RICHMOND FREE PRESS 42 OCTOBER 16-18, 2025 EDITION
City Council rejects real estate tax rate cut
By George Copeland Jr.
Richmond’s $1.20 real estate tax rate will stay the same for another year after Richmond City Council voted 5-3-1 on Tuesday against a proposed four-cent reduction in the rate.
This marks the second time the City Council has turned down a tax rate reduction after a similar proposal’s defeat last year. The measure has been promoted by 8th District Council member Reva Trammell as a way to ease financial burdens on Richmond homeowners, though she appeared resigned to its likely failure.
“I’m quite sure I don’t have the votes tonight ... and I think it’s a damn shame,” Trammell said during a Council discussion before the vote. “I hope the citizens blame every one of us that’s sitting up here.”
In place of the reduction patroned by Trammell and 4th and 5th District Council members Sarah Abubaker and Stephanie Lynch, the Council instead approved the current tax rate in a 6-2-1 vote.
3rd District Council member Kenya Gibson abstained on both ordinances, saying she needed more information on the tax rate and Richmond’s surplus and had requested the measures be continued to November.
“As a person who believes in transparency, without having the necessary information to complete my homework assignment, I would feel like a fraud,” Gibson said. “I still think that we should allow more time.”
Richmond’s tax rate has remained unchanged since 2008, and the proposed reduction drew a wide range of residents and city officials to speak for or against it during public comments and Council discussion.
Most were opposed to reducing the tax rate, including members
turn to A4
By Johnathan Landrum Jr. Associated Press
D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died. He was 51.
The Richmond native, who was born Michael Eugene Archer, died Tuesday after a long bout with cancer, his family said in a statement. It called him “a shining star of our family and has dimmed his light for us in this life,” adding that they are “eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.”
In his music, D’Angelo blended hip-hop grit, emphatic soul and gospel-rooted emotion into a sound that helped
spearhead the neo-soul movement of the 1990s. Earlier this year, the Virginia native celebrated the 30th anniversary of his debut studio album “Brown Sugar,” a platinum-selling offering that produced signature hits like “Lady” and the title track. The 1995 album earned him multiple Grammy nominations and cemented him as one of R&B’s most original new voices.
D’Angelo’s sultry vocal style — a mix of raspy texture and church-bred fluidity — set him apart from his peers. That voice became inseparable from the striking visuals of his 2000 single “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” The minimalist, shirtless music video became a cultural touchstone, igniting conversations around artistry, sexuality and vulnerability in
RPS recommends Armstrong name remain
By Victoria A. Ifatusin
Following arguments that supported or opposed renaming Armstrong High School, RPS conducted a districtwide survey in September asking specific groups where they stood on the matter.
Alumni of John F. Kennedy High School — the school that originally occupied Armstrong High’s building — presented a proposal to rename the school the Armstrong-Kennedy High School in July. School Board members have been torn on what to do about it since.
Nearly 380 individuals responded, with more than half of respondents being current students and staff.
The results led to administrators suggesting that the school retain its current name, as 70% of current students and staff that responded voted in favor of such (143 votes). However, 84% of John F. Kennedy alumni and community members were in favor of a name change (136 votes).
Board member Emmett Jafari (8th District), who pointed out the distinction, said the basis of the administration’s decision is opposite of what the data shows, even though more students and staff responded to the survey.
Willie Bell, the division’s director for high school and athletics, responded, saying that he and other administrators would have wanted to receive more input from Armstrong alumni, but noted that the board wanted to specifically
By George Copeland Jr.
Thriving neighborhoods, a growing economy and a more accountable city government are among the goals outlined in Mayor Danny Avula’s new Mayoral Action Plan, or MAP, aimed at delivering measurable improvements across Richmond.
Avula introduced the initiative Wednesday during a news conference on the city’s Observation Deck, where he was joined by more than 100 city employees. The event marked the official launch of what Avula described as a long-term framework for collaboration, transparency and progress.
“This MAP is more than a document,” Avula said. “It’s a
hear from current students in previous meetings.
“We’re not discarding the former alumni of Armstrong or Armstrong-Kennedy, but … you all said you wanted to hear what our kids had to say, because they are [in the building] right now,” he said.
While he agreed on wanting to hear from students, Jafari said those students may be out of the school in the next three to four years, whereas the community members responding are “established” and parents of current students. He suggested looking at the situation from a long-term perspective.
“I’m not dismissive of what the current students and faculty think, but what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard — and what I’ve heard
coming in here — really speaks [to] measures, giant measures to actually renaming the school,” he said. “I just want to make sure that we look at the whole proportion of it. Three to four years, in my estimation, should not outweigh … what the community and the alumni [from both schools] think.”
Cheryl Burke (7th District) said the situation
“hits home,” as a similar issue is currently happening at her former elementary school in her hometown, where some parts of the school will be demolished. She also reminded board members and the public of the decision the School Board made in 2004 to remove Kennedy’s name off
Moomaw/The Richmonder Richmond City Councilor Reva Trammell (center) failed to garner enough votes for her proposal to lower the city’s real estate tax rate in response to rising property values.
Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File
D’Angelo performs Aug. 23, 2015 during FYF Fest at L.A. Memorial Sports Arena & Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Mayor Danny Avula speaks Wednesday, Oct. 15, on the City’s Observation Deck during the launch of the city’s Mayoral Action Plan.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Roland Martin to lead VSU voter engagement event
Free Press staff report
Journalist and political commentator Roland Martin will visit Virginia State University on Thursday, Oct. 16 as part of Trojan Voter Week.
The event, scheduled for 6 p.m. in the VSU Multi-Purpose Center, will feature a live taping of Roland Martin Unfiltered, a news and commentary program that covers politics, culture and current events. Admission is free.
Martin’s appearance is part of VSU’s effort to register 1,000 student voters and encourage civic participation. The program will include a discussion on the student vote, leadership and youth involvement in democracy.
“Roland Martin is one of the most respected voices in Black media and civic engagement,” said Wes Bellamy, chair of VSU’s Department of Political Science. “Roland is helping us remind students that their voices and votes can transform communities and shape the future of our nation.”
Trojan Voter Week, running Oct. 14-17, carries the theme “Your Voice. Your Power. Your Vote.” Activities include voter registration drives, campus competitions and special events aimed at promoting civic engagement.
ChildSavers launches perinatal mental health program in Richmond
Free Press staff report
ChildSavers is offering virtual and in-person therapy for pregnant and postpartum individuals through a new pilot program, It Takes a Village, in partnership with the Virginia Health Care Foundation.The initiative, funded by the VHCF and the General Assembly through the 2025 Momnibus package, aims to expand access to maternal mental health services across the Commonwealth at low or no cost. Untreated maternal mental health conditions can lead to poor outcomes, including maternal mortality, particularly for Black, Indigenous and other people of color, who face heightened health disparities. According to the Virginia Department of Health, pregnancy-associated deaths by suicide have been rising in recent years, while only 53% of women were screened for depression or anxiety in the 12 months before pregnancy. The VHCF reports that one in eight mothers in Virginia experience maternal mental health conditions.
Stephanie Hammerk, program supervisor for outpatient services at ChildSavers, said the program addresses a critical need.
“By serving the birthing person, we not only have the opportunity to support positive change for the individual, but also for their baby and their partners, which makes the potential for positive change grow exponentially,” she said.
Pregnant and postpartum adults can connect with therapists for telehealth or in-person sessions by visiting ChildSavers’ website or by calling (804) 644-9590. Referrals and service requests can also be submitted online. For more information, visit childsavers.org and vhcf.org
Early voting
Richmond voters are casting ballots early for the 2025 elections, including races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates. Early voting allows residents to vote in person before Election Day and can help reduce wait times at polling places.
In Richmond, early voting locations include the Office of Elections at 2134 W. Laburnum Ave., City Hall at 900 E. Broad St. and the Hickory Hill Community Center at 3000 E. Belt Blvd. Henrico County voters can visit the Western Government Center at 4305 E. Parham Road, the Eastern Government Center at 3820 Nine Mile Road or the Varina Library at 1875 New Market Road. Chesterfield County residents may use the Central Library at 7051 Lucy Corr Blvd.
