In Virginia’s governor’s race, the candidates aren’t just preparing to debate — they’ve been debating whether to debate.
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger announced Monday that she has accepted a debate set for Oct. 9, hosted by Norfolk State University and WAVY-TV.
Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee, had already agreed last Friday, according to a news release that her campaign said it had shared with reporters, but that The Mercury did not receive at the time.
“Spanberger hasn’t debated since she first ran for Congress,”
the release said.
After flipping a previously-Republican-held district in 2018, Spanberger defended the seat for two more terms, debating one of the challengers. When challenged by former state delegate Nick Freitas, she debated him. During her second reelection campaign, she did withdraw from a planned debate against challenger Yesli Vega in 2022 over security concerns and disagreements about the moderator.
During the 2025 election cycle for governor, both Spanberger and Earle-Sears have passed on some debate opportunities.
Taking day one in stride
school Principal Allen Vernon and others. RPS launched a staggered start to the 2025-26 school year to help students transition to middle and high school. Students in preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-5, sixth grade and ninth grade began Monday, while grades 7-8 and 10-12 started Tuesday, Aug. 19.
New study links historic redlining to youth violence hotspots
Free Press staff report
Richmond’s historic redlining practices continue to shape the city’s risk of youth violence, according to new research from Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University.
The study found that neighborhoods once labeled “undesirable” for mortgage lending in the 1930s account for the majority of today’s youth violence hotspots in the city. Researchers also found that most victims treated at VCU Health’s trauma center were female, a trend that contrasts with typical discussions of youth violence.
“What we’re seeing now is this pattern in present-day Richmond, nearly a century after redlining began, where adolescent youth that live in these communities are still at this tremendously elevated risk of incurring violent injuries and experiencing violence in their community,” said Samuel West, Ph.D., an assistant professor at VSU and an affiliate faculty member in the VCU Health trauma center’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program.
Redlining began in 1934, when the Home Owners’ Loan Corp. and the Federal Housing Administration created maps labeling neighborhoods with low lending risk as “desirable” and high-risk areas as “undesirable.” Minority neighborhoods, often outlined in red, were denied loans or offered unfavorable terms, while white neighborhoods received preferential treatment. Although redlining officially ended with the Fair Housing Act of 1968, studies show its legacy persists, affecting residents’ health, wealth and life expectancy.
For nearly two decades, Clyde “The Glide” Austin was a basketball superstar. A gifted player, his talents took him from the gymnasiums of Richmond Public Schools to touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. He died of a heart attack in Nevada on Saturday, Aug. 16, at age 67, his family said.
“He was a magician with the basketball and loved the game and loved to teach others the game as well,” Austin’s daughter Patrice Austin-Moser wrote in a social media post. “I am completely devastated that I can’t hear his laugh anymore, or hear his jokes or his stories.”
Austin was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1957 and first drew attention on the court at Maggie Walker High School, where he starred for the Green Dragons. He scored 2,158 points in four years and helped lead the team to the 1976 State
Please turn to A4
By Nada Hassanein
Heading into the respiratory illness season, states and clinicians are working to encourage pregnant patients to get COVID-19 vaccinations, even though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services no longer recommends that they should. Along with being older and having an underlying health condition, pregnancy itself is a risk factor. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to developing severe illness from COVID-19. They’re also at high risk for complications, including preterm labor and stillbirth. The vast majority of medical experts say getting the shot is safe and effective — much safer than having the illness. But HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in May that the agency would no longer recommend that pregnant women get the vaccine. Before testifying before Congress in June, Kennedy circulated a document on Capitol Hill claiming higher rates of fetal loss after vaccination. But the authors of those studies told Politico that their work had been misinterpreted. Experts say the federal shift puts the onus on state health agencies to ramp up vaccine guidance and outreach. Clinicians and public health organizations are trying to dispel misinformation and make sure information reaches low-income people and people of color, who had higher maternal
death rates during the pandemic. During the first two years of the pandemic, the virus contributed to a quarter of maternal deaths, according to federal data.
“We are severely disappointed,” said Dr. Neil Silverman, a professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine. He has studied vaccines and pregnancy for the past 15 years and specializes in high-risk pregnancies. Silverman called the federal shift a “public health tragedy on a grand scale.”
Vaccinations against COVID-19 help prevent severe illness in pregnant people
“The effect of redlining on violence has never been tested in the city of Richmond,” West said. “And it’s important to find the effects here in Richmond, since it has quite the history of being the epicenter of racist policy, the center of the slave trade and the capital of the Confederacy.”
The study analyzed data from 261 patients, ages 1024, treated for violent injuries at VCU Health’s Level 1 trauma center in 2022 and 2023. Patients were victims of intentional injuries, including assaults and abuse. The data, collected by VCU’s Clark-Hill Institute for Positive Youth Development, covered 148 Richmond neighborhoods. Of the patients, 62% identi-
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Aiden Fincher, a sixth grader at Henderson Middle School, is greeted Monday, Aug. 18, by cheering faculty, staff and Richmond Public Schools representatives on his first day of middle school. Students were also greeted with remarks from Superintendent Jason Kamras,
Abigail Spanberger
Winsome Earle-Sears
Clyde Austin soars near the rim during his playing days at North Carolina State University in the late 1970s.
Photo courtesy NC State Athletics
photo/Sandra Sellars/Richmond
McClellan launches youth advisory council for high school students
Free Press staff report
A group of high school students in Virginia’s 4th Congressional District will soon get a front-row seat to federal government operations, thanks to Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s newly launched Youth Advisory Council for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Students are the lifeblood of our nation and its democracy and they need a space to learn and let their voices be heard at the federal level of government,” McClellan said. “My Youth Advisory Council Program provides just that: a platform to demystify our political processes for students and empower them to share their perspectives. I’m excited to get to know these students throughout the next school year!”
The council is open to all high school students living in or attending school in Virginia’s 4th District. Members will meet monthly with McClellan and her staff in Washington, D.C. and in the district to learn about the legislative process, constituent services and local outreach. Students also will develop and present a project to McClellan based on what they learn. Applications are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 19. The program will run from October through May. Additional details are available at mcclellan.house.gov
Virginia Chamber of Commerce names interim president
Free Press staff report
The Virginia Chamber of Commerce has appointed Keith Martin as interim president and CEO following the resignation of Cathie J. Vick after just four months in the role.
Martin, who will assume the position Sept. 2, will also serve as executive vice president of public policy and government relations, overseeing the Chamber’s policy and advocacy agenda.
The Chamber’s board of directors said a national search is underway for a permanent chief executive.
“Keith is a proven leader with deep relationships across the business community, policymakers, and chambers throughout Virginia,” said Linda Stanley, chair of the Chamber’s board. “The board has full confidence in his ability to guide the Chamber during this important transition.”
Vick, who succeeded longtime Chamber leader Barry DuVal in April, stepped down earlier this month to pursue other opportunities. DuVal, who led the organization for 14 years, will continue as a senior consultant to the board through the end of the year.
Martin previously worked at the Chamber from 2011 to 2024, serving as executive vice president of public policy and general counsel, as well as executive director of the Virginia Chamber Foundation. He helped craft three editions of Blueprint Virginia, the Chamber’s long-term business plan, and managed its legislative agenda through multiple General Assembly sessions.
“I am honored to return to the Virginia Chamber and to serve in this leadership role during such a critical time,” Martin said. “I look forward to working with the board, team and our members to advance the Chamber’s mission and strengthen Virginia’s position as the best state for business.”
Martin holds a law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Tech.
Little Rock Nine member to keynote Virginia descendants symposium
Free Press staff report
Descendants of Enslaved Communities Virginia will celebrate its fifth anniversary with the organization’s annual Descendants Day Symposium on Sept. 13 at The Center at Belvedere in Charlottesville.
The daylong event, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will bring together community members for programming focused on activism, education and community engagement.
“We are so thrilled to welcome the community to our annual Descendants Day at The Center,” said Jessica Harris, president of the nonprofit. “As we mark our organization’s five-year anniversary, we are energized by the opportunity to share our stories, connect with one another and be inspired toward collective action.”
The symposium will feature keynote speaker Carlotta Walls LaNier, an author and advocate who was the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine — the group of Black students who first integrated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas in 1957.
Interactive panels and workshops led by educators, historians and community organizers from across Virginia and beyond will cover topics including genealogy research and trauma-informed care as well as community education strategies.
The event will include a continental breakfast, lunch and evening hors d’oeuvres accompanied by music from the Ivan Orr band.
