set aside about $15 million in the coming 2021-22 budget to address the growing OPEB bill and to shore up its pension fund that also is underfunded.

The council also agreed with the mayor’s proposal to spend $110,000 for an equity study of city operations and policies.

Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

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Local News

City moves to reacquire portion of unmarked Black cemetery at Shockoe Hill

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The city’s leadership is moving to reverse a nearly 130-year effort to eliminate a major Black cemetery.

Richmond City Council cleared the way Monday night for the city to reacquire 1305 N. 5th St., the original portion of an expansive, but unmarked cemetery where 22,000 enslaved and free people were buried between 1816 and 1879.

Railroad tracks and Interstate 64 were built through the land, and the city sold the property to a private buyer who built a service station there that closed years ago.

The 9-0 vote to recover the property and recognize it as a cemetery caps a three-year campaign led by Texas educator Lenora C. McQueen after discovering that some of her ancestors

injurious, but non-lethal deterrents to disperse gatherings that are declared unlawful.

By a 7-2 vote, the council refused to revive the resolution introduced in July by 5th District Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch and 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones after they experienced police tear-gassing Black Lives Matter demonstrators in June. The vote upheld the Public Safety Committee’s request that it be stricken from Ms. McQueen the docket.

Meanwhile, Ms. McQueen was pleased after listening virtually to the City Council meeting and the vote approving the ordinance that Mayor

Unmarked Black cemetery at Shockoe Hill

were buried there.

The vote highlighted the meeting at which City Council also killed a resolution that called on Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to ban Richmond Police from using tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and other

Levar M. Stoney proposed to extend the city’s Slave Trail to include the former cemetery property at 5th and Hospital streets in North Side.

“I am so excited,” Ms. McQueen said.

The vote enables the city to tap a

$1 million state grant to gain title to the land and follows the council’s Sept.

28 approval of the mayor’s recommendation to invest $1.7 million to create a 9-acre slavery memorial park and museum in Shockoe Bottom.

Ms. McQueen found the cemetery property on a journey of discovery about her ancestors and got involved when she found the burial site was on the verge of being sold for unpaid taxes.

Ms. McQueen secured help in 2017 from 6th District City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to stop the sale.

Her continuing and detailed research on the site with university historians has since put the site on the road to gaining state and national landmark status as the Shockoe Hill African Burial Ground.

During the City Council meeting, Ms. McQueen offered thanks, but also reminded council members that the plot to be acquired is just one part of the area used for the burial of Black people.

She noted, for example, that a grassy area outside the east wall of the city’s Shockoe Hill Cemetery is another unrecognized section of what she and others believe was the largest municipal burial ground for Black people in this country.

Before the vote, Ms. Robertson credited Ms. McQueen’s research and dogged persistence with making possible an ordinance that “tells the painful history of Richmond and the lack of recognition of African-Americans as a people and as human beings.”

City Council Vice President Chris A. Hilbert, 3rd District, agreed.

“The City of Richmond has done a lot of horrible things, but desecrating graves is pretty low and takes it to another category,” Mr. Hilbert said.

He called what the city had done to the cemetery “disgraceful” and called it right and appropriate that the city “put this property back on the map so it cannot ever again be ignored.”

Henrico pulls funding for prosecutor dedicated to probing police misconduct

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Shannon Taylor, Henrico County’s top prosecutor, has dropped her plan to hire the first deputy prosecutor in Virginia who would specialize in investigating police misconduct after Henrico County pulled its share of the funding.

The Henrico commonwealth’s attorney told the Free Press in an email that although “I continue to strongly believe that there needs to be a deputy whose full-time responsibility” would be to probe complaints, review footage from body-worn cameras and seek charges against officers when appropriate, the county funds are crucial.

Ms. Taylor noted the state, which is the primary source of funding for her office, “does not allocate resources such that I can hire for this position or for a consultant at a significantly reduced salary.”

Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas initially agreed the county would cover a portion of the salary, but withdrew that support after deeming the person Ms. Taylor selected too biased against police based on social media posts.

At this point, she stated that her only option is Ms. Taylor to lobby the five members of the Henrico Board of Supervisors “to try to convince them to persuade them that Mr. Vithoulkas that his action is unjust and that this position will help make Henrico a safer and more just community.”

But a majority of the board members has signaled that is an unlikely prospect. Only one member, the Rev. Tyrone Nelson of Varina, has publicly offered support for filling the position.

Ms. Taylor announced plans for the position July 1 amid the protests over the police killing in Minneapolis of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky. She did so after first securing Mr. Vithoulkas’ agreement authorizing creation of the position in her office.

The Virginia Mercury broke the story Oct. 1 that Mr. Vithoulkas had pulled back the county funding in mid-September after reading social media posts from the selected candidate for the job, Misty Whitehead of Henrico, a Filipino native and Army veteran who has specialized in criminal defense and family law for 13 years.

Ms. Taylor offered Ms. Whitehead the position on Sept. 1. Ms. Whitehead accepted, but then received notice from the county two weeks before she was to start on Sept. 28 that the position that would have paid $121,000 a year had been frozen and would not be filled.

The county was to provide at least half of the funding for her salary and benefits.

According to Mr. Vithoulkas, he pulled the funding after looking at her social media posts and found them to be anti-police. One post included a photo of her posing with family in front of the Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond after the pedestal was covered with graffiti that included slurs against police.

In Mr. Vithoulkas’ view, hiring someone who brings a bias as well as a focus on aggressively prosecuting officers could impact the department’s ability to recruit new officers and retain those on the force.

He told the Mercury, “In this case, I will absolutely not do it under any circumstance.”

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Richmond Free Press

A4 October 15-17, 2020

News

2 people rob the same SunTrust Bank but sentences different as black and white Continued from A1

an inmate at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt. He knows he got hammered by now retired Hanover Circuit Court Judge Horace A. Revercomb III. In a letter to the Free Press, Mr. Brailey wrote that he has since learned that the state’s sentencing guidelines, if followed, would have recommended a sentence of six to 11 years.

According to the court transcript, Judge Revercomb found the guideline’s sentencing range inadequate after reviewing Mr. Brailey’s past history of convictions and labeling him a career criminal.

“When I tell other inmates how much time I received, they tell me they know someone who robbed two banks and got 21 years,” Mr. Brailey wrote in his letter.

He stated he also has met several inmates who were convicted of robberies and were sentenced to 12 years or less, despite having records involving more violence.

And he noted that one of his co-defendants, a former girlfriend, received only six years, while another co-defendant was acquitted.

With his appeals exhausted, Mr. Brailey is like many inmates

whose only hope of shorter time is through intervention from the governor, the single state official with authority to commute prison terms.

Mr. Brailey’s mother, retired schoolteacher Josephine Starks, has been campaigning almost nonstop for four years to have her son’s sentence commuted by the governor.

State senators and delegates and even a member of Congress have taken an interest in the case, as have others who know Mrs. Starks and her son. They have provided letters of recommendation supporting early release for Mr. Brailey. So have several Department of Corrections employees who have met and worked with him.

Mr. Brailey has tried to demonstrate he would do well if released from prison. He has taken multiple courses in prison, participated in mental health counseling and worked in housekeeping.

Still, a sentence commutation remains a long shot. Petitions for clemency are piled high in the office of the state Secretary of the Commonwealth, the designated office to review petitions for clemency and pardons and make recommendations to the governor.

That office relies on a small team of around seven investigators

General Assembly passes police reform measures Continued from A1

significant down the road is headed to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

One bill that has cleared both the House and Senate grants the state attorney general the same authority as the U.S. Justice Department to initiate patternand-practice investigations of racial bias and officer use of force in local police departments.

Attorney General Mark R. Herring sought the authority after watching the Justice Department essentially end such probes.

The General Assembly also approved a bill that requires the state Department of Criminal Justice Services to create uniform standards for police training and conduct, enable the department’s oversight board to de-certify officers who are found to

have violated the standards and create a database to prevent those de-certified by one department from jumping to another department.

Bills also passed both houses that ban officers from using chokeholds to restrain people being arrested unless it is to protect the arresting officer’s life; another imposes a duty on police officers to report fellow officers who engage in misconduct.

Sheriffs and police chiefs also will be required to report the names of officers who resign or are fired for misconduct, along with those who receive three or more civilian complaints of misconduct.

Another bill both houses passed requires increased scrutiny and assessment of the records of police officers who are seeking employment with another department.

On the eviction front, a push to halt evictions during the pandemic died.

Instead, the legislature passed a bill allowing renters to gain an automatic 60-day delay in eviction proceedings and granting property owners facing foreclosure the right to request a 30-day delay.

Also, both houses approved legislation requiring owners and landlords of five or more rental units to offer tenants who in arrears to pay off their past due rent in installments.

Additionally, the House and Senate both followed Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s recommendation and made June 19 a paid state holiday. Also known as Juneteenth, the holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African-Americans learned they were free following the Civil War. Meanwhile, the special General Assembly session continues as lawmakers work to adopt a revised state budget.

Judge Barrett’s confirmation to U.S. Supreme Court expected to sail through Senate Continued from A1

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who chairs the committee, has indicated he will seek to complete other procedural hurdles and hold a committee vote on Thursday, Oct. 22, to send her nomination to the floor.

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Richmond Free Press

June 2-4, 2011

And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky has said he plans to bring the nomination to a vote of the full Senate as quickly as possible, which is expected to be held before the month ends.

The GOP holds 53 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate. And so far, only two Re-

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publicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have indicated they support waiting until after the Nov. 3 presidential election to have the vote.

At this point, that still leaves Republicans with a 51-vote majority, more than enough to ensure Judge Barrett, who currently serves on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, will be seated.

Frustrated Democrats, who can count on 47 votes, can only participate in what some have called a sham process and a far different approach than in 2016, when the same Republicans halted President Obama from filling a U.S. Supreme Court seat on a claim such a vote should not be held in an election year.

For supporters of a woman’s right to choose, the nominee is a frightening choice as she could vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling legalizing abortion nationwide.

“This is history being made folks,” Sen. Graham gloated as he welcomed the judge to the Senate committee hearings.

“This is the first time in American history that we’ve nominated a woman who is unashamedly pro-life and embraces her (Catholic) faith without apology, and she’s going to the court,” he continued.

“It will be a great signal to all young women who share your view of the world,” he said.

Under questioning by Sen. Graham, Judge Barrett, 48, repeated that the landmark case that recognized a woman’s constitutional right to abortion was not a “super-precedent” that could never be overturned.

Despite substantial evidence that she publicly supported an end to abortion, Judge Barrett told the committee she could and would set aside her religious beliefs in making judicial decisions.

She would be the fifth woman to serve on the nation’s highest court and the second Republican woman. And for Democrats, she is considered likely to do Justice Ginsburg’s legacy what Justice Clarence Thomas has done to Thurgood Marshall’s legal legacy — destroy it.

During the questioning, Judge Barrett sidestepped questions on contentious social issues and told the committee she had no agenda regarding the Obamacare health insurance program even though she scolded Chief Justice John Roberts for upholding the legality of a program she would have struck down.

Democrats said Judge Barrett would threaten health care for millions of Americans and that the Senate should not consider filling the vacancy until after the presidential election.

at the Virginia Parole Board to do the actual investigative work.

Those investigators are swamped with hundreds of cases.

According to some familiar with the process, petitions can stay on a desk for at least two years and often longer.

Mr. Brailey filed his first petition for clemency in 2016 while former Gov. Terry McAuliffe was in office.

Sa’ad El-Amin, a former Richmond City Council member who now runs an advocacy office, filed an updated petition in recent months after learning about Mr. Brailey’s sentence from his mother.

“I was outraged, and I remain outraged that this man is still in prison,” Mr. El-Amin said. “In my 50 years of advocacy, this is the most egregious disparate sentence that I have ever known about.”

Mr. El-Amin said he is even more outraged after finding out about the far more lenient sentence Ms. Pollard received compared to Mr. Brailey.

He has posted information on Mr. Brailey on his website, 1619inc.org, in hopes of garnering public interest.

He would love to see the Black Lives Matter or the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus take up the cause of Mr. Brailey.

While individual caucus members, such as Richmond state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan, has been engaged, the entire caucus has not put the matter on its agenda or issued any statements calling out the inaction on the case.

“I know he did wrong. So does he,” Mrs. Starks said of her son. “But everyone deserves another chance to prove that they have changed.”

Gov. Northam alleged target of anti-government militia group Continued from A1

‘Liberate Virginia,’ people find meaning on those words, and thus things happen and that’s regrettable,” Gov. Northam said.

He was quoting a phrase that President Trump used in at least two tweets during the spring attacking the Democratic governor for early on largely shutting down the state in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 and for pushing new regulations on the sale and use of military-style weapons and handguns in Virginia.

Gov. Northam said his biggest concern is that anti-government rhetoric and attacks on elected officials are not coming from another country. “It’s coming from Washington. It needs to stop.”

He said he has continued work without feeling intimidated; others noted that his security detail had been beefed up.

Gov. Whitmer has expressed a similar view, along with other Democratic officeholders.

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine in a Twitter post stated that he had warned Vice President Mike Pence in April that “divisive comments like Trump’s ‘Liberate Virginia’ could cause violence. We need a president who heals — not divides.”

In response, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany issued a statement claiming that President Trump “has continually condemned white supremacists and all forms of hate,” conveniently forgetting that the president refused to disavow white supremacists in the recent presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

However, after the plot was disclosed, President Trump tweeted, “I do not tolerate ANY extreme violence,” though he stopped short of a full-throated condemnation of white supremacists and hate speech.

Information about the kidnapping plot was first disclosed Oct. 8 when six people were arrested on federal charges and seven on state charges. According to the information, the participants had planned and rehearsed an attack on the Michigan State Capitol and made plans to abduct Gov. Whitmer and other officials they felt had taken control of their lives and violated their freedom through COVID-19 mandates.

The plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer before the Nov. 3 election never went anywhere as the FBI kept close tabs through wiretaps, informants and undercover agents who had infiltrated the paramilitary group, according to officials. The arrests captured those allegedly involved before they could transform their plan into reality, according to FBI Special Agent Richard Trask’s testimony.

“They discussed possible targets, taking a sitting governor, specifically the governors of Michigan and Virginia based on the lockdown orders” they had issued to deal with the pandemic, Agent Trask testified.

He said the discussion took place June 6 in Dublin, Ohio, where roughly 15 representatives of anti-government organizations were in the room.

Northams out of isolation Continued from A1

by health officials.

According to Gov. Northam, everyone in the governor’s office has been tested, with 65 staff members told to quarantine and none of them testing positive for the coronavirus.

Gov. Northam thanked the public for their well-wishes during the couple’s nearly three weeks of quarantine and isolation.

He offered continued warning to Virginians to treat COVID-19 seriously, using his own experience as an example. Initially, the governor was asymptomatic after testing positive for the virus.

And just as he was about to leave quarantine, he developed flu-like symptoms, sending him into isolation for another 10 days.

“It is too easy to think, ‘Oh, this will never happen to me.’

But it can,” said Gov. Northam, who wore a face mask to the news conference as he has for months, taking it down only to speak.

The Northams were tested for COVID-19 after a member of their residence staff was found to have tested positive on Sept. 23.

In addition, Gov. Northam stressed the importance of staying socially distanced, wearing masks and washing your hands, especially with winter bringing longer nights, cooler weather and the onset of the flu season.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint,” the governor said. “And I know everyone is frustrated, but we’re not out of the woods.”

Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

A5

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Richmond Free Press

A6 October 15-17, 2020

Local News

Nasal flush possibly remedy to fight off coronavirus?

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Photographer and home builder Robert Liverman has become an unlikely crusader for a method he believes people can use to help protect themselves from COVID-19 — daily rinsing their noses.

T h e 52-yearold Mec h a n icsville resident has created “Flush to Live” to spread the word Mr. Liverman about this approach.

And although he’s not a scientist or physician, there is increasing research literature indicating he is on to something that could be beneficial.

Mr. Liverman said he got the idea after watching a news story demonstrating that the coronavirus, like others, becomes dangerous after entering the nose and infecting certain cells where it can grow and migrate to infect the lungs and other parts of the body.

Dr. Andrew Lane, a nose specialist at Johns Hopkins University, is among those who conducted the study showing the nose is where the virus sets up.

“It just came to me,” Mr. Liverman said. “Why not use a nose flush like people do for allergies? You can buy a bottle to flush your nose at almost any drug store.”

He has created his own flush he uses daily. He said 500,000 people so far have watched his Tik Tok video where he demonstrates his low-tech recipe: A half-teaspoon of salt, 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into a gallon of distilled water, with the mix being put into a nasal spray bottle and applied.

While no studies have backed up the use of a nasal flush or Mr. Liverman’s ingredients, a Sept. 14 ScienceNews article lends credence to his idea.

ScienceNews reported the nose “has emerged as a key battleground in the war against COVID-19” as a result of published study from Dr. Lane and his colleagues.

According to the article, scientists are testing nose sprays, nasal disinfectants and even baby shampoo as applications that could reduce or destroy the virus.

For example, a study published in Ear, Nose and Throat journal suggested that a diluted solution of iodine used in a nose spray could safely kill the virus.

ScienceNews reported other scientists are testing nasal rinses that use a mixture of water, salt and baby shampoo on those testing positive to halt the growth and spread of the virus by washing it out. Soap is known to be highly effective against the virus.

According to Dr. Lane, further testing is needed, but the idea of a nose flush or spray “holds promise.”

Mr. Liverman said he has called and talked with everyone he could think of to try to get the word out about the potential for a nasal flush to help people avoid the ravages of COVID-19.

As an African-American, he understands the impact the virus is having on people like himself.

He said he has called the state and national public health agencies in a bid to get them involved in talking up nasal flushes, but has had no success.

Dr. Danny TK Avula, director of the Richmond Health District, has not responded to a Free Press query.

Mr. Liverman also has been talking with Black church organizations about spreading the word through their congregational networks.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Gabriel Gathering Left, Taylor Maloney lays a white rose at the base of the obelisk honoring Richmond’s enslaved population during last Saturday’s 18th Annual Gabriel Gathering held at the burial ground for enslaved Africans in Shockoe Bottom. About 80 people attended the event presented by the Sacred Ground Historical Reclamation Project commemorating the unsuccessful 1800 revolt led by Gabriel Prosser, a blacksmith enslaved in Henrico County. Below, Pamela Bingham, a descendant of Mr. Prosser, speaks at the gathering that aimed to educate people about the past and to update people on the progress of the memorial to the enslaved that is planned for the site at 15th and Broad streets. The site once contained the African Burial Ground and the city gallows, where members of the revolt, including Gabriel, were hanged.

Clinical trial takes place locally for COVID-19 vaccine

By George Copeland Jr.

With more than 216,000 deaths and more than 7.8 million people infected from COVID-19, work continues to produce a vaccine, including in Virginia, which is part of a new clinical trial.

The local study is being conducted by the Virginia Research Center on the Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center campus in Chesterfield County and is sponsored through a collaboration between BioNTech SE

and Pfizer.

Officials said the study is focused on randomized, observer-blind comparisons of the effects of two vaccines, BNT162b1 and BNT162b2, on participants against a placebo through low to high dose injections in a series of phases.

The first phase focuses on identifying preferred vaccine candidates and dose levels.

The last two phases are an expanded look at groups of people and the efficacy of the vaccines, with BNT162b1

being used for Phase 2 and BNT162b2 being used solely for Phase 3.

Participants for the study have been sought through recent advertisements in newspapers, including the Richmond Free Press. Participants will receive either the experimental vaccine or placebo during their first and second office visits, with a total of six office visits for all involved.

Participants selected for the trial must be between age 18 and 85, in good health and

not pregnant. They also cannot ever have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said.

Due to the nature of the study, demographic information on the participants has not been provided, leaving it unclear whether the study has attracted a variety of people in terms of age, race and gender.

This could prove to be a critical point for this vaccine and the VRC’s study, given COVID-19’s significant impact on African-American and

Latinx communities.

Drug makers stress the importance of minority groups participating in the trials to assess the side effects and efficacies of the vaccines.

Several clinical trials in the United States have been halted because of problems, including neurological illnesses suffered by participants.

The local study is set to run until Dec. 11, 2022.

The VRC’s study is part of 166 other studies in locations around the globe.

Concern rises about COVID-19 cases among Va. inmates

By George Copeland Jr.

Lawmakers, advocates and inmates are demanding answers and new solutions to the rising cases of COVID-19 among inmates and staff in Virginia’s prisons and jails.

The calls for solutions have increased in volume and urgency recently with U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark R. Warner and Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Richmond getting into the fray.

Rep. McEachin and Sens. Warner and Kaine, along with Rep. Morgan Griffith of Southwest Virginia, sent a letter last week to Michael Carvajal, director of the federal Bureau of Prisons, looking for clarity on his plans to improve conditions at the Federal Correctional Complex in Petersburg and the federal penitentiary in Lee County in light of the pandemic.

According to the letter, conditions at the facilities have deteriorated in the four months since they initially expressed their concerns to Mr. Carvajal.

“One area of particular concern is the continued lack of adequate personal protective equipment,” the letter stated. “According to employees at FCI Petersburg, both staff and inmates are forced to re-use supplies and masks, which presents serious health and safety risks.

“Given the close quarters and frequent person-toperson interaction, correctional staff and incarcerated individuals are especially vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. This also creates additional risk of community spread outside the facilities.”

Petersburg staff said that showers are being restricted for inmates, “a policy which further exacerbates sanitation and hygiene issues during a global pandemic,” according to the letter, along with reduced access to outdoor recreation, exercise facilities and phones.

“We recognize the importance of limiting large group gatherings, and that coordinating these activities can present logistical, health, and safety challenges. However, it is imperative that correctional facilities find new ways to maintain and support a healthy quality of life for inmates during this crisis,” the letter continued.

The lawmakers noted that such a “lapse in judgment”

could result in an outbreak inside the prison, endangering staff, inmates and local communities.

The two facilities house about 4,144 inmates.

Federal Bureau of Prisons data reports 68 positive cases of COVID-19 among inmates in Petersburg, with one death, and four positive cases among staff. The Lee County prison reports five positive cases among staff, according to the prison bureau website.

Relatives of prisoners at the Petersburg complex held a horn-honking demonstration on Sept. 5, to let inmates know they weren’t forgotten during the pandemic.

Family advocates said at the time that prison officials had barred visits and shut down an email communication system for relatives and inmates. It is unclear if communications have been reopened.

Separately, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia has called for independent experts, separate from the Virginia Department of Corrections, to evaluate the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in state prisons.

ACLU-VA also claimed that the state corrections department has twice violated terms of a settlement agreement over prison conditions during the pandemic.

State corrections authorities on Monday reported a total of 3,719 positive cases at state facilities, with 143 active cases among inmates and 50 among staff members. According to the state data, 33 inmates and one staff member have died from COVID-19.

A large share of those cases and deaths — 733 cases and 19 inmate deaths — have occurred at the Deerfield Correctional Center in Southampton County, which houses elderly inmates and those with serious health conditions. The ACLU-VA referred to the Deerfield facility as a telling sign of state officials’ failures to address the pandemic in prisons.

In response, prison officials have pointed to their use at Deerfield of guidelines issued by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state Health Department as evidence of their hard work to stop COVID-19’s spread.

“As we’ve witnessed in nursing homes everywhere, the offender population at Deerfield is unfortunately

more vulnerable to the coronavirus,” Harold Clarke, director of the state Department of Corrections, stated in a news release late last month.

“Our people are suffering inside these jails and prisons,” said Christopher Rashad Green of New Virginia Majority during a recent rally in Nina F. Abady Festival Park urging state officials to accelerate the early release of qualified inmates. “It’s not right.”

The Virginia General Assembly approved a proposal

by Gov. Ralph S. Northam for the early release of around 2,000 inmates with less than a year on their sentences.

However, while the Virginia Department of Corrections identified around 1,800 individuals that qualified for early release, advocates and inmates have said the department is moving too slow in their release. As of Monday, 905 inmates have been released from state and local facilities and institutional hospitals under the early release program, according to the department.

“I sent emails and phone calls starting in March all the way up to July and my son was only released on his day to be released on July 13,” said LeTeisha Gordon, founder of the A Better Day than Yesterday Initiative, during the rally. Ms. Gordon’s son tested positive for COVID-19 in May while incarcerated in Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County.

She said her son has since tested negative for the virus since his release.

She and other advocates said their efforts to have qualifying inmates released face a lack of coordination by local and state institutions, making advocacy for inmates much harder as case numbers and outbreaks continue statewide.

Locally, a spike in cases was reported at the Richmond Justice Center in late August, leading to another round of mass testing in the facility. Officials confirmed that 91 inmates were infected and nine active cases of COVID-19.

The Pamunkey Regional Jail in Hanover County has remained in lockdown after officials announced an outbreak at the facility in early September, with around 70 percent of inmates and 15 percent of staff testing positive.

Va. company switches from e-cigarettes to manufacturing PPE Free Press wire report

A Virginia-based company that makes disposable face masks and surgical masks plans to create 180 jobs and invest $5.3 million to grow its operations in the area.

Gov. Ralph S. Northam an-

nounced Oct. 9 that PremiumEstore LLC will expand its operation in the Virginia Beach area by purchasing new equipment and hiring more people to increase its manufacturing capacity, news outlets reported.

PremiumEstore has been an e-cigarette distributor since

2008, but the company pivoted to PPE production in March. It began operating as PremiumPPE and producing AmeriShield masks.

Gov. Northam said the company can currently produce up to 20 million masks a month.

Premium-PPE will receive

incentives through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program, which assists and funds employee recruitment and training.

“Throughout the course of this public health crisis, we have seen Virginia manufacturers like Premium-PPE adapt their business models to stay viable and

help keep people safe,” Gov. Northam said. “By growing its manufacturing capabilities, Premium-PPE will help support our present and future needs and continue to play a vital role in producing critical health care supplies for the Commonwealth and states across our country.”

Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020 A7

When you wear a mask, you protect others. When others wear a mask, they protect you.

The coronavirus is still out there, so remember to wear a mask. A mask doesn’t eliminate the need for other safety precautions, but it does help save lives.

How to take your mask off carefully when you’re home Wear your face mask correctly

Secure under the chin.

Cover the nose.

Your face mask should: • Cover your nose and mouth and be secured under your chin • Fit snugly on your face • Allow you to breathe easily Children under age 2 should not wear masks.

Once you’re home, do the following: 1. Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops 2. Handle only by the ear loops or ties 3. Fold outside corners together 4. Place mask in the washing machine (set water at warmest possible temperature) 5. Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth when removing mask 6. Wash your hands with soap and water after removing mask Make sure to wash your mask after every use.

The CDC doesn’t recommend wearing masks with exhalation valves or vents because they allow air to escape, which could potentially transmit the coronavirus to others.

Continue to practice safety precautions

6 feet

Disinfect

20 Seconds

Hand Sanitizer

Please practice the following: • Stay at least six feet away from others • Avoid close contact with people who are sick • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces • Wear your mask when you are outside of your home — running a quick errand or at a social gathering, no matter the size

We care about the health and safety of our communities. To learn more, visit vcuhealth.org. © 2020 VCU Health. All rights reserved. Sources: VCU Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A8

October 15-17, 2020

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, front center, talks with special guests at a ceremony Oct. 9 in Richmond City Council Chambers proclaiming Monday, Oct. 12, as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the city.

This is the second year the city has honored the day, which was formerly dedicated to Christopher Columbus, who many view as exploiting indigenous people.

In June, a statue of Columbus was pulled down from its perch in Byrd Park by protesters and dragged into Fountain Lake. The city now has the statue in storage.