Early voting runs through Friday, Nov. 1. Hours are generally Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with select Saturdays also open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The deadline to register to vote in Virginia is Friday, Oct. 24. Residents can register online, by mail or in person at their local registrar’s office. Voters who prefer to vote by mail can request absentee ballots through the Virginia Department of Elections website or by contacting their local registrar. Requests must be submitted by the posted deadlines to ensure ballots are received and returned in time. Election officials encourage Virginians to take advantage of early voting to avoid long lines and ensure their participation in the democratic process. For information on locations, hours, registration and deadlines, visit elections.virginia.gov.
Hanover seeks high schoolers to serve as Election Day pages
Free Press staff report
The Hanover County Elections Office is seeking high school students to serve as Election Day pages on Nov. 4. The program is open to students ages 15 to 17 and offers an opportunity to learn about the voting process, support their community and earn service hours. With 36 precincts across the county, participants will be assigned to polling places near their homes.
Shifts are available for the full day, from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., or for half-day periods from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 12:30 to 8 p.m.
Pages will help greet voters, remind them to have identification ready, assist with line management and hand out “I Voted” stickers. A mandatory training session will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in the Board Room of the Administration Building at the Hanover County Government Complex, 7516 County Complex Road.
Students can apply by requesting a paper application from their school or by completing an online interest survey. After submitting the survey, applicants will receive a permission form.
The deadline to apply is Friday. For more information, call the Elections Office at (804) 365-6080.
Cityscape
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Artist Jason Ford paints a mural Oct. 1 at Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market in Richmond as part of Fairtrade America’s national mural series for Fairtrade Month. The campaign highlights the often unseen farmers and workers who grow everyday products such as coffee, cocoa and bananas while drawing attention to the challenges they face from unfair trade practices. Ellwood Thompson’s was selected along with two other stores in Coralville, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to participate in the project. The mural depicts Sierra Leone cocoa farmer Aminata Sannoh, whose cocoa is used by Hu Kitchen chocolate sold at Ellwood Thompson’s. Hu Kitchen, Fairtrade America, Ellwood Thompson’s and Ford will host Fairtrade Fest Oct. 18, when they will officially unveil the mural.
Richmonders to join nationwide ‘No Kings II’ protests Saturday
By George Copeland Jr.
Richmond will host one of over 2,000 planned protests nationwide against the actions of the Trump administration Saturday, when local and state residents gather in the city for the No Kings II event.
The protest is being organized by local and state groups including RVA Indivisible and Virginia 50501 and will begin at 1 p.m. at the Capitol with a rally and speeches
before a march at 2 p.m. to Monroe Park.
Other protests are set to be held throughout the day in Virginia and across the country. Saturday’s event will follow a No Kings protest held in Richmond in June and a rally on Presidents Day that saw residents from across the state gather and march in large numbers.
“Richmonders will add their voices to those of fellow Americans gathering in more than 2,500 protests across the coun-
try,” RVA Indivisible and 50501 stated in a news release announcing the protests.
The weeks leading up to the protest have been filled with preparation by the No Kings organization and its partners, including training sessions on safety, deescalation, engagement and other protest matters. Those interested can find more information on the protest and other events, and register to participate, at nokings.org.
Chesterfield Supervisor Jim Holland dies at 73 after cancer battle
Free Press staff report
James M. “Jim” Holland, a five-term Dale District supervisor and one of Chesterfield County’s longest-serving public officials, died Tuesday at his home after a battle with cancer. He was 73.
A U.S. Army veteran, certified public accountant and longtime educator, Holland served on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors since 2008, earning a reputation for calm, principled leadership and steadfast service. He chaired the board in 2014, 2021 and 2024 and served as vice chair in 2010 and 2022.
“Jim’s approach was always to do what he thought was best for his district and Chesterfield,” said Board Chair Jim Ingle, who represents the Bermuda District. “We will greatly miss Jim’s calm, deliberate and gentlemanly approach to navigating the work of the board. We will appoint someone to take his seat until a special election can be held, but we will
never replace Jim Holland.”
Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, who represents Virginia’s 4th Congressional District, called Holland “a passionate advocate and impactful leader.”
“Jim spent his life in service to others — as a U.S. Army veteran, deacon and Sunday school teacher, a CPA, professor and representative for Chesterfield County in countless partnerships,” McClellan said in a statement Tuesday. “His steady leadership and unwavering service will be sorely missed. He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.”
Even in declining health, Holland remained dedicated to county business. In a farewell letter dated Oct. 12 and addressed
to Dale District residents, he wrote, “It has been one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life to serve you, my friends, neighbors and community, for more than seventeen years on the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors.”
Holland helped guide Chesterfield through major growth and crises alike — from the Great Recession to the pandemic. Known for his financial expertise and steady hand, he played a central role in stabilizing county finances during the 2008 downturn and championed major development projects that strengthened the local economy.
In May, Chesterfield renamed the Beulah Recreation Center in his honor — a reflection of his years of leadership and vision for community spaces.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Judith; daughter, Jessica Holland Tamba; and son, James Matthew Holland. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
First training class graduates from workforce development program
Free Press staff report
Richmond residents graduated Friday from a community-based workforce development program created through a partnership between the City of Richmond, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and Kirila Construction Services (KCS).
The 12-week program has two phases. Friday’s ceremony marked the completion of the first phase. The second phase occurs on the job as graduates transition into full employment with KCS on construction projects across Richmond, including Phase 2 of the Diamond District.
Mayor Danny Avula praised the partnership.
“This program is exactly the kind of collaboration we need to make our city thrive — local government, unions, employers and most importantly the residents who show up and put in the work,” Avula said. “When we as a city all pull in the same direction, we don’t just create jobs — we create opportunities that ripple through families and neighborhoods.”
Unlike other training programs, participants earned a wage while learning and did not pay a fee. As new LIUNA members, graduates receive health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits.
“All anyone ever needs is the opportunity to be successful,” said Sam Kirila, owner of KCS. “If KCS can help provide that opportunity, then we will have considered
this program a success that I am more than happy to be a part of.”
The program’s community-based approach included hosting weeks three through five of the training at Mount Olivet Church. Students learned professional skills, such as effective communication and time management, along with construction laborer skills, including concrete work, traffic control and safety certification.
LIUNA donated $7,500 to Mount Olivet Church in appreciation of its support.
“LIUNA is proud to be part of this partnership that is connecting Richmond residents to good-paying, family-sustaining jobs in their city,” said Jessie King, business manager of the West Virginia and Appalachian Laborers’ District Council. “As Richmond continues to build, our program is going to ensure that we also build pathways to the middle class.” The partners plan to offer additional classes as more city construction projects are announced.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Photo courtesy of City of Richmond
Recent graduates gather Friday for a group photo during the ceremony marking the completion of the city’s first community-based workforce development program, a partnership between the City of Richmond, LIUNA and Kirila Construction Services.
Roland Martin
James Holland
D’Angelo dies at 51 after cancer battle
Black male representation. The song earned him a Grammy for best male R&B vocal performance and propelled his sophomore album “Voodoo,” topping the Billboard 200 chart and winning the Grammy for best R&B album.
With an idiosyncratic spirit not unlike Prince, D’Angelo’s devotion was always to the craft — not the machinery around it. In a 2000 interview with The Associated Press, he spoke candidly about the cost of chasing commercial success.
“(Musicians) have gotten trapped into that mode of thinking marketable and commercial. That destroys art, that destroys the essence of what it is about,” he said. “You cannot, you cannot work like that. You cannot make music like that. That’s not what this is about.”
That same year, D’Angelo reflected on his need for solitude amid fame: “I used to hang out a lot, but now I’ve become more of a recluse,” he told AP. “I long for just peace and silence.”
City Council rejects real estate tax rate cut
of the Service Employees International Union, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald representing Avula’s administration in the discussion.
