Laura Kebede-Twumasi

by Laura Faith Kebede — Transfixed by a microfilm slide on the fourth floor of Memphis’ central library, Adam Sadberry had never felt so close to his grandfather, a stalwart in the Black press who died decades before he was born. Ever since Sadberry…

Most days, 9-year-old Hunter Allen doesn’t talk about his mother. In his normal day-to-day routine at home in Richmond, he doesn’t interact with other children who know what it’s like to lose a parent to cancer. And at home it’s not a topic that…

Facebook Email Print Save By LAURA KEBEDE | Richmond Times-Dispatch What has become an international search for the photographer and subjects of striking sunset ocean pictures thought to be from the 1950s all began in an antiques mall off Hull…

James Loflin-Day, 18, is hugged by James Grahek Sr.as Kevin Grahek and his mother, Marsha look on after a visit to their home over the holiday weekend. At school, Kevin Grahek befriended Loflin-Day who had endured a troubled upbringing and periods of…

Like clockwork, the tables at Addis Ethiopian Restaurant in Shockoe Bottom fill up and spectators of the open mic Tuesday Verses are left to sit on the stairs in the back. The house band slowly gears up for another night — tuning, chatting and softly…

The last time Edward Miller ran was from the barrel of a gun. As a toddler, he would run full speed into a wall in his family’s small apartment and get back up as if he meant to do it. “He never walked,” his mother, Lawanda Booker, said. “He ran…

After all, she’s been a princess off and on for years, having danced with Richmond Ballet since she was 11 and joining the company officially in 2000. That’s also where she found her prince — freelance dancer Kirk Henning, whose bold blue eyes caught…

She doesn’t want her driver’s license, and the thought of going to college on her own is unsettling. If the next three years are anything like her first two as a teenager, growing up is of no interest to Brianna — especially without her mother. Her…

When Maria Hayman delivered her twins, Merida and Finn, on June 13, 2013, at St. Francis Medical Center, there was no doubt in her mind as to who the other parent was. Her wife, Joani Hayman, had contributed eggs that were placed in Maria after being…

Chad Coleman, grand marshal of the Dominion Christmas Parade, Dec. 6, 2014. Over his left shoulder, wearing a hat, is his brother, Don Coleman. P. Kevin Morley/Times-dispatch P. Kevin Morley Don Coleman, during the Dominion Christmas Parade, Dec. 6,…

story By LAURA KEBEDE photos by alexa welch edlund Richmond Times-Dispatch W heelchairs line the edge of Gregory’s Pond in Chesterfield County; some of their occupants carry fishing poles, others take in the view or relish in their shared military…

When Tracy Pinkston’s youngest son comes home from school, she waits in the shade across the parking lot from the motel they’ve been living since last winter. He’s 10 — young enough not to care about the stigma attached to living on a weekly rate,…

BY LAURA KEBEDE / Richmond Times-Dispatch Some attain mayorship, and some have mayorship thrust upon them. Jimmy Mehfoud has publicly held the title of unofficial mayor of Sandston for about 15 years, a title bestowed upon him by childhood friend…

Ganga Adhikari and two other students marched into their guidance counselor’s office in January with one mission: Find a way to graduate on time. The trio had relocated to Henrico County from refugee camps in Nepal all within the past five years and…

P. Kevin Morley Andre' Bailey, a student at Hermitage High School. Bailey went from gang involvement to a model student during his high school years. He will be a speaker at the Hernitage High graduation commencement. May 23, 2014. P. Kevin Morley…

If it weren't for his hair, he'd be shorter than most of his fans. Charles Jones III, a.k.a. Young Prince Charles, is a 12-year-old rapper at Richmond's Albert Hill Middle School. He started rapping when he was 5, recorded his first song at age 6 and…

Richmonder Paul Hudert juggles flaming torches, swords and several names. During his early entertainment days in Richmond, he was one of the Garbanzo Brothers. He added Paolo to the front — the name his Italian immigrant grandmother used to call him.…

Six Cummins family children huddled together Feb. 20, 1966, at their grandmother’s house in Big Stone Gap over four custom-made birthday cakes for siblings Catherine, Carol, Charles and Claudia and a miniature one for their soon-to-be-born sister,…

COLUMBIA — The Rankins are a musical family. So it only seemed fitting that at 17-year-old Bryan “Phatman” Rankin’s funeral his grandma Willa Rankin, his aunt Sheila Rankin and his father, Bryan Rankin, would sing in tribute. “I’m going to try to…