Richmond Free Press March 20-22, 2025 edition

McClellan, state lawmakers push back against Medicaid threats

By Charlotte Rene Woods

With over 1 million people in Virginia on Medicaid, about 630,000 of those could stand to lose coverage should Republicans in Congress cut federal funding, Democratic state lawmakers have stressed. U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, added her voice to the chorus of warnings at a press conference at the statehouse Tuesday afternoon.

“We are here to say, ‘not on our watch and not without a fight,’” McClellan said during her visit to Virginia’s Capitol. She was joined by state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, DChesterfield and Delegate Mark Sickles, D-Fairfax, along with Central Virginia residents who shared their experiences with Medicaid as recipients or health care providers.

Though it doesn’t name Medicaid specifically, the U.S.

Community groups receive over $500,000 from Health Equity Fund

By George Copeland Jr.

Nine local organizations have been awarded grants totaling more than $500,000 from the Richmond Health Equity Fund (HEF) to address various health disparities across the city. The grants will fund initiatives focusing on health care access, education, chronic disease management, food security, mental health and substance use recovery.

The announcement was made at the Overlook at ChildSavers in Church Hill on Tuesday afternoon, where city officials and community representatives gathered to celebrate the partnerships and the good they could do.

“We are profoundly grateful to be a part of this cohort of grantees,” ChildSavers CEO Robert Bolling said, “and excited to work together toward a healthier, more equitable future in our community.”

In addition to ChildSavers, other grantees

from the Richmond Health Equity Fund to

its community fitness programs.

Protesters decry anti-trans policies at Capitol Square demonstration

By Brodie Greene

On Saturday, Capitol Square was lined with tombstones, each bearing the name of a murdered transgender person. Activists, lying still on the lawn, symbolized the growing threat of violence and hatred against transgender individuals. The “Prides of March” protest, organized by the Virginia chapter of 50501, amplified the voices of those who feel betrayed by the government. Since January, President Trump has issued executive orders barring transgender women and girls from competing in women’s sports at federally funded schools, defining gender strictly as male or female, restricting gender-affirming care for minors, and targeting transgender

was organized by the Virginia Chapter of 50501.

individuals serving in the military.

Natalie Hawkins, a representative of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, told the crowd transgender people are used as a scapegoat by both major parties to avoid addressing larger issues, such as the rising cost of living and climate change, she said.

“The ruling class is coming after trans people, not because we are dangerous to anybody, but because they need to divide and conquer the working class in this period of economic crisis,” she said.

In January, VCU Health suspended gender-affirming care to patients who are 19 years old or younger in response to an executive order that cut federal funding for such treatments. According to the American Medical Association, genderaffirming care is considered medically necessary and lifesaving.

Side by Side, a support organization for LGBTQ+ youth, provides services for hundreds of transgender youths in Central Virginia, many of whom relied on VCU Health for gender-affirming care, according to Rosa Hamilton, director of outreach and support programs.

“For anyone who hasn’t met a trans kid or doesn’t understand, they’re just like any other kid. They don’t want to worry about where they’ll get their medicine, if they can go to school safely, or if they

By Victoria Ifatusin

Trailblazing politician William “Fergie” Reid turned 100 years old on Tuesday, and his impact and influence is still felt across the state’s political scene.

Reid became the first Black politician elected to the General Assembly since Reconstruction when he was voted to the House of Delegates in 1967, and was a co-founder of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.

His 90th birthday was celebrated with a campaign centered around voter registration, and even after a century of living, he still shares his wisdom with current legislators.

When Delegate Candi Mundon King, (D-Prince William, decided to run for office, she reached out to Reid.

“He was right there supporting, giving me tips and helping me along the way,” she said.

She said he provided advice on how to reach voters, specifically through his grassroots strategy of knocking on doors and meeting people where they’re at.

Her efforts and his advice led her to win her first election in 2020, and she recalled video chatting with Reid to share the good news.

“Hearing his encouragement and how proud he was of the work was like a really special moment,” she said.

“I’m not here without him and others who have paved the way for Black people to serve in the General Assembly.”

Reid was the only Black member of the 140-member

File photo William Ferguson Reid remains an influential figure in Virginia politics.

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Justices prevail

Latrell Allmond (24) of John

George Copeland/Richmond Free Press Anthony Clary speaks at a press conference after We Off the Couch was awarded a grant

expand

Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury

U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond speaks in Virgnia’s General Assembly Building on March 18.

Amy Popovich named new deputy chief administrative officer

Free Press staff report

The City of Richmond appointed Amy Popovich as the next deputy chief administrative officer for Human Services on Tuesday. Popovich previously served as nurse manager for the Richmond and Henrico health districts, where she oversaw more than 100 clinical staff and developed programs connecting public health with community needs. She has more than a decade of experience in public health initiatives in Richmond.

“I’ve seen firsthand what she can accomplish and the level of servant leadership she brings to a team,” Mayor Danny Avula said. “I can’t think of a better person to step in, hit the ground running, and lead our Human Services portfolio.”

The Human Services portfolio includes the Office of Community Wealth Building, Department of Justice Services, Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, Department of Social Services and the Richmond Public Library.

“The departments that make up the City’s Human Services portfolio serve residents all across Richmond, including some of the most vulnerable, and I have no doubt Amy will build on her experience and thrive in her new role,” said City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille.

Popovich replaces Traci DeShazor, who had led the Human Services portfolio since 2023 before recently stepping down. She will assume her new role April 28, with Director of Social Services Shunda Giles serving as acting DCAO until then.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues

For the week ending Saturday, March 15, COVID-19 accounted for 1% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness rates low and trending down compared to previous data. No COVID-19-related deaths were reported during this period at press time.

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations.

• Thursday, March 20, 2 to 4:30 p.m. – Calvary United Methodist Church, 1637 Williamsburg Road.

• Friday, March 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Southside Women, Infants and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza.

• Wednesday, March 26, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - St. Luke Apartments, 117 Engleside Drive.

RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at select locations:

• Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-3710433.

• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099.

• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960.

• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740.

• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204.

• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road, Unit B, call 804-230-2077.

• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555. For Virginia Department of Health testing locations, visit vdh. virginia.gov. Additional testing site information can be found at vax.rchd.com. Residents also can order four free at-home COVID test kits at covidtest.gov, while supplies last. Want a COVID-19 vaccine?

The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are approved for those 6 months and older, while Novavax is for individuals age 12 and older. To schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico health districts, call 804-205-3501. A list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine is available at Vaccines.gov Additional locations can be found by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233. Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Cityscape

State advocates, legislators warn of impact of potential SNAP cuts

By George Copeland Jr.

Keeping food on the table is a challenge for Richmond resident Tamika Spears. A stay-at-home mom who is disabled, she relies on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to feed her and her three children. With a wide range of diets, limited purchasing options, rising food costs, and other expenses, a typical trip to the store is tough to manage for her.

Now, with a $230 billion reduction in the farm budget under consideration in Congress, Spears is worried about the impact it could have on her and others who rely on the program.

“Nobody in the richest country on the planet should go hungry,” said Spears, whose monthly benefits recently dropped from $518 to $262 due to SNAP cuts. “It is thanks to SNAP that I can feed my kids, put myself through college, and be able to strengthen my family, but that will not be possible if Congress stays on track to cut SNAP.”

Spears’ concern was shared by advocates

and state officials during a virtual press conference on the proposed cuts held last week by the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis. A major part of the discussion was a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimating Virginia’s biennial budget would see a $352 million shortfall for SNAP benefits if cuts were approved and funding partly shifted to states.

Delegate Bonita Anthony said SNAP benefits could change greatly if Virginia had to take on a portion of overall costs. Those changes would impact local farmers and the state food economy and could leave almost 827,800 Virginians enrolled in SNAP, according to the USDA, at risk of losing a vital resource.

“Nearly 40,000 Richmonders and nearly 30,000 Chesterfield residents rely on SNAP every single day,” Delegate Michael Jones said. “This program that has helped kids, to keep them from going hungry and being food insecure, and parents, from having to choose between rent, groceries, and medicine, that’s what’s at stake here.”

Jones, alongside others in the press conference, placed the blame for these proposed cuts at Congressional plans to renew tax cuts for the country’s wealthiest passed during the first Trump administration through $1.1 trillion in spending cuts.

If approved, members of the Commonwealth Institute proposed a change from Virginia’s flat tax rate to a “Fair Share tax” that would have a small portion of residents pay 10% on taxable income over $1 million to fund critical services.

State officials urged the public to contact their representatives and promised to explore ways to protect food access and assistance. Some, however, said reworking the state’s tax structure would be on the table if the cuts were approved, as SNAP wouldn’t be the only public service affected.

“We’re going to have to start talking about fairer taxes in Virginia,” Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke said. “In terms of people paying their fair share in taxes and how we redistribute those taxes in the Commonwealth of Virginia and in determining how we generate revenue.”

VCU Health cleaners secure first union contract

By George Copeland Jr.

Richmond workers earned an important victory this week, when 400 environmental service cleaners employed at VCU Health won their first union contract with the medical institution.

The contract includes a $3 hourly wage increase, protections against unjust discipline and termination, a grievance and arbitration process, seniority for job postings, and the creation of a joint committee of workers and managers to address concerns and ensure all voices are heard.

For Mark Abrams, who works at VCU’s Children’s Hospital of Richmond and is responsible for separating biohazardous material from trash, the importance of the new contract was evident, ensuring better pay and support for both himself and his mother.

“If we don’t take it out, the hospital can’t function,” Abrams said of the work they do for the hospital. “This new contract will help to pay for our groceries, doctors’ visits, credit card debt and the plumbing

Cemetery Collaboratory symposium to explore long-term cemetery care

Free Press staff report

The worn headstones and overgrown paths of many historic cemeteries tell a story of neglect, but a new symposium in Richmond is working to change that.

The Library of Virginia will host the Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory’s first symposium, “Cultivating Perpetual Care Communities: A Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory Symposium,” on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event will focus on sustaining longterm cemetery care, particularly in historically African American cemeteries.

Topics will include physical maintenance, volunteer management, preservation planning, policymaking, archival research and community engagement. Morning sessions will offer

workshops on indexing and transcribing archival records, as well as an opportunity to visit Black cemeteries in Richmond.

