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BLACK BY GOD Showcases Black Experiences in Appalachia

BLACK BY GOD

Charleston, WV

years active

2025

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Two Black women holding a WV Pride newspaper in front of a West Virginia Press banner.
Black By God’s Crystal Good and Tiara Brown proudly represent at the West Virginia Press Association event, showcasing the latest issue highlighting WV Pride and celebrating Black Appalachian voices in media. Photo courtesy of Black By God.

BLACK BY GOD | The West Virginian was founded in 2020 by poet, performer, and publisher Crystal Good to showcase the often ignored experiences of Black and BIPOC communities in the Appalachian region. It presents a detailed and varied portrayal of life in these communities, focusing on agriculture, technology, community, civics, and business.

With Pivot funding, Good hired an investigative reporter to cover the alarming increase in opioid deaths among Black Appalachians, an issue that has been ignored by traditional outlet, and launched a program that encourages ordinary citizens to record local government meetings.
She also invested in more video, which led to a spike in digital engagement. With more newsroom support, she is investing more effort in ad sales and fundraising.

Five women smiling side by side under a tent at a community tabling event. A Black Policy Day banner is in the background.
Black By God and partners came together under one tent to spread the word about Black Policy Day 2024. Photo courtesy of Black by God.

Woman speaks into a microphone standing in a marble hall room while seated people listen.
Ellie E of Black By God takes the mic at the West Virginia State Capitol to uplift community storytelling through the Folk Reporters initiative. Photo courtesy of Black by God.