Courtesy of Tasha Neal
A reward greater than money: How Tasha Neal is serving Lawrence through activism
Where you find injustice in Lawrence, you may also find Tasha Neal, organizing a resistance.
Courtesy of Tasha Neal
Carter Gaskins/Lawrence Times
Douglas County doula network strives to improve maternal and infant health in BIPOC community
Doulas help birthing individuals bring new life into the world. They’re also working to save lives here in Douglas County, where Black infants are twice as likely to be born prematurely or at low birth weight than white babies.
Carter Gaskins / Gaskins Photography Collection
Catherine Bell makes supporting local designers Sew Simple
Lawrence native Catherine Bell grew up with 10 siblings, but she was the only one to take up her mom’s passion for sewing and fashion design. Now she’s passing the torch — or needle — to the kids she’s had under her wing since 2019, when she started teaching sewing classes under the name Sew Simple Sewing.
Jordan Winter / The Lawrence Times
Family-owned Evelin’s Auto Care shifts gears into a new niche
Evelin’s Auto Care, known for its wash, wax and detailing services, is tucked away in a corner off Sixth and Minnesota streets. It’s a small shop, but it’s named after someone even smaller.
Contributed
Social worker, coach weaves life experiences into empowerment lessons for Lawrence youth
Audrey Trowbridge sits in her basement surrounded by glitter, wood, paint cans and her favorite crafting supply of all time — pipe cleaners. Her craft room serves as a retreat, and during remote learning, the Free State High School social worker took her video conference calls there.
Behind her, a painting of a glowing Black woman wearing a bejeweled crown draws attention. When asked if she painted it, Trowbridge says one of her sisters gifted the piece to her. Its placement is purposeful. She wants others to see it in the background, but she also hopes to glean inspiration from it when she glances at herself on screen. The powerful art serves as a self-affirmation and a reminder while advocating for herself and her students.
Adam Johnson / Vibralux Media
Lawrence artist John Sebelius celebrates spirits of powerful women through his new art exhibition
Imagine entering a room full of famous women from the past and present who have inspired world change. Imagine the feeling of awe that would follow. That is the exact atmosphere Lawrence artist John Sebelius, 37, aims to simulate with his upcoming art exhibition, “Powerful Women.”
Carter Gaskins / The Lawrence Times
Free State High School security guard Demetrius Kemp leads by example
When Demetrius Kemp sees that someone might need help, he puts his “Superman suit” on.
He’s dedicated his free time to finding ways to help people in need through volunteer work and community projects.
Contributed
Twins Tae-Vheon and Sae-Vheon Alcorn lead double lives as KU student-athletes and entrepreneurs
Twins Sae-Vheon and Tae-Vheon Alcorn started running track in fifth grade, and their athletic journeys led them to the University of Kansas for school and collegiate track and field. They’ve also carried on family values of hard work and perseverance to become successful entrepreneurs, plus they’re now helping other Jayhawks build their own brands.
Contributed
Mental health practitioner’s new solo venture focuses on BIPOC and first responders
Nicole Rials is excited to build on the mental health work she’s done in this community for 20 years — and she’s excited to host the Black Resilience Summit online next week.
Mark Potts / The Lawrence Times
After 15 months, Ladybird Diner is back, same as before — but different
Fifteen months after the pandemic closed it down — at least in its original form — Ladybird Diner has reopened under the big “EAT” sign on Massachusetts Street.
The new version of the spunky, funky diner is a product of everything that’s happened to it and its proprietor.
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