Appalachian Promise Alliance, in collaboration with Black in Appalachia and students from Virginia Tech, is undertaking a significant oral history collection project to document the stories of African Americans from the Bristol area. These invaluable histories will be archived withBlack in Appalachiaand available at no cost to the public.
Virginia Tech students will lead the effort by interviewing local African American residents, families, and community leaders to capture their life experiences, cultural heritage, and personal histories. These oral histories will be archived withBlack in Appalachia, a project dedicated to highlighting the role and history of African Americans in Appalachia.
“This project is about giving voice to a community whose stories have too often been marginalized or overlooked,” said Tina McDaniel, Program Coordinator at Appalachian Promise Alliance and project leader. “We believe that every story has value, and through this partnership, we are ensuring that a holistic history of Bristol area residents are preserved and recognized for future generations.”
The students, under the guidance of Virginia Tech faculty, will use digital media to record these conversations, ensuring both high-quality documentation and broad accessibility. Once complete, these interviews will be made available to the public through the Black in Appalachia archive.
“We’re excited to work with such a talented and passionate group of students,” Tina McDaniel, Program Coordinator and project leader added. “This is more than just a history project—it's about building connections and fostering a deeper understanding of the African American experience in our region.”