Guests at the ceremony are, from left, Keith Anderson of Portsmouth and Chief Samuel Bass of Suffolk, both of the Nansemond Indian Nation; Reggie Tupponce Jr. of Glen Allen, administrator of the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe; Shereen Waterlily of Richmond, a representative of the Mattaponi Tribe; Dr. Denise L. Walters of Henrico, a member of the Nottoway Tribe Council; and

Mellon Foundation to provide $250M to help communities create new monuments

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Suddenly there is a new source of funding that might help Richmond create replacement monuments for the white supremacist Confederates that have been taken down from Monument Avenue and other city sites.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation based in Pittsburgh has announced plans to spend $250 million over the next five years to enable communities to create new monuments and memorials.

The Oct. 5 announcement of the “Monuments Project” stated that the aim of the initiative is to “transform the way our country’s histories are told in public spaces” and provide inclusion “of those who have often been denied” such recognition.

Richmond has the potential to be a major beneficiary given that it had one of the largest collections of the racist statues on public display and received national and international attention in taking them down.

The city also has long been on the Mellon Foundation’s radar. The foundation has previously provided grants to the Richmond Symphony and other arts and humanities groups in the city.

“The War Horse,” a bronze horse sculpture designed by Tessa Pullan of England in memory of the 1.5 million horses and mules that were killed, wounded or died from disease in the Civil War, was given in 1997 to the Virginia Museum of History & Culture by Paul Mellon, the son of Andrew W. Mellon and a founder of the Mellon Foundation.

City Hall would be expected to apply for the Mellon Foundation grant, but so far, there has been no confirmation of such plans to gain financial help with the projected multimillion dollar cost to develop replacement statues featuring Richmond heroes.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney and members of the administration have not responded to requests for comment on the Mellon initiative or about plans to try to tap the money the nation’s largest arts and humanities philanthropy is making available.

The administration and City Council have not put in place a process to develop recommendations for replacing the Confederate statues and possibly the pedestals, although plenty of ideas bubbled up on social media while the statues were being removed.

For now, City Council and its staff appear to be more focused on selling off 10 of the 12 cityowned statues that were taken down.

The council, without explanation, has declined to dispose of the statues of Confederate Gen. Williams C. Wickham and of the Confederate unit known as the Richmond Howitzers. The council also has not considered the fate of the statue of Christopher Columbus that was pulled down by crowds during recent protests.

The Mellon Foundation began its initiative by awarding a $4 million grant to Monument Lab, a public art organization based in Philadelphia.

According to Mellon, the organization works with artists and activists in communities across the country on public projects and art installations focused on social justice.

Pamunkey Chief Robert Gray of King William County.

Monday also was proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Virginia for the first time. In a statement, Gov. Northam said the state and the nation “too often failed to live up to our commitments with those who were the first stewards of the lands we now call Virginia — and they have suffered historic injustices as a result.

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the resilience of our tribal communities and promotes reconciliation, healing, and continued friendship with Virginia’s Indian tribes,” the statement continued.

“In making this proclamation, we pay tribute to the culture, history, and many contributions of Virginia Indians and recommit to cultivating strong government-to-government partnerships that are grounded in mutual trust and respect.” Virginia is home to 11 state-recognized Indian tribes, seven of which also are federally recognized.

Hanover County School Board gives final approval to new school names The Hanover County School Board approved new names for the former Confederate Stonewall Middle School and Lee-Davis High School during a meeting Tuesday night.

The board unanimously approved the name Mechanicsville High School.

On a 6-1 vote, it approved the name Bell Creek Middle School.

School Board member George E. Sutton of the Henry District cast

the sole dissenting vote.

Tuesday’s action came at the end of a heated legal battle with the Hanover Branch NAACP over the schools’ former Confederate names and months of discussions that followed the board’s decision in July to rename the schools. The renaming process included public input and a poll on names recommended by a renaming committee.

However, disagreements last month over the names chosen by the committee, Mechanicsville Middle School and Twin River High School, led the board to delay the vote and take the name selection process into its own hands.

New mascots and colors for Bell Creek Middle and Mechanicsville High will be chosen by the schools. – GEORGE COPELAND JR.

Who should replace Confederate Robert E. Lee in U.S. Capitol representing Va.?

By George Copeland Jr.

The commission, which comes under the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, also Maggie L. Walker. Virginia Randolph. Booker plans to have public and private schoolchildren T. Washington. Barbara Johns. Pocahontas. Chief contribute to the discussion for an alternative Powhatan. Edgar Allan Poe. to the Lee statue.

Those are some of the names suggested for Names have been coming in since August, statues to replace Confederate Gen. Robert E. according to officials.

Lee in the U.S. Capitol to represent Virginia.

The process and timeline for a replacement Beginning Friday, Oct. 16, the Commission was outlined at a virtual meeting of the comfor Historical Statues in the U.S. Capitol is mission on Oct. 8. opening a formal 30-day A public hearing will public comment period to be set for November after collect recommendations the public comment period of prominent or renowned ends on Nov. 13, officials Virginians to be comsaid. The Virginia Departmemorated in the National ment of Historic Resources Statuary Hall Collection in then will narrow the subWashington. missions to five finalists As outlined by federal and present them to the officials, eligible subjects commission in December must be a deceased citifor a final selection that is zen of the United States, to be approved by the Genhistorically renowned or eral Assembly. An artist is distinguished for civic or expected to be selected in military service, and the March or April. statue must represent a The Virginia Museum single individual. of History & Culture on The commission also Arthur Ashe Boulevard Mrs. Walker outlined that the subject already has agreed to acshould have an association with significant cept the Lee statue when it is removed from historic events, significant ideals, writing and/ the Capitol. or intellectual thought, and be an exemplar of The cost to create, transport and unveil a valor, patriotism and bravery. The subject also replacement statue is estimated at $498,500. should have either a primary historic significance Names can be submitted via email to USCapitoltied directly to Virginia or should have spent Commission@dhr.virginia.gov or by mailing sugthe majority of their life in the state and not be gestions to the Department of Historic Resources, in conflict with current values.

2801 Kensington Ave., Richmond 23221.

OFFICIAL VIRGINIA HISTORY ORNAMENT OF 2020 In honor of the Garden Club of Virginia’s Centennial, this year’s official state history ornament features a painting from the VMHC’s collection, a stunning view of land that would one day become Shenandoah National Park. In securing support for the park’s creation, the Garden Club helped safeguard 79,000 acres of wilderness.

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Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

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A9

Richmond Free Press

A10 October 15-17, 2020

News

JPMorgan puts $30B toward fixing bankingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;systemic racismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

By Ken Sweet and Alexandra Olson AP Business Writers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. JPMorgan Chase announced last week that it will extend billions in loans to Black and Latino homebuyers and small business owners in an expanded effort toward fixing what the bank calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;systemic racismâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic system.

The New York bank announced Oct. 8 that it is committing $30 billion over the next five years toward programs that include earmarking more money for getting Black and Latino families into homeownership and providing additional financing to build affordable rental housing units. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Systemic racism is a tragic part of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history,â&#x20AC;?

Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase, said in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can do more and do better to break down systems that have propagated racism and widespread economic inequality.â&#x20AC;?

In the immediate aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd, JPMorgan announced a commitment of $1.75 billion toward programs it said would help address racial inequalities.

But since then, as protests have remained constant in some urban centers, there has been a

push for banks to do more.

Citigroup announced last month it is committing $1 billion toward closing â&#x20AC;&#x153;the racial wealth gapâ&#x20AC;? in the United States, including $550 million toward homeownership programs for racial minorities.

JPMorgan, which has $3.2 trillion in assets, said it expects the $30 billion to help finance 40,000 additional mortgages for Black and Latino households, another 20,000 loans that will refinance mortgages and help construct 100,000 affordable rental units. Additional funds will go to finance 15,000 small business loans to Black and Latino-owned businesses.

There also will be programs to place 1 million customers in low-cost checking and savings accounts, partly by opening new branches in minority-majority neighborhoods.

Black households are several times more likely to be what is known as unbanked, meaning they do not have a primary checking account with a traditional bank, or underbanked, where households still rely on high-cost financial services like check cashing, pawn shops and payday loans.

American banking still has a long way to go to fix the problems of the past. Banks large and small are still regularly cited for discriminatory prac-

tices, including allegations of â&#x20AC;&#x153;redliningâ&#x20AC;? Black homebuyers.

Redlining is a practice in which banks deny or avoid providing credit services to consumers because of racial demographics or the neighborhood where they live.

Ed Golding, the executive director of the MIT Golub Center for Finance Policy, said JPMorganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment is impressive but narrowing the gap requires more fundamental changes to the financial system. He noted that thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a 30 percent gap between Black and white homeownership, amounting to about 4.5 million households.

JPMorganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment would go to a fraction of those. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are not going to do it overnight,â&#x20AC;? said Mr. Golding, who served as the head of the Federal Housing Administration under the Obama administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I applaud the energy and the direction, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to take massive government policy changes to really move the needle and make up for hundreds of years of systemic racism.â&#x20AC;?

According to a recent study that Mr. Golding co-authored, African-Americans on average pay higher mortgage interest payments, insurance premiums and property taxes than white families, adding an average of $67,320 to their homeowner-

ship costs. The study said Black families are disadvantaged by a risk-based pricing system, which charges higher mortgage rates for lower down payments and credit scores. Mr. Golding called for a system that would pool risk among borrowers.

The Black Lives Matter protests have pushed dozens of companies to announce initiatives and policies to fight racial inequities, from pledges to bring more African-Americans into leadership roles, to new investments intended to promote Black-owned businesses.

JPMorgan was one of 27 major New York-based companies that joined a program to recruit 100,000 workers from the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low-income, predominately Black, Latino and Asian communities over the next 10 years.

Mastercard announced a $500 million investment last month in Black communities, including providing Black-owned businesses access to affordable capital. IBM is investing $100 million in technology

education at historically Black universities.

Dr. Stephanie Creary, an assistant professor of management at the University of Pennsylvaniaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wharton School, said many of the programs appear promising because they are strategically targeted. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I get excited is when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s targeted toward something very concrete and that they are not just throwing money at the problem and hoping that people on the other side will figure out what to do with it,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Creary, who

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researches diversity and inclusion issues.

But she said the question remains whether companies will continue investing in minority communities at this scale beyond this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen this type of corporate response before and it feels a little hard to trust that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be long-term,â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Creary said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It feels like a window of opportunity, and right now, corporations are paying attention. But one would hope that it becomes an annual moment.â&#x20AC;?

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News

Princeton names dorm for Black alumna

Photo by Sameer A. Khan/Fotobuddy

Mellody Hobson, Class of 1991, accepts the Woodrow Wilson Award in February 2019 during Alumni Day. Ms. Hobson made the lead gift to establish a new residential college at the site of Princeton University’s first residential college, formerly known as Wilson College.

PRINCETON, N.J. The residential hall at Princeton University that was named for Woodrow Wilson will be rebuilt and named for a Black woman who is an alumna of the school and a donor.

Mellody Hobson graduated from Princeton in 1991 and now will be the first Black woman whose name is on a Princeton residential college, the dorms where freshmen live, the Ivy League school said in a statement last week.

Ms. Hobson is the co-chief executive officer of Ariel Investments and gave an undisclosed seed donation to fund the reconstruction of the dorm, along with the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.

Ms. Hobson is married to director George Lucas of “Star Wars” fame.

Ms. Hobson said she was a firstgeneration college student from Chi-

cago when she enrolled at Princeton and hopes that other Black and brown students will be reminded that they belong when they see her name on the building.

“When I was approached last year about this opportunity, I was most compelled by the symbolism of a Black woman replacing the name of someone who would have not supported my admission three decades ago,” Ms. Hobson said in a video on the university’s website announcing the donation on Oct. 9.

In June, the university’s board decided to remove President Wilson’s name from the public policy school and the residential college because of his racist views and support for segregation. Besides being a former U.S. president who was born in Staunton, Va., and earned a law degree in 1881 from the University of Virginia, President Wilson led

Princeton University for eight years and banned Black students from attending.

“Wilson’s racism was significant and consequential even by the standards of his own time,” current Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber said in June.

Ms. Hobson said she started as an intern at Ariel Investments in 1989 and rose to lead the company. She now serves on the boards of Starbucks and JPMorgan Chase, the university said, and on the leadership bodies of multiple foundations and nonprofit organizations.

The reconstruction of Hobson College is scheduled to begin in 2023 after two other new freshman dorms are completed. The new residential college is expected to open by the fall of 2026. The new dorms are being built to accommodate a planned expansion of Princeton’s student body.

Jamaicans in Florida energized by Sen. Harris on 2020 ticket

By Adriana Gomez Licon Associated Press

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. President Trump and Joe Biden are entering the final stretch of the campaign in a fierce battle for Latino voters who could sway the results in Florida and determine who wins the White House.

But in Florida, an ultimate battleground state where nearly 10 million voters participate in elections often decided by a mere percentage point, other communities could suddenly become critical.

That’s where the booming Black Caribbean community centered in Broward County comes in. Voters in this Democratic stronghold are eager to defeat President Trump, but say they are even more energized to turn out in support of U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Mr. Biden’s vice presidential running mate whose father is Jamaican.

“The fact she has a lineage means you are going to see a lot of Jamaicans voting even if they were not doing so before,” said Antoinette Henry,

director of corporate relations at the Dutch Pot Jamaican Restaurant, a company with several locations in South Florida. “Part of Jamaica will be in the White House.”

Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale, is the county with the most Jamaicans in the United States.

Florida has more than 974,000 people of West Indian ancestry—a Caribbean category that excludes Hispanic nationalities such as Cuban. That total includes more than 300,000 Jamaicans and more than 530,000 Haitians, according to census figures.

A conservative estimate for the number of Jamaican voters in Florida stands at 91,000, because many may not report Jamaica as their country of origin. Haitian voters are estimated at about 115,000.

“These naturalized citizens vote.

