We hope that you'll join us at The Corbin Center for our second film screening in Corbin, this time to celebrate Black History Month. The film shown will be Evelyn Williams, an Appalshop film directed by Anne Lewis.
Evelyn Williams is a portrait of a woman who is many things: a coal miner’s daughter and wife; a domestic worker and mother of nine; a college student in her 50s and community organizer; an Appalachian African American. Above all, she is a woman whose awareness of class and race oppression has led her to a lifetime of activism. Now in her 80s, she is battling to save her land in eastern Kentucky from destruction by a large oil and gas firm. Guest speaker will be announced soon.
A little more about the event and the space:
There will be food, and admission is free. The Corbin Center is wheelchair accessible. All ages are welcome!
This film is being hosted by a newly forming group called Corbin Racial Justice Initiative that the Cumberland Chapter of KFTC is excited to be apart of alongside the Laurel County African American Heritage Center and the University of Kentucky Appalachian Studies Center. Big thank you to Stefanie Ebbens Kingsley Law for providing support. ♥
Toward Racial Justice and Recognition in Southeastern Kentucky: 100 Years After of the Forced Removal of African Americans from Corbin
100 years after African Americans were expelled from the small railroad town of Corbin, Kentucky, residents are still grappling with how to address Corbin’s exclusionary past and ongoing reputation. This presentation gives a preliminary report on current work in the town to acknowledge and commemorate the 1919 event and move toward racial justice in the community. Seeking to lift up the experiences and voices of African Americans in the tri-county area, this project engages with the complicated work of place-based racial justice initiatives in the coalfields. This presentation explores several questions including: What happened in Corbin in October 1919? What can be done to commemorate the event and address racial issues in the community? What conversations are currently occurring? What are the larger implications for community development and racial justice organizing in Appalachia?
Sponsored by the Department of Community & Leadership Development
Dr. Kathryn Engle will meet with students to discuss water issues in Martin County, Kentucky on February 12th at 5PM at the UK Appalachian Center at 624 Maxwelton Court. To read more about this ongoing project click HERE.
The University Press of Kentucky will host a workshop about publishing open to UK Faculty and graduate students at the UK Appalachian Center on Tuesday, March 26th 12:00-1:30PM. Lunch will be provided.
Join us for a belated Valentine's Day celebration at the App Center on Friday, February 15th from 1-3PM! Bring your own dessert to share. Coffee and drinks provided!