BLAC
Re-Membering
Podcast
Black Re-Membering is the Black Appalachian Coalition’s flagship podcast and a core narrative justice platform dedicated to preserving truth, confronting harm, and reclaiming power through story. Rooted in Black Appalachian lived experience, the podcast centers the voices of those who have long been marginalized, erased, or misrepresented—elders, organizers, culture keepers, artists, policy leaders, and everyday people whose lives sit at the intersection of history, resistance, and survival.
Through intimate conversations and critical analysis, Black Re-Membering explores the deep and ongoing impacts of environmental racism, extractive industries, health inequities, land loss, and systemic neglect—while also uplifting the resilience, wisdom, and collective imagination of Black Appalachian communities. Each episode treats memory not as nostalgia, but as evidence, testimony, and strategy—a tool for truth-telling, healing, and liberation.
The podcast bridges the personal and the political, connecting ancestral knowledge and lived experience to today’s fights for clean water, safe air, reproductive justice, economic dignity, and self-determination. It invites listeners to sit with the “heavy”—the grief, injustice, and harm—and to move toward the “hope”—organizing, cultural power, and community-led solutions.
More than a podcast, Black Re-Membering is an archive, a call to action, and a living record of Black Appalachian life. It is where stories fuel movements, where memory becomes resistance, and where narrative power is built to shape a more just future.
Resilience, Empowerment & Inclusion: Restoring Hope in Our Communities with Tawan Harris
In this episode, Tawan Harris shares her journey from growing up in St. Louis to her experiences in the military, shedding light on the challenges faced by Black communities in Appalachia. Her personal encounters with poverty and crime underscore the importance of resilience and community support in overcoming adversity. Tawan's advocacy for systemic change, focusing on education, mental health resources, job opportunities, and equitable policies, makes this episode essential listening for community leaders and advocates in Black Appalachian communities. Her inspiring story serves as a testament to the power of belief and determination, offering valuable insights into restoring hope and addressing systemic issues.
Meet Tawan Harris
Tawan Harris, a retired military professional residing in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, brings a wealth of personal experience to the discussion. Growing up in St. Louis, Tawan overcame the challenges of poverty and crime to achieve academic success, earning master's degrees in social work and environmental science. Tawan's family background, marked by her mother's successful journey to sobriety and her father's transition from incarceration to community service, underscores her commitment to addressing systemic issues in underserved communities. Her insights into the impact of family dynamics on personal growth and the pivotal role of education in breaking poverty cycles offer invaluable perspectives for community leaders and advocates seeking to bring about positive change in black Appalachian communities.
BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubliee Series: The Intersection of Queer Liberation & Juneteenth with Jazmyne Baylor
Welcome to another episode in our BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubilee Series!
In honor of Juneteenth and the ongoing struggle to enjoy full freedom, we highlight what Black community leaders are doing to liberate Black Appalachian communities. This episode of our BLAC Jubilee Juneteenth series is about the intersection of Queer Liberation & Juneteenth.
Juneteenth and Pride Month celebrations both honor marginalized communities' resistance and highlight the United States' history of perpetuating racism, transphobia, and queerphobia. To reflect on how far we have come and the work we still have to do, we have a special guest, Jazmyne Baylor, an Academic Librarian in Western NC.
Tune in to hear:
– What Juneteenth and Pride means and how Jazmyne celebrates the holidays
– People who have served as inspiration in her world and her work
– What is currently bringing her joy
– and more!
Meet Jazmyne Baylor
Jazmyne Baylor is a grounded and versatile Librarian with eight years of library experience. She is a driven and passionate advocate for social justice, community organizing, and education in information services. Her research interests are centered on organizing, critical information literacy, professionalism, and social justice within libraries.
As an information professional, Jazmyne aims to provide safe and accessible spaces and resources for all – including marginalized and underrepresented folx. With her expertise in information science and media production, she hopes to develop a podcast to enlighten others about the world of libraries.
Jazmyne has presented at numerous library conferences and webinars. She is always open to sharing her experiences and discussing her research interests.
Additional Information and Resources
Juneteenth and Pride 2024 at Bridge Park
Cornbread and Roses Counseling Services
BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubliee Series: Celebrating BLAC's 3rd Anniversary with Bishop Marcia Dinkins
Welcome to our BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubilee Series!
