A Story about us

BLACK VOICES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUTURE OF APPALACHIA

Despite the overshadowed history of rural America, Black communities have always thrived in Appalachia, leaving significant cultural imprints such as the introduction of the banjo by Black blues musicians in the late 1700s. Enter the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC), an initiative led by Bishop Marcia Dinkins under Black Women Rising, aiming to rectify the long-standing erasure of Black voices in the region’s narratives and policies.

Discover who we are
Southern Highland Craft Guild, Folk Art Center. Mountain Gate fence carving by Helen Bullard
What We Do

Amplify Black voices, dismantle colonized narratives, center lived experiences of Black Appalachians.

Learn more
West Virginia Rail Road Bridge
Blac Stories

Hear how African Americans are making history across the Ohio Valley of Central Appalachia.

see the map
beautiful gold present in the hands of a black woman
Donate

Support our work and propel the voices of Black Appalachians to the center of policy discussions.

Support Now
Appalachian Trail Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park
Blac papers

Check out our new report on Black Storytelling & Policymaking in Black Appalachia.

Download Now
BLAC STORIES

Hear the voices & stories of Black Appalachians who are amplifying their voices across the Ohio River Valley.

See the Blac Story Map
Supporters

BLAC Sponsors

Events
Join us!

Discover, engage, and be a part of our impactful events!

View all Events
Be the first to know

BLAC Media Hub

Public Notice for Low Power FM
January 9, 2024
On December 15, 2023, Black Appalachian Coalition, an applicant for a new Low Power FM broadcast station on 101.5 in Warren, OH, filed an application ...
Continue Reading →
BLAC launches podcast
BLAC Launches Podcast
June 20, 2023
The Black Appalachian Coalition has launched its own podcast, and our first two episodes are now available! “Black Re-Membering” will bring to you the heavy ...
Continue Reading →
Lunch and Learn Series 2023
Petrochemical Lunch & Learn Series
May 20, 2023
This summer, join the Black Appalachian Coalition- BLAC and Ohio River Valley Institute (ORVI) for a lunch & learn series on the impacts of petrochemical ...
Continue Reading →
BLAC-Strategy-Summit-2023-1
BLAC Hosts Strategy Summit
April 11, 2023
Please join Bishop Marcia and the BLAC community on May 2-3, 2023 for BLAC’s first strategy planning summit: “Voices of the People — Planning the ...
Continue Reading →
bishop-marcia-dinkins
Black History Month
March 3, 2023
With Black History Month coming to a close, I want to honor the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors and also recognize the passionate work ...
Continue Reading →
virtual-press-conference-feb-2023-1
Petrochemical Press Conference
March 3, 2023
Archbishop Marcia Dinkins joined Reverend Yearwood with Hip Hop Caucus, along with Jennifer Hadayia Air Alliance Houston, Sharon Lavigne RISE ST. JAMES, and Anaïs Peterson ...
Continue Reading →
52018837570_324cd6dc5c_k
Petrochemicals & Plastics
February 23, 2023
Petrochemicals—oil- and gas-based chemicals used to make plastics and pesticides—are harmful to human health and the environment. The process of making petrochemicals creates dangerous air ...
Continue Reading →
Petrochemicals Lunch and Learn with BLAC
BLAC Hosts Petrochemical “Lunch & Learn”
February 7, 2023
People living near petrochemical production facilities have higher risk of many types of cancer, birth complications, asthma and respiratory illness, and kidney disease. Children are ...
Continue Reading →
Stay Up to Date

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

SIGN UP