Limited transportation will be provided for hands-on demonstrations at local cemeteries. Afternoon sessions will feature speakers from Friends of East End Cemetery and the Woodland Restoration Foundation, along with representatives from Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and other local organizations. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

The event is sponsored by the Library of Virginia, the Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory, the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University. Registration is required at lva-virginia.libcal.com.

Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press

Construction continues at the site of the future headquarters of local nonprofit Sports Backers, an organizations that promotes physical activity and healthy living. The new location at 4921 Lakeside Ave. also will serve

File photo

Courtesy of Richmond Cemetery Collaboratory and Friends of East End

A volunteer works at East End Cemetery in Henrico County alongside groups from the National Park Service, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Richmond in 2019.

SEIU 32BJ

VCU Health cleaners celebrate securing their first union contract, which brings

International Union Local 32BJ, after campus building cleaners at Virginia Commonwealth University negotiated their own contract with the group’s support in 2023.

Amy Popovich

Congratulations

to the winners of the 2025 R.E.B. Awards for Distinguished Educational Leadership!

These principals exemplify outstanding leadership by supporting their teachers, inspiring their students and building positive relationships between their school and community.

Arainau Neal

Maude Trevvett Elementary School

Henrico County

Allison Mullens

Cold Harbor Elementary School

Hanover County

Tashiana Ivy

Albert Hill Middle School

Richmond City

Nicholas Olson

Salem Church Middle School

Chesterfield County

The following candidates were selected as runners up:

Susan Proffitt

Holman Middle School

Henrico County

Amanda Sanders

Elmont Elementary School

Michael Massa

Huguenot High School

Richmond City

These outstanding principals exemplify outstanding leadership by supporting their teachers, inspiring their students and building positive relationships between their school and community.

Hanover County

Brian Russell

Chesterfield Career & Technical Center

Chesterfield County

Scan the QR code to read more about the R.E.B. awards program and honorees or visit bit.ly/REBPrincipals2025

McClellan, lawmakers push back against Medicaid threats

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House Republican budget plan adopted in February would direct the House Energy and Commerce Committee — which McClellan serves on in the minority party — to find ways to cut the deficit by $880 billion over the next decade. That committee has jurisdiction over Medicaid, Medicare and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“[Republican’s budget plan] doesn’t say the word ‘Medicaid’ but you cannot get to $880 billion … without cutting Medicaid,” McClellan said.

The federal program helps states provide health care coverage to low-income earners, as well as those with disabilities or who don’t have employer-sponsored health care. When Virginia expanded its Medicaid program in 2018, Virginia’s acute care hospitals stepped up to provide some funding. But trigger language in the expansion means that it could be lost if federal funding changes.

The possibility is troubling for Virginia Democrats, who have been sounding the alarm for months. A January memo from President Trump to initiate a federal funding freeze earlier this year included a footnote detailing programs that would not be

affected — Medicaid was absent from that footnote. Several states also reported brief loss of connection to Medicaid portals, something Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office knew about but did not disclose at the time.

Hashmi and state Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, tried to help Virginia prepare for potential cuts through a state budget amendment, but it didn’t survive negotiations.

“We’re going to have a lot of figuring out to do and it’s really going to be a struggle to do that,” Deeds said earlier this year.

Aida Pacheco’s voice strained and eyes welled Tuesday while she described how her daughter is battling breast cancer. Having worked all of her adult life, the diagnosis has left her unable to do so while she is receiving care.

“She has a fighting chance with Medicaid,” Pacheco said.

Her voice grew passionate as she described opponents of Medicaid labeling beneficiaries as “abusing the system” or being people who “don’t want to work.”

“It’s insulting,” she said.

Katina Moss added how each of Virginia’s Medicaid recipients has a story of what it means for them. For Moss, it means being able to have insurance for her own health while she cares for her ill and aging mother. Just as she was launch-

ing her own small business, her mother fell ill and needed multiple surgeries. To be able to care for her, Moss has taken “jobs for lesser pay.”

“I do not intend to be on Medicaid permanently,” she said, but said it has helped her at a time she otherwise would not have health care. “There are too many people who are just one doctor’s visit away from financial ruin.”

It’s stories like theirs that McClellan hopes her colleagues in the nation’s capital will listen to.

“When they start hearing from their constituents about how much they want them to keep their hands off their health care, they’ll backtrack,” McClellan said.

In the meantime, there are still steps ahead before more concrete movement on Medicaid specifically could occur. Congressional Republicans are balancing pressure from the Trump administration to move forward on certain tax cuts as well as funding boosts to support military spending and mass deportations of undocumented immigrants with cuts to social programs as possibilities. There is also a reconciliation process likely to kick off next month where lawmakers can further deliberate on budgets.

This story originally appeared at Virginiamercury.com.

Local civil rights legend ‘Fergie’ Reid turns 100

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legislature at the time. Today, there are 32 members in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

Reid represented Richmond and Henrico County at a time when the county was predominantly white, which former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder said last week was “daunting.”

“Many said you were really crazy when you said you were going to represent Richmond and Henrico,” Wilder said at an event honoring Reid in 1990. “But you kindled a flame of progress that has never been snuffed out.”

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Albemarle, noted Reid has stayed engaged in that fight.

“Not only did he break barriers and get elected to the legislature,” Deeds said. “But he has stayed active and stayed involved and has worked to inspire other people.”

As Reid turns 100, his family plans to get together and keep the trailblazer’s birthday simple in California, where they currently live.

Reid will be honored next month by VCU’s Wilder School during the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards, where Reid will receive the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Early exposure to civil rights

Reid was born in Jackson Ward and grew up next door to Maggie L. Walker’s house. He spent the majority of his early life in Richmond. He graduated from Armstrong High School in 1941 and received a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Union University before earning a medical degree from Howard University. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy during the Korean War and opened a private surgical practice in Richmond when he returned.

At the time, Virginia was still grappling with the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. Virginia was dominated by the politics of the “Byrd Machine,” a political organization led by former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Sr., that worked to prevent public school integration.

This time also was difficult for Black people trying to vote.

Virginians were required to fill out a “blank sheet” with their information from memory to register to vote, according to Virginia Humanities. White voters knew what to fill out because they knew what information was required, but Black voters didn’t. Virginia also passed poll taxes to prevent Black people from voting, as many couldn’t afford to pay it or missed an unannounced deadline.

These harmful practices prompted Reid to help register and rally Black voters, which led him to co-found the Richmond Crusade for Voters, an organization still in place today. The organization educated Black voters and held get-out-the-vote drives.

“It eventually got to a point that the Crusade endorsement really helped people get elected,” Reid said in an interview in 2015.

The Crusade also helped him get elected to the General Assembly, where he served as the sole Black legislator for two years, and twice won re-election.

Reid’s son, Fergie Reid Jr., said he remembers many stories where his father experienced discrimination in Richmond due to his skin color. After his first election, Reid and newly elected members to the House of Delegates were invited to have dinner at the Commonwealth Club.

“But the Commonwealth Club didn’t allow Black people unless they were the wait staff,” he said. “So all of the members were invited, but they said, ‘Dr. Reid, you can’t come because you’re black.’”

Reid Jr. said that stories like these are important for current and future generations of politicians who look up to his father to know.

Laying the foundation

Reid remained a strong force within Virginia politics after leaving the General Assembly.

Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan said that growing up in Petersburg, she didn’t know much about Reid, but discovered him and his influence after moving to Richmond.

She reached out to him for advice when she ran for the House of Delegates in 2005 and learned her father, a civil rights activist, knew him too. McClellan said Reid and his wife supported her by providing advice and consistently checking in on her.

McClellan remembers hearing stories from her father and Reid about growing up during the Jim Crow era. Those stories are more important and powerful when you hear them from someone who was there, she said.

“It was the dignity he carried himself with, even when he was treated as a second-class citizen,” she said.

Reid provided insight on the African American legislative project, which identified all African Americans who served in the legislature, and commemoration of the Civil Rights Act, McClellan said.

In 2008, she introduced and passed a General Assembly bill which commended Reid for his “exceptional service to the Commonwealth and its people.”

Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, introduced a similar bill which passed earlier this month in honor of Reid’s 100th birthday.

When Srinivasan met Reid, he was surprised at how much Reid knew and kept up with local politics in Loudoun County. He said he has been inspired by Reid’s legacy because of his barrier-breaking history.

“He has done so much for so many people,” he said. Srinivasn sensed Reid deeply cared about working at the

granular level, and taught him how to connect with voters by door-knocking and being on the ground. He said they maintained a strong relationship ever since, and Reid has provided guidance and mentorship.

“He implored the importance of being active,” Srinivasan said.

Wilder said in a recent interview that it is very easy for “the past to become the present” — referencing changes made at the national level as a result of the Trump administration, as well

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include Family Lifeline, the Women Can Inspire Foundation, Hitting Cancer Below the Belt, Sacred Heart Center, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Richmond, RVA Community Fridges and the Atlantic Outreach Group.

Anthony Clary, founder of the distance running group We Off the Couch, said the grant will allow them to expand services into recreational centers and further their connections with schools.

Clary, who lost 100 pounds through distance running and now has more than 1,500 runners in his group, welcomed the opportunity to improve both the physical and mental health of the broader community.

“It’s beautiful to provide a space where

as the decision to not extend VMI’s first Black superintendent’s contract.

Wilder said it is important to continue the fight that he, Reid and others started.

“He’s shown that it’s not enough to just be the first of anything, or the only of anything,” King said. “We have a responsibility to make things better and easier for those who come behind.”

This story originally appeared at TheRichmonder.org

you can grow and be your best self, not only physically but as a whole person,” Clary said.

The grants represent a significant community benefit, as evidenced by Mayor Danny Avula, whose family relied on ChildSavers’ services more than a year ago after the murder of his adopted daughter’s biological sibling.

Avula helped establish the HEF in 2021 in his former role as director of the Richmond and Henrico health districts, in response to the health disparities highlighted by the pandemic.

Three years later, he was clear that the services it supported remained essential.

“These are priorities for the Health Equity Fund because this is what the data shows are affecting our city residents,” Avula said. “It’s what the data show are

driving disparate impacts between Black and white communities.”