Tickets are available for $25 through Eventbrite.
The Valentine removed the Jefferson Davis statue from its exhibition, “This Is Richmond, Virginia,” on Tuesday, Aug. 19, preparation for a loan to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles for an upcoming exhibition. The statue, which had been on view since 2022, will remain part of The Valentine’s collection. Bonsai Fine Arts Handling assisted with the removal.
Cityscape
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
“We’re so glad it is going to be shown to a new community and to see how Californians respond,” said Christina K. Vida, Elise H. Wright curator of general collections at The Valentine. During its three years on display, The Valentine collected more than
7,000 responses from a public survey on monuments and public art and plans to compile the feedback for a discussion event, comparing it with survey results from California while the statue is on display there. The statue will remain in its current condition, laid on its side with paint splatters, remnants of a 2020 toilet paper noose, a tear in its arm, and uric acid stains. “We really wanted to make sure that this piece was not ever going to be used to perpetuate the myth of the Lost Cause, and so by having it displayed in its 2020 state we can ensure that it helps undo some of the damage it did for so long here in Richmond,” Vida said.
Free Press staff report
The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority (RMTA) will begin transitioning to all-electronic tolling (AET) this winter, starting with the Powhite Parkway.
The move is part of a broader effort to improve efficiency, safety and convenience for drivers across RMTA roadways. Under the new system, toll booths and cash payments will be eliminated. Instead, drivers will pay electronically using E-ZPass or a Pay-By-Plate system.
With AET, vehicles will no longer stop at toll plazas. E-ZPass users will have tolls automatically deducted from their accounts, while those without a transponder will receive an invoice in the mail based on license plate recognition technology.
The Powhite Parkway segment covered by the change includes 3.4 miles between Chippenham Parkway and the Cary Street ramps, as well as a 0.4-mile bridge over the James River. Cash payments will no
By Keyris Manzanares VPM
About 60 Virginia National Guard members will be deployed around the state as early as September to support immigration enforcement agents.
According to a Aug. 8 statement from VNG, the guardsmen will be tasked with providing federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with administrative and logistics support, which includes answering phones, data entry and biometric collection.
“VNG planners have been in direct coordination with ICE officials in Virginia to develop a support plan and implementation timeline based on the specific needs of operations,” said A. A. “Cotton” Puryear, spokesperson for VNG.
VNG personnel will not be responsible for ICE enforcement functions, which includes making arrests.
In July, the US Department of Defense changed service members’ duty status to Title 32, in the hope to position around 1,700 National Guard members to assist ICE. At least six Republican-led states have authorized and expressed support for this mission, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
At their assigned locations, the guardsmen will remain under Youngkin’s control and direction. Immigrant advocacy groups, including Ayuda — which provides legal, social and language access services to low-income immigrants in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. — have condemned Youngkin’s plan.
“No matter how it is framed, allocating resources to aid federal detention and deportation operations harms Virginia immigrants and communities alike,” Ayuda said in an Aug. 5 statement. Training and processing is set to start at the end of August and VNG personnel are expected to report for duty by early September.
Shaban Athuman/VPM News
Gov. Glenn Youngkin gives remarks following a press conference on Friday, March 28, in Fredericksburg.
Keith Martin
Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Rep. McClellan
Carlotta Walls LaNier
Fresh starts
At left, students with help from family check in to the Gladding Residence Center on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus Saturday, Aug. 16. At right, Wanda Williams helps daughter Deonna Glass move into Newman Hall on the campus of Virginia Union University.
Candidates set for debate at Norfolk State
Continued from A1
Last week, Earle-Sears, citing a scheduling conflict, declined to participate in the People’s Debate, which would have been hosted at Virginia State University with AARP Virginia and WTVR-TV.
While Spanberger had agreed to that forum, her campaign declined a CNN-hosted debate, saying that any debates should be carried by state and local media — the outlets a governor would work with most often.
“We believe that debates about Virginia’s future should be rooted in Virginia, produced by Virginia media, and accessible to Virginians across the commonwealth,” her campaign manager told CNN recently.
Peyton Vogel, a spokesperson for Earle-Sears, emphasized in a text message to The Mercury on Monday that her campaign had agreed to the Norfolk debate first, sharing a screenshot of
New study links historic redlining to youth violence hotspots
Continued from A1
fied as Black, 17% as white and 18% as mixed race or other; 13% identified as Hispanic or Latino, and 72% were covered by Medicaid. About 70% of the victims were female, and 25% were victims of child abuse, including sexual abuse. Less than 2% of injuries were firearm-related.
“People may be surprised by the large proportion of females injured by violence, as most studies, especially those focusing on firearms, report males as the majority of victims,” said Nicholas Thomson, Ph.D., a forensic psychologist at the VCU School of Medicine. “However, when we look at all violent injuries, a different picture emerges. In our study, about 70% of those injured were women and girls. This shows the need for prevention strategies that build community resilience to protect women and girls, especially in neighborhoods with higher risk and fewer resources.”
Researchers found that 86% of violence hotspots were in formerly redlined neighborhoods, which include modern public housing and historic communities. Carytown was one exception, with low rates of youth violent injuries. Some areas south of the James River were never graded by the Home Owners’ Loan Corp.
“The link between historic neighborhood redlining and current violence risk might seem expected, but it is important to test this expectation with data,” Thomson said. “Data-driven evidence helps separate fact from assumption and gives policymakers reliable information to guide solutions.”
The researchers emphasized the need for prevention strategies that address long-term structural inequities.
Policies that may be unjust or even discriminatory reach far into the future in terms of their impact, West said. “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it rhymes,” he added.
last week’s announcement.
Meanwhile, Spanberger’s Monday statement declared that she “is ready to debate the issues.”
Political analyst Bob Holsworth said it’s not surprising to see candidates and their consultants showing “less interest in debates, because these are events where they don’t control the narrative.”
Holsworth added that he was surprised Earle-Sears, who has trailed Spanberger in fundraising and polling so far this year, didn’t demand debates earlier in the campaign and remained silent when her running mate, John Reid, pressed Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi to debate.
On Spanberger’s moves, he said she “adopted a conventional frontrunner strategy” by limiting the amount of debates and choosing the venues.
By avoiding the CNN debate, she was also able to sidestep nationally focused moderators asking her about Democrats such as U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City — two progressive members of their party with whom more moderate Democrats have had to contend.
Both candidates have accused the other of being “too extreme” for Virginia. But on Oct. 9, they will have a chance to lay out competing visions for the state and challenge each other’s
ideas. While both women have highlighted plans to strengthen Virginia’s economy, their party affiliations point to sharp differences in approach.
The stakes this year extend beyond the governor’s race. The lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are also on the ballot. Whether Democrats hold their majority in the legislature could determine the future of a proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive rights in Virginia.
While bipartisan support has advanced measures to restore voting rights to ex-felons who’ve completed their sentences and to protect same-sex marriage, the reproductive rights amendment cleared the legislature only because Democrats are in control. If lawmakers pass it again next year, voters would decide its fate at the ballot box.
As for which woman might become Virginia’s top executive next year, Holsworth said ultimately voters may better know them through commercials and social media than through debates — where candidates face tough questions in high-stakes settings.
“This is increasingly the way of contemporary campaigns, and it’s not surprising that the public is frustrated with this trend,” he said. This story originally appeared at VirginiaMercury.com.
For Harold Harris, a health and fitness coordinator with the Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Center who worked as an assistant coach at Maggie Walker from 1972 to 1977, Austin was a joy to watch in action.
“Eddie,” as Harris called him after a neighborhood nickname, was dedicated to improving his skills in a way that younger players could learn from, and he had a court style and personality that captivated audiences.
“Folks that saw him, they won’t ever forget it,” Harris said. “If you saw him one time, you would never forget it and, as a matter of fact, you would want to see him again.”
After four years at North Carolina State University, where he scored 1,383 points and recorded 473 assists, Austin was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1980 NBA draft. He never played in the NBA but appeared in 13 games with the Philadelphia Kings of the Continental Basketball Association before choosing to join the Harlem Globetrotters.
Austin spent eight years entertaining audiences as a Globetrotter before becoming an ordained minister, serving as a pastor for a church in Cary, North Carolina, and for Heavens Light Christian Center in Las Vegas.
Austin’s life included legal troubles. He served time in prison for his role in a
$16 million pyramid scheme that targeted churchgoers in multiple states. In 2004, he was sentenced to 17 years for fraud and money laundering but was released early and later worked at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Austin’s sports legacy lives on through his family. His sons, Clyde Edward “Eddie” Austin Jr. and Clyde Anderson “Trey” Austin, both drew attention in collegiate basketball, and his grandson Ali Bledsoe has also made a name for himself as a young player. His family says he had a lasting impact on their love of the game.
