BBG 2024 Mini Impact Report
Black By God (BBG) is a community-led news organization based in West Virginia that provides a nuanced portrayal of the Black Experience in the Appalachian region.
In our fourth year, we sincerely appreciate our community—our readers (both print and digital), sponsors, advertisers, grantmakers, community advocates, and the talented West Virginians who have contributed to growing BBG’s impact and reach.
Writing & Reporting
BBG continues to prioritize original, unique, and relevant stories. In 2024, we highlighted diverse voices and experiences from Appalachia, centering Black narratives.
Top Three Stories of 2024
- Melungeon Heritage: Unearthing the Mixed Ancestry in My Family’s Genealogy
- From Coalfields to Hollywood: The Six Triple Eight, Big Sean, and the Legacy of West Virginia’s Grandmothers
- Black By God Launches “Black on the Map” Project
- White Nationalist Groups on the Rise
(Originally published by 100 Days in Appalachia, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to complex regional storytelling.)
These stories reflect BBG’s commitment to showcasing Appalachian narratives, focusing on heritage, civic issues, and economic initiatives aligned with our editorial mission.
Events & Outreach
READ: ‘Reimagining Local Journalism’ Symposium
On October 16, 2024, BBG hosted the Reimagining Local Journalism event at the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation in Charleston, WV, in partnership with ACLU WV, News Futures, and The RealWV.
This symposium explored journalism’s critical role in safeguarding democracy and featured a keynote address by multidisciplinary artist Alexandra Bell. The event brought together journalists from West Virginia and Kentucky-based news outlets and community advocates for a more inclusive media future.
BBG sponsored three comedy events and saw a great return in laughter and the historical roots of the news being a comedy in the tradition of black American comedy.
Innovation: BBG Audio-Read Feature
In March 2024, BBG launched an audio-read feature, allowing readers to engage with our content on the go. This AI-powered tool transforms articles into realistic audio narratives, ensuring accessibility and flexibility.
Next Big Idea:
Developing a search engine tool for discovering relevant stories across nonprofit newsrooms. For collaboration, contact crystal@blackbygod.org.
Job/Opportunity Board
Welcome to the Black By God Job Board!
We hope our job and opportunity board will serve as a vital resource for West Virginia residents, showcasing diverse employment, volunteer, and scholarship opportunities.
- List Now for Free: Explore job postings tailored to different skill sets and career aspirations.
- Future Plans: Starting in March 2025, a small administrative fee will be charged for job postings.
New Content Initiatives
BBG Launched Obituaries in 2024
BBG celebrates the vital role of the Black press in honoring Black lives. If you would like to publish an obituary, please submit it here. We are establishing a process to provide space for these tributes free of charge, recognizing the financial challenges that traditional obituaries often present. Please note that verification from a funeral home is required.
BBG Ghana
We have launched BBG Ghana, a section dedicated to news and stories that connect Appalachia to Ghana. This initiative explores Black heritage, cultural ties, and the impact of the African diaspora on local communities. It delves into Ghana’s influence on Black Appalachian identity and highlights current events relevant to this cultural connection.
Audience Growth
- Newsletter Subscribers:
- General: 6,551
- New! BBG Tech: 600
- New! BBG Ag: 600
- Social Media Following:
- Instagram: 3,910 followers
- Facebook: 3,800 followers
- Twitter/X: 4,200 followers
- BBG Ghana: 107 followers
- Blue Sky: 21 Followers
- LinkedIn: Coming soon!
- YouTube Channel: 72 subscribers
Subscribe Here - Website Traffic: 6,800 monthly users (on average)
Grants & Sustainability
BBG secured key funding in 2024 to support its 2025 initiatives, including:
- Pivot Fund
- Borealis Racial Equity in Journalism
- Trust for Civic Life: Folk Reporters Initiative
- TGKVF Narrative Power Grant
We also expanded our sponsorship and advertising programs, refocused on reader revenue, and strengthened donor engagement to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
For a complete list of grants, please contact us.
What’s Next and Goals for 2025
Expand Platforms & Content: We aim to grow our BBG Agriculture and BBG Tech newsletters while enhancing video storytelling through our BLACK LOVE and BBG Sports content. Additionally, BBG will continue to develop the Black Business Map (BOM) to promote Black-owned businesses in Appalachia.
Host Events & Collaborations: We plan to organize the BBG Content Creators Event and partner on initiatives such as the Folk Reporters covering the 2025 WV Legislature. We will also explore a project examining the opioid crisis’s impact on Black Appalachia and continue to support Black comedy events across West Virginia.
Strengthen Community Connections: Our goal is to deepen engagement through storytelling, targeted outreach, and partnerships with micro-influencers to amplify BBG’s reach within the community.
Secure Grants & Funding: We will focus on long-term sustainability by securing new grants and expanding our sponsorships.
Support Economic Development: We are committed to elevating Black businesses and agriculture as essential pillars of growth and prosperity in Appalachia.
2025 Print Schedule
For ad and sponsored content inquiries, contact jackie@blackbygod.org.
- February 2025: Black History/Legislative Issue
- June 2025: BBG Travel & Tourism Magazine
- August 2025: Lil BBG Black Business (Multifest Issue)
- Special Unique Print: Pending sponsorship
Black By God remains committed to fostering impactful storytelling, strengthening community ties, and expanding its reach in 2025. Together, we can continue to highlight Appalachia’s rich stories.
If you appreciate BBG's work, please support us with a contribution of whatever you can afford.
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