Rural Assembly Everywhere 2023 Lineup
Register now for our free virtual gathering, Rural Assembly Everywhere, June 28th 1 to 3 p.m. ET.
Featured Conversations
In conversation: Silas House and Brian Cole
New York Times bestselling author and Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House will be in conversation with his friend, The Rt. Rev. Brian Cole.
House’s latest novel, Lark Ascending, is the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize, among others. The novel, set in the near-distant future, was called a “luminous” and “urgent” work of climate fiction by Bitter Southerner.
This spring, House was named Poet Laureate of Kentucky. The first openly gay poet laureate in the state’s history, House shared on Twitter:
“As a writer who was raised working class and in trailers, as a questioning person of faith, and as the first openly gay poet laureate I will do my best to represent my place and my people.”
Also a writer, Cole serves as the bishop of the Diocese of East Tennessee, with 51 parishes and worshiping communities in East Tennessee and Northern Georgia under his pastoral and administrative care.
In conversation with rural organizer and state party leader, Anderson Clayton
Anderson Clayton is the new chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party and at 25 is the youngest state party leader in the country. Anderson talks with Whitney about what she’s learned from visiting with rural residents across the state, how she navigates disinformation on social media in her small town, what gives her hope, and why it’s important to find your people.
Rocking on the porch with Highlander Center
Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson and Allyn Maxfield-Steele are co-directors at the incredible Highlander Research and Education Center, a social change organization based in New Market, Tennessee. The Center was established more than 90 years ago and it became a learning community for advancing labor movements in the 1930s and 1940s, the Civil Rights Movement and other environmental, economic, and racial justice work. Ash-Lee and Allyn talk with Whitney about the historic and current ways Highlander approaches social change in the South. CW: This conversation contains some mature language.
Citizen Power: Sam Schimmel and Jonathan Blair
Sam Schimmel and Jonathan Blair are co-creators of an ongoing documentary media and public engagement initiative – American Creed: Citizen Power, a follow-up to the 2018 documentary American Creed from Citizen Film. Hear how they are working to build safer, more connected communities, the barriers they face, and their advice for other young rural community organizers.
Stories from rural communities and organizations
East Kentucky Flood: More of the Stories
The Center for Rural Strategies will premiere two new video shorts from its coverage of the devastating July 2022 flood in East Kentucky.
Missouri Good Neighbor Week
Arts & Culture
Rural Assembly Everywhere kicks off at 1 p.m. ET June 28th! Log on to join the conversation, hear the stories, and be inspired by rural leaders, artists, and allies who are working to build safer, more connected communities.
