Friday, July 21st & Saturday, July 22nd
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 experience of Black Appalachians.
The BLAC Policy Summit seeks to amplify Black voices and influence effective, community-centered policies, with an emphasis on Black storytelling as a precondition for sound policymaking.
To kick off, we asked folks an important question:
Overview of Policy Summit:
Day 1: What Is Possible in Rural Areas? Friday, July 21
- 5-6 PM: “What is Possible in Rural Areas?” — Commissioner Erniko Brown
- 6-6:30 PM: Q&A
Day 2: Building Power in Your Community Saturday, July 22
- 10-10:10 AM — Introduction
- 10:10 AM-12:10 PM — Presentations
- Track 1: Knowing My Power to Drive Local Change
- Track 2: Petrochemicals research
- Track 3: Policy language & narrative
- 12:10-1:10 PM — Lunch break
- 1:10-1:40 PM — Betsy from Rural Democracy Initiative)
- 1:40-4:30 PM — Group discussion & closing
Additional Resources
- Notes—Breakout Sessions
- Notes—Community Building
- Resource Guide– for BLAC Policy Summit
- Emerald Cities Collaborative, Justice40+ Community Benefit Playbook
- We Power Policy Toolkit
- Energy Democracy Scorecard
Presentations