Dear West V Awards to Celebrate West Virginia Day, Black Appalachian Culture, and Viral Hip Hop Movement That Reached More Than 2 Million Views

May 20, 2026 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — This West Virginia Day, the voices behind one of the state’s biggest online cultural movements are getting their flowers.

On Saturday, June 20, 2026 — officially recognized as West Virginia Day — the first-ever Dear West V Awards will take place at The India Center in Charleston, West Virginia, celebrating the artists, creators, storytellers, and supporters who helped transform Dear West V from an online hip hop challenge into a statewide Black Appalachian cultural movement.

Dear West V is a 2026 initiative created by Black By God: The West Virginian and spearheaded by BBG Culture Editor Leeshia Lee. The project invited artists across West Virginia and Appalachia to create lyrical love letters to the Mountain State through original music and visuals highlighting Appalachian culture, Black identity, creativity, resilience, pride, and community.

Built around an exclusive beat produced by West Virginia native Myles “Where Ya Been” T — a producer who has worked with artists including Big Sean and Wiz Khalifa — the campaign quickly gained momentum across social media platforms.

Artists from across West Virginia and beyond submitted original songs and videos exploring themes of home, Black life in Appalachia, survival, memory, music, culture, and storytelling in West Virginia.

What started as an online hip hop contest became one of the most visible showcases of Appalachian hip hop, Black West Virginia culture, and independent artistry in recent memory.

The Dear West V campaign generated more than 2 million views online and received more than 100 artist submissions before the May 1 contest deadline.

Featured artists included:

• B Hyphen  

• Coco Nicole  

• DJ Lauryn Trill  

• H Boog  

• and dozens of emerging and established artists from across West Virginia and Appalachia.

The movement also introduced thousands of new audiences to Black By God: The West Virginian, the independent media and storytelling organization dedicated to amplifying Black stories, Black culture, and community voices across Appalachia.

Now, on West Virginia Day itself, the Dear West V Awards will celebrate the artists, creatives, and supporters who helped shape that impact.

Presented as a Black Tie Affair, the evening will honor both established names and rising creatives whose performances, visuals, storytelling, audience engagement, and cultural contributions helped move the project forward and elevate Black Appalachian storytelling.

Award categories include:

• Dub Vs Dearest  

• Best Female Performance  

• Best Video  

• Most Heartfelt  

• Best Duo  

• Most Detailed  

• Most Historic  

• Most Memorable Bars  

• OG Award  

• Lifetime Achievement Award  

• Most Supportive  

• Hidden Gem  

• Most Engagement  

“This isn’t just an awards show,” organizers said. “It’s a celebration of Black creativity, representation, storytelling, and the people who showed the world there’s more to West Virginia than the stereotypes.”

Guests can expect a night centered on music, culture, fashion, storytelling, and community recognition as artists, influencers, supporters, and fans gather to celebrate West Virginia talent and the growing impact of Black Appalachian culture.

The Dear West V Awards is sponsored by Black By God: The West Virginian and Cam’s World. Organizers are currently seeking additional sponsors, cultural partners, and community supporters interested in investing in independent music, Black media, Appalachian storytelling, and creative opportunities in West Virginia.

EVENT DETAILS

Dear West V Awards  

Saturday, June 20, 2026 — West Virginia Day  

6:00 PM  

The India Center  

Charleston, West Virginia  

Tickets available on Eventbrite

Livestream will be available on BBG Facebook and YouTube.

For sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, or additional information, contact: leeshialeebooks@gmail.com