Black By God l The West Virginian

Happy Holiday, Baby!

Photo by Leeshia Lee

Photographer Leeshia Lee captures the holiday spirit.Read about her latest gift to the youth of Charleston, the We Ball, in BBG

Three on BBG

Grandma’s Hands

West Virginia Grandmas are truly the hands that rock the cradle of so many of our nation’s success stories: Meet Nancy Cline, CEO of Briogeo

I need a vacation from Republicans in America

Like most West Virginians I come from a long line of hardworking, make do with what you have — spendthrifts who grew and canned what they couldn’t afford with change.

Trump and his party members taught me a lesson I never want repeated. I am not now nor do I ever hope to have the benefits and mentality of the privileged.

Opinion by Donna Willis

Delegate Danielle Walker’s Mother looks at a memorial poster of her late grandson, Demetry Walker, at the Rocking the House event for the late Demetry Mack Walker to endow a scholarship on December 6, 2022. Photo by Maverick Media

Sons Gone too Soon

Rocking the House, hosted by Delegate Daniel Walker for her son, the late Demetry Mack Walker, was full of laughter and the smell of soul food.This was not a somber memorial but a healing service.

The congregation of talented performers gathered to remember Delegate Walker’s first child, who died of leukemia five days before his 24th birthday.

Story by Crystal Good

Three to Read

In Appalachia, Margo Miller leads from a ‘Place of Courageous Joy’

Ms. Miller’s work has made her one of the most powerful people in philanthropy in a rapidly evolving region that has long been marred by stereotypes.

Margo Miller is the executive director of the Appalachian Community Fund. Under her leadership, minority Appalachians say they have felt more included in philanthropic efforts to advance social, economic, racial and environmental justice.

Read the New York Times story by Tariro Mzezewa

Judge denies motion to dismiss Walker harassment lawsuit

A circuit judge has denied a Motion to Dismiss a lawsuit filed by a House of Delegates member Danielle Walker regarding “violent, racist, hateful and intimidating” emails and social media posts aimed at her.

Read the West Virginia Record story by Chris Dickerson

Report: W.Va. terminates parental rights at twice the rate of any other state

A new study from ACLU and Human Rights Watch reveals W. Va. leads nation in termination of parental rights.

Read the story Kyle Vass

BBG Video: Black by God

The phrase West "By God" was popularized by native daughter and international icon Bricktop.

Thank you Marshall University students Sam Adkins, EV Heironimus-Bishop, Joshua Biser and Prof. Tijah Bumgartner

Reminding the @BlackByGodWV Folk Reporters India and Janice to take note of their presence in this room … not as other or only or first time but as WITNESS.

Publisher’s Note

Folk Reporters covered the West Virginia Legislative Interims Dec. 5 in person and virtually. We welcome your participation. It’s easy!

Watch a WV legislative committee meeting during the WV legislative sessions and report out using our template or social media threads.

Read Katelyn Campbell’s Folk Reporter Twitter thread

West Virginia needs BBG’s Folk Reporters Program.

We need an Appalachian Writers Project.

Independent media like 100 Days In Appalachia, Mountain State Spotlight, WestVirginiaVille, and The WV Holler are important.

They help tell so many stories that are not being told in West Virginia media that is owned by politicians or formerly owned by politicians, and the ones who shadow our Governor.

SUPPORT BBG’S NEXT PRINT ISSUE

BBG’s next Policy & Black History print issue will include an Industry Outlook insert and the Black Policy Agenda for Black Policy Day that is scheduled for Feb. 15, 2023.

It is important content that goes from print to the web to social media to conversation and coffee tables.

You can read our 2022 Policy & History issue HERE.

We have money to raise and pages to fill.

Whether you are a historian, a policy expert, or simply someone with a unique perspective on the subject, we want to hear from you.

Submit your work by December 25th.

Ad space is available.

Join me in honoring and celebrating Black history and the impact of policy on our communities in our next print issue.

~ Crystal