Payton Kifus is a freelance writer and journalist based in Richmond, Va. Payton creates multimedia news and marketing content across digital, print and video platforms.

Originally from Northern Virginia, Payton moved to Richmond, Va. in 2019 to study at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). While earning her Bachelor’s in Mass Communications, with a minor in Creative Writing, she co-hosted a weekly radio show with VCU’s student radio program, WVCW. She also gained hands-on experience filming her student documentary, “Anything Helps,” which looked into the unhoused community in Richmond, and how local resources are working to provide support for those experiencing homelessness.

In 2023, she graduated magna cum laude from VCU, after interning with Virginia Public Media (VPM) News. While with VPM, Payton gained hands on experience working with anchoring, writing and producing for VPM’s News Focal Point segment.

After working with VPM, Payton worked as a staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD). Researching, writing, editing and producing weekly page layouts for the RTD, as well as their local print publications: The Mechanicsville-Ashland Local, Powhatan Today and Goochland Gazette. In this role, Payton began diving into marketing content, serving as the social media manager for the Mechanicsville-Ashland Local.

After over three years of experience covering local news across a variety of beats, Payton now works as a freelance journalist and writer for local publications, such as The Richmonder. She also works with marketing and social media management for a local counseling office. In her free-time, she enjoy writing personal essays about pop culture, as well as her own experiences.