Kemba Smith Pradia’s journey from a college student to a symbol of clemency and justice reform began when she was just 19 at Hampton University. 

Her relationship with cocaine trafficker Peter Hall was marred by physical and emotional abuse, and by the time she turned herself in to authorities on Sept. 1, 1994, she was pregnant and had been on the run for months.

Pradia was sentenced to 24.5 years in federal prison for money laundering, making false statements to law enforcement, and conspiring with Hall’s drug-related crimes—despite never selling cocaine herself. 

Her case became a rallying cry for reform in sentencing for nonviolent, first-time offenders. After serving six and a half years, Pradia was granted clemency by then-President Bill Clinton.

Now a prison reform advocate, Pradia will return to her alma mater, Virginia Union University, to host a free screening of “Kemba” on Nov. 21.

The film chronicles her life, incarceration, and the public campaign for her pardon.

“When I turned myself in six months pregnant, scared to death and not knowing what my outcome was going to be, I prayed and asked God to allow me to be a voice,” she said.

The screening will begin at 6 p.m. at VUU’s Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center, presented in collaboration with Virginia Humanities and the Justice Policy Institute.

The movie, which debuted in February, has been shown in Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, and Phoenix, as well as at a film festival in Rome. 

For Pradia, the screening at VUU represents a homecoming. She now lives in Ashburn with her husband, Patrick Pradia, to whom she’s been married for more than 15 years.

“I’m elated to come back to [VUU] and look forward to sharing this opportunity with the community,” she said.

Pradia hopes the Richmond audience will gain a deeper understanding of the trauma women face in prison and the importance of supporting individuals after their release.

“We have over 2 million people in prison. Eventually, those people are going to come out and be your neighbor, and we need to make sure there are proper resources available to them,” she said. “I also need the community to understand the mitigating circumstances and trauma that lead women to incarceration.”

Yahusef Medina, Virginia Humanities’ director of community initiatives, emphasized the importance of recognizing injustices in the criminal justice system.

“There are still major injustices within this country,” Medina said. “We have to take action and build awareness. Kemba does just that because she’s a prime example.”

Medina commended Pradia’s sincerity in advocating for change. “She’s not doing it for show. She’s genuinely committed to raising awareness about issues surrounding the criminal justice system.”

Following the screening, a panel discussion will feature Pradia, Delegate Rae Cousins (79th District, Richmond), Justice Policy Institute Advocacy Director Keith Wallington, Rev. Michelle McQueen-Williams of VUU, and Paul Taylor, founder of the RVA League for Safer Streets. The conversation will focus on systemic injustice and community-driven reform.

A brief reception precedes the event at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit VirginiaHumanities.org/kemba.