Black Appalachia

It seems as though coal and Appalachia has been in the news every other week, wether it’s Trump saying “we will put our miners back to work.” or the representation or misrepresentation of Appalachia. I am not an objective obsessor I have never pretended to be. That was a statement of mine that was quoted and printed in a photography publication over 15 years ago. I can still hear the gasps from those who were outraged at such a statement. My thoughts have not changed, only solidified.  

My work is about relationships, all of my work stems from a previous project. The case is no different here. I was brought to Lynch by a woman who had seen my previous work and felt I would honor the community. The first home she brought me to was the mother of a woman I knew from my Homeplace project, over 200 miles away. Relationships continue to grow like kudzu. 

Here are a few images from this invitation where I was welcomed in and invited to come back again. Yes, there are African Americans in Appalachia.