They turn out,” said Dan Smith, a University of Florida political science professor. “We also know that there is a lot of mobilization that goes on in these communities.”

Laura Uribe, who is getting her doctorate in political science at the University of California, San Diego,

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has closely studied five immigrant groups in Broward County. She said 77 percent of voters of Jamaican origin are Democrats, whereas 3 percent are Republican and 20 percent have no party affiliation. In the last presidential election, 78 percent of Jamaican-American voters turned out to vote, while the total turnout was about 66 percent.

Between October 2016 and September 2018, more Jamaicans became naturalized U.S. citizens than did Venezuelans, a group pursued by the GOP, according to the most recently available data from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

“I can tell you Kamala is on the tongue of everyone. They are talking about what must be done to make sure we deliver for the team of Biden and Sen. Harris,” said Jamaican-born Hazelle Rogers, the mayor of Lauderdale Lakes who, in 1996, became Florida’s first Jamaican to be elected to office.

“We are so proud, and we know that we must deliver.”

Sen. Harris, whose mother was an immigrant from India, appeared last month on a Caribbean weekly radio show that airs in South Florida. She was

interviewed by a Jamaican American lawyer with political aspirations and told him that her favorite Jamaican dish was oxtail stew. When asked about songs on her playlist, she said she had “every Bob Marley song that he ever sung.”

Locals also took note that Sen. Harris chose Karine Jean-Pierre, a Black woman born in Martinique to Haitian parents, as her chief of staff and that Mr. Biden’s campaign senior adviser for Florida is Karen Andre, a first-generation Haitian American born in New York and raised in Florida.

The campaign has released a TV ad on Haitian creole stations and print ads for Caribbean publications promoting Mr. Biden’s relief efforts to aid Black-owned businesses. A new ad made for English-language Caribbean radio stations refers to Sen. Harris as “our Jamaican sister.”

During a campaign stop in Florida, Sen. Harris paid a quick visit to a Venezuelan restaurant and then headed to Florida Memorial University, a historically Black university in Miami Gardens, where she met with Black leaders, including some with Bahamian

ancestry such as U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson and Gordon Eric Knowles, chief executive officer of the MiamiDade Chamber of Commerce.

Shawn Myers, a voter in Broward County who is Jamaican American, said he would vote for Mr. Biden and Sen. Harris, just to unseat President Trump.

“We need something better,” Mr. Myers said. “With her I feel like we are getting somewhere. She is strict, so she knows what she is doing.”

Florida Rep. Anika Omphroy, born to Jamaican parents, said she and her team are encouraging people to vote by mail and early on, especially those who vote at precincts that may now be closed due to the coronavirus.

Rep. Omphroy said she identifies with Sen. Harris as a first-generation daughter of immigrants, and she also thinks the candidate is easy to like.

“She is a wife, a stepmom, an auntie, she can cook, she can dance. She has a good sense of humor and appeals to working-class people, to the middle class, as well as corporate men and women,” Rep. Omphroy said. “She is able to relate to everyone.”

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Sunset in North Side

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October 15-17, 2020

Amy Coney Barrett We have been disgusted, but not surprised by Judge Amy Coney Barrett’s evasive maneuvering during this week’s Senate confirmation hearings.

Judge Barrett, a conservative Catholic who currently sits on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in Chicago, was nominated

by President Trump to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy left by the Sept. 18 death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Judge Barrett is no Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Far from it. What the 48-year-old Judge Barrett stands for is diametrically opposed to many of the rights that Justice Ginsburg advanced and fought to protect during her long and illustrious legal and judicial career that culminated with 27 years on the nation’s highest court.

We find Judge Barrett’s nomination to replace Justice Ginsburg as offensive and insulting as Clarence Thomas’ was to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Now with the Supreme Court stacked with conservatives, Judge Barrett’s addition to the court could prove to be the tipping point to undoing in short order the legacies built by Justice Ginsburg and Justice Marshall on abortion rights, voting rights, gay marriage, school desegregation and health care, just to name a few.

President Trump vowed that his next Supreme Court nominee would eliminate the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, something our irrational president has unsuccessfully tried to get rid of since he took office. He has that person in Judge Barrett, who was critical of the ACA in writings and petitions before she became a federal judge in November 2017. She signed a petition opposing the ACA’s provision that employers provide birth control coverage in insurance plans. She said, through the petition, that it infringed on religious freedom.

She also wrote a journal article in 2017, just months before going on the bench, arguing against a 5-4 ruling by the Supreme Court upholding the ACA. She criticized Chief Justice John Roberts for his siding with the majority.

Yet during this week’s confirmation hearings, Judge Barrett claims that she made no commitments to the president on how she would vote on ACA-related cases and would keep an open mind.

We don’t believe that. She is trying to gaslight Americans.

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Nov. 10 in a case that would essentially abolish Obamacare.

That’s why the president and Senate Republicans are rushing her confirmation. She would become the ninth — and potentially tie-breaking — justice on the case that could cause 26 million people to lose their health insurance.

The Economic Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, has estimated that roughly 6.2 million workers who had health insurance through their employers have lost it during the pandemic as businesses have shut down or closed. With covered family members factored in, that estimate rises to 12 million people who have lost health insurance because of the rise in unemployment during the pandemic.

On the court, Judge Barrett would fulfill President Trump’s deepest desires — to take America back in time. She signed onto an anti-abortion ad blasting Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortions in the United States. The ad was sponsored by a University of Notre Dame faculty group, where she served on the law school faculty from 2002 until going on the bench three years ago.

We found particularly telling her responses to Tuesday’s questioning by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois about her thoughts on George Floyd’s death and racism in America. She talked about how two of her seven children — both adopted from Haiti — were particularly impacted by Mr. Floyd’s death.

She said with two Black children, “that was very, very personal for my family. … My children, to this point of their lives, had had the benefit of growing up in a cocoon where they have not yet experienced hatred or violence.”

But when asked by Sen. Durbin about the issue of race in America, she fell flat. She said while she was “happy” to discuss her family’s reaction to the brutal video of Mr. Floyd’s death, she said giving “broader statements” or “broader diagnoses about the problem of racism is kind of beyond what I’m capable of doing as a judge.”

In subsequent questioning by Sen. Durbin, it was clear Judge Barrett believes a felon’s right to carry a gun is more important than a felon’s voting rights. In a recent case, she wrote a dissenting opinion saying nonviolent felons should not lose their constitutional right to own a firearm, while she said during the hearing that voting rights are civil rights granted by states and are not written into the Constitution.

Oddly, she calls herself an “originalist” in interpreting the Constitution, giving primary weight in her legal decisions to the intentions of the framers of the document at the time it was written. She also calls herself a “textualist,” meaning she interprets the law strictly according to the text and not the goals of those who wrote the law.

If that were the case, then her two Black children legally still would not be counted as a whole person. And, as others have pointed out, she, as a woman, would not even be considered for a judgeship. As with Black people, the framers of the Constitution didn’t afford women the full right of citizenship. It wasn’t until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 that women — mostly white women — were given the right to vote under the Constitution. And even today, the Equal Rights Amendment guaranteeing women equal rights under the law has not been added to the Constitution.

Some originalists have used that basis of interpretation to essentially invalidate Brown v. Board of Education and Loving v. Virginia, claiming the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection under the law doesn’t require public schools to be desegregated or protect the right of interracial couples or gay couples to be married. They see use of the 14th Amendment to protect marriage and desegregate schools as judicial overreach.

What is clear from this week’s hearings is that Justice Barrett is dangerous and, despite any Polly Purebred way she may come off, she will cause a world of hurt and pain to millions of Americans should she be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

If she really were truly an originalist, she would remove her name from consideration for the court. But we know that will not happen.

Because Republicans hold the majority in the Senate, Judge Barrett is expected to be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee when it votes next week and confirmed by the full Senate in short order after that.

In the interim, we call on people of conscience and conviction who don’t want to see the erosion or abolition of voting rights, women’s rights, marriage rights, civil rights and health care to contact U.S. senators, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and urge them not to confirm Judge Barrett’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. Senate members can be reached via the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121, or they may be emailed. Names and emails can be found at www.senate.gov.

This is no time to be taken back to the past.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Politicians can stop police killings Millions of Americans have come out in big cities and small towns to protest the killings of unarmed civilians — often Black people — at the hands of law enforcement. If we want our demands for justice and accountability to lead to real policy change, we need to build on that activism by electing public officials with the commitment to reform law enforcement and the courage to act when police abuse the power of their badge.

In presidential election years, most of the energy and focus goes to the top of the ticket. And that’s essential this year. But we can’t ignore the fact that we have been through a spring and summer of traumatizing televised murders of Black people. We are still learning the truth about the deeply disappointing decisions not to indict police officers involved in shooting and killing Breonna Taylor in her own home in Louisville, Ky. We need to make change at the local level, where those decisions are made.

People for the American Way has endorsed more than 100 young progressive candidates

who have demonstrated dedication to creating public safety solutions that reflect the values of fairness, justice and equal treatment under the law. The “Stop Police Killings” slate is designed to bring attention and support to candidates for local and state office who understand the impact of police killings on communities

Ben Jealous of color and who are passionate about pursuing justice.

Hundreds of applicants answered questions about personal experiences that motivated them to stop police violence and their positions on policies and practices that limit unnecessary police contact, psychological screenings for police officers, removing problematic officers, recruiting good officers, reallocating police budgets, cultural competency and de-escalation training and other issues.

We have identified great candidates in key metro areas across 25 states. They’re running to become mayors, district attorneys, city council members, county commissioners and state legislators.

We’re proud of the candidates who made it onto our slate. It includes people like Tamara Shewmake, a candidate for City

Council in Portsmouth, Va., who worked with Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales’ team during the successful prosecution in 2015 of a police officer who killed an unarmed Black teenager.

“Public servants have a responsibility to protect their communities,” Ms. Morales said at a recent event announcing the slate. “The charge to imagine what public safety looks like in our country is long overdue, and I’m pleased to join this roster of incredible candidates to hold violent police officers who violate the law criminally accountable for terrorizing Black and brown communities.”

Christian Menefee, a candidate for Harris County attorney in Texas, calls this “a pivotal moment in our country,” adding that “we cannot and should not sit on our hands waiting for the federal government to act. It’s time for local leaders to step up and protect Black and Brown communities.”

Brandon Scott, who is running to become mayor of Baltimore, said, “We can end police killings of unarmed civilians and begin to rebuild trust so that law enforcement is focused on doing the things necessary to keep all communities safe.”

Nakita Hemingway is running for the Georgia legislature

Monsters are scary — so are brilliant Black women

I was frightened of monsters when I was a child. Not so sure why, but my brother, who loved to plague me, used to tell me they were lurking under my bed.

I shook and I shivered, and I cried for fear that one of those dreaded monsters would rise from under the bed to strangle me.

I don’t know what got me over my fear of monsters.

Perhaps I realized that my brother got perverse pleasure by mocking me. In any case, one day, he told me that there was a monster under my bed and I laughed in his face. And the monster myth lost its hold on me.

I got over my fear of monsters, but Donald J. Trump is holding onto his fear. His demons are brilliant Black women like Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Frederica Wilson. He ridicules anyone who opposes him, but he saves his tartest barbs for Black women.

We are his monsters, the folks lurking under his bed, inside his consciousness, willing to call him out.

According to one dictionary definition, monsters are “a type of grotesque creature, whose appearance frightens and whose powers of destruction threaten the human world’s social or moral order. A monster can also be like a human, but in folklore, they are commonly portrayed as the lowest class, as

mutants, deformed, supernatural and otherworldly.”

Monsters, threatening the white male social order. Monsters like Democratic vice presidential nominee, Sen. Kamala Harris.

I wrap myself in the epithet of monster. Like Sen. Harris, I am an otherworldly woman who

Julianne Malveaux isn’t supposed to be a Black woman economist. I live to destroy the white male social order. I reject the notion that I am the “lowest social class” or “deformed.” And I embrace the idea of being supernatural and otherworldly. With the roll of my neck, the cut of my eyes, the arch of my brows, I can turn an ignorant white man into New Orleans blanc mélange just like Sen. Harris did a bland Mike Pence when they “debated.”

No wonder the best the Orange Man could come up with was to describe our precious U.S. senator from California as a “monster.” No wonder that the best he could do was to describe her as frightening.

In so describing her, President Trump revealed his own fright, his fright of a woman so capable, so marvelous that he cowers in the wake of her brilliance. He cringes, and his vice president appears more afraid, so much so that he is too intimidated to allow her to finish a sentence, interrupting her twice as often as she interrupted him during the Oct. 7 debate. He earned her admonishment, “I

am speaking,” and ignored the rules he had agreed to.

But the marginally elected president and his clone, who only differs from President Trump because he went to both church and charm school, have no regard for rules or decency.

I was angry that the Orange Man described Sen. Harris as a “monster” until a friend reminded me that monsters are frightening. And Donald Trump is not afraid, not scared, but skerred! (Yes, I spelled it wrong, just so you could pronounce it wrong, with a little bit of flava.)

He is not only skerred of losing face and losing the election, but he is also skerred of the blue wave of Black women gunning for him, along with the white women who are sick of his dismissiveness. He is skerred of suburban women, regardless of race, who have had it with the ignorance that has decimated their families — 211,000 dead at this writing — while he rallies, joyrides and ignores medical advice. If he ain’t skerred, then he ought to be.

He is so skerred that he projected his greatest fear on Sen. Harris by describing her as a “monster.” Yes, she is — otherworldly, supernatural, disruptive to the white male order of being.

She is the future. He is the past, and his followers cling to his fading past where anybody but white men were invisible.

She is the monster that is our future, a monster only to those who fear progress.

The writer is an economist, educator and author.

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

to represent an area near to the spot where Ahmaud Arbery was killed in February as he was jogging.

People for the American Way’s Next Up Victory Fund will support candidates in competitive races through donations, earned media support, social media and engaging our members and activists.