Opponents argued the reduction would have little impact for most residents and could cost the city $17.2 million in revenue, threatening essential services.
“A rate cut does not reduce our responsibility to deliver these services,” Donald said, noting that support for services such as schools, the police and fire departments and courts are mandated by law. “Instead, the pressure shifts to those services that are not mandatory, meaning those human services, those affordable housing activities and other things that are vital and essential but are not considered core services.”
In other matters, Council members approved multiple redevelopment ordinances, including a grant agreement for an affordable housing development that would add at least 246 new housing units to the city.
Ordinances to create an online Freedom of Information Act library, begin a residentialrental inspection program, expand Richmond’s open data portal and prohibit certain public record fees were continued to later meetings in October and November.
Before he became an international star, D’Angelo’s Richmond roots played a crucial role in shaping his musical path. Richmond musician and educator Bill McGee first met Archer in 1988 at Festival Park, when McGee was managing a student R&B band as part of his work as John F. Kennedy High School’s band director. McGee remembers Archer showing musical skills that were evident from an early age.
“He was so impressive,” McGee said. “He was doing Prince, Michael Jackson, James Brown. He was dropping the mic and doing a split and picking it up. He had his own little band. He was 12 years old running his own band, like a young Prince.”
Impressed, McGee asked Archer’s mother if her son could perform in the school’s talent show. Archer went on to participate for five years in shows so popular that they moved to the Richmond Mosque, now known as the Altria Theater, to accommodate larger audiences. For years, McGee mentored Archer, who pursued music in part because of the talent shows and the older student competitors he faced.
Beyond his own catalog, D’Angelo’s artistry shined in collaborations. He memorably duetted with Lauryn Hill on the soulful ballad “Nothing Even Matters,” a highlight of her landmark 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” He also contributed to The Roots’ 1996 album “Illadelph Halflife” and was part of the supergroup Black Men United, which yielded one song: “U Will Know,” which D’Angelo wrote and co-produced for the film “Jason’s Lyric” in 1994.
Years before stepping back from public view, D’Angelo’s life and music were closely intertwined with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Angie Stone in the ’90s. The pair met while he was finishing “Brown Sugar” and bonded over their shared Southern roots and deep church upbringing. Stone contributed to the album and later collaborated with him on “Everyday,” a song from her 1999 debut album, “Black Diamond.”
the Armstrong building, which resulted in school memorabilia being thrown out.
“When we stop calling the name, the history is gone,” she said.
It was for that reason that she was one of the board members who requested having student input. But she also echoed Jafari’s concern, asking administrators “why did we ask the community and the parents” if the division was only going to pay attention to what students and staff said.
She expressed concern with the way the survey was distributed, as some community members told her they were unaware of the survey. More responses would have been appreciated, she said. Solomon Jefferson, the district’s chief academic officer for secondary education, said administrators reached out to as many alumni from both schools as possible in a short amount of time.
The recommendation also calls for placing a plaque outside the high school entrance to detail the school’s history and installing a display case inside the school’s entrance to honor the legacy of Kennedy High School.
commitment to each other, to our residents and to the future that we’re building together.”
MAP’s other “pillars” include an inclusive city, a sustainable environment and a city that tells the truth about its past. Each goal under the seven pillars comes with specific metrics for success and progress, from noting annual graduation rates and SOL scores when assessing the city’s support of Richmond Public Schools, to ensuring investment in Richmond’s South Side by tracking increases in new, preserved or rehabilitated housing units.
Progress on the MAP will be shared with the public through online resources that will be regularly updated in the coming months to ensure clarity, accountability and transparency. Speakers at the launch also emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement and collaboration, not just from city departments but from residents as well.
“Our purpose is to make sure we deliver more often, better and more consistently,” Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald said, “and you only identify and are able to do that together and by learning.”
of Dirty Souls, a rap duo formed by his cousins, in 1991. with more changes expected as city departments and the public weigh in with suggestions and
Officials stressed that the MAP is a work in progress,
Stone described D’Angelo as her “musical soul mate” to the AP in 1999, adding that their working relationship was “like milk and cereal …. Musically, it was magic. It’s something that I have not been able to do with any other producer or musician.” They had a son together, the artist Swayvo Twain, born Michael Archer Jr. Stone died earlier this year in a car crash. She was 63. Free Press staff writer George Copeland Jr. contributed to this article.
The board will vote on the matter in November.
This story originally appeared on TheRichmonder.org.
Regina Boone/Richmond Free Press
D’Angelo attends club performance at Area 51
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Armstrong High School is shown July 9 as Richmond Public Schools officials recommend keeping its name despite a proposal from John F. Kennedy alumni to rename it Armstrong-Kennedy High School.
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Community members share ideas about Richmond’s future during the launch of the Mayoral Action Plan at City Hall’s Observation Deck on Wednesday.
Spanberger, Earle-Sears outline workforce plans at education conference
By Nathaniel Cline
As Virginia seeks to strengthen communities statewide and support economic growth, gubernatorial candidates Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears presented their cases at the Virginia Education & Workforce Conference in Richmond on Tuesday as to why they should be elected to lead these efforts.
The two candidates spoke to more than 400 attendees from business, education and policy backgrounds about the challenges and their respective plans during the conference at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event, which focused on building a more skilled and competitive workforce, was co-hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation, the Virginia Business Higher Education Council, the VCF Workforce and Education Center and the Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership.
Spanberger, the Democratic nominee, addressed improving Virginia’s rating for the Best State to do Business by CNBC. The Commonwealth, consistently ranked a top-three finisher in the past five years, dropped from the top spot to fourth this summer due to the federal job cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration that have disproportionately affected Virginia, home to 147,000 civilian federal employees. The state did maintain its top rating for education for the second straight year.
“We must do everything we can to get Virginia back to number one in the CNBC rankings, and that means strategic investments in workforce training, affordable child care and housing, streamlining permanent shovel-ready sites and reliable infrastructure,” Spanberger said Tuesday morning.
Earle-Sears, the current lieutenant governor and the GOP nominee for governor, did not mention the ranking, but instead explained how collaboration has played a big role in education and workforce
development in the Commonwealth. She applauded the Virginia Chamber, which she said “brought together the people who make Virginia’s story possible.”
“(But) this is not a moment for complacency,” Earle-Sears said. “It is a call to strengthen our resolve and sharpen our edge and continue to lead; and under my leadership, Virginia will rise to that challenge. We will maintain not just our domestic competitive advantage, but our international life as well.”
She spoke about how Virginia’s education system shaped her career, urging stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that Virginia has a “phenomenal” workforce across all sectors. She also touted the success of the current administration, led by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, by investing in businesses and teacher training as well as expanding laboratory schools that offer tuition-free specialized instruction in high-demand careers such as teaching, computer science and technology.
Earle-Sears said artificial intelligence poses a rising challenge for Virginia as it competes with countries outside the United States and also supports workforce reentry for groups like veterans and military families.
As governor, Earle-Sears said she would continue the current administration’s priorities of strengthening the workforce and empowering students through rigorous academics and different pathways.
Spanberger noted the cost of living as a sizable challenge, with Virginians navigating rising expenses for health care, housing and energy, and facing uncertainty amid the federal government’s job cuts and shutdown.
The state could do more to support working people by establishing family medical leave, increasing affordable housing supply and child care access and raising the minimum wage, Spanberger suggested.
As for displaced workers, the Democrat proposed ways the state could help identify adjacent job opportunities and expand career mentoring. She also shared plans to strengthen workforce development from early childhood through career training, increase funding for community colleges, expand dual enrollment classes and ensure flexibility in the education system to prepare students for emerging technologies.
“I know there are those who think you can be pro-business or pro-worker, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some people in this room that hold that opinion, but I reject that idea. We can do both,” Spanberger said. “Virginia’s economic success has always come from balancing those forces, and under the right leadership, with the right coalition, we can keep that balance for decades into the future.”
