July 20 22, 2017 issue

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Full STEAM Ahead conference aimed at inspiring girls in careers B2

Richmond Free Press © 2017 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

VOL. 26 NO. 29

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

www.richmondfreepress.com

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cele b rating our 2 5 th A nniversary

JULY 20-22, 2017

Honoring greatness

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cheers arise from the crowd of hundreds after the statue of Maggie L. Walker is unveiled at a ceremony last Saturday at the plaza at Broad and Adams streets.

Statue of Richmond pioneer Maggie L. Walker unveiled to cheers at gateway to Jackson Ward By Saraya Wintersmith

Richmond residents and officials rejoiced Saturday morning as the long-awaited statue of hometown hero Maggie Lena Walker was unveiled. With a strong tug by Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, sculptor Antonio “Toby” Mendez of Maryland and Mrs. Walker’s great-great-

Photo coverage on A4 and A5. Related story on B1. granddaughter Liza Mickens, off flew a black drape covering the 10-foot bronze statue. The figure of Mrs. Walker and the accomplishments and contributions of the woman it represents were met by applause from the hundreds of people gathered around the plaza at Broad and Adams streets in Downtown where

the statue stands. “Many Richmonders have ancestors who began their careers not as servants, but as bank tellers, accountants, sales people, auditors and insurance writers because of Grandma Walker,” Ms. Mickens said in brief remarks to the crowd. “Many Richmonders are here today, swelling with pride along with her family, as we unveil this statute of a woman, marking her own accomplishments on the streets of our city which she dearly loved.” Dozens in the audience nodded and voiced their assent as the 19-year-old Ms. Mickens, one of about 30 Walker descendants at the ceremony, fought back tears to continue. “Today, Maggie Walker stands here in her rightful place, in the heart of Richmond standing over her city. She stands as a marker to the gateway of Jackson Ward, a place where, through

City Hall’s most feared man is out By Jeremy M. Lazarus

For 11 years, he was considered the most feared man at Richmond City Hall as he led a staff of 14 in ferreting out waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars. But that time is over for City Auditor Umesh Dalal. On Monday, the Richmond City Council appointee quietly resigned Mr. amid allegations he was a bully to his staff. He left the corridors of government, capping a 32-year career as an auditor in Richmond and other cities. His departure shocked and disappointed many who viewed him as a fearless crusader who spoke truth to power and brought a halt to misspending. The certified public accountant with the

raspy voice submitted his resignation, turned in his keys and left, avoiding a potentially messy appearance before City Council after his attorney negotiated an exit package with City Attorney Allen L. Jackson. That package caused heartburn for some members of the council, which spent three hours behind closed doors Monday debating Dalal whether to approve it. When they emerged after 8:30 p.m., Council President Chris Hilbert issued a statement thanking Mr. Dalal for his service and wishing him well in his future endeavors as the members voted 9-0 to accept the resignation. But council split on the exit package, Please turn to A6

her hard work, she inspired her race as well as her gender to pursue a better life.” Mrs. Walker, the daughter of a former slave, was the first African-American woman to charter and operate a bank in the United States. Despite the many obstacles of the time, the leader of

the Independent Order of St. Luke benevolent society published the St. Luke Herald newspaper beginning in 1902, founded the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903, opened a department store Please turn to A6

Wells Fargo to give $4M to HOME to expand black home ownership By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Five years ago, banking giant Wells Fargo paid more than $200 million to settle documented government allegations that it deliberately charged African-American borrowers higher fees and interest rates on home loans. Two years ago, a Richmond study commissioned by City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson and undertaken by fair housing watchdog Housing Opportunities Made Equal found that major lenders, including Wells Fargo, denied mortgage loans to African-Americans at far higher rates, regardless of income. HOME later conducted a compliance investigation of Wells Fargo to see if it continued such practices. HOME took the results to government regulators

and directly to the bank for an explanation. The findings have not been made public. On Monday, HOME and Wells Fargo announced that the bank has agreed to provide $4 million to the nonprofit to help “increase home ownership opportunities for and expand lending to African-Americans and in African-American neigh-

borhoods.” The grant, essentially, is one way of Wells Fargo showing that it is trying to change. The Richmond announcement dovetails with Wells Fargo’s commitment of $60 billion over the next 10 years to create at least 250,000 new African-American homeowners Please turn to A6

Poor conditions at George Mason Elementary fire up School Board By Saraya Wintersmith

After an unusual, tense public exchange between members Monday night, the Richmond School Board voted to hold a public hearing on Monday, July 31, to discuss the condition of George Mason Elementary School and what to do about it. Although George Mason boasts prominent alumni, including former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and former state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, several officials said the school building at 813 N. 28th St. is easily among the city school district’s worst facilities. Poor conditions at the East End school have garnered more attention from the School Board after about a dozen advocates showed up for a June board meeting wearing surgical masks

and pleading for improvements to the school. At that time, Ingrid DeRoo, site coordinator for Communities in Schools at George Mason, detailed for the board some of the serious issues that students, teachers and staff face at the building, including lack of heat, a natural gas leak and leaky, foul-smelling restrooms that often are only partially functioning. “Before our students eat breakfast in the classroom, teachers wipe down the desks to remove rodent droppings,” Ms. DeRoo told the board in June. “Mice have caused entire classrooms to be evacuated. “I cannot stress to you enough that the building of George Please turn to A6

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Eye on the ball Tiffany Smith of Richmond, 6, has her eye on the ball at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Courts in Battery Park. She was among scores of youths who turned out Wednesday, July 12, for the Arthur Ashe Birthday Blast at the park, where they received complimentary tennis lessons and were on hand to celebrate murals created in his honor. A native of Richmond, Mr. Ashe was the first African-American male tennis player to win the U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon. He was also the first African-American male player to be ranked No. 1. Please see more photos on B2.


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