With these latest grants, the HEF has allocated more than $3.8 million to organizations from an initial investment of $5 million using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Avula said the HEF is continuing to seek local funding sources to ensure these grants can continue.

Currently, those supporters include the Community Foundation, the Bob and Anna Lou Schaberg Foundation, Atlantic Union Bank, the Dominion Charitable Foundation and the Robins Foundation.

The HEF is now accepting applications for its 2025 funding cycle, which will remain open until Sunday, March 30. Organizations interested in applying can submit applications at rhphf.org/healthequity-fund.

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can use the bathroom in taxpayer-funded buildings,” Hamilton said.

Kelly Gring attended the protest with several family members, including her transgender son. Gring said her son knew from an early age that he was male.

“He is aware that our president doesn’t believe in his gender. I guess they want us to put him in a dress, tell him he’s a girl, and force him into that life. He knows that’s not how he wants to live,” Gring said.

People often ask Kelly if her son might change his gender identity later in life, something she recognizes as a real possibility.

“It’s like other things children explore. If you want them to talk to you about how they feel and what they’re thinking, they’ll trust you if it changes later on,” Gring said.

Aurora Higgs, a trans activist, said she lost her “spark” in recent months after Trump’s inauguration and subsequent executive orders.

She believes the president’s actions are designed to instill fear and “neutralize” transgender people, but visibility and community can push back against that agenda.

“I want you to remember that we are a threat simply by living our lives, loving each other, and changing the world,” Higgs said. “We are a threat to hate, bigotry and fascism because of our selfdetermination.”

“Out of nowhere, the world began to feel like a violent place. As a Black queer femme, it felt like every part of my identity was under attack,” Higgs said.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Transgender Activist Aurora Higgs chants at the Prides of March rally at the Virginia State Capitol Saturday, March 15. The event was organized by the Virginia Chapter of 50501.

Jackson Ward hotel project moves forward with new development plan

Free Press staff report

A new development is set to transform a 2.95-acre site in Richmond’s Historic Jackson Ward. The M Companies recently announced plans for phase two of the Jackson Place project, which will include up to 41 townhomes and a 106-room extended-stay hotel. This development will be located at the intersection of 2nd and Jackson Streets, an area that was affected by the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike in the 1950s. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with an estimated three-year timeline for completion. The site, which is currently made up of grass lots, is owned by the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The project follows feedback gathered from the community through planning sessions led by Urban Design Associates in partnership with the Historic Jackson Ward Association and other local groups.

“In partnership with the Historic Jackson Ward Association and community stakeholders, we detailed a vision for the site that anchors the legacy of 2nd Street and sets Jackson Ward on a path to thrive in the new RVA,” said Michael Hopkins, president of The M Companies.

The townhomes will range from 1,342 to more than 1,800 square feet, with prices starting under $400,000. Premiere Homes RVAJP will construct and sell the homes, while Studio ME will offer three interior design palettes for buyers to choose from.

“Phase one brought muchneeded housing for seniors and a mix of market-rate and affordable rental units,” said Janis Allen

Dominion Energy, Elegba Folklore Society recognized for cultural contributions

Free Press staff report

Virginia Humanities has announced the three recipients of the inaugural Commonwealth Humanities Award, recognizing individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to the humanities and their impact on Virginia’s cultural landscape.

“The humanities help us all better understand ourselves and each other, a quality that’s important now more than ever,” said Matthew Gibson, executive director of Virginia Humanities. “We established the Commonwealth Humanities Award to recognize the great work being done to make the humanities a part of everyday life for Virginians.”

The award recipients will be honored during a special dinner and ceremony before the Commonwealth Lecture in the Humanities on April 10 at Altria Theater in Richmond. The event, featuring New York Times columnist David Brooks, will include a conversation with journalist and Another View host Barbara Hamm Lee.

Lynda Johnson Robb is being recognized for her advocacy in reading and literacy, children’s literature, and women’s history, particularly the Virginia Women’s Cultural History Project. The project, a collaboration with Helen Bradshaw Byrd and a team of humanities consultants, culminated in the exhibition and book, “A Share of Honour.” Robb is the daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and wife of former U.S. Sen. and Virginia Gov. Chuck Robb.

Dominion Energy will receive the Corporate or Foundation Excellence Award for its support of literature.

Elegba Folklore Society is being honored with the Community Partner Excellence Award for its commitment to offering African Diasporic cultural experiences. Tickets for the public lecture and awards dinner are available at virginiahumanities.org.

Historic Jackson Ward Association president. “We celebrate the growth of homeownership, a key pillar of ourhistoric community’s identity. By combining homeownership opportunities with an extended-stay hotel, we are enhancing the iconic 2nd Street

corridor and fostering local businesses and commerce.”

The M Companies is working with Shamin Hotels to finalize the Plan of Development for the hotel, which is expected later this year. Emerge Construction Group and Thomas Builders will handle

construction, with Parrish Point as the civil engineer and Baskervill as the hotel’s architect.

“Baskervill is honored to be contributing to a project that thoughtfully weaves new opportunity into the storied fabric of Jackson Ward,” said Terri Cal-

laway, Baskervill principal. “Our design approach for the hotel offering balances historic character with contemporary comfort, with the goal of reflecting the neighborhood’s architectural legacy.”

Steven Nesmith, CEO of RRHA, emphasized the broader

significance of the project.

“This development not only has a significant real estate component aimed at making a substantial dent in the city’s affordable housing crisis, but it will also be a vehicle for meaningful employment opportunities,” he said.

Photo © James Horan for Museums of History NSW

NACA brings three-day homeownership event to Richmond

By George Copeland Jr.

Richmond residents looking for a path to homeownership amidst rising costs and federal housing cuts can seize a new opportunity starting Friday, March 21. The Neighborhood Association Corporation of America (NACA) is bringing its Achieve the Dream event back to the city, offering critical resources and support for those aiming to secure a home.

The three-day event will be held at Virginia Union University, and marks the second time the housing nonprofit has been hosted by the college. With Richmond’s history of high rents and evictions, as well as job losses and cuts to housing programs on the federal level, NACA Founder and CEO Bruce Marks sees a great opportunity for many in need.

“I think people have gotten beaten down and they’ve lost hope and are losing hope, and particularly with these cutbacks, people think that whatever hope there was out there is gone,” Marks said. “People … have an obligation to themselves, their family and those around them to come to this event because they have everything to gain and absolutely nothing to lose.”

The events are part of NACA’s efforts to make homeownership more accessible and are held once or twice a month, according to Marks.

Event attendees will go through a fourstep home-buying process, which includes a

homebuyer workshop, personalized counseling, and mortgage qualification. The goal is for participants to leave the event fully qualified for NACA’s “Best in America Mortgage” and ready to start their housing search. Key to NACA’s approach to mortgage programs is a focus on financial readiness from

applicants without factoring in credit scores. NACA’s mortgage includes no down payments, fees, closing costs or private mortgage insurance and fixed, below-market interest rates.

NACA also has partnered with the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for this year’s event to provide the option for Section 8

Housing Choice Voucher holders to apply their rental assistance toward mortgage payments.

This would give voucher holders the opportunity to transition from housing rentals to homeownership, while RRHA would “recycle” vouchers to someone else in need.

“This partnership would end residents’ dependency on public assistance” RRHA CEO Steven Nesmith stated in a press release. “Public housing families and those with a Section 8 voucher can now achieve the dream of affordable homeownership, build wealth and ultimately become self-sufficient.”

Each event day will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., though assistance will continue beyond the official hours if needed.

“We don’t turn anybody away,” Marks said. “We’ll work until the last person, which could be at 10 p.m. or midnight.” Marks anticipates thousands will attend, based on previous events. NACA is prepared with more than 100 staff members on site, along with an additional 200 counselors available nationwide for virtual support.

After the event concludes Sunday, those who have completed the four-step process or are still working through it will receive continued support through NACA’s Richmond office.

Those interested in attending can sign up at NACA.com, though walk-ups also are welcome. For more information, call the NACA hotline at 425-602-6222.

North Carolina’s largest public university, NC State, names new chancellor

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has chosen the next person to lead the state’s largest public university by enrollment after its longtime chancellor is set to retire soon.

Kevin Howell was named the next chancellor of North Carolina State University — and the first Black person to lead the institution in its 138-year history — at the public university governing board’s Tuesday meeting. He will succeed Randy Woodson, who has served in the role since 2010 and is one of the university system’s longestserving chancellors.

Howell is the chief external affairs officer for the UNC School of Medicine and UNC Health, according to the school’s website. He also previously served in various leadership roles at NC State, including as vice chancellor for external affairs, partnerships and economic development. As an NC State undergraduate student, Howell was student body president.

“I know from experience that effective diplomacy in contentious times requires patience, humility and a genuine respect for the voices and opinions of others,” UNC System President Peter Hans said during the meeting. “These are all qualities that Kevin Howell

ees meeting last July as his contract was slated to end this summer. Woodson, 67, told reporters then that it was “just a good time” to step away from the chancellorship.

Under Woodson’s leadership, the university increased its graduation and retention rates, as well as research funding. Enrollment also expanded, growing to more than 38,000 students as of the fall of 2024.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said after announcing his retirement in July.

There will be a lot on Howell’s plate when he assumes the role this summer, including navigating a nationally turbulent time for higher education as institutions prepare for potential massive losses of funding from the National Institutes of Health. NC State is an R1 research institution — the highest tier for research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education — and received more than $48 million from NIH last fiscal year.

NC State also paused most of its hiring activities — including for faculty — in February, partially due to uncertainty on federal funding, according to a memo from Executive Vice Chancellor Warwick Arden. The memo did not specify when the hiring freeze would end.

Courtesy of NACA

Attendees line up at Virginia Union University for NACA’s Achieve the Dream event in 2023.

Marc Hall/North Carolina State University via AP Kevin Howell will succeed UNC longtime chancellor Randy Woodson, who is retiring this year.

Globetrotting Black nutritionist Flemmie P. Kittrell revolutionized early childhood health, education

Nutrition is among the most critical issues of our time. Dietrelated illnesses are shortening life spans and the lack of conveniently located and affordable nutritious food makes it hard for many Americans to enjoy good health.