Both candidates also defended their stances of support for Virginia’s right-to-work law, which prohibits employees from being required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Keith Martin, interim president and CEO of the Virginia Chamber, told reporters that the conference is a way for stakeholders from all industries and the candidates for governor to collaborate, as it follows the Blueprint Virginia 2035 that serves as a guide to ensure the Commonwealth remains a top state for business. Historically, the Chamber has not endorsed any candidate.
“We’re working with both candidates for governor,” Martin said. “We’re optimistic in our partnership that we’ll have with the next governor, and the collaboration we have with the business community and higher education moving forward.”
The deadline to register to vote, update registration or apply for a ballot to be mailed is Oct. 24. In-person early voting ends Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 4.
This story originally appeared at VirginiaMercury.com.
October 16-18, 2025
Untitled
It’s hard to put into words what D’Angelo meant to Richmond and Virginia. He was the city’s brightest star, a shining Black prince of R&B. His success proved that someone born here could rise to the top. Even people who didn’t fully understand the meaning of his song “Brown Sugar” could feel its impact.
Unlike some artists who seem to forget their roots after achieving fame, D’Angelo proudly claimed Richmond. He filmed two music videos in the city, returned to perform on occasion, and never hesitated to tell people where he was from.
Musically, he left a blueprint that many local musicians continue to follow, and his sound has been woven into Richmond’s music scene. His career showed that it is possible to forge a path in the music industry without compromising your beliefs or identity. As one friend recalled on social media, D’Angelo once said that managing both the creative and business sides of his art was like “twirling a basketball on your finger on a rollercoaster.”
Like the thrill ride he once described, D’Angelo’s career had its ups and downs. Years of personal challenges and time away from the spotlight threatened to derail his career, but he made a triumphant return with his 2014 album, “Black Messiah.” It was a reminder that true artistry operates on its own timeline.
We hope his influence continues to echo through the city’s music venues, recording studios and living rooms where young artists are finding their own voices. D’Angelo showed them you don’t have to sell out to make it — you can make it by being yourself. That’s part of the legacy of our brightest star, the one who showed us what was possible when you refuse to compromise your vision for commercial gain.
Letting her finish
The performance of our current lieutenant governor in the recent gubernatorial debate at Norfolk State University brought to mind a career-changing moment in popular music from years ago. I’ll get to that in a moment, but first, for those who missed the debate, let’s catch up.
In what may be the only debate of the governor’s race, this was supposed to be a chance for voters to hear where the candidates, Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears, stand. Instead, the lieutenant governor seemed determined to keep that from happening — and to ignore the ground rules altogether. She interrupted. She goaded. She talked over her opponent. Some observers counted around 30 interruptions; others put the number closer to 60. Virginia voters deserve better.
We applaud Spanberger for staying the course during the barrage of intrusions to her responses. She kept her cool and followed the rules. She stayed on message, letting the constant disruptions speak more about her opponent than about herself.
Perhaps our lieutenant governor, who has given more than one contentious interview, took a cue from her fellow Trump supporter and rapper Kanye West. In 2009, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Taylor Swift was giving her acceptance speech for winning the award for Best Female Video for “You Belong With Me.” While she was giving her speech, West walked on stage and grabbed the mic.
“Yo, Taylor, I’m really happy for you — I’mma let you finish — but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time,” he said.
I can’t recall what video that Beyoncé was nominated for back then, but I’d be willing to concede the point that West was making. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the proper forum for a debate on the selection process for the VMAs. He stepped on someone else’s spotlight and made himself appear rude, arrogant and disrespectful.
The moment became a cultural flashpoint. While she was already on her way to great success, her response to West’s unhinged behavior added a new dimension to her public persona — resiliency. She kept her composure during his rant, which was a sharp contrast to the unhinged behavior of the uninvited guest on the stage. His attempt to diminish her ended up amplifying her. Since then, she’s become a mega pop star, and her latest release, “The Life of a Showgirl,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her 15th chart-topping album.
West’s fortunes, as you may know, have taken a turn in recent years. Controversial actions and comments made over the last few years have cost him endorsement deals and touring revenue. Two counties, Australia and Slovakia, have banned him from entry. Turns out that a pattern of refusing to respect boundaries catches up with you eventually.
The contrast at Norfolk State was also stark. One candidate showed she’s ready for the responsibility of governing Virginia. The other showed she hasn’t learned that talking over someone doesn’t make you right — it only makes you loud.
Pigeon
Trump’s
Donald Trump has a type — and it’s not the one tabloids flaunted. His real issue is Black women who hold power. From Letitia “Tish” James to economist Lisa Cook, from reporters like April Ryan to political insiders like his former ally Omarosa, the pattern is unmistakable: When a Black woman refuses to bow, he melts down.
real problem
race — faced the same hostility. Trump treated her Federal Reserve nomination as an affirmative action scandal. The message: A Black woman’s expertise must be political, not earned.
with Black women
countability in a nation allergic to it. When Trump faces us, he faces centuries of resistance — mothers, teachers, organizers who refused to let white power go unchecked. He’s not sparring with individuals; he’s wrestling with history.
them. James didn’t trade barbs; she built a case. Cook didn’t respond to smears; she kept teaching and researching. Arrogance is dismantled with quiet, disciplined excellence.
This isn’t random. Trump built a persona on domination — belittling, interrupting, steamrolling anyone who won’t comply. But put a Black woman across the table who won’t defer, and the “strongman” act collapses into petulance.
Take New York Attorney General Letitia James, who held him accountable for fraud. Trump didn’t argue the case; he called her “racist” and “corrupt.” Tantrums, not legal arguments. James pressed on, methodical and unbothered, securing a sweeping victory that rattled Trump Tower. Dr. Lisa Cook, an economist with a resume that should silence critics — Spelman, Oxford, Berkeley, groundbreaking research on innovation and
Both James and Cook faced minor or baseless mortgage fraud accusations. James’ “violation” may have netted her less than $20,000 over her loan’s life. Did she fill out the paperwork herself or rely on a broker? Selective prosecution reeks here — and so does a Trump tantrum.
Trump’s reflex to demean and discredit reveals more about him than the women he attacks. His worldview depends on hierarchy; Black women disrupt that. We don’t scare easily. We don’t flatter him. We operate in truth — kryptonite to someone thriving on illusion.
Black women have long been America’s truth-tellers, standing at the intersection of injustice and insight. From Sojourner Truth to Fannie Lou Hamer to today’s judges, journalists and scholars, we’ve called out hypocrisy and demanded accountability. Trump, who built a brand on lies, cannot abide it.
Black women symbolize ac-
That’s why his attacks feel personal. When James sues him, he calls names instead of arguing law. When Cook earns a post, he questions qualifications instead of debating policy. The same energy appeared with April Ryan, whom he told to “sit down,” and Yamiche Alcindor, whose calm questions rattled him more than any prosecutor could. These women expose what Trump cannot: his fragility.
Even in debates with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump revealed his weakness. He belligerently raised questions about her intelligence and integrity instead of addressing issues. It’s easier to demean someone than confront the nation’s problems.
Black women break through bluster. They know the playbook — gaslighting, deflection, the victim act — and have seen it all. Trump is just a loud echo of every boss, politician or pundit who couldn’t handle a woman standing in her authority.
These women show up, do their jobs and don’t let his noise derail
Hypocrisy in holy robes
When a revered church leader blesses cruelty as holiness, he’s not preaching Paul’s gospel. He’s sanctifying Sodom’s sin.
It’s been a month since Cardinal Timothy Dolan compared right-wing activist Charlie Kirk to Saint Paul, and I still can’t shake it. Maybe it lingers because of what else was happening that week in Chicagoland.
The same week much of the city was still mourning Silverio Villegas González — an immigrant father from Michoacán who dropped his boys at school, was pulled over on the way to work, and was shot in the back by an ICE officer — the cardinal praised a man who had urged “lethal force” to be used against people like Silverio.
The contrast was too much to ignore: a father dying to stay with his children, and a prince of the church invoking the name of Jesus while celebrating a man who called for such executions.