“He was more than a legend on the court — he was my family, my inspiration,” Austin’s grandson Tjay Brunson stated on social media. “I promise to carry on his legacy and make him proud every step of the way.”
Harris reflected on a life and career that continue to inspire all who knew him.
“I pray that Eddie rests in peace, that he’s in heaven and, if he’s in heaven, I know who’s handling the ball,” Harris said. Funeral and memorial service details will be shared soon, and the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses.
State health officials still encourage COVID vaccines for pregnant women
Continued from A1
as well as their newborns, who are too young to get vaccinated, Silverman said. In what’s called passive immunity, vaccinated mothers pass on antibodies to their babies through the placenta and through breast milk.
“State public health agencies are probably going to have to implement vaccine guidance that differs from the federal recommendations. And that’s going to be an interesting can of worms,” said OB-GYN Dr. Mark Turrentine, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas.
Turrentine serves on a board of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that focuses on immunization and infectious diseases. He said his recent pregnant patients who had COVID-19 hadn’t gotten the vaccine.
“The change in guidance on the federal level just really makes a lot of confusion, and it makes it very challenging to try to explain to individuals why all of a sudden the difference,” Turrentine said.
A slew of public health organizations have been making a concerted effort to dispel vaccine myths. They include the Society for MaternalFetal Medicine, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization of maternal-fetal experts. At a news briefing the society held this month, clinicians stressed the safety and long-standing science behind COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the shots for RSV and the flu. Cases of RSV and the flu tend to peak in the winter months, while in recent years COVID-19 cases have spiked in the summer and the winter.
Dr. Brenna Hughes, an OB-GYN who chairs the organization’s infectious diseases and emerging threats committee, pointed to survey data from the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention showing that less than a third of eligible pregnant patients received COVID-19 shots, and only 38% received RSV shots for the 2023 to 2024 season. Less than half — 47% — received flu shots, and 59% received TDAP (whooping cough) vaccines.
CDC data shows that for last year’s and this year’s season, only between 12% and 14% of pregnant patients got the COVID-19 vaccine.
“The complications from the infection are so much greater than the complications and the very few and typically minor adverse events that might occur from the vaccine,” said microbiologist Sabra Klein, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
In June, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and 30 other professional health organizations signed a letter urging insurers to continue covering the COVID-19 shot for pregnant women, and have continued to urge coverage since then.
CVS Caremark, one of the nation’s three major pharmacy benefit managers, told Stateline it will continue covering the vaccine for pregnant women. The Arizona, California and North Carolina state Medicaid agencies also told Stateline they are still currently covering COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women.
Dr. Kimberly Fortner, president-elect of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology, said during the maternal-fetal medicine briefing that she hopes medical groups’ joint messaging will bolster insurers.
“Hopefully by us linking arms, that can then help develop consistency so that insurers will continue to pay for the vaccine,” she said.
Exacerbating disparities
Dr. Ayanna Bennett, director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, said the
federal government’s new stance has upended “a system that’s been stable for a very long time.”
Bennett said her agency used federal pandemic aid to shore up vaccine outreach efforts to communities of color. Now that flow of money is ending.
The changes in federal guidance and funding will “almost certainly exacerbate” maternal health disparities, said Marie Thoma, a perinatal epidemiologist and an associate professor in the University of Maryland Department of Family Science who researches pregnancy and COVID-19.
Black and Indigenous women died at higher rates. The virus exacerbated existing racial disparities in maternal health — and created new ones: Latina mothers, who generally see low rates of maternal mortality, saw deaths surge to 28 per 100,000 in 2021. Their rate was about 12 per 100,000 in 2018, according to federal data.
“We are going in with some exposure already that we didn’t have during the start of the pandemic. So, there will be some protection, but now that will erode,” said Thoma. “If we’re not getting vaccines, or if people are hesitant to take them, we could see some increase.”
Silverman said the administration’s efforts to strip mentions of race from government policies make it difficult for institutions to reach populations at greatest risk. He called the dismissal of decades of data “saddening and infuriating.”
“The politicization of the vaccine process, or access to it, is what concerns me the most,” said Dr. Yvette Martas, a Connecticut OB-GYN who chairs the board of directors of the Hispanic Health Council.
Many women “are trying to navigate an economic system that’s not always in their favor in terms of also providing access to the kind of educational material that they need,” she said.
Not just COVID-19
In June, Kennedy ousted all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee, replacing them with some members who are vaccine skeptics. The change is creating chaos. Some states have vaccine laws, such as mandates for kids and coverage statutes, that are specifically tied to the committee’s decisions.
The Vaccine Integrity Project at the University of Minnesota called on frontline health workers, health officials and professional societies to “counter the spread of inaccurate and confusing vaccine information.”
At a news briefing this month held by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, representatives from Alabama, Connecticut and Washington, D.C., said they will continue to recommend vaccines.
Alabama’s state health officer, Dr. Scott Harris, said clinicians will be instrumental in getting correct vaccination information to patients.
“We don’t think that we necessarily have the same authoritative voice that we might have had a decade ago in trying to guide people in what to do, but we do believe that people trust their health care providers in most cases and are certainly willing to listen to them,” he said at the briefing.
Bennett said she is hopeful that strong, consistent messaging from respected medical organizations will help combat confusion.
“Having established groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology make very firm recommendations that keep us essentially not changed from where we have been, I think, should reassure families,” she said.
This story originally appeared on VirginiaMercury.com.
Courtesy of Harlem Globetrotters
Clyde “The Glide” Austin in his Harlem Globetrotters prime.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Rezoning, rapid transit raise worries about displacement on Chamberlayne Ave.
By Sarah Vogelsong
A proposal to rezone a 2-mile stretch of Chamberlayne Avenue where Richmond plans to run a new Pulse line is causing worries that increased development could lead to the loss of one of the city’s greatest concentrations of affordable housing.
“The fear we have is that our homes will be on the chopping block and will be knocked down,” said Emeka Anyawelchi, a member of New Virginia Majority and a tenant of Bloom Apartments, the largest of several complexes that sit on both sides of Chamberlayne. “This area is special to many of us who have no other option for affordable housing and also access to the bus.”
Nearly everyone agrees that the portion of Chamberlayne that runs from Brookland Park Boulevard in the south to Azalea Avenue in the north is unique.
Even as rents have risen precipitously citywide — one recent study found a typical Richmond one-bedroom apartment costs about $1,500 per month — the hundreds of units that line both sides of Chamberlayne have remained well below market value, offering a lifeline to people otherwise priced out of housing (even if they have, under various owners, offered substandard living conditions).
Unlike many concentrations of affordable units, the Chamberlayne housing is also fairly low density. None of the multifamily buildings rise above three stories, and most are set back from the road behind wide green lawns, interspersed with single-family homes and churches.
With plans for the north-south Pulse line and a major citywide rezoning underway, however, that could change.
Like the original Pulse, the new bus rapid transit line will offer a more direct path through the center of the city, with more frequent and reliable service than the existing lines. Beginning at the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center near the Richmond-Henrico boundary, it will travel down Chamberlayne before turning to cross the James River at the Manchester Bridge and then heading toward Hull Street and Midlothian Turnpike.
“Currently there is no direct service from the northern part of the city all the way down to the south. You have to take different routes just to get there,” said Frank Adarkwa, GRTC’s director of planning. “So look at it from an accessibility level, look at it from a connectivity level, it puts people in connection with a lot of
jobs, social services, schools, all of that.”
As the corridor becomes a backbone of Richmond’s transit system, planners also envision development will follow. The first Pulse line along Broad Street is one model: There, large swaths around the bus rapid transit line in the Scott’s Addition area were rezoned to encourage denser, more mixed-use development.
GRTC is currently studying what’s known as “transit-oriented development” along Chamberlayne. But in the meantime, the corridor has become a point of particular interest in the wider overhaul the city is doing of its 1970sera zoning code.
“This is a bit more of a planning issue than it is a zoning issue, so it’s a little bit challenging for us to deal with,” consultant Rene Biberstein said Wednesday during a meeting of Richmond’s Zoning Advisory Council, a body that is helping guide the drafting of the new code but has no final decision-making power. “There was pushback from the public when we put this out there.”