Physicians also are alarmed by nutritional trends they see among the nation’s most vulnerable people: children.

I think this situation would frustrate Black nutrition ist Flemmie Pansy Kittrel if she were alive today.

Throughout a trailblazing career that spanned half a century, she worked to enhance food security and to improve both diets and children’s health — under the umbrella of home economics.

nation’s earliest female professional chemists.

Kittrell realized that the field was about more than cooking and sewing. Furthermore, women who majored in the subject could then pursue sciences that were closed to them because of their gender.

With a growing belief that the home and family were the basis of society, Kittrell chose to major in home economics rather than political science or economics.

Nutrition and Black families

shortages and hunger were not significant issues, more than 90% of Liberians suffered from vitamin deficiencies, resulting in “hidden hunger.” Though she did not invent the term, she was among the first to draw widespread attention to the issue at home and abroad.

Arguing that what happens in one place often occurs in others, Kittrell implored the U.S. to examine diet issues at home.

While you might view home economics as merely a set of practical skills concerning cooking and budgeting, in the mid-20th century it applied scientific concepts to improve home management, strengthen parenting skills and enhance childhood development.

Kittrell went further, by making the case for healthy and strong families as a tool for diplomacy.

While researching Black women’s global activism for rights and freedom, I became aware of Kittrell’s work on behalf of the U.S. State Department, women’s organizations and church groups. I was struck by her pragmatic approach to foreign relations, which emphasized women, children and the home as the keys to good living and national and global peace and security.

I also was stunned by the Black nutritionist’s commitment to shattering traditional assumptions about home economics and improving the health of low-income families around the globe, especially for people of color.

Humble roots Kittrell, the eighth of nine children born to a sharecropping family, grew up in Henderson, N. C. She began working as a nursemaid and cook when she was only 11 years old.

In 1919, Kittrell enrolled at Hampton Institute, a small historically Black Virginia college that later became Hampton University.

A professor encouraged her to major in home economics. She initially rejected the suggestion, claiming the home was “just so ordinary.” Kittrell reconsidered once she learned about Ellen H. Swallow Richards, the first woman to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology and one of the

After her 1928 graduation, Kittrell briefly taught at a high school before becoming the director of home economics and dean of women at Bennett College, a historically Black college in Greensboro, North Carolina. During a 12-year tenure there, she created a nursery center that trained parents and provided child care. The center also served as a laboratory for experimenting with different teaching techniques.

Kittrell drew on this research when she became the first Black woman to earn a doctorate at Cornell University. In her 1936 doctoral dissertation, she argued that the health of Black families could be improved by focusing on infant feeding practices and parental education. She was the first Black woman to get a doctorate in nutrition at any college or university.

In 1940 she returned to Hampton. During World War II, Kittrell and her students taught local families how to ration and substitute food. The home economics department also joined female students in hosting evening activities, including dances for Black military trainees and their families.

Four years later, Kittrell became the head of Howard University’s home economics department. She remained on that faculty for 28 years.

Taking advantage of Howard’s Washington, D.C., location, Kittrell persuaded national leaders that home economics could help transform society at home and around the world. She spent so much time working and traveling for the U.S. government that one biographer called her “a good will ambassador with a cookbook.”

‘Hidden hunger’ at home and abroad

In 1947, the State Department sent Kittrell to Liberia to conduct a nutrition study. Her efforts supported an American commitment to strengthen diplomatic and military relations with countries around the world.

In her follow-up report, Kittrell explained that while food

In 1949, she published a study comparing the diet and food choices of Black and white Americans. She showed that the illnesses that many Black Americans experienced were tied to racial discrimination in housing, employment and medical services rather than poor decision-making. In later years, academic, professional and activist organizations similarly applied this intersectional lens to nutrition campaigns.

Nutrition and democracy

American foreign policy leaders found Kittrell’s pragmatic and balanced approach indispensable in forging alliances during the Cold War.

In 1950, Kittrell persuaded the State Department’s Fulbright program to send her to India, which had recently won its independence from the U.K. She returned there in 1953 under a government program that provided technical expertise to newly independent nations as a form of diplomacy.

In the 1950s, Kittrell traveled across Africa to improve relations with African states that had criticized the U.S. for boasting of its freedoms while denying basic civil rights to many of its citizens.

In September 1958, the nutritionist traveled to Ghana, the first West African country to gain independence from a colonizing power. She met with Ghanaian political leaders and members of women’s organizations, delivering lectures on home economics and the value of higher education for women.

Ghanaians asked Kittrell about racial incidents, including the 1957 Little Rock crisis, in which a white mob tried to stop nine Black students from integrating a public high school. Kittrell cast this incident, which violated the Brown v. Board 1954 Supreme Court ruling that rendered segregation in public schools unconstitutional, as a Southern dilemma rather than a national one.

She also optimistically emphasized Black Americans’ progress since emancipation and contended that the U.S. Constitution would prevail in ensuring equality.

An appetite for justice

Though Kittrell’s answers sidestepped larger issues of discrimination at home, she claimed to reject U.S. boost-

Grant funds VUU’s second doula certification program

By Julianne Tripp Hillian

A $40,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Health will fund Virginia Union University’s second cohort of its Doula Certification Program, making VUU the first historically Black college or university in Virginia to offer follow-up doula training.

The university announced Tuesday that it will continue its partnership with Birth In Color and the Virginia Department of Health for the six-month program to address disparities in maternal health outcomes.

“It is quite frankly a crisis and one that we do want to address as a social justice initiative here at Virginia Union University,” said Felicia Cosby, dean of the VUU Technical College.

Julianne Tripp Hillian/Richmond Free Press Felicia D. Cosby, dean of the Virginia Union University Technical College, announces the launch of the school’s second cohort of the doula certification program on Tuesday, March 18. In partnership with Birth In Color and the Virginia Department of Health, the program addresses racial disparities in maternal and infant health.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women die during childbirth at three times the rate of white women nationwide, and twice the rate of their white counterparts in Virginia. In addition, infants born to Black women are three times more likely to die than babies of other races in Virginia.

“These students will uniquely be positioned to make a real difference in addressing the alarming black maternal mortality rate,” Kenda Sutton-El, founder and executive director of Birth In Color. The first cohort of 10 students and alumni launched in October 2024, with the second cohort set to begin March 25. VUU also is expanding its Health Equity Initiatives by offering Allied Health certifications, starting with phlebotomy and CPR in April.

erism in her thinking about cross-cultural interactions, family and society. She argued that newly independent nations had much to teach Americans. Even more, Kittrell claimed to see herself not as a representative of the U.S. but as “a citizen of the world.”

A closer look at Kittrell’s activities reveals that she maintained a strong appetite for justice. Even as a dedicated bureaucratic infighter, Kittrell was willing to move beyond these bounds.

In 1967, for example, she protested apartheid in South Africa, the system of segregation that oppressed that country’s nonwhite communities and privileged a white minority. Incensed by American inaction, Kittrell became one of five Americans to stage a fly-in — an impromptu trip in which she and her colleagues sought to enter the country without visas to dramatize their protest.

In a 1977 interview with

the Black Women’s Oral History Interviews Project of the Harvard University Radcliffe Institute, Kittrell hinted that she was engaged in other acts of protest, slyly suggesting that she “was very fortunate not to have gotten into more trouble.”

Three years later in an interview for a faculty profile with Howard University, Kittrell boldly claimed that she had not been “afraid to speak against evil as I see it.”

These statements suggest that she was more of a strategist and activist than many people at the time believed.

Head Start

Kittrell kept traveling extensively in the 1960s.

She took trips to Russia and several African countries on behalf of the United Nations and professional, women’s and religious organizations, such as the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the United Methodist Church. Kittrell also increased her

focus on the needs of U.S. children.

In the 1960s, 1 in 5 U.S. children lived in poverty. With the conviction that good living began at a young age, Kittrell expanded Howard University’s nursery program with a deeper focus on parents, whom she contended were the key to stronger families.

That center became an early model for the Head Start program, which emerged as part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty.

Refusing to “sit still enough to hold hands,” Kittrell never married or had children. Instead, as her archival papers at Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center show, she dedicated herself to assisting others by cultivating strong families through nutritious habits and healthy children.

The writer is an assistant professor of history at Oklahoma State University.

Courtesy Cornell University

Flemmie Pansy Kittrell traveled far and wide to support children and families around the world.

Brandy Thomas Wells

Richmond Free Press

March for women

It’s Women’s History Month again. Perhaps we’re not alone in thinking it feels a little different this year, considering the political climate that we’re inhabiting. Conversations about women’s rights, representation and equality are more charged, as a cultural shift impacts the country in regressive ways.

While the current presidential administration, led by a man with a well-documented and dubious history with women in his life, issued the customary proclamation recognizing Women’s History Month, its actions tell another story.

He allowed the secretary of defense to cancel “cultural awareness” observances in the military, which includes events recognizing Women’s History Month. In Mexico, the U.S. consulate pulled out of a binational walk to celebrate International Women’s Day, an event that the country has been a part of since 2018. A source told the Laredo Morning Times that “government officials were not authorized to participate in events related to gender issues.” Also, some women working for the government have found themselves caught up in the administration’s effort to dismantle DEI programs within federal agencies.

We won’t delve into the president’s remarks as a private citizen or on the campaign trail about women who dared to defy him, as much of it isn’t fit for print. He has shown us his views on women, and now he’s backing them up with his policies. Yet, despite his tendency for cheap insults and dismissive comments, there are still women among his most ardent supporters. In Virginia, it’s easy to find a couple of them — both are Republican gubernatorial hopefuls eager for an endorsement from the current White House occupant.

As we reflect on Women’s History Month, it’s important to remember that protest has always played a crucial role in the advancement of women’s rights. From the suffragists who fought for women’s right to vote to the millions who participated in the Women’s March on Washington in 2017, demonstrations have been a catalyst for progress.

Perhaps the president and the architects of his policies will wish they had considered these historic events as they look back at their actions against gender equality.

Month of madness

For years, I was immune to the siren sound of rubber soles on plywood, bouncing balls and the screams of underclassmen that permeate this time of year, dubbed “March Madness.” I gracefully bowed out of sports discussions that turned to the collegiate variety. But now I might be hooked.