Today's episode is a celebration of BLAC’s 3rd Anniversary. Join us in this conversation with Founder and Executive Director of BLAC, Bishop Marcia Dinkins and BLAC Federal Grants Navigator Shana Goggins as they:
A Tribute: Honoring Crystal Cauley (Episode Re-Release)
Today we are re-releasing a very special episode to honor Crystal Cauley, a prominent and cherished Hendersonville, NC Black community leader who recently passed. Crystal will truly be miss and we mourn her loss. We hope this episode will serve to honor her and her work.
Read more here about her legacy and her work.
BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubliee Series: Affrilachian Origins with Frank X Walker
Welcome to Episode 2 of our BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubilee Series!
Today's episode released on Juneteenth features a powerful conversation with Narrative Organizing Fellow NitaJade and Frank X Walker, professor and co-founder of the Affrilachian poets based in Kentucky.
BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubliee Series: Hood Huggers Rebuilding Black Affrilachian Communities with DeWayne Barton
Welcome to our BLAC Juneteenth Black Jubilee Series!
Today's episode features Narrative Organizing Fellow NitaJade and DeWayne Barton, Founder and CEO of Hood Huggers International based in Asheville, NC. Tune in as they:
Grief, Trauma, and Mental Health
Welcome to our Soul Care Series! In this 4-part series, each of our BLAC Narrative Fellows reflect and share what Soul Care means to them. On our second episode, you will hear from NitaJade as they share their journeys of Soul Care and the importance of Mental Health.
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Introducing The BLAC Wave
Tune in to hear about BLAC's new initiative The BLAC Wave. Bonus episodes for the BLAC wave will be released on the last Tuesday of every month.
The mission of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) is to build a multi-state campaign that amplifies black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experiences of Black Appalachians.
For more stories and information about The Black Appalachian Coalition please visit www.blackappalachiancoalition.org.
The BLAC Wave: Melanie Meade
Tune in to hear Melanie Meade's journey through politics, voting, and more. Welcome to the BLAC Wave.
The mission of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) is to build a multi-state campaign that amplifies black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experiences of Black Appalachians.
For more stories and information about The Black Appalachian Coalition please visit www.blackappalachiancoalition.org.
Soul Care Series: The Soul of Black Appalachia
Welcome to our Soul Care Series! In this 4-part series, each of our BLAC Narrative Fellows reflect and share what Soul Care means to them. On our first episode, you will hear from Marie Cochran and Melanie Meade as they share their journeys of Soul Care.
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Supporting Black Youth: The Role of Community Healing and Education – Dr. Alicia All's
Dr. Alisha Alls is a highly accomplished individual in the field of childhood development. With a doctorate in organizational leadership and a master's degree in special education, she brings a strong academic foundation to her work. As a former special education teacher and current student success coach at a local community college, Dr. Alls has extensive experience working directly with students and understanding their unique needs. Her dedication to education is evident through her involvement in various community organizations. As a mother of twin girls and an entrepreneur, Dr. Alls brings a wealth of practical knowledge and real-world experience to her advocacy for positive childhood development. Through her expertise and passion, she aims to create healing and supportive environments for children, empowering parents and educators to make a lasting impact on their lives. Dr. Alls' commitment to the well-being and success of Black children is commendable and makes her an invaluable voice in the field.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Finding Strength in the Darkness: A Story of Faith, Personal Choice, and Resilience
Today's episode is a solo episode by BLAC Fellow Kimyata Patterson. She share a very real and personal experience that highlighted the power of faith and the consequences of personal choices. In the middle of the night, Kim and her family were startled awake by what sounded like gunshots. When she bravely opened the door to investigate, two men dressed as police officers barged into her home, looking for her son. It turned out that these men were not actually police officers, but rather individuals intent on causing harm. Kim attributes her family's safety to her decision to bless her home with oil, a symbol of God's protection. Despite the traumatic event, Kim emphasizes the importance of personal choices and their impact on not only ourselves but also those around us. She reminds listeners that love, prayer, and trusting in God can bring about positive change in the face of hate, disruption, and corruption. Through her story, Kim encourages others to share their own experiences and use their voices to create meaningful change.
In this episode, you will be able to:
