Participation Type
Committee Sponsored Session
Session Title
Building an Intersectional Youth Movement in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Title
Building an Intersectional Youth Movement in Appalachia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Across the Central Appalachian region, young people are working together to build inclusive communities. Groups like the STAY Project and Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners are working together to form regional networks that intentionally hold space for youth voice in Appalachia. The STAY Project is a network of youth 14-30 who grew up in the Appalachian counties of Southwestern Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, who work to shift the narrative that young people must leave the region, and those who stay are not succeeding. STAY especially works to uplift young people of color, queer and transgender youth, and low income youth through building an inclusive network and leadership development. The STAY Project envisions hosting a space with Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners to discuss building an intersectional youth movement in the region that works across ablism in the mountains, race, ethnicity, gender, as well as the urban/rural divides within the region.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kendall Bilbrey grew up in Southwest Virginia and is the Coordinator for the Stay Together Appalachian Youth Project (The STAY Project). Before their coordinator position, Kendall served as one of the Highlander Center's Appalachian Transition Fellows.
Building an Intersectional Youth Movement in Appalachia
Across the Central Appalachian region, young people are working together to build inclusive communities. Groups like the STAY Project and Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners are working together to form regional networks that intentionally hold space for youth voice in Appalachia. The STAY Project is a network of youth 14-30 who grew up in the Appalachian counties of Southwestern Virginia, Eastern Kentucky, West Virginia, Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, who work to shift the narrative that young people must leave the region, and those who stay are not succeeding. STAY especially works to uplift young people of color, queer and transgender youth, and low income youth through building an inclusive network and leadership development. The STAY Project envisions hosting a space with Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners to discuss building an intersectional youth movement in the region that works across ablism in the mountains, race, ethnicity, gender, as well as the urban/rural divides within the region.