Potential changes to neighborhood’s character debated
Today, the entire 2-mile stretch of Chamberlayne is designated as multifamily residential, with requirements for wide front yards and heights capped at 35 feet, or roughly three stories. The new zoning — which is still in a draft stage and subject to change — would be a combination of multifamily zoning, with heights of up to four stories allowed, and mixed-use zoning, with heights of up to six stories. Front yards for new development would also be much narrower, set back from the road by between 5 and 15 feet.
While any zoning change is likely to be felt gradually, with the new rules kicking in only when parcels are developed or redeveloped, many neighbors and residents worry that the combination of the north-south Pulse and the greater latitude for growth not only will transform the neighborhood’s character but also cause affordable housing to disappear by making property values spike.
“If there are not protections added to Chamberlayne or any of the places the north-south [bus rapid transit] line is going through, there will be so much displacement,” said Rachel Hefner, an organizer with progressive group New Virginia Majority.
Hefner’s organization is not taking a stance against the Chamberlayne rezoning, she said. But it is pushing for planners to find ways to protect some of Richmond’s more vulnerable residents. She pointed to Charlottesville’s use of
special overlays that aim to deter displacement by requiring developers to jump through extra hoops if they are eliminating affordable units as one possibility.
(Charlottesville’s zoning overhaul, like most others throughout Virginia, has been controversial; this summer, a legal challenge to the new code led to the city having no zoning whatsoever.)
Members of the Ginter Park community that flanks Chamberlayne have also worried that between the north-south Pulse and the rezoning, treasured green space like the tree-planted median that splits Chamberlayne’s four lanes in half will be lost.
“We are creating a heat island,” said resident Meg Lawrence.
Adarkwa with GRTC said the latest conceptual designs of the route call for the replanting of 400 trees along the new line’s path through North Side in response to neighbor concerns.
“We are very aware that the trees are going to be impacted,” he said. As of right now, GRTC expects to remove about 200. But, he continued, “for every tree that will be impacted, we are planting probably more than two.”
A ‘conflicted’ Council
Several members of the Zoning Advisory Council described themselves as conflicted when it came to reconciling the new bus corridor with neighbor concerns about green space and affordable housing.
“I tend to find myself persuaded that it’s a laudable policy goal to try to focus on transitoriented development in key corridors such as this,” said Preston Lloyd, a ZAC member and lawyer who specializes in land use issues. “And yet I also hear very clearly the concern about what that density is going to mean in changing
the character of those existing neighborhoods.”
Still, ZAC chair Elizabeth Greenfield, who also works for the Home Building Association of Richmond and serves on the Planning Commission, warned that even if planners back away from rezoning Chamberlayne, growth is likely to come due to the Pulse as developers seek to build using special-use permits.
“As soon as that becomes final, you’re going to see development on this corridor. That’s what we saw with Broad Street,” she said. “I think we need to be forward thinking about what that street, that community, is going to look like, knowing that it’s highly likely that [bus rapid transit] is coming.” And Eric Mai, an affordable housing consultant with HDAdvisors, argued that requiring developers to go through the costly special-use permit process would make it less likely for new projects to include affordable housing.
“By allowing for this kind of density by right, there are better opportunities for more affordable housing, more options,” he said. “So I support the direction that we were going.”
For now, the question of what the Chamberlayne proposal will look like remains open, with the ZAC delaying any decisions until it could consider the Pulse plan in more detail.
Still, council member and architect Dave Johannas struck an optimistic note.
“I’m definitely pro-[bus rapid transit] plan, but I also believe there’s a way to create a BRT going down that street that still produces a nice boulevard,” he said. “And there’s a way to develop this boulevard that does not separate the districts, but provides opportunities for people to have places away from their homes and services.”
This story originally appeared on TheRichmonder.org
Sarah Vogelsong/The Richmonder
While the new Pulse line would remove trees along its route, GRTC says it is committed to planting more trees than it removes.
Richmond Free Press
Debate at state
Once again, Virginia State University was left hanging by a politician during an election season.
The People’s Debate, sponsored by AARP Virginia and set for Sept. 16 at Virginia State University, was canceled after Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears cited a scheduling conflict. Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger’s campaign had accepted the invitation in July.
Ok, I think we all realize the business of campaigning can get a bit hectic. You’re shaking hands here, listening and nodding your head there and riding in cars, planes and trains. But you’d think whoever you’re dealing with on a given day, knows what you’re doing and should be able to excuse an absence to debate your opponent in the gubernatorial election. But, perhaps our lieutenant governor wants to be a woman of her word and being at VSU in mid-September would conflict with that. Well, that’s her story, anyway.
Officials at VSU weren’t happy to hear that Earle-Sears remembered last week that she had something else to do on that date.
“We are very disappointed to learn that the gubernatorial debate scheduled to take place at Virginia State University in September has been canceled,” said Gwen Williams-Dandridge, assistant vice president for communications. “This event would have been an exciting and valuable opportunity for our students to witness the democratic process firsthand and engage with issues that impact our communities.”
Yes, it’s a missed opportunity. One that brings to mind the recent cancellation of the presidential debate at the university. The school had been selected in November 2023 to host what would have been the first presidential debate at an HBCU, scheduled for October 1, 2024. That debate was later canceled after presidential candidates Biden and Trump agreed to limit their debates to two, leaving VSU off the schedule.
A tough break for the school and for voters. This isn’t the first time this has happened on the campaign trail. Another opportunity for the gubernatorial candidates to meet, the Virginia Bar Association debate, originally scheduled for July 19, was also canceled after neither candidate met the June 9 acceptance deadline. A CNN-hosted debate remains in flux after Spanberger declined to participate, last week, preferring a Virginia- centric discussion.
The opposing campaign offered an alternative reasoning: “Abigail Spanberger turning down a CNN debate is beyond absurd. It’s proof she’s terrified of facing voters in an unscripted setting,” said Peyton Vogel, press secretary of the Earle-Sears campaign.
Well, it appears we will get a chance to see about that. This week, Spanberger agreed to debate her opponent, who has already signed on, at another Virginia HBCU
“Abigail is prepared and ready to debate the issues at Norfolk State University, outline her vision for putting Virginians first, and make clear that her opponent is far too extreme for the Commonwealth.,” said Samson Signori, Spanberger’s campaign manager.
VSU has now been jilted twice, as Norfolk State University has been deemed a more appropriate suitor by both campaigns. Maybe it’s the Coach Michael Vick factor? That’s probably why ESPN recently announced the filming of an episode of “First Take,” on campus in the coming weeks. If you haven’t watched “First Take,” it’s that sports talk show that features people yelling at each other. Not exactly a debate, but it draws an audience.
We hope VSU gets its moment to shine on the political stage soon. These squandered opportunities weren’t about the school’s readiness or suitability — they vanished because of political whims and last-minute excuses. The university deserves better and so do voters, who are left with fewer chances to see candidates defend their positions.
“The status quo has failed. We cannot police our way out of crime. We have to invest in people, prevention, and healing.”
— B altimore m ayor Brandon Scott
used to justify federal overreach and to undermine local governance, particularly in cities led by Black mayors. These attacks are not only factually inaccurate, but also politically motivated, racially coded and historically rooted.
the rate of violent crime in half and transformed a corrupt law enforcement agency into a national model.
resisting federal overreach and creating innovative local policies rooted in justice.
American cities reflect the soul of the nation. From their skylines and cultural institutions to their small businesses and neighborhoods, cities are where American identity is built, tested and transformed. They are global symbols of innovation, diversity and resilience, and their leadership is central to the nation’s future.
For generations, Black mayors have shaped that future by fighting for equity, accountability and justice. Their leadership has centered marginalized communities and expanded access to opportunity. Today, that legacy is as vital as ever.
This past week, misleading statements from national leadership describing the District of Columbia as overtaken by “violent gangs,” “roving mobs of wild youth” and “drugged-out maniacs” evoked a familiar and troubling pattern. Once again, fear-based narratives are being
When your only tool is a hammer, psychiatrist Abraham Maslow famously observed, all problems begin to look like nails.
That nugget of wisdom comes to mind as President Donald Trump implements a federal takeover of the District of Columbia’s police force and deploys 800 National Guard mem bers, a largescale interven tion aimed at addressing lo cal crime in a city he described as “overrun by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people.”
Saying the troops will be armed and able to make arrests if needed, Trump promised to “have the crime situation solved in D.C. very soon.”
And that’s just the beginning, he said, of a wave of similar moves he wants to implement in Chicago, New York, Baltimore, Oakland and other cities as part of his long-running approach to urban crime.
