Photo Album: 2022 Trip of Perspective to Central Appalachia

In October 2022, Faith and Money Network relaunched our Trips of Perspective with a visit to Wise County, VA, to learn about the devastating effects of mountaintop removal and how local leaders are organizing for racial, environmental and economic justice.

Members of the group look out over Looney Ridge and the destruction due to mountaintop removal strip mining.

Historical photos depict the Appalachian coal camp shown in the background on a tour led by members of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards (SAMS).

Akwe Starnes, Betsy Grooms-Edmonds, Jessica Mullins Fullen, Christy Smith (kneeling), Susan Taylor, and Gabby Gillespie pose under a landmark sign on Black Mountain, the highest point in Kentucky.

Ron and Jill Carson, co-founders of the Appalachian African-American Cultural Center, speak to the group on Friday afternoon.

The Appalachian African-American Cultural Center recently acquired the desk of famed writer Alex Haley, author of Roots and Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Bethel Brock, a retired coal miner, speaks to the group about living with black lung disease after working in mines for 32 years.

Touring the mountains with members of SAMS. Left to right: Jim Edmonds, Anthony Joseph, Terran Young, Rea Wynder, Christy Smith, Susan Taylor and Josh Outsey.

Fall foliage puts on an impressive show in Powell Valley.

Sharon Fisher of The Clinch Coalition speaks to the group about sustainable environmental tourism in the area.