I want to encourage everyone who wants to help bring an end to unjust police killings to take a look at our slate and find ways to support these candidates and others in their local communities who are committed to re-imagining public safety.

Let’s change the laws and policies that are standing in the way of justice by taking the fight to the halls of power. That’s what elections are for.

The writer, former president and CEO of the national NAACP, is president of People for the American Way and People for the American Way Foundation.

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October 15-17, 2020 A13

Letters to the Editor

FBI ready to help ‘Get Richmond Working’ initiative would help eliminate disparities protect election America’s elections are the foundation of our democracy and protecting them is a top FBI priority.

Potential election threats range from foreign influence and cyber operations to campaign finance crimes, voter or ballot fraud and civil rights violations. Foreign adversaries pose a significant threat to election integrity through their attempts to polarize the public or suppress votes by spreading false information on social media.

While states have the primary responsibility for ensuring fair elections, the FBI plays an important role. The FBI investigates federal election crimes and election-related civil rights violations and works closely with partners at every level of government, including the U.S. Justice Department, Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, to identify and mitigate election interference.

These partnerships are critical, but success depends on help from the American public. Every voter can protect their voice by learning about foreign influence tactics, relying on trusted sources for election information and viewing social media with a critical eye.

The FBI offers information and guidance through our Protected Voices initiative found at www.fbi.gov/ProtectedVoices.

Tips regarding possible election crimes can be made anonymously to the FBI Richmond Field Office at (804) 261-1044, or online at tips.fbi.gov.

Americans have a right to expect honest and open elections, to trust the outcome and know their vote made a difference.

Your voice matters. Help us protect it.

DAVID W. ARCHEY Special Agent in Charge FBI Richmond Field Office

Seeing construction cranes in Richmond is nothing out of the ordinary, but the ones that appeared in the wake of George Floyd’s death stood out from the rest.

In an emergency order by Mayor Levar M. Stoney, construction cranes literally took figures from Richmond’s Confederate past — Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart, Matthew Fontaine Maury — down from their pedestals at a time when the nation is fighting to end systemic racism enshrined during the Confederacy once and for all.

Those figures, however, are still memorialized in a system that perpetuates the oppression of nearly half of Richmond.

While the city’s population is pretty evenly split between Black and white residents — 47 percent Black and 40 percent white — the number of Black residents in poverty in Richmond is more than double that of white residents — 60 percent to 25 percent.

Removing the constraints that result in such disparity in Richmond’s Black community requires not only the removal of those monuments but the creation of new opportunities. The Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LIUNA, wants to create those opportunities through our “Get Richmond Working” initiative that would train and secure jobs for Richmond residents on city construction projects.

There is no reason that construction jobs should be going outside of Richmond when city residents are unemployed. Developers, City Council members and community organizations share in the responsibility of making sure that construction unites the city and does not further divide it.

Get Richmond Working is inherently inclusive. It is a program for all city residents and requires no prior experience in construction. LIUNA provides the training and eliminates any

Farmers to Families Food Box Program greatly helping area households

Thanks goes out to the many churches, ministries and other nonprofit organizations that distribute food boxes to the needy.

The food comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program where the food is bought by the government and given out to various organizations. This is a win-win for everybody and, with many restaurants still closed and schools not operating at full capacity, keeps food from being thrown away.

There are many people who are in need.

You see many vehicles in line to receive food boxes. Real Life Ministries, with

Pastor Stephen Towns presiding, has been giving food out every Saturday morning for months. There are usually at least 100 cars in line before they open and I am sure it is the same scenario everywhere.

Many of us get numerous boxes and distribute them to people who need them. Many of the people we deliver the boxes to have no transportation or are incapacitated.

Thanks also to the volunteers who, week after week, put boxes in the vehicles when you drive up.

The food program is definitely filling a void and helping those who are going through these tough times. Many of the

people look forward to receiving these boxes weekly or until the program ends so that they can stretch their dollars further.

Everyone deserves to live a quality life and this program helps. Remember, hunger does not care what race you are or your political party affiliation. It can affect everyone.

All people deserve to live with some form of dignity and respect. These people and families experiencing hardship should never be forgotten. The good thing is others do care and it is showing.

ERNEST PARKER JR. Richmond

financial limitations by making the training completely free to its participants.

In 2018, LIUNA proved its training capabilities when local residents graduated from our first Richmond training at a local church. The same training structure would be used now where LIUNA would establish a training program specific to the skills that a developer needs on an upcoming project and then partners with community organizations to host the training.

While on the subject of the developer, it is imperative that the contract also is inclusive by establishing local and minority hiring requirements. Returning citizens are just as much a part of the local workforce as anyone else. Multiple reports find that good jobs help keep men and women from going to or returning to prison. Richmond came in ninth place in a 2018 report from the Brookings Institute on incarceration rates in major cities, and 80 percent of those incarcerated in Richmond were Black. Countering that imbalance with local and minority hiring requirements will provide equal employment opportunities and increase public safety.

A community partnership agreement, or CPA, enforces local and minority hiring requirements as well as other community standards among a project’s contractors and subcontractors.

LIUNA advocates for living wages and benefits such as family health care and pensions in CPAs. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Black community has suffered more than others both physically and financially. Unions raise the wages for all workers, and Black workers on average earn 13.7 percent more when represented by unions.

One project in particular with a lot of potential is the former Public Safety Building that was originally part of the proposed Navy Hill development. It includes new office, retail and parking and is valued at $350 million. A CPA on this project would require contractors to hire 90 percent of laborers from within the city of Richmond and include minority-owned and women-owned businesses. Mayor Stoney, as well as City Council members Andreas Addison, Stephanie Lynch and Michael Jones, and City Council candidates Tavarris Spinks, Ann-Frances Lambert and Amy Wentz, already have expressed support for this CPA and others like it.

We cannot change Richmond’s past as the former capital of the Confederacy. We can, however, make sure that our actions in the present shape an equal and just future for Richmond.

Our Get Richmond Working initiative is an important part of that future.

DENNIS L. MARTIRE Reston The writer is vice president and mid-Atlantic regional manager of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, or LIUNA, that represents about 40,000 workers mostly in the construction industry in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia and North Carolina.

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Stories by Fred Jeter

L.A. Lakers win 17th NBA crown, with James claiming 4th Finals MVP award by number t selected in STEP 2 cost.

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If LeBron James ever wantsVirg inia Lottery app or visit 110819 to make a case for beingMarkthe boxes in blue or black n. pen or pencil as show NBA’s greatest ever, he might submit the video of Game 6 of the 2020 NBA Finals as compelling evidence.

In his 17th season and at age 35, James was as dominant as ever in leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a climactic 106-93 close-out win last Sunday over the Miami Heat.

The Lakers led by 28 points at halftime and were never AP Photo/Chris O’Meara threatened in the second half.

Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird shows the trophy to some of her teammates Oct. 6 Competing at the Walt after the team defeated the Las Vegas Aces to win the WNBA championship 2020, in Disney World Resort outside Bradenton, Fla. Orlando, Fla., James had 28 points,14 rebounds and 10 assists. For much of the game, the 6-foot-9 veteran served as the Lakers’ point guard, directing a well-oiled offense.

Defensively, an inspired James helped hold Heat standout Jimmy Butler to 12 points, 11 below his playoffs averThree time zones away, the Seattle Storm star Megan Rapinoe. In fact it was Rapinoe who age. found home sweet home in “The Bubble.” gave the team its slogan, “We’re Chill.”

In doing so, James won his The Storm won their fourth WNBA title on Loyd, nicknamed the “Gold Mamba,” was fourth NBA Finals MVP award, Oct. 6 with a commanding 92-59 win over the the first draft selection in 2015 out of the Uniand now trails only Michael Las Vegas Aces at the IMG Academy, aka “The versity of Notre Dame. She had a loving basJordan’s six in that category.

Bubble,” in Bradenton, Fla. ketball relationship with the late Kobe Bryant, Previously, James won the All WNBA activities had been held in “The nicknamed the “Black Mamba,” who died Jan. award twice when he was a Bubble” since July 24, when the fractured sea- 26 in a helicopter crash with his 13-year-old member of the Miami Heat and son resumed following a coronavirus pandemic daughter, Gianna, and seven others. as a member of the Cleveland time out.

“This is for Kobe, Gigi, the Bryant family Cavaliers.

Led by Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, ageless and for Breonna Taylor,” Loyd said. “This is “This is right up there with AP Photo/John Raoux ball handling marvel Sue Bird and powerful our first year without them ... and Kobe was one of the greatest accomplish- Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James holds his fourth Finals Jewell Loyd, the Storm swept the Aces in the the first to really believe in me.” ments I have,” James told the MVP award as he celebrates the Lakers’ win Sunday over best-of-five games. The whopping 33-point An inspired Loyd had 19 points, nine rebounds, media afterward. the Miami Heat with his teammates in Lake Buena Vista, margin in the final game was the largest ever. four assists and two steals in the final game This was the Lakers’ 17th Fla. The Storm’s previous WNBA crowns were under 65-year-old Coach Dan Hughes.

NBA title, tying the Boston in 2004, 2010 and 2018.

WNBA regular season MVP A’ja Wilson had Celtics on the all-time list. Los was the best to ever lace up a sponded: Stewart and Bird, both from the University 18 points to lead the top-seeded Aces, coached “So having that in my head, Angeles last won the crown pair of sneakers.

Jordan or James for G.O.A.T.? having that in my mind, saying of Connecticut, and Loyd are all former No. 1 by former NBA star Bill Laimbeer. in 2010, and hadn’t made the The Storm was 18-4 during the regular season The jury should remain out until to myself, ‘Why not still have overall draft picks. playoffs since 2013.

The 6-foot-4 Stewart hit 10 of 14 shots, and defeated the Minnesota Lynx, three wins to something to prove?’ I think it James joined the Lakers a all the information is in. including three of four from behind the arc, in none, in the playoff semifinals.

James knows fans continue fuels me.” year ago but missed a large The Storm joins the Lynx and the now-defunct Unfortunately for his critics scoring a game-high 26 points. chunk of the season with a groin asking, “Has he done this? Has Bird, 39, had five points and seven assists Houston Comets as the only teams with four and adversaries, his tank is far injury and the Lakers failed to he done that?” and celebrated afterward with her partner, soccer WNBA championships.

Here’s how James re- from empty. qualify for the postseason.

This season with newcomer Anthony Davis spicing up the Lakers’ winning recipe, Los Angeles was 52-19 during the regular season and 16-5 in the playoffs.

The James-Davis duo figures to keep the Lakers at or near the top for the foreseeable future.

Davis had 19 points and 15 rebounds to support James in Dusty Baker Mookie Betts Marcell Ozuna Game 6, while Rajon Rondo Betts signed with Los Angeles this season for a It’s time for popcorn, peanuts and playoffs. had 19 points and four assists whopping $365 million over 12 seasons. It is the third With Major League Baseball winding down, here are coming off the bench.

Down to the nitty-gritty highest contract in North American sports history, “Thinking I have something some storylines involving the last four standing.

Major League Baseball’s remaining matchups behind only Patrick Mahomes of the NFL Kansas City Houston Astros: In searching for a “local fato prove fuels me,” James told American League Championship Chiefs and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels. the media. “And it fueled me vorite,” Richmonders need look no further than the Houston Astros vs. Tampa Bay Rays, best of The 28-year old, leadoff-hitting right fielder hasn’t over the last year and a half Astros’ dugout. seven in San Diego, Calif. Remaining games, if disappointed. During the regular season, he hit 16 Dusty Baker, at 71, is going strong in his first season after my injury.” necessary, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; TBS homers, drove in 29 runs and stole 10 bases. He is James, at 35 years and 286 as Houston’s manager. Baker has guided the Astros to a television. also brilliant defensively with one of the strongest days, became the second oldest wild card series 2-0 win over the Minnesota Twins and National League Championship throwing arms in the sport. player to win the NBA Finals 3-1 in the Divisional Series against Oakland.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Atlanta Braves, best The Dodgers finished with by far the best record Baker starred for the Richmond Braves in parts MVP. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of seven in Arlington, Texas. Remaining games, in baseball, 43-17. The momentum continued into was 38 years, 54 days old when of the 1969, 1970 and 1971 seasons, while living Thursday and, if necessary, Friday, Saturday and the playoffs with sweeps over Milwaukee and San he won the same title for the much of that time at the Eggleston Hotel in Jackson Sunday; FOX or FS1 television.

Diego.

Lakers in 1985. Jordan was 35 Ward. Following a distinguished playing career, he World Series History book: Counting time in Brooklyn and years, 117 days old when he has managed San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, the Oct. 20 to Oct. 28 in Arlington, Texas; Fox Los Angeles, the Dodgers have won six World Series, won his last Finals MVP in 1998 Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals before television most recently in 1988. landing in Houston. with the Chicago Bulls.

The Atlanta Braves have won three, counting the Baker’s career managerial record is 1,892 wins Obviously impressed with James’ talent and leadership, and 1,667 losses in regular season and 26-32 in big leagues this season in home runs (18), runs batted team’s stints in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. Its most recent World Series win was in 1999. here’s what Lakers Coach postseason. in (56) and, unofficially, in selfies (1).

The Houston Astros won once, in 2017. The Tampa Tampa Bay Rays: After escaping Cuba and surFrank Vogel said of his All-Star After stroking a laser-beam home run in Game viving COVID-19, the Rays’ left fielder and cleanup 2 of the wild card series against Cincinnati, Ozuna Bay Rays are looking for their first, but did reach the performer: “He’s the greatest player hitter Randy Arozarena likely finds playing baseball stopped at first base to do something totally out of World Series in 2008.

The World Series has been an equal opportunity the basketball universe has comes easy. The latest of the Cuban defectors to make the ordinary. He pretended to take a selfie, smiling event of late. There has been a different winner ever seen. And if you think it to baseball’s top tier, Arozarena left Cuba on a raft widely for his own make-believe camera. you know, you don’t know, when he was 19 and relocated to Mexico, where he The powerful Dominican, nicknamed “Big Bear,” every year since 2014. There will be no repeat this OK, until you’re around him was scouted and signed by the St. Louis Cardinals. was acquired by the Braves to start this season in an go-round, as 2019 champ Washington faded deep into the pack in 2020.