Yes, that Jesus — the one who told us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to welcome the stranger, to leave vengeance to the Lord. The same Jesus whose spirit is etched at the base of our Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” That Jesus. It was in that Jesus’ name that Cardinal Dolan praised Charlie Kirk as “a modern-day St. Paul — a missionary, a hero who wasn’t afraid to say Jesus’ name.”
A man who evangelized about using lethal force against immigrants and preached that Michelle
Obama and several other brilliant Black women “did not have the brain processing power to be taken seriously.”
Yes, Cardinal Dolan praised the man who said those terrible things as if he were the very apostle Jesus selected to spread the gospel.
When I first heard it, the old wristband slogan came to mind: WWJD — What Would Jesus Do?
I’ll confess, another four-letter word popped into my head first. But let’s not go there. Father, please forgive me.
If the question is WWJD, then the answer in this case can only be: repent.
Catholicism is not just one faith among many; it is America’s largest Christian body and the predominant faith across much of the region where Cardinal Dolan spoke. In Chicago, Catholic churches anchor whole neighborhoods — Polish, Mexican, Irish, Filipino, Haitian, Brazilian. Nearly half of the area’s Catholics are Latino, the majority Mexican. For generations of immigrants, the church has been more than a ritual. It’s been a refuge.
So when Cardinal Dolan praised a man who urged violence against migrants, much of his own flock was still in mourning. They were grieving Silverio Villegas González, but they were also grieving something larger — a sense of decency under attack.
The Bible is clear about how God judges such moments. The prophet Ezekiel tells us that Sodom’s sin was not lust, but “arrogance, gluttony, and unconcern for the poor and needy.” It was their hardness of heart toward strangers
that brought them down. When a church leader blesses cruelty as holiness, he’s not preaching Paul’s gospel. He’s sanctifying Sodom’s sin.
Even the gospel most cherished in conservative pulpits — Matthew — leaves no room for such cruelty. Matthew’s Jesus does not build walls; he breaks bread. He warns that all the law and prophecy rest on love of God and neighbor, and he defines that love in action:
“For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
To preach that gospel while excusing violence against the stranger is not fidelity — it’s hypocrisy in holy robes.
From Chicago to America, to the world, to Rome — Cardinal Dolan owes a deep apology.
To the immigrants who have carried this nation’s labor and its faith.
To the children who will grow up knowing their father died trying not to be torn from them.
To the mothers who teach their sons that love is stronger than hate.
To the parishioners who still believe that “love your neighbor as yourself” means all neighbors. Yes, Cardinal Dolan owes an apology to each of them and to every believer who, like Jesus himself, knows the words “Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to me” are a commandment.
Because when cruelty is crowned as courage and violence is blessed as virtue, the gospel itself is profaned.
We are all flesh and blood, all fallible and all beloved. I know I am. And when we fail, we must seek repentance — even from those who already love and respect us.
The writer is a former national president and CEO of the NAACP
Trump’s conflict with Black women is a mirror, and America should look closely. The insecurities driving his outbursts fuel much of our politics. Black women are the most consistent defenders of democracy, yet the most disrespected when wielding its power. Their strength exposes our collective weakness: fear of a world where equality isn’t negotiable.
Black women represent the kind of power Trump cannot buy, bully or charm. For a man who built his empire on control, that is one truth he’ll never tweet his way out of. The writer is an economist, author and commentator whose work explores race, gender and economic justice.
Ben Jealous
Julianne Malveaux
Accountability starts with Miyares, not Jay Jones
Jason Miyares wants these closing weeks of the campaign to be Virginia’s attorney general to be about Jay Jones’ words. Because if the race is about Miyares’ actions, he knows it will show who is truly unfit to hold the office.
Start at day one of Miyares’ tenure. Miyares fired nearly three dozen career civil servants in his first week, most of whom worked on civil rights and fair elections. He then appointed a 2020-election-denying, January-6th-insurrection-supporting crony to supervise election law in the Commonwealth.
For the past three-plus years, Jason Miyares has continued to follow Donald Trump’s Project 2025 playbook: attacking public schools in Fairfax and Loudoun to score facetime on Fox News; bringing baseless criminal charges against people who stand up to him, like former Prince William County registrar Michele White; and cozying up to groups that seek to ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.
And don’t forget: Miyares has accepted more than $1 million from Dominion while Dominion has been jacking up Virginians’ electricity bills — almost all of it (more than $900,000) since April, while his office was supposed to be opposing Dominion’s request to increase rates even more.
But Miyares’ inaction the past nine months has hurt Virginia families the most. Democratic attorneys general have defended their citizens and beaten Trump in court. But even when Trump has gone after Virginia’s federal workers — including threatening to break the law and withhold back pay from furloughed civil servants — Miyares has stayed on the sidelines.
Jay Jones’ text messages were disappointing to read. It was consistent with his character to see Jones apologize and take accountability for his words.
Jason Miyares has yet to apologize for his actions the past four years. On Nov. 4, voters can hold Miyares accountable by electing Jay Jones.
PAUL WILEY Alexandria
Kyren Lacy’s story shows failures in law enforcement and justice
America has a long history of overpolicing Black men, scapegoating them as criminals without due process. The tragic death of rising LSU football star Kyren Lacy is no different. Not only was his death completely preventable, but the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office should be held accountable for an arrest and prosecution without cause and without an investigation, and should be investigated for discriminatory policing practices.
and shame that mounted on a young man who entered the 2025 NFL draft the same month that this tragedy happened changed the trajectory of his life and ultimately claimed his own in April, ahead of a trial.
Upon review of the footage of the accident that caused 78-year-old Herman Hall to lose his life, it is clear that this young man did not bear responsibility for this tragic car crash; his vehicle was not even present when it occurred.
Yet deputies from Lafourche Parish’s office not only arrested Kyren Lacy but also charged him with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run and reckless operation of a vehicle while failing to review any evidence in the process.
The unimaginable anxiety
Lacy, a former LSU football player with immense promise, died by suicide during a police pursuit, months after being
charged in connection with the fatal crash. Before the courts could determine the facts, before the truth could fully surface, his life came to an abrupt and irreversible end. For those who knew him, he was not a headline or a statistic; he was a son, a teammate and a young man still finding his way in a world that too often shows young Black men its harshest face.
This tragedy is about more than a single moment. It speaks to the deep failures of a justice system that too often confuses accountability with punishment, and law enforcement practices that escalate when
they should de-escalate. It calls into question whether our public safety institutions are designed to preserve life or to control it.
At the National Urban League, we know that public safety cannot exist without public trust. Through our 21 pillars for redefining public safety and restoring community trust, we have outlined a comprehensive framework for real reform, reform that moves us beyond rhetoric and toward results.
These pillars demand transparency, community engagement and accountability at every level of law enforcement. They call for independent civilian review boards, strict standards for the use of force, and a nationwide system to prevent officers with histories of misconduct from quietly transferring from one department to another.
Our vision is not anti-police; it is pro-justice. We believe in a model of community policing rooted in respect, empathy and shared responsibility. Officers should be trained and equipped to respond to crises
with compassion as well as control, and departments must reflect the diversity and values of the communities they serve. Reform must also include investment in mental health response, conflict resolution and economic opportunity because proper safety is not built on fear but on fairness and trust.
Kyren Lacy’s death reminds us that every encounter between law enforcement and the public is not just a matter of law but of life. His story joins too many others in the long record of loss that demands our nation’s attention and action. The goal of justice cannot simply be punishment after tragedy; it must be prevention before it. To be equal means more than equality before the law; it means equality in treatment, in dignity and in the chance to live freely and fully. The work of reform is not abstract. It is urgent. It is human. And it is the only way to honor those we have lost while ensuring that fewer lives meet the same fate. The writer is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
Marc H. Morial
By Tim Reynolds Associated Press
A’ja Wilson’s numbers in 2025 were like none other.
Nobody in the history of the WNBA — or the NBA, for that matter — has put together a season like the one Wilson did for the Las Vegas Aces this year.
She won the WNBA’s MVP award. Won the scoring title. Helped her team win a championship. Was the WNBA Finals MVP.
