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BLAC Re-Membering Podcast
Welcome to the Black Appalachian Coalitions podcast entitled Black Re-Membering, where we will bring to you the heavy and the hope across the Ohio River Valley.
This is a place where we will let our souls wander. A place where we will sit in the ancestral hymns of what continues to be embedded in our soul and keeps us moving. This is a place where we will remind ourselves that we are deeply rooted in the fabric of the Appalachian region and that the Black Voice has something to say.
We want to remember who we are, and where we've come from. We are remembering our Black past and we are rooted, and we are here to stay. Welcome to Black Re-Membering. Here is where we hope that you find your place, your space, and your voice.
BLAC Re-Membering Podcast
Faustine McDonald: Sickle Cell Warrior and Beyond
Faustine McDonald, a woman of profound depth hailing from Western North Carolina, seamlessly blends legacy and innovation. As an entrepreneur, her accomplishments include introducing the first African-American owned downtown business in Jackson County, thus breaking barriers and challenging traditional narratives. Her personal struggles with sickle cell anemia haven't deterred her; rather, they've inspired her to craft the powerful Survivor's Journey Clothing brand. Faustine's unconditional commitment towards protecting her family's land, preserving the history of her community, and perpetuating generational wealth underscores her dedication to creating a steadfast legacy.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Unearth the vibrant history and experiences from the Black Appalachian perspective rarely told before.
- Grasp the vital need for preserving family history as a cornerstone of enduring legacy.
- Confront the existing stereotypes of blackness and learn about the need for more diverse representation.
- Learn real-life lessons from an inspiring entrepreneurial journey that carved its own successful path.
- Understand why names and identity hold so much weight in defining our unique selves.
Learn more about Faustine McDonald and her work:
- Faustine McDonald: Survivor's Journey Clothing home page
- Faustine McDonald: Survivor's Journey: The Story Behind the Clothing Brand (video)
- Travel to Western North Carolina Mountains - Casey Paradise Tiny Home Mountain Retreat, Cullowhee, NC hosted by Airbnb
- Learn Black History of Western North Carolina Mountains - Just Over the Hill Black Appalachians in Jackson County, Western North Carolina (book) by Victoria A. Casey McDonald
- Sickle Cell 101 (SC101) founded in 2013 a Silicon Valley-based non-profit organization that specializes in sickle cell education. Dedicated to providing evidence-based, patient friendly content to the sickle cell community.
- PBS Southern Storytellers: Episode 1 (Aired: 07/18/23, Expires: 07/17/27)
The mission of the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) is 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 experiences of Black Appalachians.
For more stories and information about The Black Appalachian Coalition please visit www.blackappalachiancoalition.org.