Black in Appalachia

10/14/2026

Heads up! William will be presenting an exciting talk with Barter Theatre on Oct 25th! RSVP below:

Barter's Black Stories Black Voices is proud to present Our Roots, a free event celebrating those who uplift and preserve Black Appalachian culture! Join us as we welcome our friends from Black in Appalachia to share the amazing work they've been doing. Secure your seat today for what promises to be an unforgettable night! ❤️

RSVP NOW | https://bartertheatre.info/4hCH736
BOX OFFICE | (276) 628-3991

10/08/2026

Big News!!! 🎉 Thanks to support from Invest Appalachia & in partnership with our neighbors, Black in Appalachia has purchased the old Epsom Springs Hotel here in Whitesburg. This railroad hotel was built in 1872 and is the one of the last remaining piece of our historic business district.

There's a great amount of work to do, but the opportunities for a regional museum & community space are even greater! Join us on this journey to foster a new home for Appalachian stories.

10/07/2026

"Chase Hall has created “The Affrilachian Mountains” (2026), which will be shown at the Parrish for the first time. The painting depicts a group of miners and explores the history of African Americans who migrated to the Appalachian region following the abolition of enslavement in search of work in the coal fields."

The Parrish Art Museum and The FLAG Art Foundation will present the eighth iteration of their collaborative “Fresh Paint” exhibition series with a new work by artist Chase Hall. The

09/30/2026

“What I’m trying to do is create a world class, destination place that will chronicle the stories, experiences and contributions of Black Appalachians,” - Dr. Cicero Fain

Appalachia is full of stories to be told and generations of them go untold, including the stories of Black Appalachia, a Black Appalachian poet said. Huntington, West Virginia is filled with several stories of freedom, equality and diversity. The river city tale highlights freedom seeker Asbury Park...

09/25/2026

Did you know? 🔍 In 1966, two Morristown College students, Leroy Hopkins (Cincinnati) and Charles Barton (Indianapolis), integrated the Talley-Ward's boxing program — opening the doors for other Golden Glove boxers to follow.

Learn more about their story below:

Andrew Leroy Hopkins Jr discusses his arrival at Morristown College...

09/16/2026

This weekend is the Parkstown Cookout and Fall Fest! Expect a laid-back get-together with some food, music, and fun games for the kids.

We’ll be meeting from 1–4 p.m. at Parkstown Park in Etowah, next to Mt. Olive AME Church. If you’d like, plan to also share some stories or photos about the park and community!

09/05/2026

Join Tina next week at the Bristol Public Library for a conversation on Bristol’s Black Bottom! The event is FREE and open to the public 📚

09/01/2026

Mother and daughter tombstones revealed at the Mysterious Ten Cemetery! 🕊️

Mother, Cordelia (Jennie) Hemmons-Hankins-Taylor was born in Abingdon, Virginia, to parents Lewis and Melvina Hemmons. She later married Virginia native James Hankins in 1876, and the family lived at 535 Campbell Street, Knoxville (The Bottom). Around 1907, Jennie married another Virginia native, Len Taylor, who worked as a Laborer at a concrete company.

Her daughter Alberta Hankins was born in Knoxville to Jonathan Heiskel in 1898. Fourteen years later, Alberta would have her only son, William Alexander Harris. On December 1, 1917, she was shot and killed on Brigham Street, Knoxville.

Ida Bewer and Will McGhee were accused and acquitted of the murder, claiming self-defense.

08/27/2026

Now up on the Community History Database! 🗃️ Hawkins County, TN Black School Registers.

Included are the records of: New Canton Colored School (a Rosenwald school), Swift Memorial High School and Swift Memorial Elementary School (Swift Memorial College campus), Freedom School (Edison), Zion Hill, Saunders Chapel (Persia), Petersburg School, Mooresburg and Guntown.

Find out more here: https://blackinappalachia.omeka.net/collections/show/110

Photos:
New Canton School Images. Fisk University. John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library.
Saunders Chapel School. Tennessee State Library & Archives

08/21/2026

Huge news for the BIA family! 🥳 Our amazing social media manager Malcolm Bamba just started his first week at Yale's School of Drama!

He’ll be up in New Haven for the next couple years learning to tell stories for live theater using projection designs. He tells us he’s super excited to bring his double bass skills and love for Appalachia to the folks in CT.

Wish him well on this new chapter!!! 🐌