All that has been done in the same season before on the NBA level, most recently when Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pulled off the feat this past season. Michael Jordan did all that four times, while Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it once.
But they never did it while also reigning as the NBA’s defensive player of the year. Wilson shared that award in the WNBA this season with Minnesota’s Alanna Smith. And that makes her 2025 resume unprecedented.
“I think greatness is ...” Wilson said after the Aces beat the Phoenix Mercury to finish off a four-game sweep of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.
That’s when she got interrupted by Aces coach Becky Hammon.
“A’ja Wilson,” Hammon said. There’s no question: Wilson’s numbers are greatness. And having accomplishments mentioned alongside the likes of Jordan seemed to blow Wilson away.
“It’s powerful, it really is,” Wilson said. “I still have a little more winning to do before you put me in the conversation with him, but when you’re compared to greats, when you’re compared to legends, that means you’re doing something right, and I am so grateful.”
A look inside the numbers, as Wilson continues cementing her status as one of the game’s all-time greats: 5 years, 6 titles
Consider this: Wilson has been a champion in each of the last five years — with six titles in that span. She was part of the U.S. team that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics that were played in 2021, then captured a WNBA title and a World Cup gold medal in 2022, another WNBA title in 2023, another gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024 and now a WNBA title this season.
A stat line for all time
Wilson had 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three blocked shots and two steals in the title-clinching game on Friday night.
There have been only five games in WNBA history where someone did all that in one game. Candace Parker did it twice. Wilson did it the other three times.
Also, Wilson moved past Parker for No. 3 on the WNBA’s all-time playoff scoring list with her 31 points Friday. Wilson (who also passed Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings on that list Friday) has 1,171 points in her playoff career, 22 more than Parker and 30 more than Catchings.
The only ones left for Wilson to catch on the playoff scoring list: Diana Taurasi (1,486) and DeWanna Bonner (1,291).
A record-setting season ... again
Granted, seasons are longer now. But for the third straight year, Wilson set WNBA records for total points and total rebounds when counting both regular-season and playoff games.
She had 1,126 points in 2023, then 1,149 points in 2024 — and this year, 1,259 points.
The only other players with more than 1,000 points in a full season are New York’s Breanna Stewart (1,103 in 2023) and Indiana’s Kelsey Mitchell (1,068 this season).
Wilson had 486 rebounds in 2023, 509 rebounds in 2024 and 527 this season. Stewart had 473 rebounds in 2023.
And Wilson finished the regular season averaging 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds. She is the first player in WNBA history to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds twice; three other players have done it once.
And some playoff records
Wilson had 114 points in this season’s WNBA Finals, a record. The previous mark: 110 by Phoenix’s Cappie Pondexter in 2007. Wilson played four games in these finals while Pondexter’s record came in a five-game series.
Wilson is now up to 336 points in WNBA Finals games, the third most in league history behind a pair of Hall of Famers — Maya Moore (441 in 25 games) and Seimone Augustus (362 in 25 games). Wilson has played 15 finals games.
Wilson’s totals of 322 points and 120 rebounds in this year’s playoffs are both WNBA records as well. The previous marks: 285 points by Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier last season and 116 rebounds by New York’s Jonquel Jones in 2023 (she played 10 games, Wilson played 12).
Wilson had five 30-point games in this season’s playoffs, the most in any WNBA postseason. The previous record was three, set by Wilson in 2023.
Local floorball star represents US at world championships
Free Press staff report
Suzi Lindquist’s path to representing the United States at the Women’s World Floorball Championships runs straight through Richmond.
The 2008 Henrico High School graduate was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024 for field hockey and will lead Team USA into her third World Championships when competition begins Dec. 6 in Czechia. It’s a journey that started on Richmond ice rinks and field hockey fields before taking her to France’s national floorball league, where she has become one of the most accomplished American players abroad.
“Playing ice hockey and field hockey in Richmond formed the basis of my floorball skills, allowing me to pick it up easily and — since 2019 — compete on the European level and now for the third time on the world stage,” Lindquist said. “The fact that Richmond is helping drive it forward in the U.S. makes this all the more special.”
Floorball — a fast-paced stick-and-ball sport often described as modern floor hockey — is played without skates or pads, making it more accessible than traditional hockey. And it’s taking root in Virginia, thanks in part to the nonprofit Richmond Floorball Club.
RFC’s inaugural summer season drew more than 200 registrations across two tournaments, a 10-week adult league, youth camps and open community days. The USA Floorball Association reported that Virginia membership nearly tripled over the summer, with women now making up 31% of players in the state — more than double the national average.
Lindquist has spent recent years building her reputation in France, where she has tallied more than 100 goals in 56 league games, earned 16 “Most Valuable Player of the Match” selections and helped her team reach three consecutive finals, including a national championship in 2023.
She’s not the only Richmond connection on the national scene.
Team USA veteran Michelle Walton now anchors RFC’s youth programs while serving as USA Floorball’s Mid-Atlantic regional director. VCU student Aylla DeSantiago balanced playing for the U.S. Women’s Team at nationals in Texas this summer with running Richmond’s outreach campaigns as RFC’s communications intern.
“Floorball has given me opportunities I never imagined,” DeSantiago said. “I began here in Richmond as a player, and this summer I had the chance
to wear the U.S. jersey while helping the sport grow at home.”
As the U.S. squad prepares for worlds, each athlete faces more than $3,000 in costs for travel, lodging, meals and competition. RFC is hosting a fundraiser at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at Barton Memorial Rink in Hanover. All drop-in fees and donations will support the U.S. Women’s National Team, with RFC covering rental costs.
“These players commit themselves to the team — compete at the highest level and, at times, literally pay their own way,” said Nick Baldaino, RFC president and USA Floorball sponsorship committee lead.
“One night may not cover every bill, but RFC can do what it’s always done for the sport and community — show up.”
Supporters can also contribute to the team’s tax-deductible GoFundMe campaign.
By Richmond Free Press Staff
A modern spin on showtime baseball with deep roots in Black baseball history is coming to Richmond next spring.
“Banana Ball,” the fast-paced, fanfocused baseball league born from the viral Savannah Bananas phenomenon, will be among the first to take the field at the city’s new CarMax Park when it opens in April.
The league, known for its blend of athleticism and entertainment, features six traveling teams playing under rules designed to keep fans engaged — from time limits to choreographed celebrations. But this visit carries extra meaning: one of the featured teams, the
Suzi Lindquist, a Henrico High School graduate now playing in France, will represent the United States at the Women’s World Floorball Championships in Czechia on Dec. 6. Lindquist, pictured in Paris, began her athletic journey on local ice rinks and field hockey fields.
Indianapolis Clowns, is a revival of the historic Negro Leagues club that once broke barriers and blended comedy with competition.
All before 30, too
Wilson doesn’t turn 30 until next August. No player in WNBA history has more total points (including playoffs) before turning 30 than Wilson, who is up to 6,890. Lauren Jackson had 6,223 before turning 30, which was the pre-30 mark before Wilson came along. (When factoring regular season only, Jackson remains No. 1 with 5,757 points, just ahead of Wilson’s 5,719.)
Wilson also has more rebounds before turning 30 — again, counting playoffs — than any other WNBA player. Tina Charles had 2,884 in regular-season games before turning 30, while Wilson is now at 2,495. But when adding in playoffs, Wilson is up to 3,039, just ahead of Charles’ 3,025.
Virginia State unveils 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule
Free Press staff report
Virginia State University men’s basketball coach Lonnie Blow Jr. recently announced the team’s 2025-26 schedule.
The Trojans open the season at home with back-to-back games against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference members Shepherd on Nov. 14 and East Stroudsburg on Nov. 15. They continue their early non-conference slate against Chowan on Nov. 18 and the University of the District of Columbia on Nov. 22, followed by a matchup with Division I Delaware State on Nov. 26 in Washington, D.C.
