Black By God l The West Virginian

Read the Latest Issue

BBG’s election print is in the world! Please tag us in a photo of you reading or when you discover BBG in your community. This issue was delivered to thousands of Black West Virginia residents via US Mail.

We are curious to know if you received your free election issue. If not, you can read the Election issue online, and don’t forget to visit our website. In addition, we have four new BBG original stories.

Please read, share and tell us what you think! crystal@blackbygod.org

Three to Read

The Forgotten History of the US’ African American Coal Towns

The has put West Virginia in the spotlight, but there’s a deeper history to discover in the remnants of its African American coal communities.

Read the BBC story

Biography Details the Life of Longest Serving Black Teacher at Harpersthe Historical Storer College

Professor William Saunders was the longest serving Black teacher at Storer College. He was there from 1907. He retired in the 1940s, but continued to be an integral part of the school even after that.

Read the WVPublic Broadcasting story

Blue Demons: A West Virginia Basketball Legacy

In this WVPublic Broadcasting story learn how The Blue Demons were a force to be reckoned with from 1971 to 1984, setting national records including most consecutive state championships. The McDowell County team received national attention, and people wore jackets and hats that had the slogan “Northfork West Virginia — Basketball Capital of the United States."

Want to be a Reporter for BBG?

Black By God’s Folk Reporter model combines citizen journalism with ethnographic and auto-ethnographic methods to cover public meetings and distribute policy information.

We are hoping to launch a pilot project for the West Virginia Legislature.

Please join us for a brainstorming conversation Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 PM on Zoom.

Contact: crystal@BlackByGod.org

Register here

Congratulations to Miss Marshall Nevah Nichole!

BBG is excited to document the history of Black Beauty Queens in West Virginia.

Read the latest by Kabrea James on the first Black Miss West Virginia, Tamia Hardy

New on BBG

An Open Letter to J.D. Vance

While I’m writing to all of you, this is truly directed at J.D. Vance. His memoir is ostensibly of his life from childhood through law school.

By Torli Bush

Earn to Code

NewForce launches fully remote, tuition-free coding school for West Virginia residents.

Read about Generation WV’s coding school

A Taste Of Our Own: The Legacy of Lincoln School

The cookbook contains recipes for everything from southern smoked baked chicken to peach cobbler — even a recipe for a happy marriage.

Read the Kabrea James story

Opinion by Donna Willis

At present, we have only one saving grace, and his name is Lacy Watson.

Recently I had an opportunity to meet and spend time with Watson, a candidate for the District 1 House seat in Congress.

His platform is drool-worthy. He voiced real concern for this State and its constituents, present and future.

That surprised me. I can’t even remember, much less name, a candidate or elected member to Congress from West Virginia whose voice and heart spoke as one.

Read the opinion

Publisher’s Note

I had the great pleasure of watching my daughter vote for the first time through the window at the Kanawha County Circuit Clerks’ early voting site!

Voting is step one in the engaged citizen dance.

Step two is paying attention to policy. After you vote, please support events like Black Policy Day on February 15, 2023. #savethedate

BBG readers are invited to join the (WV) Black Voters Impact Initiative on this zoom link today at 6 pm to prepare for Black Policy Day at the Capitol and supportive events.

The goal of this meeting is to start the collaborative process of planning and implementing Black Policy Day to build statewide civic engagement.

BBG is planning to support Black Policy Day with our special Policy Issue that will be delivered to every state lawmaker, co-hosting the "Young. Black & Gifted In WV Policy" event and the launch of the Folk Reporters program to cover legislative committee meetings.

In addition to Black Policy Day Issue prep, we have a lot of work to do in organizing BBG’s advisory board, nonprofit and strategic plan.

However, thanks to your support, I feel capable of leading BBGinto the next chapter.

Vote!

~ Crystal Good,BBG Founder/Publisher

P.S.

We are anxiously seeking a social media manager, administrative support, and freelance reporters to help amplify our work and uplift our BBG community.