Black Yarn

At Black Yarn we shine light on systemic harms & connect Black experiences with those of all Americans through storytelling, research & collaboration.

Investing in our community with Internships, grants, and events

08/12/2026

Why does cultural preservation still matter in 2026?

Because preservation is not nostalgia.

It is authorship.

At Black Yarn, we believe our stories deserve more than visibility. They deserve context, care, and community ownership.

When we document our histories, uplift local voices, and create space for honest storytelling, we are doing more than remembering the past, we are protecting identity for the future.

What is not preserved can be rewritten.

What is not claimed can be defined by someone else.

Black Yarn exists to tell untold stories, honor the voices that shaped our communities, and ensure the next generation inherits more than fragments.

What is one tradition, story, or piece of history you never want to see lost?
Tell us in the comments.

And if you believe these stories matter, support Black Yarn today. Check the link in our bio to donate, partner, or help us continue preserving the voices that deserve to be remembered.

08/10/2026

Every person carries a story. Every story carries history.

At Black Yarn, we believe our differences are not barriers. They are the threads that strengthen our community.

Different lived experiences. Different perspectives. Different journeys.

But we come together with one purpose: to uplift voices, preserve culture, and tell the stories that deserve to be heard.

This is what community looks like. Not everyone has walked the same path. But together, we can shape a more honest and connected future.

Thank you to everyone who shows up, shares their story, listens deeply, and helps move the mission forward.

And to the individuals, businesses, and organizations who choose to invest in this work, your support helps ensure these stories are not only told, but remembered.

What story from your community deserves to be heard more often?

08/07/2026

You don't decide to be resilient. You just are, because the barriers never stop coming.
It's only later, when you finally have the word for it, that you can look back and name what you survived.

"Resilience is hard, but it can be good. It can be rewarding on the other side of it."
Episode 2 of The Yarn is live now. Link in bio.

08/05/2026

Black is not a trend. Black is a living story.

It is the voices that carried us, the hands that built community, the laughter that heals, and the dreams we pass forward.

At Black Yarn, we believe our stories are too layered, too beautiful, and too powerful to be reduced to a single definition.

So we’re asking you:
Black is ____.

Finish the sentence in the comments and add your voice to the thread.

08/03/2026

There wouldn’t be this if there hadn’t been… YOU.

Before the stories were shared, someone trusted us with their truth.

Before the events filled the room, someone showed up.

Before the conversations began, someone believed they mattered.

Black Yarn was never built by one voice. It was built by every person who listened, spoke, volunteered, partnered, donated, attended, encouraged, and believed that our stories deserve to be seen and remembered.

This is community.

This is legacy.

And this is only the beginning.

Thank you for helping us create a space where untold stories are honored and future generations can see themselves reflected.

If you’ve ever supported Black Yarn in any way, this reel is for you.

07/31/2026

I learned resilience by watching my mother live it.

Then life asked me to prove I'd learned the lesson. Single mom. Early 20s. No time to fall apart, only time to pivot.

This is what resilience actually looks like. Not a quote on a wall. A woman raising a child and figuring it out in real time.

The Yarn is live now, link in bio.

07/29/2026

Every conversation you experience begins long before the event.

What you see is a room full of people connecting.
What you don't see are the months of listening, researching, building partnerships, preserving stories, and creating spaces where every voice feels valued.

At Black Yarn, we believe stories have the power to educate, connect, and transform communities. That's why we invest the time to do this work with care, intention, and respect.

But we can't do it alone.

Every donation helps us preserve untold stories, create meaningful community experiences, and continue building spaces where conversations lead to understanding, and understanding leads to change.

If you believe every story deserves to be heard, consider supporting our mission.

Donate through the link in our bio and help us keep the conversation going.

07/28/2026

Some of Lexington's most important stories aren't found in textbooks; they're embedded in the neighborhoods we call home.

Students from the Partners for Youth Summer Training Program, alongside UK doctoral student Jamila Jackson and under the guidance of Barbara Sutherland, are helping document the history of restrictive deeds in Lexington. Through research and visits to the very neighborhoods they're studying, they're uncovering how the past continues to shape our community today.

At Black Yarn, we believe preserving local history begins with listening, learning, and making space for stories that have too often been overlooked.

Every generation has a role in preserving the truth. We're honored to support these young researchers as they help ensure these stories are remembered.

What piece of Lexington history do you think more people should know?

Follow Black Yarn for more stories that connect our past to our future, and share this reel to help keep these conversations going.

07/24/2026

Freedom means more than fireworks.

It means knowing the stories that shaped our communities, and making sure they're never forgotten.

After our recent Kentucky History Day screening, attendees shared what stayed with them most: learning about Lexington's Black neighborhoods, understanding the lasting impact of redlining and racial restrictions, and discovering pieces of local history they had never been taught.

These conversations remind us that history isn't just something we look back on. It shapes how we move forward together.

This Independence Day, we're reflecting on the importance of telling the full story—because every community deserves to see itself in history.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, listened, learned, and shared your voice. The conversation doesn't end when the credits roll.

What was a piece of history you wish you had learned sooner?

07/22/2026

History comes to life when we experience it together.

This summer, Black Yarn is partnering with the Partners for Youth Summer Training Program and UK doctoral student Jamila Jackson to mentor students as they research restrictive deeds and explore the neighborhoods where these histories unfolded.

By connecting archival research with real places, these students are gaining more than knowledge, they're building a deeper understanding of how history continues to shape our communities today.

At Black Yarn, we believe investing in young people is one of the most meaningful ways to preserve history and inspire future changemakers.

Thank you to everyone who makes opportunities like this possible.

If you believe in educating the next generation through storytelling and community engagement, consider supporting our mission. Visit the link in our bio to learn more.

Address

Lexington, KY
40515

Telephone

+18598130254

Website

https://blackyarn.com/, https://youtube.com/@blackyarninc?si=FfFMoI3Yg3L_nAI1

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