Who We Are
BLAC Family
Our team is more than staff. We are a family. Meet the movers and shakers from across Appalachia that embody our mission and make our work possible.
The Visionary
Bishop Marcia Dinkins
Executive Director
Bishop Marcia Dinkins is a transformative leader and advocate for social justice, environmental sustainability, and health equity. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and Black Women for Change. Through BLAC, she emphasizes storytelling advocacy and building collective and narrative power to empower Black communities in Appalachia, center their voices and lived experiences.
Her work with Black Women for Change focuses on addressing health inequities faced by Black women and their families. With a Doctorate of Ministry and nearing the completion of her PhD in Leadership and Sustainability, Bishop Dinkins combines extensive knowledge and practical experience to foster community resilience and healing from trauma, helping movement and community leaders find pathways to empowerment and building a more equitable future for all.
The Organizer
Milan Bush
Organizing Director
Milan Bush serves as the Organizing Director of BLAC. As the founder of Honoring Black Stories and the Midway Juneteenth Freedom Festival, she is dedicated to preserving culture, community, education, justice, curiosity, and care. Milan promotes wellness through Zumba and Yoga and is a certified League Cycling Instructor. She also helps heal the world through workshops with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE). She is accredited as an environmental educator by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
As Organizing Director, Milan develops, implements, and maintains regional strategies to support community members and leaders through cultural, artistic, and traditional methods of assembling. Milan’s ultimate goal is to empower individuals and inspire them to become agents of meaningful change.
The Creative Voice
Nita Jade
Cultural & Narrative Organizer
NitaJade, an Affrilachian Poet and self-proclaimed weirdo, hails from Asheville, NC. NitaJade earned their B.A. in African/African American Studies from Berea College in 2019 and their MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of Kentucky in 2022. NitaJade served as the Visiting Assistant Professor of English at Centre College and as an Assistant Professor of English / co-director of the Appalachian Literary Festival at Emory & Henry College.
NitaJade proudly serves as the Cultural and Narrative Organizer for the Black Appalachian Coalition and as V.P. of the Kentucky State Poetry Society. They insist that their late O.G. Queen’s sweet potato pie epitomizes love, and they aspire to embody the aesthetics of sloths and narwhals (slarwhals, if you please.) They laugh loudly and stubbornly.
The Advocate
Shana Goggins
Federal Grants Organizer
Born and raised in the south-central portion of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Shana grew up with a rich tradition of storytelling instilled by my grandparents. She strongly identifies as an Appalachian American as well. She strongly identifies with the positive attributes or characteristics and works vehemently to dispel the negative perceptions or stereotypes about the Appalachian culture, people, and region.
Her involvement with public, community, or political activities and/or organizations has centered on social justice advocacy and diversity issues. Her time has been split between serving in and with bodies that are comprised of students and professionals within the field of Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Housing, Mental Health, and Higher Education. Additionally, Her involvement includes time spent serving with or in organizations that have addressed disparities within the Appalachian region or nation at large.
The Connector
Teauna Smith
Community Engagement Coordinator
Avid crocheter, hair braider, and constant smiler; joined the BLAC team in 2024. Teauna will serve as the Program Coordinator, working alongside the Federal Grants Navigator to carry out stakeholder engagement, project implementation, and project planning and development.
Teauna previously held positions in project management and project coordination, as well as various positions in the medical field, before shifting to social justice.
Want to Get in Touch?
Whether you’re a partner organization or a member of the Appalachian, we want to get to know you. Contact us to get in touch with any member of our team.