“It has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world. It will soon be one of the safest,” Trump said of the nation’s capital in a Saturday post on Truth Social, pledging action that will “essentially stop violent crime in Washington, D.C.”
Local reaction to the plan has been mixed. While the early
Across the country, Black mayors are demonstrating that community-based leadership is effective and transformative. The work of mayors past and present illustrates a sustained commitment to justice, even in
the face of systemic barriers and public criticism.
In the 1970s, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young eliminated the city’s notoriously violent STRESS unit and implemented one of the earliest models of community policing. He understood that policing without accountability erodes public trust.
In New Orleans, Marc Morial’s father, Ernest “Dutch” Morial, fought to integrate city departments and create more equitable access to public services. As the city’s first Black mayor, he laid a foundation for representative governance at the local level.
During Marc Morial’s own two terms as New Orleans mayor, investments in innovative youth programs and a commitment to police accountability slashed
days of the federal presence were mostly peaceful, one former Justice Department employee was arrested Sunday evening for allegedly throwing a sandwich at a federal law enforcement officer.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Sean Charles Dunn, 37, “forcefully threw” a wrapped
hoagie at a Customs and Border Protection officer. Dunn allegedly pointed his finger at the officer and shouted, “F— you! You f—ing fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!”
He was charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers and employees of the United States. After being taken into custody, Dunn reportedly admitted: “I did it. I threw a sandwich.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X that Thursday: “If you touch any law enforcement officer, we will come after you. This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus the department.”
Trump’s crackdown followed a more serious crime: an attempted carjacking. Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, 19, a member of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, was attacked and bloodied in Washington’s Logan Circle neighborhood by a group of teenagers early on
Washington, D.C., Mayor Marion Barry expanded youth employment and education programs, launching the city’s first summer jobs initiative and establishing a precedent for municipal investment in young people.
Today, that legacy continues.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy, grounded in community engagement and public health, has contributed to the lowest homicide levels the city has seen in more than 30 years. In Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson has prioritized early childhood education, youth employment and mental health access, alongside a measurable decline in gun violence. Mayor Karen Bass in Los Angeles is advancing housing-first strategies to address homelessness and has pushed back against federal attempts to criminalize urban poverty, including the attempted ICE takeovers in June.
These leaders and many others are governing with urgency, guided by data and driven by the needs of their communities. They are not only responding to crises, they are reshaping systems.
This is not new. Black mayors have long served as a moral compass in American cities, advocating for marginalized populations,
Aug. 3. A 15-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were taken into juvenile detention in connection with the assault.
Trump commented on Aug. 5: “Somebody from DOGE was very badly hurt last night,” sharing a photo of a bloodied Coristine on Truth Social. He added, “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take federal control of the city.”
As a past victim of street crime, my sympathies go out to Coristine. I’m glad some suspects were caught, and I hope they are handled fairly. Locking up a couple of teens, however, addresses only a small part of the larger challenges posed by complex urban crime.
I don’t believe in “coddling criminals,” as some conservatives might say, but I do believe in effective law enforcement and sensible crime prevention that can bring and maintain safe streets.
A group of prominent Washington religious leaders criticized Trump’s takeover of the District’s police force, saying his hyperbolic rhetoric could make matters worse. In their joint statement, they said the offenses are serious but won’t be helped by military action, “political theater” or fear-based governance. When your only tool in fighting violence inflames divisions, you only invite more problems.
The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
The challenges cities face, from public safety to housing, from education to economic inclusion, demand comprehensive solutions and collaborative leadership. What they do not need are politically charged narratives that undermine progress and demonize communities.
To be equal, America must trust the leadership of its cities. It must invest in their success. And it must recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of Black mayors who have turned local governance into a platform for transformative change. Their legacy is not one of chaos. It is one of courage, care and commitment to what is right.
The writer is a former mayor of New Orleans and president of the National Urban League.
Clarence Page
Marc H. Morial
New UR maps show how Richmond’s opportunity gaps harm children
It isn’t often that a bundle of maps writes a prescription for change. But that’s the takeaway of a new offering from researchers at the University of Richmond.
Put simply: The Richmond region’s opportunity landscape is destructively uneven. Children face some of the sharpest consequences. Real change must start by facing these realities.
Last year, I collaborated with the team at UR and colleagues elsewhere to produce the report, “Can We Live and Learn Together? 2.0”
The title nods to an earlier study that took shape around the vision of the late John Moeser, a longtime Professor of Urban Studies and Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University and a Senior Fellow at the University of Richmond’s Bonner Center for Civic Engagement until his passing in 2022.
Moeser thought, taught and wrote deeply about Richmond’s bitter history of race and division. He posed the original report’s title question to focus on what’s at stake when we fail to mend our social fabric.
A collection of interactive digital maps released by the University of Richmond team this month helps us visualize the report’s most troubling findings:
The most affordable neighborhoods in our region lack schools with top-tier scores for
reading proficiency.
Families with Housing Choice Vouchers typically can’t afford to live near schools with strong reading scores. Rents in those areas are too high for the vouchers to cover. This means many low-income children are blocked from getting a highquality education.
Children in high-poverty areas are more likely to have
Laura Dobbs
teachers who aren’t trained in the subjects they teach. And here’s the real kicker: When we map where people live by race alongside data revealing access to education, the picture is clear — Richmond is still deeply segregated in ways that hurt kids and communities.
This isn’t inevitable. It’s the result of policies that allow the most privileged in our region to hoard opportunities from the rest of us.
Consider current zoning codes — the rules that determine what types of homes we can build, and where. In most of the predominantly white, high-income neighborhoods across our region, it is illegal to build affordable housing such as apartment buildings and modestly sized single-family homes. In these places — you know their names — a relative few enjoy access to well-paid jobs, chosen schools and reliable health care.
Opportunity thrives, while area residents of more modest means are shut out. Many of the available fixes
A map from the University of Richmond’s recently launched “Live and Learn” website shows disparities in housing and student reading proficiency. Darker-shaded areas indicate some subsidized affordable housing, with triangles marking low reading proficiency among students. Blue dots in areas without affordable housing represent high reading proficiency. The map also highlights patterns that closely reflect the region’s racial geography.
wouldn’t cost localities a dime. In fact, several of our proposed solutions would boost revenues and lower household costs by making affordable housing construction more possible in more places. This is particularly relevant now, with the City of Richmond along with Chesterfield and Henrico counties all rewriting the rules about where we can build new homes.
In other words, the report calls our attention to a crisis of opportunity. But it also points the way to progress.
I hope you will check out the maps and the report’s ex-
ecutive summary, a readable handful of pages that could help shape your decisions as you vote this fall. Then, ask tough questions
of candidates, and ask yourself: What kind of community do you want to call “home” – one that expands opportunity to all, or continues to shut out many?
Most of all, I hope you will keep in mind that this report isn’t merely a collection of maps and stats. As we write in the report, “There are real students and real families … whose learning opportunities and future contributions to our community will be shaped by our choices today.” We will not have a second chance to get this right. The writer is
‘First Take’ kicks off largest HBCU fall tour
Free Press staff report
ESPN’s morning debate show “First Take” is taking its biggest fall tour ever to historically Black colleges and universities, bringing sports talk and debate straight to campus. The tour kicks off Aug. 28 at Norfolk State University in Norfolk.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Norfolk State University to be featured on a national platform,” said Melody Webb, vice president and director of athletics for NSU. “Having ‘First Take’ on campus allows us to share our story with millions of viewers and celebrate the legacy and future of Spartan pride.”
Norfolk State, a public HBCU founded in 1935, opens its football season against Towson University with former NFL quarterback Michael Vick making his head coaching debut.
On Oct. 24, “First Take” heads to Birmingham, Alabama, for the Amazon Magic City Classic presented by Coca-Cola, where Alabama A&M faces Alabama State at Legion Field. The Classic is the largest annual HBCU football game in the country.
Delaware State University, one of the nation’s oldest HBCUs, hosts the show on Oct. 29 ahead of its Oct. 30 football matchup against Norfolk State.
Bethune-Cookman University, founded in 1904 by educator Mary McLeod Bethune, will welcome “First Take” on Nov. 20 prior to its Nov. 22 game against Florida A&M in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“First Take” is hosted by Molly Qerim, with commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith. The show has a history of visiting HBCUs, including Winston-Salem State University, Florida A&M, Howard University, Tennessee State University, Clark Atlanta and Morehouse College.
“First Take” airs weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon on ESPN.
