Reporting at ABC 8News WRIC
The stories of the people who live in this city are always worth telling. Reporting in my home market of Richmond has been a blessing. I am a multi-skilled journalist with a valuable reputation in my community. I have covered the coronavirus pandemic, social unrest, monument removal, presidential elections and was at the forefront of coverage for hazing legislation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Just one more: Varina Blue Devils’ head coach talks focus, legacy ahead of 2021 VHSL State Championship
Varina Blue Devils booked a ticket to the VHSL State Championship Final for the first time since 1999, back when their head coach was on the team.
Coach Marcus Lewis lead Varina to a 12-1 season record in 2021 and capped a state semi-final win over King’s Fork. Lewis was named Regional Coach of the Year. Varina ultimately won the State Title after this interview was conducted.
A “One Percent Chance" was all he needed to hear
On March 12, 2021, Samar Lemons' life changed forever. A collision on the football field left him paralyzed and bound to a wheelchair in the middle of his senior year. Doctors told his family there was a 1% chance he would walk again. Instead of feeling defeated and giving up hope, his determination to walk again prevents him from living in darkness. My interview shows how he focuses on being a light shining every day -- an inspirational story of perseverance.
During the 2021 spring season, I anchored our high school football show. This young man was injured at one of the local games. After hearing the news, I quickly reached out to his mother and established a connection. Her unshakable faith spoke to me, and once Samar was healthy and ready, we made this story together to show how far he has come -- in addition to inspiring kids who may have gone through serious sports-related injuries themselves.
Remembering Adam Oakes: Changing the Law on Hazing
Adam Oakes was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University when he died from alcohol poisoning due to an alleged hazing incident at a Delta Chi fraternity event. One month had passed since the incident and there was still no reported cause of his death — and no arrests made in the case. His family, with support from across the country, is continuing the fight to change hazing from a Class 1 Misdemeanor in the Commonwealth of Virginia into a felony. That is what they believe will deter students from causing other families to endure the same trauma they did — when they lost their son.
That fight began one month after I was the first to break the story of his death in 2021. I traveled 2-1/2 hours to Arlington from Central Virginia to sit down with the Oakes family in the home he grew up in. I set up 4 cameras to capture as much emotion as possible as they fought through the pain to beg for answers. I shot, edited and aired this story in one shift, getting the story back in time for the 6 p.m. newscast.