April 2019 Newsletter

5/1/2019

Dear STAY Project Family,

It has not been a quiet spring in Central Appalachia. As many of you already know, On March 29th, 2019, the Highlander Center's main office was burned down by white supremacists. Highlander is The STAY Project's fiscal sponsor, sometimes office space, and it is so much more…having been a midwife for the social justice movement across the South for 87 years. STAY is undoubtedly part of that legacy, with young people from Seeds of Fire being some of our founding members and with our first gathering and ten year anniversary celebration both being held at the Highlander Center. It is rare that young people are trusted enough to govern themselves, but Highlander has always trusted our vision and decision-making while still offering necessary support and guidance when it is asked for. The attack on Highlander, and the subsequent burning of three black churches across the South, was an attempt by people who are deeply invested in white christian supremacy—and are threatened by a southern freedom movement led by Black and LGBTQIA people—to harm and silence us. In our anger, fear, and grief, it is important to take the willingness of white supremacists to escalate violence seriously, and to do whatever we can to keep each other safe. As young people who are trying to create sustainable, just, and healthy communities throughout Appalachia, it is our work to keep being a threat to white supremacy and never stop. A better world is coming, and we are building it.

To our Highlander family-- we love y'all.

kinship & solidarity,

The Stay Together Appalachian Youth Project

STAY Project Member Spotlight with A'Nya Badger

Our group decided to work on better conditions in our local schools. This was in response to mass suspensions at Capital High School and unfair punishment. While Katelyn and I aren’t in a traditional Kanawha County Schools secondary school, we still have connections to it through friends and family. Through weekly meetings and partnership with Deanna McKinney, we went through the steps that come in activism.

First, we identified our issues with the schools. Just to name a few, these included disrespect of students, blatant disregard of student mental health, unequal application of the rules, and a student handbook so dense that it is nearly impossible to understand your rights as the student. After this, we came up with solutions we would like to see implemented in schools. These include restorative justice, disciplinary practices, fairness, respect, training, and support. We presented these proposals along with a few others at a forum with school officials. Among those in attendance, we had the ear of the superintendent and the principal of Capital High School.

Toward the end of this project, the dynamic became youth supported instead of youth lead. This led to some discontent and disappointment among our members. This was a wonderful growing experience. In the weeks following the forum, we discussed how we want adult allies to interact with us as leaders, reflection and took some time to regroup. It is always important to celebrate the end of an endeavor. We are learning facilitation tools and how to organize a group while in between projects. We would appreciate your support going forward to help better this area of Appalachia and empower young leaders.

You can reach out to me at asbadger01@gmail.com to find out how to plug in with us or to find out what we’re doing or just to chat (my birthday is 4/28)!

- A'Nya Badger

Upcoming STAY Project Work

All student debt should be forgiven and no one should have to go into debt to receive an education! Until that happens though let’s talk about ways you can navigate that debt without drowning in it.

Join us Sunday, April 28th at 7pm to talk about managing your student debt.

Register at bit.ly/STAYstudentloans

SAVE THE DATE Y'ALL! The 2019 STAY Project Summer Institute will be July 18th-21st at the Hungry Mother Lutheran Retreat Center in Marion, VA! Hit us up if you want to be a part of the planning team. More info soon!

A Gathering for led by and for Black Appalachian Youth coming this November 2019! Click here to find out more about this gathering! Use the donation link below to help make this happen.

Donate to support Black Futures in Appalachia

Did y'all hear that STAY is now offering financial support to members who are organizing projects/events in their communities? We are able to offer up to $200 to support members’ projects that align with our mission and core beliefs. Specifically, we are hoping to support projects/events that further STAY’s work of providing space for young Appalachians to gather, learn with/from, create, and work together. To learn more and to request support, fill out this form!

ICYMI

STAY Project steering committee member, Jules Kessler has been working as a part of a student-organized movement at West Virginia Wesleyan College to hold college officials accountable for racist and misogynistic assertions and threats of violence toward students by some campus security staff. In March the group, which has called themselves Our Voice Among the Hills, held a press conference on the steps of WVWC's administration building to call out campus officials lack of action. Read more in theInter-Mountain

Regional Happenings

Knoxville's Black Mama Bailout fundraiser! The festival fundraiser will be on May 3rd @ 7pm at the Birdhouse's backyard (800 N. 4th Ave)! There will be a suggested donation of $10 towards our Bail Out fund to bail out Black mothers, caregivers, and guardians in Knoxville BUT come out with whatever you have to give! We gon' have vibes, Black femmes performing, food, and booths! Check the facebook event!
Lets get it!

The community of Minden, WV has been suffering from the impacts of industrial pollution and governmental neglect for decades. Since the Shaffer Equipment Company disposed of transformers containing toxic PCB chemicals, hundreds of Minden community members have suffered and died from cancers, neurological diseases, and other various health issues related to the long term impacts of PCB exposure. To this day, PCBS still infect the soil of this small, tight-knit, diverse community in rural West Virginia. Just this past year, in a town of less than 250, 15 Minden residents died of PCB-related illnesses. As a low income community, few people in Minden have the ability to move their families to safer, healthier locations. Today, Minden residents are demanding that the EPA and the US Congress fund remediation and relocation for all residents so that everyone has a chance to live out their lives in an environment that is healthy and safe. Many young people, including high-school students, are key leaders in this struggle and would deeply appreciate the support from peers and comrades across the region. On Saturday, June 8th, Minden residents will recreate a march that took place 30 years ago to demand justice for Minden and commemorate the lives that have already been lost to PCB exposure. The goal is to bring 1000 impacted community members and allies to the march to demonstrate the gravity of this issue. Will you join us in marching for a safe and healthy future for Minden residents?

Seedtime on the Cumberland 2019 is officially on the horizon!
Appalshop's annual music and cultural festival is a summer staple in these mountains, and this year's will be no exception.

FEAT Hubby Jenkins of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Amythyst Kiah, Cornbread & Tortillas, Lee Sexton, and local greats Nate Polly, John Harrod & Friends, Joan Brannon, Tiffany Williams, John Haywood, Grits & Soul, Larah Helayne, and Sunrise Ridge; plus delicious wood-fired pizza by Smoke Signals Baking and brews by West Sixth Brewing!

Be sure to follow the Seedtime site for updates – more to come! http://www.seedtimefestival.org/ #Seedtime2019

Be a STAY Project Member!

Wanna join the STAY Project? We’ve added a membership form to our website! If you are between the ages of 14-30 and living in Appalachia and want to be a member of the STAY Project, head on over to our membership page and fill out the form.

If you are a current member go ahead and fill out the form to update your information.

Come be a part of the movement for youth and by youth that is working towards a just, sustainable, and equitable Appalachia!

When you give to the STAY Project you are nourishing a grassroots movement by youth and for youth in Appalachia. We could not do our work without the support of a community that believes in us. Thank you for believing in us!

Donate to the STAY Project!