NASCAR’s Chastain urges fans to buckle up, drive sober
By Dan Elson
NASCAR driver Ross Chastain is no stranger to high-speed wrecks, but at Richmond Raceway on Aug. 15, his focus was on helping fans avoid them off the track.
Chastain spent an hour signing hats, shirts and posters and talking one-on-one with fans during the “Who’s Your Driver?” event, a partnership with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Drive Smart Virginia to promote safe driving.
For Chastain, the message is personal. In 2011, one of his closest friends was in a car crash that left him unable to walk. The experience, Chastain said, changed how he thinks about driving.
“When people get behind the wheel, they should remember the real victory lap is making it home,” Chastain said. “Wearing a seat belt and choosing a sober driver aren’t just safety tips, they’re decisions that save lives.”
The program, created by the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office and Drive Smart Virginia, addresses the dangers of impaired driving and failing to wear seat belts.
Chastain said he recognized early in his NASCAR career that crashes on the track aren’t so different from those on public roads.
By Dan Elson
“I do crash a lot, and that’s
of
Scott Bandura hit a two-out single in the ninth inning at The Diamond on Sunday night to give the Richmond Flying Squirrels a 6-5 win over the Altoona Curve.
The Flying Squirrels (43-68, 22-22 second half) snapped a three-game losing streak and earned their second win of the series against the first-place Curve (56-57, 26-19).
Sabin Ceballos tied the game in the eighth with an RBI double off the left-field wall that scored Carter Howell against Altoona reliever Jaden Woods (5-4).
Will Bednar (1-2) stranded a runner at second in the top of the ninth before Richmond mounted its winning rally. Diego Velasquez was hit by a pitch, Victor Bericoto walked, and Bandura lined a single to center to score Velasquez ahead of a throw from Mitch Jebb.
Bo Davidson opened the scoring with a solo homer in the first inning, his third at Double-A. Velasquez added a two-out RBI single in the second, and Aeverson Arteaga doubled home another run in the fourth before scoring on a balk to make it 4-0.
Altoona began its comeback with a two-run homer by Javier Rivas in the fifth and an RBI single by Omar Alfonzo in the sixth. Nick Cimillo hit his fourth homer of the series, a two-run shot in the eighth, to give the Curve a brief 5-4 lead.
Trystan Vrieling started for Richmond and allowed two runs on one hit over five innings, striking out five. Marquis Johnson added 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.
The Flying Squirrels opened a six-game road series Tuesday against the Chesapeake Baysox.
The Squirrels return home Aug. 26-31 for a six-game set against the Akron RubberDucks.
Free Press staff report
The University of Richmond will honor five individuals and one team in its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class, Vice President and Director of Athletics John P. Hardt announced Monday.
The Class of 2025 includes women’s tennis coach Mark Wesselink, doubles standouts Lesia Bilak-Schinnerer ’98 and Bridget Merrick ’98, men’s swimming five-time conference champion Brent Holsten ’94, and football captain Lawson “Buzz” Montsinger ’69. The 2004-05 women’s basketball team, which earned Richmond’s first NCAA tournament at-large berth, will be recognized as the Team of Distinction.
The 48th Hall of Fame class will be inducted during a ceremony Friday, Oct. 17 and introduced at the Homecoming football game against Holy Cross on Saturday, Oct. 18. Tickets for the induction ceremony and reception will be available soon.
Coming off back-to-back CIAA championships, Virginia Union enters the 2025 football season with its sights set on a rare three-peat — and a roster reshaped by the transfer portal.
The Panthers open Aug. 31 in Canton, Ohio, against Miles College before playing their home opener Sept. 20 at 4 p.m. against Edward Waters University. Head coach Alvin Parker said the team lost 17 players to transfers but has added about 15 newcomers.
“When you bring a guy to the portal, he has to be an impact guy,” Parker said. “He has to kind of be an add and stir guy.
That’s kind of what we’re looking at.”
Virginia Union also won consecutive titles in 1982 and 1983. Only a handful of CIAA teams have ever claimed three straight.
“It’s a lot of expectations,” Parker said. “We’re ready to live up to them. … It’s been one or two times that a team has three-peated, not that we’re looking that far … we’re focused on the next game.” Parker pointed to quarterbacks Mark
Wright and RJ Rosales, center Joe Rounds, linebacker Lamumba Howard and defensive end Zachary Weaver as proven leaders. “[Those] guys can put on two championship rings and [have] been to the playoffs three times,” Parker said. “We’re expecting those guys to help the rest of the guys get to where we’re trying to go.”
Wide receiver and kickoff returner Zy’Aire Tart said the Panthers locker room has a different feel this fall.
“I haven’t been around guys that are so determined and focused on also making it to the next level, not just being in college, but also trying to push their brothers,” Tart said. “They’ll talk about plays all day and what they can do to make each other better.”
New HBCU basketball tournament
Free Press staff report
Eight historically Black colleges and universities will compete in the inaugural HBCU Hoops Invitational at Walt Disney World Resort from Dec. 4-7.
The tournament, announced last week, will feature four men’s and four women’s teams competing in single-elimination brackets at State Farm Field House inside the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Florida A&M, Tuskegee, Florida Memorial and BarberScotia comprise the men’s field. The women’s bracket includes Bethune-Cookman, Hampton, Edward Waters and Cheyney.
Florida A&M, which recently hired Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as head coach, has reached the NCAA Division I Tournament three times. Cheyney’s women’s team is the only HBCU program to reach the NCAA Final Four, accomplishing the feat in 1982.
“The HBCU Hoops Invitational is far more than a basketball tournament — it’s a powerful celebration of heritage, excellence and the limitless
coming to Disney World
Coaches and representatives from historically Black colleges and universities announced a new HBCU Hoops Invitational at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The event, featuring men’s and women’s college basketball teams from HBCU programs, is scheduled for Dec. 4-7 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
future of HBCU athletics,” said Haywoode Workman, vice president of HBCU Hoops Global, which organizes the event.
According to organizers, the tournament aims to provide
Bilak-Schinnerer was a standout singles player and part of a nationally ranked doubles team with Bridget Merrick. She earned multiple All-CAA honors, won 50 singles matches and 66 doubles matches, and played one year on the women’s professional tour.
Bridget Merrick — Women’s Tennis, 1995-1998
Merrick played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, sharing Richmond’s Senior Female Athlete of the Year honors with Lesia Bilak-Schinnerer. Their doubles team reached No. 9 nationally and competed in the NCAA Doubles Championship.
Brent Holsten — Men’s Swimming, 1990-1994 Holsten captured five conference titles, set six program records, and qualified for the ECAC Championships. He later served as a volunteer assistant coach, including for the 2004-05 women’s basketball team.
scholarships, academic assistance and career development opportunities for participants throughout the year. It will include a college admissions fair.
The event joins the college bas-
Lawson “Buzz” Montsinger — Football, 1967-1969 Montsinger was a three-year starter and team captain who helped the Spiders win back-to-back conference titles, including the 1968 Tangerine Bowl. He later pursued a career in music and remained involved with Spider football.
Mark Wesselink — Women’s Tennis, Coach 1989-2022 Wesselink led Richmond to nine conference championships, 11 NCAA appearances and eight conference Coach of the Year honors. He retired in 2022 and passed away in 2024.
Team of Distinction — Women’s Basketball, 2004-05
The team earned Richmond’s first NCAA at-large berth after a 23-win season and reached a national ranking of No. 25. Senior captain Kate Flavin led the team in scoring and rebounding, marking a milestone in program history.
Scott Bandura
Photos by Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press
Chastain, NASCAR Cup Series driver, signs
Raceway
Coach Parker
Photo by Bennett Stoops
Stephen A. Smith and Molly Qerim host ESPN’s “First Take.” The show will visit four historically Black colleges and universities this fall, beginning Aug. 28 at Norfolk State University.
Personality: Mimi Sadler
Spotlight on the president of the board of The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond
Mimi Sadler’s journey to board president at The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond began serendipitously — with a French class. To her delight and surprise, her long-retired high school French teacher led the class, reaffirming Sadler’s notion that lifelong learning is vital for continual growth and curiosity. She knew her values aligned with The Shepherd’s Center’s mission.
The volunteer-driven nonprofit keeps her active while promoting lifelong learning, social engagement and community service for older adults across the region. As president, Sadler plans to expand the center’s reach to Richmond’s growing population of older adults.
AARP research highlights that lifelong learning is vital for older adults’ cognitive health, with 83% of surveyed older adults agreeing that it is essential to keep the brain active. Participation in learning helps maintain mental sharpness and provides a sense of control and well-being.