As the powers that be in college sports have changed the rules for the athletes in recent years, it doesn’t seem as much like indentured servitude as it has in the past. I found myself peeking at the end of a first-round game this week and realized that I didn’t have the moral objection to the game that I used to. If you’re like me and haven’t paid attention to college sports, let me explain how things have changed in recent years.

Players can now profit from their name, image and likeness, which they weren’t allowed to do. There’s also a thing called a “transfer portal,” which makes it easier for them to switch schools and remain eligible to play. Discussions continue on how to properly financially compensate these student-athletes, who bring attention and notoriety to the schools they represent.

The game has changed – for the better. And for the first time in years, I’m ready to tune in. Where can I download one of those bracket things?

tax law professor Kimberly Clausing wrote in the New York Times. “But tariffs wrap this fiscal switch in a veneer of nationalism.”

“You can’t really run a campaign where you’re like: I want to cut taxes for rich people and raise them on the poor. So instead, it’s all of this smoke-and-mirrors distraction about how foreigners are taking advantage of us ... It’s a story that, if you don’t know any economics and you haven’t stopped to think about it, sounds appealing. And the more people who buy that story, the more he can do this fiscal switch and have an excuse for the tax cuts.” — Kimberly Clausing President Trump says “tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary.”

The beauty, for him, is that it allows him to avoid the word “tax.”

“If a candidate announced a tax increase on the poor and middle class to fund a tax cut for the rich, voters would soundly reject that proposal,” UCLA

In other words, if it looks like a tax and sounds like a tax and raises prices for the average American like a tax, we call it a tax.

Trump imposed a massive, job-killing tax increase on American consumers this week, one of a dizzying array that he has threatened, withdrawn, postponed or introduced. The uncertainty has thrown the U.S. stock market into chaos and stymied economists’ efforts to precisely calculate the potential damage.

The 25% tax on all steel and aluminum imports that went into effect this week — on top of a 20% tax on Chinese imports Trump already imposed — could cost the U.S. 100,000 jobs in the aluminum industry alone.

Trump’s proposed tax increases combined could cost the U.S. a stunning 600,000 full-time jobs.

One calculation of a combination of proposed tax increases estimated an annual household cost of more than $2,600 — more than 17% of the annual income of a full-time worker earning the federal minimum wage.

Trump has offered a nonsensical and ever-changing list of rationales for his tax hike agenda, from the absurd notion of forcing Canada to become a U.S. state to raising revenue to fund child care.

In reality, his wildly unrealistic predictions of revenue from these tax hikes are meant to justify yet another tax break for billionaires. And because poorer families spend a greater percentage of their income on the affected products, the burden of that tax break falls squarely on their backs.

Trump’s 2017 tax shift reduced federal revenue and produced the third-largest increase in the federal debt of any

Donald Trump’s labeling dilemma

Amid the blizzard of breaking news, a familiar irritation poked through: ethnic labeling.

The issue unexpectedly emerged this week while the U.S. Senate considered a stopgap federal funding bill to keep the fed eral govern ment running and avoid a possible shut down.

After Pres ident Trump said Demo crats would be blamed and taxes would surge if Democrats didn’t vote for the bill, he suddenly lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, in an Oval Office meeting Wednesday.

“Schumer is a Palestinian, as far as I’m concerned. He’s become a Palestinian,” Trump said. “He used to be Jewish. He’s not Jewish anymore. He’s a Palestinian.”

Say what? Where did that come from?

Instead of focusing on the budget and taxes, Trump once again veered into personal attacks, this time questioning a political opponent’s very identity.

Unfortunately, this is hardly the first instance of Trump questioning a political critic’s ethnic or racial identity. As you may recall, his comments last week echoed his whoppers about then-Democratic vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2020 and about Barack Obama during his presidency. Trump saw fit

to question whether Obama and Harris were even natural-born American citizens.

In August, during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, Trump falsely asserted that Harris had not identified before as both Black and Indian.

“I didn’t know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now, she wants to be known as Black. So, I don’t know, is she Indian or is she Black?” Trump said during the NABJ interview.

Suddenly Trump took a topic that is so vexing for many that they try to avoid it and turned it into a topic he could try to hide behind. Trump’s campaign spokesperson eventually acknowledged Harris is a Black woman and cited donations that Trump had made to her earlier campaigns.

We’ll see whether the president walks back his attack on Schumer’s identity. He’s certainly getting serious pushback. For example, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a leading Muslim civil rights group, was among the first to express outrage that he called Schumer a Palestinian, calling Trump’s poisonous words beneath the dignity of his office — and, I would add, beneath the credibility of the chief executive in our “land of the free” and “home of the brave.”

CAIR called Trump’s use of “Palestinian” to describe Schumer a racial slur.

That’s what it sounds like to me. Trump’s feigned confusion over Harris’ racial identity and his suggestion that Schumer is “not Jewish” follow the same pattern: Trump gets to decide whose identity is authentic and whose is fake.

I’m not the world’s biggest defender of DEI — diversity, equity and inclusion — programs, and I believe they have so many well-known shortcomings. But it’s ironic that Trump’s critique comes from an administration that has waged a vigorous crusade against the programs without doing much to help our diverse population learn more about how to get along with each other.

In a country as diverse as ours we could all benefit from hearing each other’s stories — on both sides of ethnic and racial conflicts. Considering how durable the barriers to peaceful reconciliation can be, it is not surprising that racial and ethnic misunderstandings persist, despite the guidance of our better angels.

But we shouldn’t be surprised to see some politicians play our divisions and suspicions against each other. The best we can do is avoid those people or programs that aim to turn us into enemies, tribe against tribe. We can and should find ways to work together.

That’s what made America really great.

The writer is a columnist at the Chicago Tribune.

president in U.S. history — and the largest for a president who wasn’t trying to fund a war. And a trade war didn’t work the last time he tried it. Nearly every dollar raised through increased tariffs on Chinese imports went to bail out the farmers who were casualties of his trade war. His tax increase on imported metals sent prices soaring for cars, tools, and machines even as those industries’ output shrank to the tune of $3 billion.

As Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi said, “It’s just a lose-lose for everybody.” The writer is the current president and CEO of the National Urban League.

Clarence Page

Marc H. Morial

Empowering school boards for a stronger educational future

governing bodies.

As our education system becomes increasingly destabilized, it is more important than ever that our local elected leaders have the knowledge, skills, resources and capacity to fill in the gap should federal structures, guidelines and oversight disappear. Across the country, nearly 90,000 school board members are preparing to make decisions that will impact their communities for years to come. While national discourse captures much of our attention, now more than ever, it is at the local level where policies are shaped in ways that directly affect our daily lives.

School boards, in particular, wield tremendous power in shaping the future by deciding what students learn, which schools they can attend, what resources are available and how discipline policies are enforced. If we want our students to thrive, school boards must function as high-performing, effective

School Board Partners’ latest paper, “Fulfilling Promises: What America’s School Boards Actually Need to Succeed,” identifies three core challenges that hinder the effectiveness of school boards nationwide: a lack of representation, a lack of role clarity and a lack of training and resources. To address these obstacles, we need

Ethan Ashley

to ensure school boards are more representative of the students they serve, provide clear guidance on the responsibilities of board members and dignify the role of board members through professional development and effective governance resources. Our organization has seen the impact of these challenges play out in school systems across the country. When board members lack lived experience or deep relationships within the communities they serve, they often struggle to understand the real implications of their policies. For example, when boards do not include members

who have personally navigated biased disciplinary policies, they may not grasp the urgency to reform them. Similarly, when board members fail to recognize the importance of culturally relevant curriculum, they may overlook the need for inclusive learning materials that reflect the rich histories and identities of their students.

But we also know what happens when boards get it right. Take the Tempe Union High School District in Arizona. Four years ago, the district was grappling with leadership tensions and unclear priorities. Three of the five board members received professional development and training focused on student outcomes from School Board Partners. They established clear goals, aligned their budget to those goals, engaged the community and hired a superintendent who shared a similar vision. Today, Tempe Union is an A-rated district in the state, demonstrating that when boards are supported and set up for success, students can excel.

The lesson is clear: School boards don’t have to operate the way they always have. We

The County Manager’s recommended budget synopsis is prepared and published solely for the purposes of fiscal planning and public information. Budgeted items do not represent commitments or obligations of the Board of Supervisors to appropriate funds for those items. The budget consists of estimates and requests submitted to the County Manager and his recommendations concerning those requests. Funds cannot be allocated or distributed until they are appropriated by the Board of Supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing for the purposes of public information and fiscal planning regarding the proposed budget. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., in the Board Room at the Henrico Government Center, Hungary Spring and East Parham Roads, Henrico County, Virginia.

The public hearing is also for the purpose of allowing the public to question and comment

can — and must — equip board members with the tools to be effective partners in governance. This requires intentional action from multiple stakeholders:

• Communities must engage in the process of electing and supporting representative school board members. This means voting for individuals who reflect the lived experience of students and advocating for boards that truly understand the challenges and strengths of the communities they serve.

• Superintendents, district

leaders and education advocates must view themselves and school boards as essential partners in student success. This means calling for clarity in their roles, ensuring they have access to the right resources and respecting their critical function in shaping the future of our education system.

• State and local governments must allocate dedicated funding for school board training and professional development. We would never allow untrained individuals to run billion-dollar

companies, yet we routinely place school board members in charge of massive public education systems without equipping them for the task. It is time to invest in them properly and consistently so they can deliver on their campaign promises. At the end of the day, this goes beyond school boards — this is about the social contract that underpins our democracy. Public schools educate the vast majority of America’s children, and the quality of their education will determine our country’s standing in decades to come. If we fail to set up our boards for success now, we risk failing an entire generation of students — and, by extension, our nation’s future. The time to act is now. Let’s commit to strengthening our school boards so they can fulfill their promises to students, families and communities. When we get this right, we can transform education and ensure a brighter future for all. The writer is the co-CEO and co-founder of School Board Partners, an organization that connects local school boards with training, support and mentorship.

on the proposed operating and capital budgets. All citizens have the right to attend and share their views on the proposed budgets within such reasonable time limits as determined by the Board of Supervisors.