After being traded to the Rays to start this season, $18 million, one-year deal. every day. He was terrific all The Boston Red Sox prevailed in 2018; Houston in season leading us, and I can’t he contracted COVID-19, was bedridden for weeks Splitting his time between left field and desigand didn’t join Tampa until Aug. 20. say enough about him.” nated hitter, he previously played for Miami and 2017, the Chicago Cubs in 2016, the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and the San Francisco Giants in 2014.

In helping the Rays defeat the New York Yankees St. Louis.

Still, with greatness comes So hunker down and get comfortable for the first criticism and James forever in the Divisional Series, the muscled 25-year-old AroLos Angeles Dodgers: Mookie Betts is a wealthy seems to be under the microscope. zarena drilled three home runs and batted .421. man. Not coincidentally, the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series to be played at the same site since 1944, during World War II. Start the popcorn popping.

Atlanta Braves: Marcell Ozuna officially led the are a happy team.

Many contend the great Jordan

Seattle Storm sweeps Las Vegas Aces to claim WNBA championship

MLB playoff teams battling it out for a place in the World Series

Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

Actions Speak Louder

Charlene Whitfield Senior Vice President of Power Delivery at Dominion Energy Virginia

Charlene Whitfield is Senior Vice President of Power Delivery at Dominion Energy Virginia.

Managing roughly 3,800 employees, she is responsible for all facets of the company’s regulated electric transmission, distribution, and customer solutions business that provides electricity to more than 2.7 million customers in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. >OP[ÄLSK QVPULK +VTPUPVU ,ULYN` PU HZ an Electric Distribution Service Representative and, since then, has held numerous management positions across the company, including her previous positions as Vice President of

Customer Service and Vice President of Distribution Operations for Dominion Energy Virginia.

Whitfield is a member of the boards of directors of the Dominion Energy Credit Union and the Greater Richmond Partnership, and a past member of the board of trustees for the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

She is also a proud graduate of Virginia Union University (VUU). She later earned the VUU Distinguished Alumna Award and currently serves as Dominion Energy’s executive sponsor for the university.

“Over the last several years, I’ve seen the company make significant strides toward a more diverse and inclusive culture. To continue the progress we’ve made, we must focus on building a diverse workforce. For that reason, I’m proud to serve as the executive sponsor for my alma mater, Virginia Union University, where I have an opportunity to give back, make a difference in the lives of students, and help build our workforce for the future.” – Charlene Whitfield

To learn more about how we’re working toward diversity and inclusion, go to dominionenergy.com/our-promise/employee-experience/diversity-and-inclusion.

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B2 October 15-17, 2020

Richmond Free Press

Happenings Local filmmaker delves into issue of domestic violence

By Ronald E. Carrington

physical and/or mental abuse. Ms. Broadnax-Payne’s interviews took her from Richmond and Hopewell Local filmmaker Chandra Broadnax-Payne tackles to Chesapeake and Norfolk to talk with women in the issue of domestic violence in her documentary, their late 30s to 50s.

“A Silent Enemy,” that premieres this weekend.

“Some of the women I talked to did not know The documentary is a collection of powerful and they were in domestic violence relationships ,alemotional stories of local women and their survival though they were being hit or mentally abused,” Ms. in the face of abuse that nearly took their lives.

Broadnax-Payne said. “That was normal for them.

It explores the epidemic of domestic violence in That was part of a continuing cycle. the African-American community and the deadly “The things I explored and sort of explain was the silence that perpetuates it. silence, the generational pattern of ‘what goes on in the Ms. Broadnax-Payne “This is a topic we need to talk about in the home stays at home,’ ” the first-time filmmaker said.

African-American community,” Ms. Broadnax-Payne told the She also noted African-Americans have a history of societal Free Press. “Our rate of violence is higher than most other trauma dating back more than 400 years. Therefore, as a group, races, except for the Native American community.” we protect one another—a culture of loyalty, she continued.

The documentary will be shown at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. “With that said, domestic violence victims are not quick to 17, at U-Turn Sports Performance Academy, 2101 Maywill St. report the abuser,” she said, also pointing out the tension between It premieres during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time the Black community and law enforcement. set aside nationally to mourn victims She hopes “A Silent Enemy” of domestic violence, celebrate surwill help start conversations about Want to go? vivors and network for change. domestic violence that people may Ms. Broadnax-Payne said her goal have been too embarrassed to disWhat: Premiere of “A Silent Enemy,” a documentary with the film was to let Black people cuss in the past. She is convinced by local filmmaker Chandra Broadnax-Payne. know what is happening in the comthose types of conversations can When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. munity with an issue long shrouded save lives.

Where: U-Turn Sports Performance Academy, in secrecy. She said her family, like A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., 2101 Maywill St. many other Black families, said, Ms. Broadnax-Payne moved to Tickets: $10; must be purchased in advance at “The family business is the family’s Richmond with her family in the https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-silent-enemy-filmbusiness. You don’t tell your friends early 1990s. She attended Huguenot screening-tickets-121423742683. or other people what was happening High School and earned bachelor’s in the family.” and master’s degrees from Virginia Details: www.asilentenemy.com.

But that kind of silence, she said, Commonwealth University in 1998 Other: Because of COVID-19, registration required “helps to perpetuate the violence.” and 2002, respectively. at eventbrite.com. Face masks also are required, The film documents women’s She has set up a scholarship with seating arranged for social distancing. experiences and recovery from of $500 awarded annually to an

Poster for documentary “A Silent Enemy” by local filmmaker Chandra Broadnax-Payne.

exceptional full-time, undergraduate mass communications female student at VCU with at least a 3.0 GPA who is active in the community.

Ms. Broadnax-Payne also is the author of the motivational book, “You Go Girl: 25 Ways to Step into Your Greatness.”

Petersburg Symphony Orchestra to host two fall ensemble concerts Dr. F. Nathaniel Gatlin, a VSU professor, founded the Petersburg Symphony Orchestra in 1978.

The Petersburg Symphony Orchestra is hosting two fall ensemble concerts for smaller, in-person audiences that will be livestreamed to the public.

The concerts will be held 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 29, at Tabernacle Baptist Church Community Life Center, 418 Halifax St. in Petersburg.

On Oct. 25, the PSO String Quartet will present “With Strings Attached,” featuring music from baroque to ragtime. The Nov. 29 concert will feature the PSO Woodwind Quintet in “Christmas in the Wind,” a performance of a collection of Christmas carols.

The concerts will last one hour, with audience

members required to wear face coverings, undergo temperature checks and be seated according to social distancing requirements.

Live audience tickets range from $5 to $15, while livestream tickets are $10. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The PSO was founded in 1978 by Dr. F. Nathaniel Gatlin, a professor at Virginia State University. It has been led for more than 30 years by Music Director Ulysses Kirksey.

Details and tickets: www.petersburgsymphony.org or (804) 732-0999.

CONNECTED TO WHAT IGNITES OUR PASSIONS. CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS. From our community to the world at large, we’re proud to be your choice for insightful programming in arts and culture, history, science, news and education. As Virginia’s home for public media, we’re here to educate, entertain and inspire. VPM.org

Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

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Happenings

Personality: P. Muzi Branch Spotlight on president of the Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond While COVID-19 has led to theaters and performance venues closing around the world, those in the arts have worked to adapt to this new paradigm.

That includes members of the Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond.

The organization, led by artist, musician and arts administrator P. Muzi Branch, launched a group show that opened Oct. 9 at Browne Studio on Hull Street in South Side with virtual showings and in-person appointments.

This kind of activity is only the tip of the iceberg for “an arts movement with a specific, common philosophy and goal,” Mr. Branch explains.

Elected to lead the collective in 2019 after serving as a founder and member for years, Mr. Branch was driven to accept the position because of his belief in BAAAR’s mission to promote the city’s African-American artists community, to codify Black American art and to establish and advance the research of the “aesthetic principles and sociocultural themes that define African-American visual art.”

“We are a resource for aspiring African-American artists, consultants for collectors of Black American art and a political force advocating the inclusion of more Black artists and art in the public sphere,” Mr. Branch says.

BAAAR was founded in 2011, the result of African-American artists in Richmond meeting to discuss their frustration with the lack of African-American imagery in the places where the Black community often spent time and money and a desire for the city’s youths “to see imagery that looks like them.”

The group show is only the latest effort the 12-member collective has put together since the pandemic began. BAAAR also held a virtual art auction and

THE

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raised more than $2,000 that was donated to the Culture Works’ Artists COVID-19 Relief Fund.

BAAAR members also are contributing to the Mending Walls RVA mural project and were part of the 2nd Street Festival in early October.

In addition to these efforts, Mr. Branch has been working to “get artists to be in the business of art” through building their portfolios. He says some may not have the academic training or credentials to aid their careers, and he recognizes the need for financial stability to support creative endeavors.

“We would like to be a reservoir of information for young artists and help artists get into the business of selling their art,” Mr. Branch says.

Mr. Branch is more than familiar with the many shapes art—and artists—can take in the community. The Richmond resident works as a painter, a bassist in multiple bands and serves as the director of Arts in Healthcare for the VCU Health System. It’s through these many roles that Mr. Branch has seen the many positive effects art can have, and it’s that positive effect he’s looking to expand.

The top goal Mr. Branch has set for his two-year term as BAAAR’s president is to hold a conference that would address the financial and aesthetic concerns of the city’s Black arts community, and to advocate for more art created by AfricanAmerican artists in Richmond’s galleries and collections.

To reach this goal, Mr. Branch is working to build a coalition of artists and to educate various interests groups on “the value of including Black art in their environments to promote inclusion and diversity.”

“It is a mission of this group of artists to educate people that the African-American image is not something to be afraid of,” Mr. Branch says.

Despite COVID-19 and the

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requirements for social distancing for health and safety, BAAAR persists in its mission.

“We’re just, really, carrying on a tradition that was developed in this journey, from the music to the expression to the language to the fashion,” Mr. Branch says.

Meet artist, art advocate, art administrator and this week’s Personality, P. Muzi Branch: No. 1 volunteer position: President, Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 19 in Richmond.

Current residence: Richmond’s East End. Occupation: Artist (painter); musician (bassist with Plunky and Oneness); and arts administrator (director of Arts in Healthcare, VCU Health System).

Education: Master’s of arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1984.

Family: Wife, Jean Graves Branch; daughter, Michelle; sons, Ashiki, Michael and Jamal; siblings, James Plunky Branch and Gregory Khari Branch.

Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond, or BAAAR, is: Not a club, we are an arts movement with a specific common philosophy and goal.

BAAAR mission: The Black American Artists Alliance of Richmond is an artist collective committed to the promotion of Richmond’s African American artists community and the codification of Black American art.

The artist members are dedicated to establishing aesthetic principles and sociocultural themes that define African-American visual art, as well as the advancement of scholarly research concerning the same.

When and why BAAAR was

founded: In 2011, a group of like-minded artists met to discuss the lack of imagery that undergirds the Black community in places where we spend our money and time and the need for our youths to see imagery that looks like them.

When elected board president: 2019 for a two-year term.

Why I accepted position: I believe in the mission.

Number one goal or project as board president of BAAAR: To sponsor a conference to address the economic and aesthetic concerns important to Richmond’s Black arts community and to advocate for more art

by Black artists in galleries and corporate collections.

Strategy for achieving goals: To build a coalition of artists and to educate institutions, corporations and businesses regarding the value of including Black art in their environments to promote inclusion and diversity.

BAAAR’s founding members: Sir James Thornhill, William E. Johnson, Danita Roundtree Green, Unicia Buster, S. Ross Browne and me.

BAAAR is important in our community: We are a resource for aspiring African-American artists, consultants for collectors of Black American art and a political force advocating the inclusion of more Black artists and art in the public sphere.

How BAAAR is managing during COVID-19: We have been holding our monthly meetings virtually and every member is still creating art. Members S. Ross Browne, Jowarnise Caston, Sir James Thornhill and David

Marion are participating in the Mending Walls RVA mural project. BAAAR held a virtual art auction and donated more than $2,000 to support the Culture Works’ Artists COVID-19 Relief Fund.

How art contributes to healing: Images are immensely powerful. Studies show that the arts can play an important role in social change and in something as personal as a patient’s healing process. In my capacity as director of Arts in Healthcare at VCU Health, I see firsthand how our $1.9 million fine art collection impacts the patient and visitor experience.

What art is to me: Art is everything — language, science, math, history, culture, music and aesthetics. The word alludes to raising any human endeavor to its highest level of execution.

What is Black American art? I make a distinction between African-American art and African-American artists. I also make a distinction between Black American art and Black memorabilia. Every visual created by a Black American artist is not Black American visual art. I do not define visual art by the race of the artist; the art stands on its own and is culturally categorized by the imagery, concepts, icons and statements it makes. AfricanAmerican visual art is analogous to African-American music, literature and theater. They are means of expression borne out of the culture created by our ancestors. It speaks to, for and about Africans’ journey in North America. Black memorabilia was created to stereotype and belittle Black Americans.

BAAAR’s upcoming events: We are having a group show at Browne Studio, 1100 Hull St.,

Oct. 9 through Nov. 30. You can see the show on our website or social media, virtually and inperson by appointment.

Artist who inspires me and why: The late Dr. Murry N. DePillars, who was a member of AFRICOBRA, and dean of the VCU School of the Arts. He proved to me that you can be a producing artist while being an arts administrator.

How I start the day: Thankful for another opportunity to get it right.

A perfect day for me is: A day pregnant with possibilities.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Gardening.

A quote that I am inspired by: “Success waits patiently for anyone who has the determination and strength to seize it.”

— Booker T. Washington My friends describe me as: Busy.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Finish the painting that I am working on.