“We are a community of mostly retired people who desire to continue to be educated. People are delighted to be involved, engaged and part of something that provides for the greater good, full of mutual support,” Sadler said. Sadler, now retired, had a notable career as a historic preservationist. In 1997, Sadler and her husband, Camden Whitehead, founded Sadler & Whitehead Architects. Working alongside colleagues throughout the state, Sadler worked to list historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places. The couple now teach architecture courses at The Shepherd’s Center.
“We have a blast teaching people at The Shepherd’s Center about the architecture that surrounds them,” she said.
As a lifelong Richmond resident, Sadler’s career and passions have always been tied to the city’s architectural and cultural history. Converting the old Maggie Walker High School building into the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies was one of her most significant restoration projects.
“I’ve always been passionate about saving the best of the old and integrating it with the ever-evolving architecture that will inevitably interrupt,” she said.
Her restoration work also includes guiding business owners through the historic tax incentive programs that brought businesses back to Broad Street, Jackson Ward, Church Hill and other historic Richmond neighborhoods. Acknowledging that some redevelopment caused displacement, Sadler believes her work has had a hand in revitalizing downtown Richmond.
“I know the work we did displaced people, but I believe the net impact has been positive,” Sadler said. “It brought downtown back to life in a way we never thought it could be.”
In retirement, Sadler divides her time between family, teaching and weekends spent renovating a home on the Eastern Shore, proving that life can be full and vibrant at any age.
Where do you live?
South Side in Woodland Heights.
What is your educational background?
I went to Williams College in
Massachusetts, where I studied art history. I got my master’s in architecture at the University of Virginia.
Tell us about your family, children?
I married my good friend, Camden Whitehead. We have two children and three grandchildren.
How did you and your husband meet?
We worked together at the first firm I worked after graduating from UVA, SWA Architects. We were great friends first and then married 18 years later.
What is The Shepherd’s Center?
The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond is a volunteerdriven nonprofit that supports active, independent and engaged older adults through lifelong learning and community service.
What is The Shepherd’s Center’s mission?
To encourage older adults to remain active and engaged through enrichment programs and volunteer service to their peers.
When was The Shepherd’s Center founded?
The Shepherd’s Center was founded by Elbert Cole, a minister in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1975. He wanted to tap into the wisdom, skills and talents of older adults to create opportunities for themselves and others.
Inspired by Cole, The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond was founded in 1984 by the Rev. Robert S. Seiler. Today, there are Shepherd’s Centers nationwide.
What are your goals as board president?
I want to provide the best space possible for us to rent or acquire so we can welcome members of the community who wish to join us for our programs. It has to be large enough to accommodate as many of our programs as possible.
What do you tell people about The Shepherd’s Center?
I tell them that I’ve been amazed at the quality of experiences I’ve had since joining — French, film and lectures about current events and many other interesting topics. We have such a wide range of class offerings. We believe in the potential of older adults to teach, learn, grow and give back to our community. We encourage active participation to help older adults stay involved in their communities and maintain a sense of purpose through various programs and activities.
We recognize the importance of social interaction for wellbeing and strive to combat isolation.
Why the name?
I think the name comes from the semi-religious roots of the organization. The center has no religious affiliation now. The national group with which we are affiliated is called Aging Forward.
What services does the center provide?
We provide programming for adults, including Open University — a lifelong learning program; Lunch & Life — a lecture series; a women’s group, and other events such as outings and opportunities to socialize.
We also provide transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores.
How have you seen The Shepherd’s Center make a difference?
We make a difference quietly and incrementally by educating anyone who wants to come. People can stay in their homes rather than going into assisted living because of the driving services we offer.
What are the biggest challenges facing The Shepherd’s Center?
We receive no government assistance or United Way funding. Raising the money to cover expenses and expand the services we provide is our biggest challenge. Also, we are volunteer-based. We need to continually refresh and expand our membership to bring new energy to the group.
How is The Shepherd’s Center funded?
Individual donations.
Who are The Shepherd’s Center’s partners?
The churches that provide space for us.
How do people get in touch with The Shepherd’s Center? They can visit our website, tscor.org, or call us at (804) 355-7282.
Are there volunteer opportunities with The Shepherd’s Center?
We are mostly volunteers, so yes! There are opportunities to teach, speak, assist, drive, serve on committees and plan events. Do you have any upcoming events?
On Sept. 14, our members will attend the last Flying Squirrels game at The Diamond. In October, we’ll have a van tour of historic sites in Chesterfield.
How do you start the day?
I start by reading the news, checking the weather and confirming what’s on my calendar. Then I can rise and face the challenges of the day.
Who is your dream dinner party guest?
Katharine Graham, former publisher of The Washington Post.
What is a quote that inspires you?
“No man is an island, Entire of itself …,” the opening line of a poem by John Donne. Who has influenced you the most in your life?
My husband, who is a person with astounding talent and is also very kind and thoughtful. What is a book that has influenced you?
“Middlemarch,” by George Eliot, the pen name of Mary Ann Evans.
What are you currently reading?
“Never Let Me Go,” by Kazuo Ishiguro.
What’s next for you? My next class at The Shepherd’s Center is called “How Buildings Work.”
Richmond Folk Festival adds 10 new artists for 2025 lineup
Free Press staff report
The Richmond Folk Festival has added 10 more artists to its lineup for this year’s event, set for Oct. 10-12 along downtown Richmond’s riverfront. The new performers bring musical and dance traditions from across the U.S. and around the world to the festival’s six stages.
The newly announced artists include Beat Ya Feet Academy from Washington, D.C.; jazz, R&B, and funk group The Blackbyrds from Washington, D.C.; the Broussard Sisters from Opelousas, Louisiana, performing juré; Québécois musician Cécilia from Montreal; Togolese group Dogo du Togo & the Alagaa Beat Band from Lomé, Togo, via Washington, D.C.; gospel singer Elizabeth King from Memphis, Tennessee; classic country artist Melissa Carper from Austin, Texas; the Hopi hoop dance group the Sinquah Family from Phoenix; qawwali and khayal performers Saami Brothers featuring Ustad Naseeruddin Saami from Karachi, Pakistan; and Villa 5, a música norteña group from Los Angeles.
“The world is coming to Richmond this Octo-
ber,” said Stephen Lecky, director of events at Venture Richmond. “From Hawaii to South Florida, this year’s program is a testament to the dazzling array of cultures and musical traditions that inject spirit and soul into communities across the country. It’s a special opportunity for audiences to experience something new — and it’s all free!” Now in its 21st year, the Richmond Folk Festival draws roughly 200,000 visitors over three days, celebrating American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling and food. The festival is presented by Venture Richmond Events in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts, Virginia Humanities, the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, the Children’s Museum and the City of Richmond.
Richmond Triangle Players’ production of “A Strange Loop” led this year’s Richmond Theatre Community Circle Artsies nominations with multiple nods across musical, direction, performance and design categories. Other productions receiving several nominations included “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Waitress” and “John and Jen.”
The 17th annual Artsies, which honor excellence in Richmond-area theater for the 2024-25 season, will be presented at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s November Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m.
In the musical categories, “A Strange Loop” received nominations for Best Musical, Best Direction, Best Lead Performance, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography, Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design, Lighting Design, Set Design, Sound Design and the Ernie McClintock Best Ensemble Acting award.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” earned nominations for Best Musical, Direction, Sup-
Marcus Antonio performs as “Usher” in Richmond Triangle Players’ production of “A Strange Loop.” and Costume Design. “John and Jen” earned nominations for Best Musical, Direction and Set Design.
porting Performance, Choreography, Costume, Lighting, Set and Sound Design. “Waitress” received nods for Direction, Lead and Supporting Performance, Musical Direction, Choreography
In play categories, “Detroit ’67,” “Peter and
Celebrating family, culture
The 34th annual Down Home Family Reunion filled the day with music, dance and storytelling as performers and community members came together to celebrate heritage and culture. Drummers, dancers and local artists entertained while families enjoyed food, fellowship and fun.
the Starcatcher” and “Water by the Spoonful” received multiple nominations for Best Play, Direction, Performance and Design categories. “H*tler’s Tasters” and “Which Way to the Stage” also earned multiple nods.
Additional honors include Breakout Performance awards, Best Original Work and Outstanding Achievement in Projection Design. This year’s ceremony comes in the wake of the death of Adam Turck, a beloved member of Richmond’s theater community.
