August in October
This fall 2023 cover story for C-VILLE Weekly won Best Arts Feature at the 2024 AAN Awards, which honor the best work published across alternative news publications in the United States.
Arts
Selected work from VCUarts, where I was Arts Writer, C-VILLE Weekly, where I served as editor-in-chief, and The Click, a graduate student publication at New York University.
Changing the way art students see their future careers
At VCU's Center for the Creative Economy, aspiring creatives learn to apply their skills in the business world.
How a VCU alumnus helped create Baltimore’s iconic Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Many of the signature features at Oriole Park were designed by VCU School of the Arts alumnus David Ashton and his firm.
Art from the future
Jay Simple brings a new perspective and purpose to The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative as its executive director.
In Charlottesville, Artists Disagree on How — or If — Art Can Heal the City’s Wounds - The Click
Two years after a deadly white supremacist rally, local artists talk about its lasting effects on their practices.
Food, Cooking, & Culinary History
A mix of food-forward features from C-VILLE Weekly, including a first-person narrative about Raising Cane's, and quirky writeups for The Takeout and Food Republic.
A brunch to remember
Local chef and entrepreneur Antwon Brinson chats about his experience on HBO's cooking competition show “The Big Brunch.”
The Fast Food Lettuce Controversy That The Internet Will Never Forget
It was my distinct honor to write about the history of the infamous "Burger King foot lettuce" photo.
Tales from the chicken strip
For this fast-food-focused feature, I sat through the disruptive Raising Cane's drive-thru line, which blocked highway traffic.
Here's Why Alton Brown Doesn't Think You Need A Paring Knife
I dig into some of the not-so-solicited advice of chef and TV celebrity Alton Brown, who has some hard opinions on paring knives.
Video Games
A few of my favorite personal stories and deeply researched articles on games and gaming culture, published in Nintendo Life, Grunge, and C-VILLE Weekly.
What Happened To The Sega Saturn?
Sega's short-lived Saturn was the most unfortunate casualty of the fierce console wars of the 1990s, where Nintendo, Sega, and Sony fought for dominance.
During A Mental Health Crisis, It Wasn't Cosy Games That Helped
During a period of depression deep in the pandemic, racing games became my safe haven and empowered me to persevere.
Free play
Pinball and arcade machines are everywhere, if you know where to look. In Charlottesville, I explore all the unlikely spots sporting rare cabinets and beloved classics.
In 2023, Mario Got Weird Again
In the Switch era, Nintendo has loosened the reigns on their carefully groomed company mascot, calling back to an era when Mario was totally unpredictable.
Local News & National Politics
As EIC of C-VILLE Weekly, I often stepped in to cover local issues, but I've also explored the realities of presidential food tasters for Grunge (a story that became a popular YouTube video) and the fringe personalities tied to Trump's White House for The Click at NYU.
Taking the wheel
During a long-running school bus driver shortage in Albemarle County, Lakeside Middle's principal and a seventh-grade teacher get behind the wheel.
Good enough?
In the run-up to the midterms, Virginia Rep. Bob Good ignored our multiple requests to interview him on his potential reelection. So, we worked around him.
Does Vladimir Putin Use Food Tasters To Avoid Poisoning?
Putin may be paranoid about being poisoned, but he's not alone. Food tasters are common around the world.
Six conspiracy theorists with connections to the White House
During Trump's first term, he brought with him more than a few hangers-on who held some eyebrow-raising views.
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