Best late-night snack: Trail mix.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: To believe and have faith in God and myself.

Person who influenced me the most: My older brother, J. Plunky Branch. He gave me my first bass guitar.

Book that influenced me the most: “Creating Black Americans” by Nell Irvin Painter.

What I’m reading now: “PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America” by Dr. Claud Anderson.

Next goal: Work with the city Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to revitalize the art programs at Pine Camp Arts and Community Center.

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B4 October 15-17, 2020

Faith News/Directory

‘The Secret Lives of Church Ladies’ is finalist for National Book Award

By Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service

For years, Deesha Philyaw, a Pittsburgh writer, editor and writing coach, has gradually crafted stories about church ladies — but these are not the stories you’d likely hear sitting in the pew of a Black church.

Now, her new book, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” has been named a fiction finalist for the National Book Award.

In it are nine stories that cross generations and families, tales of Black women whose lives are a mixture of religion, sex, love and grief.

There’s the single woman and the married man who first meet in the hospice facility housing their elderly Christian mothers and who later end up in the back seat of a car outside.

And the longtime best girlfriends who as teens dreamed of a double wedding with male mates but now have their own sexual rendezvous together once a year. One still hopes for a man; the other questions God. And the girl whose mother regularly shares peach cobbler and herself with their married male pastor. The girl, now a teen, begins tutoring lessons and a liaison with the same pastor’s son.

Though the details may be invented, Ms. Philyaw, 49, said her book reflects the real-life “dissatisfaction and struggle” of some Black women raised in the church, but also the comfort and guidance many of them find in God. “I see the book as centering Black women in their own stories of the tug of war they experience between their desires and what they may have learned at church,” said Ms. Philyaw, who no longer considers herself to be religious.

“I want to be sure it’s the women who are centered and the church is sort of in their orbit as opposed to the other way around.”

Hours after learning her book was an award finalist, she spoke to Religion News Service about growing up in the church, writing about affairs and what she thinks her late mother and grandmother would think of a book that she would definitely give an “R” rating.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Congratulations on being named a finalist for the National Book Award. How did you react to that news?

Oh, the scream that I let out, let me tell you. I am so honored and thankful and just excited that people have connected with it the way they have. And I’m going to try not to start crying again.

Of all the topics you could have chosen for your first short story collection, why did you pick the secret sex lives of Black women and girls who had close or distant connections with the Black church?

They live in my imagination because I was a church girl.

I grew up in the church. I grew up in the South. How do you navigate the really tight space that church can often bind us in when it comes to many things, but our sexuality in particular?

I was raised by my mother and my grandmother. And it was just their stories, their voices, their contradictions and all of my

sit in Sunday after Sunday curiosity about them that has stayed with me. to the special flower worn on In your acknowledgments, you thank “my Mother’s Day. What are you mama and Nay-Nay for sending me to church hoping to reveal about the ethos and Sunday school all those years.” Where of these congregations? was that church?

I hope people see those things Jacksonville, Fla., is where I was born and as the ways in which I am not raised. And it was many churches. We talk about bashing the church, that I still “the church” and we know the Black church isn’t have fond memories of those a monolith, but in my collection, it’s sort of the kinds of traditions and that the traditional evangelical Black church. But for me church in and of itself isn’t the growing up, it was numerous churches, numerproblem and so there’s a lot of ous denominations: AME (African Methodist good. There are reasons people Episcopal); Baptist; Pentecostal; COGIC, which cling to the church, very good stands for Church of God in Christ; Missionary reasons. There are reasons I Baptist Church. have these memories and it’s Though these are works of not because I had bad experifiction, how would you describe Vanessa German ences at church. It’s because them as far as how true to life Left, “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” I looked forward to Mother’s they are and what they say by Deesha Philyaw, above.

Day and knowing what those about Black church women flowers meant and seeing who in general? had the red flowers and who had the white flowers.

I’ll defer to the Black women who have said For those who are less familiar with these traditions, would to me, “I know these women,” or “I am these you explain that tradition about the red and white flowers? women,” or “I used to be that woman,” or “I On Mother’s Day, you would wear a flower on your collar knew exactly who you were talking about in or your lapel, or you pin it to your dress. And you wear a red this story.” So I think it’s very true to life. flower if your mother is still living and a white flower if your More than one of the nine stories features mother has passed away. Mother’s Day is a day where a lot of lesbian love, whether two grown women or people come to church, usually or perhaps at the request of their a girl with a crush on her male pastor’s mother. Maybe they don’t come any other time, but you know, wife. Do you consider attitudes about mama or grandmama wants you to be there so you go and you LGBTQ people to be one of the bigger wear your flower. issues that Black churches continue to There is a story titled “Instructions for Married Christian grapple with?

Husbands.” It’s written in a different style than the others, It’s one, but I really want to put it in a literal list that starts with “park at least one block away” context. Because there’s often these converfrom the home of the serial mistress. Why did you choose sations that somehow Black people or the to include this?

Black church are more homophobic than I liked the concept of this serial mistress. But in the triad, other folks. And so I don’t want to really put a fine point on that particular area. I if there’s a husband and there’s a wife and there’s this woman, think it’s part of a larger continuum of the she’s the one we hear from the least. She’s the most vilified. So binaries of who we can be. We can be the I thought, what if I kind of subverted that and what if instead of Madonna or the whore. We’re in God’s her being the person on the margins, what if she controlled the will or we’re outside of God’s will. It’s really a larger narrative? I’m a big fan of what is called hermit crab essays in question of the church giving us so few options about who we nonfiction, where you write an essay, but it takes the form of can be and how we can be in the world and what it means to be something ordinary. So I thought what if I did that with fiction good, what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman. and she wrote a little instruction manual for these guys? Now And certainly part of that is in terms of how you identify as I can be creative and a little clever, but still tackle something that’s pretty serious. queer or not queer. So that would be one factor.

How do you think your mother and grandmother would react On top of the many secrets in the sex lives of these charto your fictional take on the secrets in the pews of churches acters, there also are what seem like superstitions, especially — churches like the ones you attended with them? among their relatives — like the grandmother who dreams I think they would be proud of me because they were just always of fish and is then sure someone in her family is pregnant.

What does that say about the influence of factors other than proud of me. I don’t think there would be any exception about this book. Now, it gives me pause because there is a lot of sex in faith in the minds of some church ladies?

What’s revealed to us in dreams, those things we typically call the book. But even with some of the more provocative content, I superstition or old wives’ tales, they are drawn from our African think they’d still be very proud and very happy about it. roots. They get all tangled up when enslaved and formerly enslaved people adapted to Christianity and folded those practices in. So sometimes we can’t tell where one starts and one (ends). But as Black people, we own all of it. But too often, what we point to as superstition is presented as antithetical to Christianity or to godliness and many of us know that’s simply not true.

There are so many traditions of the Black church that you touch on in this collection — from the specific pews people

Judge Barrett nomination fight leaves progressive Catholics feeling unseen

By Alejandra Molina Religion News Service

LOS ANGELES Elizabeth Ajiduah took to Twitter in late September, asking progressive and LGBTQfriendly Catholics to come forward.

It was four days after President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to succeed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court.

The national conversation quickly focused on Judge Barrett’s ties to People of Praise, a charismatic Christian religious group that holds men are divinely ordained as the “head” of the family and faith.

Conservative Christians and anti-abortion activists praised Judge Barrett’s nomination as a win.

Ms. Ajiduah, a 17-year-old Black Catholic, felt that her kind of Catholic was being overlooked. She was shocked and comforted when thousands who felt similarly unseen and misrepresented engaged with her tweet. Trans, Latino and Black Catholics connected from Chicago, the District of Columbia, California and as far away as Australia.

“I was just trying to figure out how I can be a Catholic in leftist sort of spaces,” said Ms. Ajiduah. “There are a ton of people who are in my same situation. It felt really nice.”

This week’s Senate hearings may have the effect of centering Judge Barrett’s conservative Catholicism, which is strongly anti-abortion and opposed to same-sex marriage, as the “true Catholicism.” That’s a

notion that Dr. Daisy Vargas, a University of Arizona professor who specializes in Catholicism in the Americas, said erases the “diversity of Catholic communities and their experiences.”

For Dr. Vargas, there is nothing abnormal about being pro-choice, for instance, and a practicing Catholic. She points to former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and “almost half of all U.S. Catholics” who support a woman’s right to choose.

Characterizing those who are anti-LGBTQ, against abortion and who lean conservative as the definition of Catholicism promotes a model of Catholicism that is largely white and excludes Black, Latino, Asian American and other “minoritized” Catholic communities in the United States, Dr. Vargas said.

Victor Narro, project director for the UCLA Downtown Labor Center and 1991 graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law, calls the teachings of the Catholic Church “breathing documents” that should be changed “based on what’s being embraced in society today.”

Mr. Narro, a Catholic, believes in abortion rights and that women and LGBTQ people should be able to become Catholic priests. Celibacy, he said, has become an issue that doesn’t match reality.

Mr. Narro said all Catholics have a right to call on the church to revise doctrines that the Vatican stresses must be complied with in order to be a “good Catholic.”

“I don’t feel Catholic guilt because I think it’s very sacred for a woman to choose for her own body,” he said. “I don’t think the Catholic Church ought to condemn me because I believe in a woman’s right to choose.”

Mr. Narro identifies as a spiritual Catholic whose faith isn’t connected to the Catholic institution.

Ms. Ajiduah said she’s

inspired to remain in the faith “to figure out how Christianity should be or how it can be.”

Catholicism helped her family in Nigeria, where the church offered schools and social services that the state failed to regularly provide.

“It’s not a religion that should be used for imperialism,” Ms. Ajiduah said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Baptist Church 2003 Lamb Avenue Richmond, VA 23222 Dr. Arthur M. Jones, Sr., Pastor (804) 321-7622 “Due to the Corona Virus all services at Triumphant Baptist Church are suspended until further notice.”

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Richmond Free Press

October 15-17, 2020

B5

Faith News/Obituaries/Directory

South Side pastor withstands termination vote

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

that it was necessary to settle the of phone calls and messages from matter as to the membershipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dr. Sanders and his attorney before support. the VEC acknowledged in a Sept.

For those who led the ouster 15 letter that the original notice initiative, the final straw conhad been issued in error, but the cerned an allegation that Dr. Sandvote had already been called and ers had applied for unemployment those involved declined to stop benefits during the COVID-19 the process. pandemic while serving as the In a Sept. 7 letter to the church churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full-time pastor. members, Korey Smith, chair of The issue began percolating the Trustee Ministry, and Samuel after the trustees received a letJ. Rhoades, chair of the Deacon ter in mid-July from the Virginia Ministry, stated the VEC matter Dr. Sanders Employment Commission seekwas just one item on a list of ing verification that there had been a change in reasons for seeking removal of the pastor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It Dr. Sandersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; status and outlining the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is our opinion that Pastor Sanders has violated payment responsibility if he did qualify for his contract,â&#x20AC;? their letter concluded. unemployment benefits.

According to a statement Dr. Sanders read It would take another two months and a lot to a congregational meeting Sept. 30, he filed

Dr. Michael A. Sanders remains the pastor of historic Mt. Olive Baptist Church in South Side.

An Oct. 3 vote to terminate his contract after nine years failed to gain the required two-thirds majority of the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 218 members.

The 145-year-old church at 2611 Bells Road is the latest church to be roiled by a divide among the membership over the spiritual leader.

Dr. Sanders, who is the 18th pastor of Mt. Olive since its formation in 1875, described the effort to fire him as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;vendettaâ&#x20AC;? by a small group of mostly elderly congregants who have been persistent critics.

He acknowledged that the vote, called by the trustees and a minority of deacons, showed a split in the church. But he said before the vote

for unemployment in his capacity as part-time chief financial officer for his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company, AJ Sanders Training and Consulting LLC, which had been forced to close because of the pandemic.

The business had been in operation at least 14 years, or long before Dr. Sanders was called as pastor of Mt. Olive in 2011.

Dr. Sanders never received any unemployment benefits, according to the VEC. And Dr. Sanders quoted from the VEC letter, which confirmed that he had â&#x20AC;&#x153;not engaged in any improper or fraudulent activityâ&#x20AC;? in seeking benefits.

The vote has ended the matter, but Dr. Sanders is aware that the result could mean the loss of some church members. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever happens, our church will continue to move forward,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Rev. Delores R. Seay, associate minister at Triumphant Baptist Church, dies at 86

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Rev. Seay

The Rev. Delores McFadden Robinson Seay, an associate minister at Triumphant Baptist Church who devoted herself to volunteer service at the church and in the community for decades, has died.

The Henrico County resident succumbed to illness on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, her family said. She was 86.

Family and friends celebrated her life Thursday, Oct. 1, at March Funeral Home.

Licensed and ordained at Triumphant Baptist in North Side, Rev. Seay regularly visited sick and shut-in members, ushered at services, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and was active in the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Youth Ministry.

Though unpaid, she faced a major test in 1979 to

become the first female associate minister at Triumphant Baptist, which is part of a denomination that has a history of opposition to female ministers. Even today, only a small number of women are serving as ordained Baptist pastors, according to Baptist Women in Ministry.

Rev. Seayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughter, Cathy R. Lomax, remembers her mother standing in front of the packed church and being peppered with questions about the Bible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The atmosphere was not very pleasant,â&#x20AC;? Ms. Lomax recalled. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But my mother was not intimidated. She remained calm and poised and showed she knew the Bible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She received a grade of 100 and a standing ovation.

Even the men were pleasantly surprised by her knowledge and preparedness before the pastor, Dr. Arthur M. Jones, issued the ministry license,â&#x20AC;? Ms. Lomax said.

MLB Hall of Famer Joe Morgan dies at 77

Broad Rock Baptist Church 5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 â&#x20AC;˘ 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

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Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan, a key component of Cincinnatiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Big Red Machine in the 1970s, died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020.

Mr. Morgan was 77 and living in California.