“As usual, our 2025-26 men’s basketball schedule is a tough one, including games vs. PSAC schools Shepherd, East Stroudsburg and Gannon universities,” Blow said. “We also have DII powerhouse UNC Pembroke on the schedule again, and we play Division I Delaware State in a CIAA/MEAC challenge game in Washington, D.C. Our strong nonconference schedule always helps us prepare for our tough league games,.”
After competing in the Gannon University Tournament on Nov. 29-30, the Trojans will return to the VSU Multipurpose Center for a six-game home stand before the Christmas break. That stretch includes CIAA games against Fayetteville State on Dec. 11, Claflin on Dec. 13 and Shaw on Dec. 16. The Trojans then host Cheyney after the new year.
The team begins a series of CIAA road games with trips to Livingstone on Jan. 8, Johnson C. Smith on Jan. 10 and WinstonSalem State on Jan. 13. A matchup against rival Virginia Union will take place at the Multipurpose Center for the Freedom Classic on Jan. 17. To close out January, VSU hosts Lincoln University (Pa.) on Jan. 28 and Bluefield State on Jan. 31, a rematch of the CIAA Tournament championship game. Senior Day is scheduled for Feb. 21 against Virginia Union, just ahead of the CIAA Tournament.
Richmond will host the Clowns and the Firefighters on May 1 and 2, part of a national tour expected to draw packed crowds similar to last year’s sold-out games at The Diamond. Bananas founder Jesse Cole said the new Clowns team was inspired by his visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. “The rebirth of the Indianapolis Clowns is an exciting and historically relevant tribute to the team that was at the forefront of combining baseball and entertainment,” Kendrick said. “Our partnership is a tremendous op
AP Photo/Rick Scuteri
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson reacts after a play against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of Game 3 of the WNBA basketball finals, Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Coach Blow
When Monica Manns first learned about SisterFund, a local Black philanthropic organization, she was a nonprofit professional seeking funding rather than providing it. The idea of being on the other side, especially in support of Black women, appealed to her.
“I jumped at the opportunity to be on the other side,” Manns said. “Black people aren’t perceived as philanthropic, but we are. It’s families, churches, sororities and fraternities, The Links that we give money to. Those are significant dollars that aren’t recognized. We need to broaden the scope of our understanding of what philanthropy is.”
SisterFund is celebrating a decade of fueling Black female-run organizations that, in turn, empower Black women and girls. As the current board chair, Manns is preparing the organization for growth and expansion.
Manns moved to Richmond 20 years ago with her husband. She spent her childhood living between her mother in Roanoke and her father in Washington, D.C. To escape her disruptive home life, she turned to books and believes the constant reading led to her academic success and a near-perfect SAT score in reading and writing.
“I didn’t connect reading to intelligence at the time,” she said. “I just loved it. I had no idea how much it would change my life.”
Berea College, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, marked the beginning of Manns’ transformation as a first-generation college
Personality: Monica Manns
Spotlight on the SisterFund board chair
student. While there, she began to understand the importance of education, earning a bachelor’s degree, and later earning two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. from other universities. She carved out a career in education, holding leadership positions, including Chief Equity, Diversity and Opportunity Officer in Henrico County Public Schools.
Early in her career, Manns moved to Roanoke to care for her mother. While there, a custodian at the school where she worked set her up on a blind date. Her date, now her husband, told her he had noticed her dancing in go-go clubs in D.C.
“I’ve always loved to dance,” Manns said. “Go-go music was a part of my life growing up in D.C. I love the freedom dancing gives me.”
Manns and her husband adopted three Ethiopian children, one at 5 and another at 9. The third was much older and had been living in the U.S. All three children are grown.
“I have always wanted to foster and adopt,” Manns said. “I chose to adopt Ethiopian children because my two best college friends were Ethiopian, so they could help us navigate the adoption and provide community for them.”
As SisterFund marks its 10th anniversary, Manns hopes to scale funding for Black womenled nonprofits serving the needs of Black women and girls, meeting the growing demand for support at a time of decreasing federal government funding.
Where were you born?
Baltimore.
Where do you live?
Henrico.
What’s your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Berea College, a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in special education from Virginia Tech and a doctorate in special education administration from William & Mary.
Tell us about your family.
I’m married with three kids. What is SisterFund?
We are a collective giving circle, focusing on donor education and grant-making initiatives that unite civic-
minded African American women’s ideas and actions through philanthropy and collective giving. We invest in community-based nonprofits that directly aid in building positive futures for Black women and girls through education, workforce development, leadership and health.
What is SisterFund’s mission?
To improve the lives of Black women and girls by transforming local nonprofits that support their development through significant financial investments.
Who created SisterFund?
A group of six or seven women in nonprofit leadership heard about the Ujima Legacy Fund, another local Black philanthropic organization. They wanted to fund organizations that would lead to the success of Black women and girls.
How many members are in SisterFund?
We currently have 51 African American women. Our numbers change each year. Our goal for 2026 is to get to 100 members. What areas does SisterFund serve?
All of RVA.
What other programs do you offer?
We are starting to do grant training. We’ve found that small Black female-driven organizations don’t write good grants, so they don’t get the money.
Free Press staff report
We want to teach them how to write grants and present them so they have a better chance to get the grants. We also have networking events for young girls to help them develop good communication skills.
How can people get involved with SisterFund?
It’s $1,100 annually to become a voting member, but we accept all donations. Also, we offer monthly payments.
Share some examples of how SisterFund makes a difference.
We gave a grant to a Black doula organization called Birth in Color because we understand that the maternal mortality rate of Black women is higher than white women. Philanthropic organizations outside our community may not understand the need for birth support. We’ve given them over $100,000 over two years.
What is your vision for SisterFund?
Growing membership is a priority. The Community Foundation, our sponsor, has agreed to match $100,000 if we meet our fundraising goals by December.
What are the biggest challenges facing SisterFund?
Funding is always a challenge because I can only give what I get.
How is SisterFund funded?
Membership and matching funds.
Who are some of your partners?
The Community Foundation is our sponsor. For our 10-year
anniversary, some people and organizations are offering funding. Are there volunteer opportunities?
No, because we are a funding source.
Do you have any upcoming events?
Our 10-year anniversary celebration, “Giving in Full Color: A Celebration of Legacy, Love and Liberation,” will be held on Dec. 11 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at The Hippodrome. How do you start the day? I start my day feeding and walking my two dogs, a Yorkshire Terrier (Maya Angelou) and a Scottish Terrier (J. Weldon Johnson). Who is your dream dinner party guest?
Ida B. Wells.
What is a quote that inspires you?
“You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and try to do something, God is not going to put it in your lap,” by Fannie Lou Hamer. What is a book that has influenced you?
“In My Father’s House,” by Ernest Gaines.
What are you currently reading?
“Wild Rain: Women Who Dare,” by Beverly Jenkins. What’s next?
I’m committed to strengthening my marketing and storytelling skills to expand both the SisterFund community and my consulting firm, Manns Consulting — two platforms rooted in elevating community voice, advancing equity and amplifying impact. I also look forward to exploring the beautiful countries of Africa.
“InLight 2025: Super!Giant!Jump!Star!” the grand premiere of artist George Ferrandi’s multidisciplinary project “Jump!Star!” will be held Friday and Saturday at Abner Clay Park. The free public event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. both nights at 200 W. Clay St.
The festival features live performances under a large tent, with visitors encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. Folding chairs will be available by request. A full schedule of performances is online at 1708inlight.org.
Food and beverages including wine, cider and beer will be offered by local food trucks, including Mobile Yum Yum, Sweet Tooth, Daily Coffee and Philly Vegan. Restrooms will be in the parking lot of Richmond Alternative School.
Attendees can find free street parking on Marshall Street and throughout Jackson Ward and the Downtown Arts District. Paid parking is available through Parking.com. The gallery will run a InLight celebrates future North stars with
shuttle from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. both nights, picking up guests at Carver Elementary School, 1110 W. Leigh St., and the 5th and Marshall Parking Deck, 500 E. Marshall St. Public transit is also an option; the GRTC Pulse stops at 14 locations along its route, with eight stops downtown. The nearest stop to Abner Clay Park is the Arts District stop, about a six-minute walk from the park.