“With respect for those who are still in mourning, and after consultation with some of those close to our friend and colleague Adam Turck, we are moving forward to celebrating the past year of local theater with the incredible Richmond theater community that has demonstrated its strength and resilience over these past weeks,” said RTCC President Julinda Lewis.
Tickets for the Artsies ceremony, which are $25 for orchestra seating and $30 for balcony seating, go on sale Sept. 21. All proceeds support the Theatre Artists Fund of Greater Richmond.
Southern Soul Celebration returns to Woodford Aug. 23
Dream Entertainment will host its 19th annual Southern Soul Celebration on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Mr. B’s Park in Woodford. Dr. Nick will serve as emcee for the event, which features live music from DJ Ernest and The Groove Machine. Performers also include Big G, Jeff Floyd and MC Tonya and Stone Pleasure. The celebration will include the crowning of “Miss Southern Soul,” door prizes and on-site food vendors. Attendees must be 25 or older and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Tents are not permitted. The venue is located at 7243 Gatewood Road at the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Gatewood Road. It is accessible via Interstate 95, Exit 110 in Ladysmith.
Big G, born George Staten Sr. in Charlotte County, began his professional singing career in 1997. He released his debut solo album, “Steppin’ Out,” in 1999 on his own Stone River Records label. He has recorded more than 16 albums, including “Love On The Run,” “Broken Hearted” and “Lonely Tears.” Gates open at noon, with main performances beginning at 3 p.m. General admission is $40 at the gate. RV camping with hookups is available. For more information, call Queen Copeland at (804) 389-3558.
• WATCHES
Elegba Folklore Society drummers and dancers perform at Abner Clay Park on Saturday, Aug. 16 during the group’s 34th Down Home Family Reunion, an annual celebration of African American folklife.
Petersburg native Rodney Stith, known for his soulful voice and rhythm-and-blues style, performs Saturday, Aug. 16 at the event.
Jarene Fleming enjoys music coming from the main stage and knows where her fan is.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Feet Academy from Washington, D.C., is among 10 new performers added to the Richmond Folk Festival lineup, set for Oct. 10-12 along the downtown riverfront.
Chargois remembered for decades of service and activism
By George Copeland Jr.
Paige Lanier Chargois, a Richmond reverend, author and tireless advocate for reconciliation and social change, died July 27 at 81. For decades, her work brought together communities locally and globally, leaving a lasting legacy of mentorship, faith and public service.
Born July 18, 1944, in Franklin, Virginia, to Earlie and Blanche Lanier, Chargois moved to Richmond around age 4. She became involved early in efforts to desegregate Richmond Public Schools, join-
ing a select group of students prepared to navigate the challenges of integration.
“I remember teachers just talking about how well they wanted to prepare us,” Chargois recalled in a video for the Together We Rise project.
“Teachers all along the way were encouraging us to be a part of the movement, be a part of the community.”
After graduating from Maggie Walker High School in 1962, Chargois spent a year at Virginia Union University before eventually earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology
and journalism from Austin Peay State University in 1979.
Less than a month after graduating, Chargois entered seminary and, over the next four decades, became a religious leader at numerous institutions. She served as chaplain for eight universities, worked as managing editor for the National Baptist Convention’s newspaper and authored several faith-focused books.
For Stephanie Jacobs, a
licensed marriage and family therapist, Chargois was a major part of her faith journey as a mentor during her time at North Carolina Central University. They reconnected decades later during the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 and began weekly virtual meetings in 2021 where Chargois continued her mentorship, the two becoming dear friends.
“Loved life, loved people, loved service,” Jacobs said of
Chargois’ work.
Chargois was also a force in community activism, serving as national associate director for the racial reconciliation nonprofit Hope In the Cities for over a decade. The group’s accomplishments led Chargois and colleague Rob Corcoran to be selected by former President Bill Clinton for assistance in the “Initiative on Race: One America in 2000.”
Chargois also helped shape the Richmond Slave Trail Commission, linking the city with Cotonou, Benin, and Liverpool, England, in a “reconciliation
triangle” that highlighted their roles in the transatlantic
trade.
The installation of a Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue on East Main
outcomes of Chargois’ efforts, which continued in other
for years across the
“I have heard from people across the
— Australia, Africa, Europe and the Americas — expressing
Paige Lanier Chargois
Speaking Spirit Ministries in Richmond hosted Urban One Inc.’s 9th annual Prep for Success Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 16, giving students and their families free school supplies, games, haircuts and access to community resources. The event featured more than 20 vendors offering services ranging from health care to youth programs.
Elsewhere on that day, New Shoes for Back to School, organized by the Metropolitan Richmond Partnership of Churches/Synagogues with participants from congregations across the area, celebrated its 19th year by giving Richmond-area students new shoes to start the school year. Families lined up at a local church to pick shoes by size, enjoy live music, and take part in a voter registration drive.
Left, volunteers Kim Allen and Willnette Beard browse shoes for student shoppers. Volunteers and families gather inside Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church for New Shoes for Back to School, searching for the right sizes.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Students and their families gather at Speaking Spirit Ministries in Richmond on Saturday, Aug. 16, for Urban One Inc.’s Prep for Success Back
to School Bash, receiving free supplies and community resources. Unique Bolden, 6, checks her school supply bag while her cousin, Jeremiah Richardson, waits his turn at the event.
BARTLETT,
Richmond, Va. 23219
TOMESHA CARTERHUSSEIN Plaintiff v. DERHEM HUSSEIN, Defendant. Case No.: CL25-1470 ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is obtain a divorce pursuant to Va Code 20-91(9). It is ORDERED that Derhem Hussein appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before 9/4/25 at 9:00 AM. An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER Hanover Circuit Court 7530 County Complex Road P.O. Box 39 Hanover, Virginia 23069 STEVEN MARC ANDERSON, Plaintiff, v. MELISSA LYNN ANDERSON, Defendant, Case No: CL24002974-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the Defendant, Melissa Lynn Anderson, on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation for more than one year. Upon an Affidavit having been filed by Steven Anderson, the Defendant, that he has used due diligence to ascertain in what county or city such Defendant is residing, without success.
period of
without cohabitation for
31, 2024. And it appearing by Affidavit filed according to law that the above-named defendant, is not a resident of this state and that due diligence has been used by or in behalf of plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the defendant is, without effect. It is therefore ORDERED that the said Charmaine Calicdan Pedalgo do appear in the Clerk’s Office of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Henrico County, 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, Virginia 23273, on or before September 15, 2025 and do whatever necessary to protect their interest in this suit. A Copy Teste: HEIDI S. BARSHINGER, Clerk I ask for this: Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr. VSB#32825 P.O. Box 4595 Richmond, Virginia 23220 Phone (804) 523-3900 Fax (804) 523-3901
CUSTODY
VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO In the matter of the adoption of A’Shai-Shameen Christopher Amdado By LaTesha Monique McLee Case # CA 25-32 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to waive the consent of Chanel Amdado; birth mother of A’ShaiShameen Christopher
Continued from previous column parental rights (“TPR”) of the Richard Compton Jr. (Putative Father) & Unknown Father (Father) of Veronica Kathryn Ross, child DOB 01/11/2025.
Press, and that a copy of this order be posted at the front door of the courthouse wherein this court is held. I ask for this: Susan H. Brewer VSB #15889 Counsel for Petitioners 2224 Park Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220-2715 Telephone: (804) 359-0897 SusanBrewer97@gmail.com
VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re LONDYN AISHA MITCHELL & ISAAC JOSIAH MITCHELL, RDSS, Plaintiff v. STEPHANIE MITCHELL, LIONEL MITCHELL, Defendants File No. JJ091075-09-00, JJ091075-010-00, JJ091465-08-00, JJ091465-09-00
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of the Stephanie Mitchell (Mother) & Lionel Mitchell (Father) of Londyn Aisha Mitchell, child DOB 11/21/2011 & Isaac Josiah Mitchell, child DOB 08/26/2015. “TPR” 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 the defendant Stephanie
“TPR” 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 the defendant Richard Compton Jr. (Putative Father) & Unknown Father (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 10/29/25 at 11:00 A.M., COURTROOM #5
VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re DAVINE LIGHTFOOT, RDSS, Plaintiff v. JAMES FARRONE, UNKNOWN FATHER, Defendant File No. JJ103499-07-00, JJ103499-08-00
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of the James Farrone (Putative Father) & Unknown Father (Father) of Davine Lightfoot, child DOB 01/19/2024
“TPR” 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;
cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.
It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 24th day of
the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 22nd day of September, 2025 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804 798-9667 VIRGINIA:
