Publisher’s Note
BBG distributed our election issue to thousands of West Virginia homes via US mail. We delivered thousands to our usual spots (Black businesses, coffee shops, colleges/universities, churches etc..) and in Baltimore!
I was in Baltimore being honored, along with other “tellers,” at the National Black Storytellers Conference as a Black Appalachian Storytelling Fellow. There I told my West Virginia stories including how BBG got its name, my Granny Lee-own, who was a tough resilient moonshining West Virginia woman and Bricktop! BBG made lots of new friends and supporters. I made new friends too – like the legendary storyteller Illene Evans who was my gracious host and conference liaison.
On my way back to West Virginia I visited The National Museum of African American History in DC with Bluefield native and Howard University Law senior, the talented Cherkera Ervin.
Chakera and I talked about the fate of the Crown Bill and the abundance of West Virginia connections at Howard. I’m hoping Charkera will make it home for Black Policy Day on February 15, 2023. I’m hoping you too will save the date as we enter into the era of Republican supermajority.
We have so much work to do.
Last Tuesday, the West Virginia Republican majority increased from 78 to 88 delegates in the House (out of 100) and from 23 to 30 senators (out of 34) in the Senate. Republicans now comprise 88 percent of the West Virginia Legislature. Sixteen percent of the West Virginia Democrats in the House are BLACK!! Even though that’s two people, it’s impressive. Congratulations to Delegates Walker and Hornbuckle on re-election.
West Virginia was primarily a Democratic state within the last decade. Now, Republicans expect West Virginia may well be Republican for the next two or three generations.
For the record, I’m an Independant.
Some things give me hope in the harsh realities of West Virginia living and one of those is WV Can’t Wait. Just scroll through their winners for some small joys. The other is our BBG readers.
Thank you!
— Crystal
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.
