Black By God l The West Virginian

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BBG’s Black Policy Day Issue

Join us at the Capitol Feb. 15, 2023

The purpose of Black Policy Day is to build political power at the legislature. Participating in collective civic engagement can increase our shared knowledge and help us interact more strategically with our lawmakers.

The first Black Policy Day (BPD), held in 2022, organically sprouted from the collaborative wisdom and actions of Crystal Good, Black By God (BBG); Katonya Hart, Call to Action for Racial Equality (CARE); and Dr. Shanequa Smith, Black Voter Impact Initiative (BVII) & the Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Inside this issue:

Details of a legislative agenda, encompassing eight major policy areas.

An overview of the state’s industries, including a push for diversity, training and opportunities for Black West Virginians.

Information on a series of webinars on education and actions to build up civic engagement. The first webinar on Education and Environment is tonight, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m.Register here

Read the Black Policy Day Issue

Buy tickets here

Three to Read

Bill Gates joins Sen. Manchin in West Virginia for talk on transition to cleaner energy

Despite taking a hit last fall with residents for supporting the $737 billion Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin brought tech entrepreneur and IRA supporter Bill Gates to West Virginia to promote the new law’s benefits for clean energy projects.

Read Ogden Newspapers story by Steven Allen Adams

* Last year BBG Folk Reporter Pierre Samuel Moss helped us understand nuclear. Yesterday Bil Gates visited West Virginia to talk nuclear.

‘Hate castle’ or welcome neighbor?

In Berkeley Springs, the purchase of an iconic castle by the VDare Foundation, a group that gives a platform to white nationalists, has led to angst and ugliness in the tourist town.

Read the Washington Post story

Local advocacy group prepares robust WV legislative agenda

The Rev. Matthew Watts, from Charleston’s West Side, plans to make a familiar case for using some of the money to combat systemic generational poverty in the Mountain State. Specifically, Watts said, he wants to see federal coronavirus relief money used to help the communities the virus hit hardest.

Read the Charleston Gazette-Mail story by Roger Adkins

Join us Thursday at 7:30 p.m. to learn about the opportunity to become a citizen journalist as one of our BBG Folk Reporters!

An emerging news and storytelling organization centering on Black voices from the Mountain State.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration, March and Lunch

Lewisburg, West Virginia, Greenbrier County Courthouse

Jan. 16, 11 a.m. march begins followed by a community lunch at the Lewisburg United Methodist Church, and a 12:30 p.m. program in the sanctuary. Crystal Good, BBG publisher, well-known poet and advocate for African Americans in Appalachia will be the speaker

MLK Breakfast

Morgantown, West Virginia, Mountainlair Ballroom

Jan. 16, 8-10 a.m. Featuring keynote speaker author and journalist Eric Deggans

Info: cbc.wvu.edu/events WVU Center for Black Culture and Research

MartinLuther King, Jr. Day Event: Telling West Virginia’s Stories & Dreams

Morgantown, West Virginia

Jan 16, 2:-3:30 p.m. The Community Coalition for Social Justice invites you to explore the theme of “Telling West Virginia’s Stories and Dreams” during the 17th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Celebration. The online event is available on both Facebook and Zoom. You must preregister for the Zoom Event. Free

Info: www.visitmountaineercountry.com/events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-celebration/ or www.ccsjwv.org.

MLK Jr. Day of Service

National event: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lived his life serving others. Following his example, millions of Americans serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. More

Info: www.pointsoflight.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service/

Get tickets

Publisher’s Note

This is an excerpt from an editorial in the BBG Black Policy Agenda Issue.

Same Story, Same Game

How CARES Act funding can change the trajectory for so many West Virginians.

Here’s the story:

The State of West Virginia paid $10 million of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for a Marshall University baseball stadium, despite the cries of 29 social service organizations in West Virginia who sent a letter to Governor Justice, expressing concern that COVID-19 relief funds from the federal government’s CARES Act were not reaching those in need in the state as reported in a Charleston Gazette-Mail article by Mike Tony.

Here’s the backstory:

Pastor Matthew Watts is the senior pastor of Grace Bible Church and leader of The Tuesday Morning Group (TMG), a group of ministers and community leaders in Charleston. They have been pushing for significant, publicly-funded research into poverty conditions and for policymakers to use the findings to pass good policy. Pastor Watts has been involved in health equity and education reform for over 13 years.

Read the editorial on blackbygod.org

~ Crystal