Black By God Launches AgriCULTURE Fellowship to Document Black Appalachian Food Traditions

Leeshia Watson selected as inaugural Community Journalism Content Fellow

Black By God: The West Virginian is proud to announce the launch of our AgriCULTURE initiative’s Community Journalism Content Fellowship, with Aleeshia Watson selected as our 2025–2026 inaugural fellow.

Over the next year, Watson will travel across West Virginia documenting the people, places, and practices that keep Black Appalachian food traditions alive. Through weekly video features, photography, and storytelling, she’ll spotlight Black farmers, chefs, food business owners, and community members working to preserve our culinary heritage while addressing critical issues of land access and food sovereignty.

“This fellowship represents our commitment to amplifying voices that have always been central to Appalachian food culture but too often remain invisible in mainstream narratives,” said Crystal Good, BBG Publisher. “Leeshia will help us tell the essential stories of Black West Virginians who are growing, cooking, and sustaining our communities through food.”

The fellowship will produce weekly multimedia content featuring:

• Black-owned food and agriculture business spotlights
• Farmer and producer profiles
• Cultural recipes and food traditions
• Community conversations about Black West Virginia food culture, land access and heirs property

Watson will also co-produce BBG’s “There’s a Farmer on the Flag” podcast and create special features highlighting Good Grounds partner organizations throughout the state.

All fellowship content will be published on BlackByGod.org, distributed across social media platforms, and featured in BBG’s agriCULTUREprint editions, ensuring these stories reach communities statewide.

Building Capacity Through Storytelling

The AgriCULTURE initiative extends beyond documentation. BBG is currently developing a second fellowship focused on training farmers, producers, and agricultural professionals in communications and content creation. This forthcoming program will equip participants with tools to share their own stories and engage audiences through digital platforms.

“We believe in building infrastructure that serves our communities long-term,” Good added. “These fellowships aren’t just about creating content—they’re about developing storytellers and strengthening the capacity of Black agricultural communities.”

The AgriCULTURE initiative is supported by USDA Indigenous and Limited Resource Agriculture (ILA) funding, reflecting a commitment to addressing barriers faced by historically underserved agricultural communities.

Black By God: The West Virginian is West Virginia’s only Black-led newspaper, committed to movement journalism and community-centered storytelling across Central Appalachia.