Why BLAC
Why BLAC
“Now is the time for our truth to be told. Now is the time to recognize that Black people have always been a part of the fabric of this country. If you want to heal the soul of this nation, you’ve got to hear the story of Black people.”
– Archbishop Marcia Dinkins, PhD
Our Impact
BLAC provides a platform where Black residents are seen and heard as leaders, credible messengers and experts. By changing the narrative, we can begin to change the power structure of the region and confront the discriminatory practices which left Black Appalachians with fewer opportunities than their white neighbors.
Through listening sessions, we help to shape how policymakers create and implement inclusive policies. We don’t just identify policy needs for Black communities in Appalachia—including increased access to healthcare, healthy foods, child and elder care, public transportation, clean air and water, quality education, jobs, higher pay, and criminal justice reform—we advocate for them.
Our Future Story
By sharing stories, amplifying voices, and pushing for reforms, we can move from hopelessness to hope.
Our goal is to build a healthier, brighter future for all. At BLAC, we believe we are more than victims of racism and environmental injustice.
We are protectors of health as a human right. We are the storytellers, visionaries, drivers of change, and proponents of true solutions for Appalachians
Our Theory of Change
The Black Appalachian Coalition is addressing systemic racism and economic disinvestments that have disproportionately impacted Black communities across Appalachia. From persistent poverty, to limited access to resources, underrepresentation in decision-making processes, to the loss of our unique culture, BLAC is driving solutions across the region.
Core to our theory of change is to center our mission and policies in the very aspects that have been systemically erased: our rich artistic histories, expertise, and ability to take our trauma and inform our solution-oriented processes and policies. BLAC builds campaigns that center the culture of Black Appalachians, honoring our histories and stories every step of the way. We are showcasing a counter-narrative to the whitewashed stories that have led to the exclusion of Black voices, invisibility of the region, and unjust racist policies that impact those living in Appalachia, by reclaiming our identity and driving solutions that improve the lives of all Appalachians.
Black Stories Matter
Just as the banjo played a critical role in the development of modern music, Black residents play a significant part in shaping the culture and the conversations of Appalachia and beyond.
The Black Appalachian Coalition provides a platform where Black residents are seen and heard as leaders, credible messengers, and experts. By changing the narrative, we can begin to change the power structure of the region and confront the discriminatory practices which left Black Appalachians with fewer opportunities than their white neighbors.
Invest in Our Mission
By supporting BLAC, you help to amplify Black voices, dismantle the white-washed colonized narrative of Appalachia, and ensure that accurate accounts of Black people’s contributions are told. Join us to drive solutions that center the voices and lived experiences of Black Appalachians for racial and environmental justice and equity.