The members of the public are invited to attend the public hearing in person or remotely. Individuals wishing to speak in person during the meeting will be directed to the podium in the Board Room at the appropriate time. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://henrico. us/supervisors/video-of-meetings/. Individuals who would like to speak can register at https:// henrico.us/services/citizen-participation-registration/. After registering, individuals will receive a confirmation email with instructions. Registration is not required to participate. Individuals interested in speaking remotely may go online to the WebEx Event when the meeting begins. A moderator will prompt remote participants when it is their turn to comment. Participants who register in advance will speak first.

John Marshall boys dominate in state title game, girls finish in 2nd place

Free Press staff report

The John Marshall High School basketball teams both made a run in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) state championship games last weekend at the Siegel Center. While the boys’ team came out victorious, the girls’ squad fell short.

The John Marshall boys’ basketball team earned the Class 2 state championship in commanding fashion with a 107-81 victory over Graham on March 13. The high-scoring affair showcased the Justices’ offensive dominance, led by several standout performances. The win capped a remarkable season and secured their place as the state’s best in Class 2.

On the girls’ side, the John Marshall Lady Justices fought valiantly but were defeated by Central-Wise, 75-45, in the Class 2 state final. Despite a strong effort, the Lady Justices couldn’t overcome Central-Wise’s power and precision. Their performance in the state final marked the conclusion of a strong season.

Henrico to host 2025 wheelchair basketball national championships

Free Press staff report

In April, the Henrico Sports & Event Center will be the center of intense competition as the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Adult and Junior Division National Championships return for a second year. With 104 teams and more than 1,200 athletes ready to battle for supremacy, the tournament promises high-energy action and unforgettable moments on the court.

“We are thrilled to bring these championships back to Richmond in 2025,” said Matt Pierre, President of the NWBA Board of Directors and a National Tournaments Evaluation Team representative. “Last year, the city and its partners set a new standard for excellence, and we’re eager to build on that success.”

The Henrico Sports & Event Center, which opened in 2023, offers 115,000 square feet of event space and 12 basketball courts. The 2024 tournament generated a significant economic impact, bringing in over $1.1 million in direct tourism spending, including roughly $672,000 from the junior event and $455,000 from the adult event, according to the Destination International Event Impact Calculator Model.

Dennis Bickmeier, executive director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, looks forward to hosting the event again.

“Hosting the tournament for the second year in a row reinforces the area’s reputation as a premier destination for adaptive sports,” Bickmeier said. “We look forward to another exciting display of athleticism and competition.”

Last year’s tournament (pictured) brought 104 teams and this year’s event will feature more than 1,200 athletes competing across adult and junior divisions. Free Press staff report

The Richmond Flying Squirrels announced on Friday an expanded partnership with Atlantic Union Bank, which will become the first Founding Partner at CarMax Park, the team’s new ballpark scheduled to open in 2026.

The partnership includes exclusive naming rights to the Atlantic Union Bank Lounge, a hospitality area with nearly 200 adjoining exterior seats that will offer an elevated game-day experience.

The 6,000-square-foot lounge is designed as a versatile year-round event space equipped with professional lighting and streaming capabilities. The venue will accommodate indoor sporting events, concerts, corporate conferences, weddings and community functions.

“Besides being a plush club area on game nights, the lounge will be used 365 days a year as a banquet facility and a stateof-the-art, 700-plus person, sports, music and entertainment venue,” said Lou DiBella, Managing Partner of the Richmond Flying Squirrels.

As a Founding Partner, Atlantic Union Bank joins a core group of companies supporting CarMax Park, which is part of the new Diamond District development.

“Atlantic Union Bank is thrilled to partner with the Richmond Flying Squirrels on this exciting new ballpark and event space,” said John Asbury, CEO of Atlantic Union Bank. “Our organizations have built a long-standing relationship and share a deep passion for the community.”

Construction on CarMax Park is underway with completion expected before the Flying Squirrels’ 2026 season.

Free Press staff report

The Virginia Union University softball team will host a clinic for Richmond Public Schools’ co-ed middle school program on March 24 at 2:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. More than 80 students from all eight RPS middle schools are expected to attend, according to Dr. Stefanie Ramsey, RPS coordinator for K-12 athletics and activities, who helped launch the program.

VUU Softball Coach Dominique Mulero emphasized the importance of community involvement. “This is our city. Virginia Union is located in the heart of Richmond, and we want to do everything we can to support our youth through education and athletics,” she said.

This partnership is a result of the Richmond City Council’s 2007 initiative, SOLE (Sports, Opportunities, Literacy, and Enrichment), led by the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL). After being dormant for over a decade, the program was revived by former Councilwoman Ann Frances Lambert, who reached out to VUU’s senior administration to bring them on board. Lambert secured support from 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell to continue advancing the initiative.

The Richmond Parks Recreation and Community Facilities has also reaffirmed its commitment to the program. Staff members will assist at the clinic at MLK Middle School. Jack Moore, assistant softball coach at Bryant and Stratton College, will join other volunteers to

lead the clinic.

William Forrester Jr., executive director of MJBL and one of the original architects of SOLE, has engaged Major League Baseball executives, who have expressed interest in supporting SOLE.. MJBL is a longtime participant in MLB’s youth baseball and softball program, Reviving Baseball in the Inner City.

Forrester said he hopes more youth-serving organizations, corporate sponsors, and volunteers will get involved.

“There are numerous outstanding programs out there, but in this uncertain economy, many won’t reach their full potential without a collaborative effort,” he said. “Sometimes, rather than creating something new, it’s better to tap into effective existing resources — like SOLE.”

Photos by James Haskins

Left, John Marshall’s Latrell Allmond (24) soars for a powerful dunk. The John Marshall Justices defeated the Graham G-Men 107-81 in the Class 2 VHSL State Finals on Thursday, March 13, at the Siegel Center. Above, the Justices celebrate their championship victory on the court.

John Marshall’s Yasmin Hall (3) maneuvers around Central’s Abbie Jordan (14) during the Class 2 VHSL State Finals on Thursday, March 13, 2025. The Central Wise Warriors defeated the John Marshall Justices 75-45.

Courtesy Sportable

Personality: Margaret ‘Meg’ Turner

Spotlight on Women in Turning liaison for the American Association of Woodturners

Margaret “Meg” Turner discovered her passion for woodturning six years ago. It began with a class at Woodcraft, a local woodworking store for professionals and hobbyists.

Captivated by the craft, she made it her main hobby and is now the liaison for Women in Turning for the American Association of Woodturners.

Woodturning, a craft with a history spanning more than 4,000 years, transforms raw wood into unique art. From rolling pins and kitchen utensils to decorative pieces such as wooden bowls and vases,woodturning offers many creative possibilities. The process happens on a spinning lathe, where skilled artisans reveal the intricate patterns and textures that make each piece one of a kind.

For Turner, woodturning is more than a hobby — it’s a passion that clears her mind and sparks creativity.

“There’s nothing else in my brain when I’m turning. It’s relaxing,” she said. “It takes time, creativity and patience.”

The art of woodturning lies in its handcrafted qualities that machines cannot easily replicate. While automation can perform precise cuts and repetitive tasks, it cannot replace the artistic decision-making and subtle adjustments human woodturners make.

“I hope there’s room for professionals and hobbyists in light of automation and robotics. It’s an art form, and there should always be someone to do it by hand,” Turner said.

Turner grew up with six siblings in Riverhead, a suburban town on Long Island, N.Y. She attended Mount St. Mary’s College in Newburgh, N.Y., earning a bachelor’s in nursing. She later taught nursing in New York and earned a master’s in nursing from New York University.

Turner moved to Richmond in 2002. She considers Richmond home.

“I prefer the East Coast,” she said. “Richmond has gotten a lot more diverse since I moved here.”

Travel is another hobby for

Turner. With her sister as her travel partner, they plan one or two trips each year. They’ve visited the British Isles, Alaska, Germany and Austria, but a safari in Botswana, her favorite trip, changed her perspective on animals.

“I was able to see the ‘big five’ in Botswana,” she said, referring to the five most soughtafter animals in Africa to view on safari — lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant and black rhino. Seeing them natural and untouched is so important, and we need to preserve that.”

Meet an active and gregarious woodturner who loves traveling, music and socializing, this week’s Personality, Margaret “Meg” Turner:

Volunteer position: Women in Turning (WIT) liaison.

Occupation: Retired risk manager for St. Mary’s Hospital.

Place of birth: Queens, NewYork. Where I live now: Glen Allen.

Education: Master’s in nursing education.

Family: Large and spread over the East Coast.

Woodturning is: The craft of using a wood lathe with handheld tools to turn wood into decorative forms. It has been used for years to create bowls and furniture. Most homes have stair balusters, which is a prime example of turned wood.

WIT is: A chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW), an organization with approximately 13,000 members globally. Most states have regional clubs, like Richmond Woodturners, that focus on supporting regional woodturners through education and the sharing of turning processes.

WIT focuses on supporting women turners, providing a forum for the exchange of issues and ideas, and continuing the growth of its female members.

WIT’s mission: To support fellow female turners and provide a forum for sharing ideas and resources.

Why founded: It was established to address the needs of

women turners. We provide a creative outlet and bring together women on a national and international level.

Founders: A group of longterm female turners who wanted to make a difference.

Number of local members: Richmond Wood Turners has approximately nine members of WIT.

Membership requirements: Any female turner who is a member of a local club is a member of WIT.

Example of a WIT project:

In March of 2023, WIT implemented a wig stand initiative to help cancer patients because hair loss is a significant drawback for women. WIT created the wig stand initiative to show support for those women who fight the fight. To date, WIT has provided more than 1,960 wig stands to cancer centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. For this initiative to be successful, the liaisons enlisted the help of their regional clubs.

Why I became the WIT liaison: It’s important to give back and I felt this initiative was very important.