During a dazzling big league career from 1963 to 1984, the 5-foot-7 second baseman was a 10-time All-Star and five-time Golden Glove recipient.

Batting left-handed but throwing right, Mr. Morgan was the National League MVP in 1975 and 1976, both times spurring manager Sparky Andersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cincinnati Reds to World Series championships.

Mr. Morganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s career totals included 268 home runs, 1,133 runs batted in, 689 stolen bases and 1,650 runs scored. He drew 1,865 bases on balls while striking out just 1,015 times.

His signature trait was his â&#x20AC;&#x153;chicken wingâ&#x20AC;? batting stance.

To remind himself to keep his left elbow high, he flapped the arm repeatedly while awaiting pitches.

Mr. Morgan, who grew up near Oakland, Calif., broke into the majors with the Houston Astros in 1963 and spent 10 seasons in Texas before being traded to Cincinnati in 1971.

In Ohio, Mr. Morgan joined a talented team, including

Born in Richmond and a graduate of Maggie L. Walker High School, Rev. Seay retired as a professional housekeeper and nanny. She served as a volunteer chaplain at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Hospital, a driver for Meals on Wheels and as an Election Day poll worker.

She also was a past president of the Tuckahoe Baptist Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clergy Division and the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s League.

She also was active in the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mission Society and the Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention.

Rev. Seay was predeceased by her second husband, Peter L. Seay.

In addition to her daughter, Rev. Seay is survived by a son, Martinez Robinson; three other daughters, Gail R. Leeper, Karen Robinson and Crystal M. Seay; sisters Jean E. Woodson and Mabeline I. Franklin; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

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catcher Johnny Bench, third baseman Pete Rose, first baseman Tony Perez, shortstop Dave ConcepciĂłn and outfielders Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster and CĂŠsar GerĂłnimo.

He later played again one season for the Houston Astros before going to the San Francisco Giants, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Oakland Athletics. His last MLB appearance was in September 1984 for the Oakland Athletics. Following his retirement, Mr. Morgan enjoyed a distinguished career as a baseball commentator for ABC, NBC and ESPN. He returned to the Reds in 2010 as an adviser.

Mr. Morganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 8 jersey was retired by the Cincinnati Reds in 1998. He was selected to baseballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hall of Fame in 1990.

Mr. Morgan is the fifth baseball Hall of Famer to die since Sept. 2. Others were Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Whitey Ford.

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Richmond Free Press

B6 October 15-17, 2020

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities 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 2, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, November 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2020-225 To amend Ord. No. 71180-163, adopted Jun. 14, 1971, as previously amended by Ord. No. 81-204-199, adopted Nov. 23, 1981, which authorized the special use of the property known as 3800 Grove Avenue for the purpose of doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; offices, permitted an addition at the rear entry way, and authorized the erection of an accessory utility building, to also allow other office uses and personal service uses.

The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;5 Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Residential District. The City Master Plan calls for a future land use recommendation for this property for singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family low density uses. Primary use is single-family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semi-public uses.

Ordinance No. 2020-226 To amend Ord. No. 2013156-154, adopted Sept.

9, 2013, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2013-208-197, adopted Oct. 28, 2013, which authorized the special use of the property known as 2501 Monument Avenue for the purpose of a museum for architecture and design and a lodging unit and imposed as a condition on the special use of such property a 150-person attendance limit for all reception events, to permit a dwelling unit and retail space and to impose as a condition on the special use of such property a 300-person attendance limit for all reception events instead of a 150-person attendance limit for all reception events. The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;6 Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Residential District. The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current Master Plan designates the subject property for Single Family Medium Density. Primary uses are singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family and twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. Includes residential support uses such as schools, places of worship, neighborhood parks and recreation facilities, and limited public and semiâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;public uses.

Ordinance No. 2020-227 To authorize the special use of the property known as 320 Hunt Avenue for the purpose of a single-family detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;5 Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Residential District.

The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates the subject property for Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family (Low Density) uses. Primary use is singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be approximately 11 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2020-228 To authorize the special use of the property known as 414 Milton Street for the purpose of a single-family detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;5 Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Residential District.

The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates the subject property for Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family (Low Density) uses. Primary use is singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family detached dwellings at densities up to seven units per acre. The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be approximately 11 units per acre.

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would be approximately 29 units per acre.

Ordinance No. 2020-230 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3411 Kensington Avenue for the purpose of an existing multifamily dwelling and a new twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;6 Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Attached Residential District.

The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates the subject property for Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family (Medium Density) uses. Primary uses in this category are singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family detached dwellings at densities between 8 and 20 units per acre. The density of the parcel if developed as proposed would be approximately 27 units per acre.

The meetings will be held through electronic communication means pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance No. 2020-093, adopted April 9, 2020, as amended by Ordinance No. 2020-183, adopted August 20, 2020. The meetings will be open to participation through electronic communication means by the public and closed to in-person participation by the public.

Less than a quorum of Richmond City Planning Commission members and Richmond City Council will assemble in City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams.

The meetings will be streamed live online at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. a s p x . To w a t c h a meetingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s live stream at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In Progressâ&#x20AC;? in the farthest right hand column entitled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Videoâ&#x20AC;?.

The agenda for the Richmond City Council meeting is accessible through the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legislative website at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. aspx. To view the agenda at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Agendaâ&#x20AC;? associated with the November 9, 2020 Richmond City Council Formal meeting listed in the calendar.

Interested citizens who wish to speak at the Richmond City Council meeting will be given an opportunity to do so by following the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Formal Meeting Access and Public Participation Instructionsâ&#x20AC;? attached to the November 9, 2020 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ r i c h m o n d g o v. c o m i n lieu of calling in. The person responsible for receiving comments in writing is Candice D. Reid, City Clerk. All comments received prior to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2020, will be provided to Council members prior to the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s page on the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Website at http:// www.richmondgov.com/ CityClerk/index.aspx.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce

Ordinance No. 2020-229 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3406 East Broad Street for the purpose of a twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an Râ&#x20AC;&#x2018;8 Urban Residential District.

The City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Family Medium Density. Primary uses for this category include singleâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family and twoâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;family dwellings, both detached and attached, at densities of 8 to 20 units per acre. The density of the parcel as proposed

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KULBIR KAUR, Plaintiff v.

BHUPINDER SINGH, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20004040-00 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 23rd day of November, 2020 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, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NAZHA ABOUZAKI, Plaintiff v.

OMAR HALABI, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20002929-00 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 six months, it is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 23rd day of November, 2020 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

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

FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Counsel VSB# 27724 The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

It is ORDERED that the defendant, Unknown Father appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before December 9, 2020, at 10:30 AM.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MICHAEL DANA BAYNE, Plaintiff v.

KATHRYN MARIE BAYNE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20003867-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony, from the Defendant, on the ground that the parties hereto have lived separate and apart continuously, without cohabitation and without interruption for more than one year.

And it appearing from an affidavit that the Defendant may not be a resident of the State of Virginia and the address of the Defendant is unknown, it is ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on November 13th, 2020, at 9:00 AM pursuant to this notice and protect her interest herein.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I Ask For This: Donald M. White, Esquire VSB# 17604 130 Thompson Street Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-1661 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND LATASHA WIGGINS, Plaintiff, v.

AARON LEROY YATES, Defendant.

Case No.: CL17-2760 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

On this day the Petitioner appeared by counsel upon an Affidavit for Service by Publication, pursuant to section 8.01-316 of the Virginia Code;

It is hereby ORDERED that Aaron Leroy Yates appear at the above-named court and protect his interests on or before November 9th at 9:00 a.m.

A Copy, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk I ASK FOR THIS: Christopher D. Adams, Esq. VSB # 87267 Friedman, Framme & Thrush, P.A. 6800 Paragon Place, Suite 233 Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 649-1334 X3000 (phone) (804) 649-2172 (fax) Counsel for Petitioner VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DANIEL SMITH, Plaintiff v.

JANETTE YOUNG, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20003598-00 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 November, 2020 at 9:00 AM, and protect her 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 JERMAINE WOOLRIDGE, Plaintiff CHANTELL WOOLDRIDGE, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20002803-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 15th day of November, 2020 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER PAMELA FITZSIMONS, Plaintiff v.

DANIEL FITZSIMONS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL20003930-00 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 six months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 13th day of November, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 Lemmy Yanira Garcia Molina, Case No.: JJ098623-01-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Grant sole and legal c u stody of L E M M Y YANIRA GARCIA MOLINA pursuant to code 16.1241A3.

It is ordered that the defendant EFRAIN GARCIA appear at the above-named Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 25, 2021, 9:30 AM. Virginia: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re Gladis osiris mendez Molina, Case No.: JJ098622-01-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Grant sole and legal custody of gladis osiris mendez molina pursuant to code 16.1241A3.

It is ordered that the defendant Wilmer osman mendez appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 25, 2021, 9:30 AM. Virginia: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re MARJURY NICOLL mendez Molina, Case No.: JJ098621-01-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Grant sole and legal custody of marjury nicoll mendez molina pursuant to code 16.1241A3.

It is ordered that the defendant Wilmer osman mendez appear at the abovenamed Court and protect his or her interests on or before January 25, 2021, 9:30 AM. VIRGINIA: THE CITY OF RICHMOND CIRCUIT COURT Commonwealth of Virginia, in re KING JACKIE TUCKERSHELTON Case No. CJ19-4133 and 4134 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (â&#x20AC;&#x153;RPRâ&#x20AC;?) of Shamika Shelton, mother of King Jackie TuckerShelton, child DOB 4/6/2017, â&#x20AC;&#x153;TPRâ&#x20AC;? means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to: rights of visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that Shamika Shelton appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before November 20, 2020, at 9:00 AM An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF CHARLES CITY Commonwealth of Virginia, in re RAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;MEL T WASHINGTON SIERRA A WASHINGTON v.

UNKNOWN FATHER Case No. JJ002566-01-00, JJ002566-02-00, ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Establish sole parental custody of Raâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;mel T. Washington and determine visitation.

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PROPERTY File/Case No. 760CWF200000498

All persons, firms or corporations having claims against, Alvin Roy Barrett, Deceased, late of 2614 Lamb Avenue, Richmond City, Virginia, are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 24th or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 21st day of September 2020.

Deborah Lane Rice, Administrator

ABC License Bocata Arepa Bar, LLC Trading as: Bocata Arepa Bar 10170 West Broad Street, Richmond Glen Allen, Henrico 23060-3303 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On Premises, Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Eduin Serrudo-Moran, Owner NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or 800-5523200.

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to:

RFP No. 200010738 Insurance Agent Broker of Record Services Due Date: November 4, 2020/Time: 3:00P.M Receipt Location: 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, 11 th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Pre-Proposal Meeting: Pre-Proposal conference call is scheduled for October 20, 2020 at 10:00AM. For all information pertaining to this RFP conference call, please logon to the Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com) and review RFP 200010738. Due Date: November 04, 2020/Time: 3:00 P.M.

NOTE: Offerors choosing to submit proposals through hand-delivery should allow extra time for delivery of proposals. Due to COVID-19, hand-delivered proposals will be accepted only during the hours of 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at the 9 th Street entrance to City Hall at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221. Offerors choosing to hand-deliver proposals must call Alok Upadhyaya 804-8372495 when arriving at City Hall, and Alok Upadhyaya will meet the offeror at the 9 th Street entrance of City Hall to collect the submittal. Proposals will not be accepted after the Due Date and Time listed above.

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.

RichmondGov.com), or at 11 th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-5722 or faxed (804) 6465989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

For reference purposes, documents may be examined at the above location.

AVAILABLE Downtown Richmond first floor office suite 5th and Franklin Streets 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

BID COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID Â ITB #20-2051-9EAR Montrose terrace area sewer & water rehabilitation Due:Â November 5, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations

804.358.5543 Bedros Bandazian

Associate Broker, Chairman

Raffi Bandazian

Principal Broker, GRI

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER/ CAMPUS PROVOST (FA415)

Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA The inaugural Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion will provide college-wide leadership and accountability in developing and promoting a working and learning environment rooted in the basic tenets of fairness, diversity, and inclusiveness.

The office will be led by the Chief Diversity Officer and Campus Provost (CDO/CP) who will report directly to the president and serve on the executive cabinet. The CDO/CP will also provide leadership and operational oversight to the Downtown Campus and the Kitchens at Reynolds, the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest location in the City of Richmondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s East End. The Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusion will lead in the development of a multi-year Reynolds Community College Equity and Inclusion Plan, which will serve as a roadmap for ensuring and sustaining diversity, equity and inclusive excellence. In collaboration with campus and community partners, the CDO/CP will create and implement an intentional, centralized and comprehensive institutional equity and inclusion plan and infrastructure with focus in areas that include (but not limited to): Social justice, equity & inclusion programs, research, and thought leadership; shaping equity-centered college policies, practices and programs; employee development and curriculum inclusiveness; scalable student success programs; student completion supports; special awareness months and cultural events; womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issues; LGBTQ+; veterans; data collection, reporting, and trend analysis; and partnerships with businesses, diverse communities, and organizations.

TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full-time, twelvemonth administrative faculty-ranked appointment.

Salary range: $122,000-142,000. Salary is commensurate with the education and experience of the candidate. Application reviews will begin, November 12, 2020.

Additional information is available at the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Web site: www.reynolds.edu/jobs AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/ Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

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

TRANSIT SYSTEM

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT Salary $39,000-$44,000 Non-Exempt Closing Date: October 30, 2020

GRTC Transit System seeks a detailed oriented individual to perform Human Resources functions including preparing reports and handle the day-to-day HR responsibilities and be the liaison between the organization and employees. Provides administrative support to HR Director and for all HR functions company wide. For more details applicants to apply at www.ridegrtc.com.

GRTC Transit System is an equal opportunity employer with a drug-free work environment that values diversity in the workplace.

To advertise in the

Richmond Free Press call 644-0496 Follow the Free Press on @FreePressRVA @RichmondFreePressUSA

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