Organizers note that Abner Clay’s grassy terrain varies in elevation and will be dark, but the festival will have ample lighting and signage, with Ferrandi’s sculptures providing additional illumination.
Join us for a symposium inspired by our “House to Highway” exhibition, with discussions exploring themes of urban renewal, historic preservation and Black history.
Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Library of Virginia | Free | Registration is required
Artist George Ferrandi’s illuminated Jump!Star sculptures will take center stage during InLight 2025: Super!Giant!Jump!Star!, Oct. 17–18 at Abner Clay Park.
‘Black Beyond Borders’ dives into diaspora life with DIY spirit
Free Press staff report
Ebony Walden is taking the global Black experience into her own hands — and onto the screen. The Richmond-based traveler, storyteller and equity consultant is the creator and host of “Black Beyond Borders,” a new four-part docuseries that premieres Nov. 5 on YouTube.
Shot with little more than a vlogging camera, an iPhone and a vision, Walden’s project is an intimate journey through West Africa — a mashup of history, rhythm, food and art seen through her lens.
“‘Black Beyond Borders’ is my love letter to the diaspora — a way to inspire others to connect, travel and tell their own stories,” Walden said.
The series was born from Walden’s six-week remotework stay in Dakar, Senegal, in 2024. Season one, filmed on location in Senegal and Cape Verde, drops viewers into the heart of Dakar’s bustling markets, art galleries and community tables. Walden’s storytelling merges raw travel footage with reflections on history, belonging and identity.
Across four episodes, Walden moves through experiences that blend history and present-day culture. In “The Journey Begins,” she revisits Gorée Island’s Door of No Return — a haunting symbol of enslavement — before heading out on the open road.
“Birthday & Biennale” finds her celebrating her 44th birthday amid the creative explosion of Senegal’s Contemporary African Art Festival. She balances remote work and local meals in Dakar before escaping to Sal, Cape Verde, for rest and
reflection in “Work, Play & Cape Verde.” The season closes with “Cultural Convergence,” as Virginia friends visit Dakar and Walden explores the Afrikana Film Festival.
“This isn’t just entertainment — it’s cultural engagement, diaspora connection and inspiration for future generations to explore their heritage with pride and curiosity,” she said. The project marks a new
creative chapter for Walden, who previously created and edited the Richmond Racial Equity Essays, a 2021 collaborative project that amplified more than 50 local voices on racial justice. She has traveled to more than 45 countries and all 50 U.S. states. Her forthcoming memoir, “Where I Am From: A Poetic Journey Across Five Continents,” is slated for release in September through She Writes Press.
Explore the power of poison at the Science Museum of Virginia
Visitors at the Science Museum of Virginia are stepping into a world where danger meets fascination. Since Oct. 4, the touring exhibition “The Power of Poison” has been revealing the deadly beauty of venoms, toxins and the stories they inspire.
The exhibit blends science and myth, taking guests from the natural world to the pages of fairy tales and classic literature. Visitors encounter life-sized dioramas, including a recreation of the witches’ potion scene from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” as they explore the ways poisons and venoms can harm, protect and even heal.
“Guests will see how nature’s most dangerous substances — poisons and venoms — both protect the species that wield them and inspire the development of cutting-edge treatments and cures,” said Timshel Purdum, the museum’s
Virginia C. Ellett Deputy Director of Education. The exhibit also examines history’s mysterious deaths, from Cleopatra’s fabled demise to the hidden dangers of Napoleon’s wallpaper. Hands-on programming invites visitors to dig deeper: build 3D mushrooms in the Art Lab, learn to identify poisonous plants, explore Virginia’s venomous snakes, and discover how compounds that protect plants can also flavor the foods we eat — in safe doses.
Special events complement the exhibition throughout the fall and winter. “Science After Dark: Spooky Science” on Friday promises a frightfully fun night, while VCU’s Dr. Michelle Peace will speak on forensic toxicology during Sunrise Science on Nov. 7. Additional workshops and experiences will be announced.
Organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, the exhibit runs through April 19.
Celebrating sound, spirit and tradition
Thousands of people filled Brown’s Island and the riverfront for this year’s Richmond Folk Festival, a three-day celebration of music, culture and community. From traditional Appalachian tunes to global rhythms, the event once again brought together artists and audiences from across the world. The annual event is one of the region’s most anticipated weekends.
Known for their hits “Walking in Rhythm” and “Rock Creek Park,” the Blackbyrds perform on Saturday. Formed in the early 1970s at Howard University under the guidance of jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, the group became known for blending jazz,
and soul.
funk
Sampson Sinquah performs a Hopi hoop dance with the Sinquah Family Dancers during the 21st annual Richmond Folk Festival.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Attendees enjoy a performance at the festival on Brown’s Island.
Free Press staff report
Photo courtesy of SMV
Diorama of the Chocó–Darién rainforest at the Science Museum of Virginia, part of the touring exhibition “The Power of Poison,” which explores the natural and mythical world of venom and poison.
Ebony Walden, creator and host of the upcoming docuseries “Black Beyond Borders,” which explores culture, connection and cuisine across the African diaspora.
of Faith
The congregation of Ebenezer Baptist Church is preparing to formally install the Rev. Kevin L. Jones as its new pastor with a weekend of worship, fellowship and community celebration.
The festivities will begin Saturday, Nov. 1 with a formal banquet at The Westin Hotel. The evening will feature guest speakers and musical performances by Glennroy and Company.
On Sunday, Nov. 2, Ebenezer will host
two worship services — one in the morning and another in the afternoon — to mark Jones’ official installation. The services will include scripture, preaching, uplifting music and a celebration of leadership and faith. The morning service will be enriched by the choir from Jones’ previous Florida congregation.
Jones comes to Ebenezer after more than 16 years on the pastoral staff of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he served in roles including minister to youth and young adults before becoming assistant pastor.
Ebenezer Baptist, established in 1858 and located in the Jackson Ward neighborhood, invites the broader Richmond community to join in the celebration and to witness this new chapter in the church’s life.
of the Breach and co-chair of the National Poor People’s Campaign. He currently serves as founding director and professor at Yale University’s Center for Public Theology & Public Policy.
The incident occurred Dec. 26, 2023, when Barber attended a showing of “The Color Purple” with his 90-year-old mother at AMC Fire Tower 12 in Greenville, North Carolina. Theater staff demanded proof
of his disability before he could use his own chair needed to alleviate pain from ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that inflames the joints and ligaments of the spine. When he did not provide documentation, employees called police, who escorted him from the theater. The case has drawn national attention for raising questions about accessibility and discrimination against people with disabilities.
Free Press staff report
Ramsey Memorial United Methodist Church and community collaborators will celebrate the opening of the Community Growth Center on Friday with a ribboncutting ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m. The event will honor years of partnership, renovation and shared vision to create a space where immigrant families and community members can learn, grow and thrive together.
Concurrent with the celebration, the center’s gallery will host the opening of “Lo Que Queda/What Remains,” an original photography exhibition by Colombian
artist Carlos Bernate, from 3 to 8 p.m. The exhibit explores the emotional and physical landscapes of migration — what is left behind and what endures. Limited-edition prints will be available, with proceeds shared between the artist and Capaz+IT in support of community literacy and arts programming.
The Community Growth Center represents a major milestone for Capaz+IT’s mission to expand equitable access to digital skills, language learning and career pathways. The 2,500-square-foot space, located within Ramsey Church at 5900 Hull Street Road, now houses classrooms, a digital lab, a literacy corner and the
new gallery.
“We envisioned a place where learning, art and community are inseparable,” said Dilshad Charania, co-executive director of Capaz+IT. “This opening is the result of deep collaboration — our partners, volunteers, artists and neighbors all helped make this space possible.”
The event will feature remarks from government and nonprofit leaders recognizing the collaborative effort behind the center and performances by Mexican Folk Jarocho, Bolivianos RVA and Capaz+IT’s Bright Futures Children’s Choir. The Rev. Chad Beck will lead a blessing of the community garden and growth center.
