SOLIDARITY RIDES
Louisville, Kentucky
On July 20, 2024, Counterstream Media and Black Appalachian Coalition hosted the BLAC Policy Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. During the summit, Counterstream organized its first Solidarity Ride which was a power-building experience under the theme of healing, convergence, resurgence, and justice.
Riders shared their stories, showcasing hope and strategies to achieve healing, food justice, and for overcoming environmental injustices specific to the region. The heavy petrochemical and coal mining industry presence in Appalachia have long been concerns for residents.
Convening at Food Literacy Project, whose mission is to see young people transforming their communities through food, farming, and the land.
Archbishop Marcia Dinkins, the founder of Black Appalachian Coalition is on a mission to build a multi-state campaign that amplifies black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experience of Black Appalachians. Archbishop has been a leading voice in the charge to confront petrochemical polluters while uplifting the voices and solutions of Black Appalachians.
Solidarity Riders on the bus.
The name "Rubbertown" refers to an industrial complex in west Louisville along the Ohio River. It gets its name from the chemical manufacturing plants lining the area. These plants manufacture tires, synthetic rubber, plastics, resins, and other petrochemical related products.
Chickens at the BearFruit and Grow Farm, a black owned food justice organization that creates pathways for food access, land acquisition, and distribution of resources.
Toxic air pollution associated with Rubbertown have long been a concern for nearby residents.
On the Solidarity Ride, Jericho, a youth urban farmer from the Food Literacy Project details the harms caused by Rubbertown while also underscoring the solutions she and youth farmers are bringing to food insecure communities in Louisville.
The BLAC Policy Summit brought in a state representative from Kentucky so that summit attendees could advocate for state policies that prioritize the health of Kentuckians and not the profit of the petrochemical industries, such as those in Rubbertown.
Touching some of the greens grown at the Food Literacy Project.
Youth from the Food Literacy Project in Rubbertown showcase the urban farm to Solidarity Riders.
Dr. Shaniqua Smith, W. Virginia
BLAC Policy Summit attendees.
Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, President of Simmons College and Pastor of St. Stephens Church in Louisville, Kentucky beseeched to BLAC Policy Summit attendees and Solidarity Riders that "If we don't organize, we will agonize."
Solidarity Riders learn the art of chicken farming from LeTica, the founder of BearFruit and Grow.
BLAC Policy Summit Attendees.
Counterstream Executive Director, Michael McKenzie.
Rides arriving at Food Literacy Project.
Theresa Kennedy, Mississippi
Solidarity Rider from Charleston, W. Virginia holds chicken for the first time.
Scenes from the urban farm.
Kentucky State Senator Gerald Neal
Discussions at Food Literacy Project.
Solidarity Riders.
The squash patch at Food Literacy Project.
Bishop Marcia Dinkins, Founder of Black Appalachian Coalition.
Together at BearFruit and Grow.
Bobby Hill of New Orleans enjoys a moment on the bus.
Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, President of Simmons College and Pastor of St. Stephens Church.
Garlic bulbs.
Shana Goggins from Kentucky and Kidest Gibre from Virginia.
LeTicia, the founder of BearFruit and Grow.
Fun times at BearFruit and Grow.
Photography by Jon Cherry and Michael McKenzie.
All photos are copyright of Counterstream Media. For republication, please contact hello@counterstream.org.