Why I work with wood: It’s peaceful and creative, but it’s consuming. When I get behind the lathe, I only think about

Virtual book talk explores slave trade in Civil War South

Free Press staff report

The Library of Virginia will host a free virtual talk by historian Robert K.D. Colby on his debut book “An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War South” on Tuesday, March 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required at lva-virginia.libcal.com. Colby’s book examines how Confederates continued to buy and sell thousands of enslaved people during the Civil War. He explains that these transactions were driven by a variety of factors, including adapting to wartime pressures, securing investments in a future built on slavery and resisting the advancement of emancipation. The ongoing slave trade had a profound impact on the lives of the enslaved, their families and their pursuit of freedom. Colby argues this enduring traffic of human beings shaped the South’s wartime experience and its aftermath. Colby is an assistant professor of history at the University of Mississippi. His research has been recognized by the Society of American Historians and the Society

what I am doing. It clears my mind.

How I got interested in turning: I took a class on turning a bowl. The instructor explained how to move the tool to create a curve. I fell in love with the potential of the art form.

Camaraderie within the woodturning community: Any woodturner is happy to share their experience. I remember taking my Dad to pick up a beautiful furniture-grade birdhouse as a gift for my sister. The owner of the shop spent 45 minutes explaining his process for turning, showing us the techniques he used to get uniformity and consistency in his turnings.

How woodturning projects and activities make a difference: Richmond Woodturners does a demo every year at the Virginia State Fair. It is surprising that there are so many folks who stop and chat with us. The children seem very interested in

the process, and it’s fun to give them a turned top at the end. Richmond Woodturners participated in a project by Dawn Flores called the Forest Project that addresses deforestation. Richmond Woodturners accessed a tract of land before it was clear-cut. We removed a number of pieces of wood and created beautiful pieces from an environmentally devastating process.

As part of our wig stand initiative, we delivered wig stands to the Massey Cancer Center. Based on the reception we received, our wig stands were a hit.

Where and when we meet: We have open meetings every third Thursday at Woodcraft on Broad Street in Glen Allen at 5:30 p.m. We start with a skills lab, followed by a demonstration. Everyone is welcome. We also have some production turners to duplicate or reimagine a piece. Visit RichmondWoodturners.com, for more information.

Upcoming events and details: We hold four turning challenges

each year that coincide with our monthly meetings: on March 20, we share a multi-axis turning; on June 19, we create a box with finals. Later this year, on Sept. 18, we turn a live edge item, and on Dec. 18, we create from a salvaged limb.

How I start the day: I’m a positive person, so every day is an opportunity.

Three words that best describe me: Independent, energetic and willing.

Dream dinner party guest: Paul McCartney because I’m a big Beatles fan. My first concert was the Beatles at Shea Stadium. I’d like to know his thoughts about his newer music versus the Beatles’ tunes.

Top three on my music playlist: The Beatles, Crosby Stills and Nash and Carole King.

A quote that inspires me: “Well-behaved women rarely make history” — Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

Historian Robert K.D. Colby discusses his book “An Unholy Traffic: Slave Trading in the Civil War South” during a virtual talk hosted by the Library of Virginia on Tuesday, March 25. Registration is required for the free event.

of Civil War Historians. His work has been published in several academic journals, including The Journal of the Civil War Era, The Journal of the Early Republic and Slavery & Abolition.

Composer Joe Jaxson’s tribute to Arthur Ashe, “Born in the Iron Grip,” will be performed by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra on March 22 and 23.

Young composer pens symphonic tribute to Arthur Ashe

By Davy Jones

For Joe Jaxson, notes are more than symbols on a page. As Richmond Symphony attendees will soon hear, the Gen Z composer has a talent for transforming an orchestra into a chorus of storytellers.

On March 22 and 23, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, led by Valentina Peleggi, performs “Born in the Iron Grip,” a new work by Jaxson. The piece portrays the journey of tennis legend Arthur Ashe from a quietly determined athlete to an outspoken advocate for civil rights and social justice. The program also includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. Jaxson’s goal? “To show how [Ashe] used his talent, his passion for tennis, to fight back against legal segregation.”

Arthur Ashe

In 2023, Richmond Symphony Vice President of Artistic Planning & Orchestral Operations Matt Wilshire contacted Jaxson while he was completing a master’s degree in music at the University of Texas at Austin. Wilshire shared a list of trailblazing Richmonders who might serve as points of inspiration. Jaxson considered a suite that combined character studies, but Ashe’s story proved uniquely evocative. So did the timing of the collaboration; this year marks the 50th anniversary of Ashe becoming the first Black man to win a Wimbledon singles title.

When characterizing Ashe, Jaxson turned to the euphonium, a higher-pitched relative of the tuba. The instrument’s tone and strength seemed to reflect Ashe’s own disposition. “I thought it would best match the calm yet demanding undertones that Arthur Ashe [showed] throughout his life,” Jaxson said There are parallels between Ashe and Jaxson himself. Both grew up in Central Virginia — Ashe in Richmond and Jaxson in Staunton, where the future composer was one of two Black children in his elementary school. Jaxson played tennis when he was younger and said if he’d decided to get serious about a sport it would have been tennis.

There’s also the feedback Jaxson has received along his journey toward finding his voice as a composer. Some — festival organizers, for example — have pushed for more expressionism.

“I’m not taking enough calculated risks, or I need to be exploring more, rather than performing perfect somersaults,” Jaxson cites. He hears echoes of Ashe’s critics, who insisted the tennis player lead more vocally in the fight against segregation. His response, as Jaxson points out, was “I don’t use my mouth. I use my racket.”

One risk Jaxson did decide to take with the commission was to work with the symphony’s percussionists to sonically recreate Ashe’s historic 1975 battle with Jimmy Connors using actual tennis rackets.

“I want to bring the audience to the tennis court of Wimbledon,” he said For more information, visit richmondsymphony.com. Tickets for the performances on March 22-23 are $15-$86.

Carl Lumbly talks superheroes, Hollywood and breaking barriers

By Brodie Greene

Carl Lumbly’s journey into acting began with an unexpected twist. In 1975, while working as a freelance journalist and reporting on auditions for an improvisational comedy theater, he was encouraged to try out himself. What started as a spur-of-themoment decision led to an invitation to join the company just three weeks later.

That “happy accident” launched a Hollywood career spanning decades. Lumbly has since become a familiar face in sci-fi and superhero storytelling, known for voicing the Martian Manhunter in the animated series “Justice League,” as well as starring in the Fox series “M.A.N.T.I.S.”, television’s first Black superhero-led show. He also had a five-season run as CIA agent Marcus Dixon on ABC’s “Alias.” Most recently, he appears in the film “Captain America: Brave New World.”

Lumbly reflects on his extensive career, his role in shaping representation in superhero media and speaking with a Martian accent.

Richmond Free Press: You’ve appeared in a lot of sci-fi and superhero roles. What draws you to those genres?

Carl Lumbly: Well, I am from another planet. I was raised in Minnesota, and there were so few black people that at some point you would be the first Black person to go to Boise State or the first Black student council president. It became like a challenge to me. There’s something about me that loves the idea of the outlaw, the renegade, being off planet.

RFP: You were the first Black superhero on television in “M.A.N.T.I.S.” Did having a Black lead allow the show to cover topics that other superhero media shy away from?

CL: I think the pilot episode, which was a two-hour film, was the document, and was the true Mantis character … I think having a Black lead forced perspective in a way in the pilot that was not forced in the series, I think there was an effort to perhaps de-emphasize the degree to which the lead being Black was going to affect the show.

RFP: You’ve gotten more into voice acting over the years. Which do you enjoy more?

CL: The thing I enjoy most is the stage. After that, I would say film and television

are kind of neck and neck and voice acting is unto itself for me. What got me into it was a tremendous artist named Andrea Romano, who was the director that invited me to audition for the “Justice League.”

I had done a little voice stuff before, but this was the first time I really got to work with very accomplished voice actors and learn from them. There is a way to apply yourself to a character as a voice that I think is kind of magical.

RFP: What sci-fi movies or books got you into the genre?

CL: There was a book called “The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet,” where a character named Tyco Bassand took expeditions to Mars with kids and had full-blown adventures. And then of course, you know, more standard things like Heinlein and Asimov. I think science fiction was a way for me to expand my mind. Reading was a way for me to walk in other lands, to step into other people’s shoes, to be faced with decisions that would

be world-shaking.

RFP: Do you have any memorable fan interactions from past events like GalaxyCon?

CL: When I went to the New York Comic Con, a number of the people who came up to take photos with me said something along the lines of “this character helped me so much when I was 7, 9, 13, etc.” I realized that these stories that “Justice League” was telling, in the same way that stories always do, can capture people where they are. And the thing that’s funny is that a number of people said “Your Martian is perfect” and I’d say you’ve never heard a Martian. I’m the only Martian you’ve heard because that’s the storyline. He’s the only one left. GalaxyCon will be held March 27 through 30 to the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Carl Lumbly will make appearances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets and more information about other celebrity appearances are available at GalaxyCon.com.

Ken Burns brings ‘The American Revolution’ to Richmond

Free Press staff report

Ken Burns will begin the promotional tour for his upcoming six-part documentary series, “The American Revolution,” in Richmond on March 23. The tour will coincide with the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. Burns will participate in a re-enactment of the speech at St. John’s Church in Richmond at 1:30 p.m., followed by a preview of the film at Altria Theater at 7 p.m., which will include a panel discussion with co-director

Sarah Botstein and historians featured in the film. The series also will make a stop in Williamsburg on March 25, where Burns will take part in a conversation with PBS CEO Paula Kerger at “A Common Cause to All,” a national gathering of organizers commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. This event will take place at 1 p.m. at the Williamsburg

UR to host inaugural Richmond Italian Film Festival

Free Press staff report

The University of Richmond will host the inaugural Richmond Italian Film Festival March 21-24, featuring acclaimed contemporary Italian cinema and a restored classic.

The free, public festival will showcase five films, including “C’è ancora domani” (2023) by Paola Corellesi, “Parthenope” (2024) by Paolo Sorrentino, “La chimera” (2023) by Alice Rohrwacher, “Stonebreakers” (2022) by Valerio Ciriaci, and the restored 1962 film “Smog” by Franco Rossi. Several films will make their Richmond debut.

Most screenings will take place on the university campus, with the final event at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown.

“Italian cinema is going through an era of international rebirth, both from a critic and audience point of view,” said festival organizer Luca

KATRINA M. POWELL

Beginning Again: Stories of Movement and Migration in Appalachia

Peretti, an Italian and film studies professor at the University of Richmond. “It’s exciting to showcase some of Italy’s greatest contemporary filmmakers for the first time in Richmond, a city with a growing film culture.” The festival also will feature panel discussions with experts from the university and special guests, including “Stonebreakers” director Valerio Ciriaci; independent film producer Ira Deutchman; Elettra La Duca, director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C.; Damiano Garofalo, film studies professor at Sapienza University of Rome; and Isaak J. Liptzin, producer at Awen Films. Peretti said the University of Richmond is an ideal venue for the festival because of its “strong international culture” and community interest in international films. For more information on screening times and locations, please visit filmstudies. richmond.edu.

Lodge Conference Center. Later, a public outdoor screening of “The American Revolution” will be held at 8 p.m. outside the Governor’s Palace (weather permitting).

“The American Revolution,” is a 12hour documentary directed by Burns, Botstein, and David Schmidt. The film, which premieres on PBS Nov. 16, delves into America’s War for Independence, exploring the contributions of various figures from diverse backgrounds, including soldiers, leaders and civilians. The documentary also addresses the war’s impact on slavery, native nations and the birth of the United States.

“The American Revolution has always been surrounded by the myth that keeps us from seeing the real picture,” Burns said. “The story of the birth of this country is at once devastating and inspiring. It was a bloody civil war that divided families and communities, displaced native nations, both challenged and protected the institution of slavery, while also proclaiming the noblest aspirations of humankind.”

The film, narrated by Peter Coyote, includes the first-person voices of nearly 200 individual historic figures, read by a cast of actors, including, Keith David, Leon Dische Becker, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton, Tobias Menzies, Joe Morton, Edward Norton, David Oyelowo, Mandy Patinkin, Wendell Pierce, John Proudstar, Matthew Rhys, Chaske Spencer, Dan Stevens and Meryl Streep, among others. For more details, visit PBS.org/AmericanRevolution.

Thurs., April 10 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Library of Virginia Lecture Hall | Free

A book signing will follow the talk.

Registration is required: lva.virginia.gov/public/weinstein

Actor Carl Lumbly, known for his roles in sci-fi and superhero media, including his appearance in “Captain America: Brave New World,” is shown here at the film’s premiere. He will appear at GalaxyCon from March 27 through 30 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Film producer Ira Deutchman

Ken Burns

Street of service

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

VCU heads to NCAA Tournament as No. 11 seed, set to face BYU

DIVORCE STATE OF NEW MEXICO COUNTY OF OTERO TWELFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT JUSTIN E. ROSSMAN, Petitioner, vs. JENNY LYNN ROSSMAN, Respondent. D-1215-DM-2024-00321

Judge Ellen R. Jessen NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF DIVORCE STATE OF NEW MEXICO TO: JENNY LYNN ROSSMAN NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage has been filed in the Twelfth Judicial District Court, Otero County, New Mexico. The general object of said petition is to enter a final decree of divorce. You are hereby directed to serve a pleading or motion in response to the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage within twenty (20) days after service of this Notice of Pendency of Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, if you intend to contest to the dissolution of marriage. Unless you file a responsive pleading or motion, Petitioner will apply to the Court for the relief requested in Petition and it shall be treated as a default and the Petition shall be granted. The name and address of the attorney for the Petitioner is: Sarah Van Cott Advanced Legal Resolutions, LLC (575) 647-8802 1240 S. Telshor Blvd. Suite A Las Cruces, New Mexico

88011

WITNESS, the Honorable Jessen, Ellen R., District Judge of said court of the state of New Mexico and the Seal of the District Court of said County, this 21st day of January 2025.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHERIKA MADISON-HALL, Plaintiff v. TOMICKA MADISON-HALL, Defendant. Case No.: CL25000691-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 30th day of April, 2025 and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804 798-9667 COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO MOHAMMAD ALI OBEIDAT, Plaintiff, v. KIOYCHI SHAMEL BLAND, Defendant. Case No.: CL25-1075 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is for the Plaintiff to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption, and with Plaintiffs intent to terminate the marriage, for a period exceeding twelve (12) months, namely since March 16, 2020.

It appearing by affidavit that Plaintiff has no knowledge of the Defendant’s current address and Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown and diligence has been used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is without effect. It is accordingly ORDERED that Kioychi Shamel Bland whose whereabouts are unknown,

appear before this court on or before May 5, 2025 at 9:00 am. And do what is necessary to protect his interests herein.

It is further ORDERED that the above paragraphs be published once a week for four (4) successive weeks in the Richmond Free Press, a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Henrico, Virginia. The Clerk of this Court shall post this Order at the front of the Courthouse and shall mail a copy of this order to the defendant at the post office address, if any, given in the affidavit of the plaintiff filed herein.

A Copy Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk The undersigned respectfully requests this: Elizabeth F. Egan, Esq. VSB 44849 American Law Group, Inc. 8501 Mayland Dr. Suite 106 Henrico, VA 23294 Phone: 804-308-0051 Fax: 434-885-3600 Email: legan@americalawgroup.com

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA CITY OF PETERSBURG CIRCUIT COURT RIVERRA LAFONDRA JACKSON v GLENN WINSTON THOMPSON II Case No. CL25-100 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: OBTAIN A DIVORCE A VINCULLO MATRIMONII OR FROM THE BONDS OF MATRIMONY ON THE GROUNDS OF A ONE YEAR

SEPARATION PURSUANT TO §20-91.

It appearing from an affidavit that the defendant is: that diligence has been used without effect, by or on the behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city defendant is.

It is ORDERED that Glenn Winston Thompson II appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before April 17, 2025.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MICHAEL HAWKINS, Plaintiff v. MALEISIA HAWKINS, Defendant. Case No.: CL22000923-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 18th day of April, 2025 at 9:00 AM and protect her 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: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HEATHER RATLIFF, Plaintiff v. LUTHER RATLIFF, JR., Defendant. Case No.: CL25000085-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 21st day of April, 2025 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C.

Free Press staff report

Virginia Commonwealth University is headed back to the NCAA Tournament after securing the Atlantic 10 Championship, earning the No. 11 seed in the West Region. The Rams (28-6) will face sixthseeded Brigham Young University (24-9) Thursday afternoon in Denver in the tournament’s first round.

VCU clinched its spot in the “Big Dance” on Sunday with a 68-63 victory over George Mason in the A-10 title game at Capital One Arena. It marks the Rams’ 20th NCAA Tournament appearance overall and their 14th since 2004.

BYU, ranked No. 17 in the Associated Press poll, is led by first-year Coach Kevin Young. The Cougars reached the Big 12 Tournament semifinals before falling to No. 2 Houston. Forward Richie Saunders, a First Team All-Big 12 selection, leads BYU with 16 points per game. The Cougars rank 11th nationally in offensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com.

The only previous meeting between the two programs was in 1983, when BYU edged VCU 81-77 in the University of Kentucky Invitational. A-10 Championship Recap Jack Clark led VCU with 17 points and six rebounds, earning tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. Max Shulga added 18 points, including a key late 3-pointer, while Joe Bamisile contributed 17 points.

The Rams built a 10-point lead midway through the second half, but George Mason trimmed the deficit to 59-58 with 2:27 remaining. Shulga answered with a step-back 3-pointer, and Luke Bamgboye’s two-handed putback dunk helped seal the win. VCU closed the game with clutch free throw shooting to secure its third A-10 title (2015, 2023, 2025). With momentum from the A-10 Tournament, the Rams now turn their attention to BYU and the NCAA Tournament, looking to make another deep run.

A

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: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER AJIA RILEY, Plaintiff v. CAMERON MACLIN, Defendant. Case No.: CL25000514-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 15th day of April, 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: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SCARLET HOLT, Plaintiff v. JOSEPH HOLT, Defendant. Case No.: CL25000575-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 15th day of April, 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

CUSTODY

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re DESZMEN VENABLE, a juvenile RDSS, Plaintiff v. SHANTORIA VENABLE, CLIFTON VENABLE, SR.,

Defendant File No. JJ103827-10-00, JJ103827-11-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) of Deszmen, child DOB 12/26/2023 , child, “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 defendants Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., COURTROOM #3.

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re ELIJAH VENABLE, JR. & IZIAH VENABLE, a juvenile RDSS, Plaintiff v. SHANTORIA VENABLE, CLIFTON VENABLE, SR., Defendant File No. JJ103825-08-00, JJ103825-09-00, JJ103826-10-00, JJ103826-11-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) of Elijah Venable, child DOB 08/28/2021 and Iziah Venable, child, DOB 11/16/2022 , child. “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 defendants Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., COURTROOM #3.

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re CLIFTON VENABLE, JR., & SHARIYAH VENABLE, a juvenile RDSS, Plaintiff v. SHANTORIA VENABLE, CLIFTON VENABLE, SR., Defendant File No. JJ103821-09-00, JJ103821-10-00, JJ103822-10-00, JJ103822-11-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit

is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) of Clifton Venable, Jr., child DOB 08/01/2020 and Shariyah Venable, child, DOB 11/20/2016 , child. “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 defendants Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., COURTROOM #3.

VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re JAYLA VENABLE, & EZEKEIL VENABLE, a juvenile RDSS, Plaintiff v. SHANTORIA VENABLE, CLIFTON VENABLE, SR., Defendant File No. JJ103823-10-00, JJ103823-11-00, JJ103824-08-00, JJ103824-09-00

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“TPR”) of Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) of Jayla Venable, child DOB 11/24/2017 and Ezekeil Venable, child, DOB 05/10/2018 , child. “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 defendants Shantoria Venable (Mother) and Clifton Venable, Sr., (Father) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before May 22, 2025, at 2:00 P.M., COURTROOM #3.

ABC LICENSE

Karras Inc. Trading as: KHM Convenience Store 507 E Main Street, Ste. A, Richmond, VA 23219-2421 The above establishment is applying to the VIRGINIA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Convenience Grocery Store; beer, wine; off-premises consumption license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Note: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www.abc.virginia.gov or (800) 552-3200.

Courtesy VCU Athletics

VCU players celebrate after defeating George Mason 68-63 in the Atlantic 10 Championship at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The win secured the Rams an automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, where they will face BYU in the first round.