Leading in Appalachia
Dr. Tasha Werry gradates from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 2022-2023 Appalachian Leadership Institute.
Tasha Werry, BB2C Executive Director
“Under the Washington, D.C. sun, a sense of achievement reverberated as the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) celebrated the graduation of 39 fellows from across Appalachia's 13 states. The 2023 class emerged from a transformative nine-month journey through the Appalachian Leadership Institute, sparking hope for their communities.” (derived from chatGPT…just to see what it would say)
I was one of those 39 people. If you aren’t familiar with the Appalachian Regional Commission, it is worth finding out more about this organization that was created in 1965. There are 5 main pillars that they invest in through grants and other types of support: building businesses, workforce ecosystems, community infrastructure, regional culture and tourism, and building leadership capacity. BB2C touches all of these 5 concepts, some more than others, and is impacted by all of them, as well. The overlap is evident in our vision statement: Successful Students, Prosperous Businesses, Thriving Communities. It is important that I understand these pillars and the opportunity to be a fellow in the Appalachian Leadership Institute (ALI) provided an amazing learning experience that could not be replicated elsewhere.
What did I learn? There are really smart people in a variety of small towns, villages, and cities across the 13 Appalachian states that are dealing with the same problems and issues that we are here in southeastern Ohio. They are just as passionate about their work and the success of their community members as we are. We shared ideas, thoughts, strategies, stories, first-time experiences, and even favorite foods. As we delved deeper into each pillar with the team from the University of Tennessee and ARC, we formed bonds and friendships that are already leading to cross-state partnerships. I suppose this is what ARC had in mind when they created this leadership institute. We also toured and played in 7 different places across the 13 states, many of which I had never visited before: Asheville, NC; Chattanooga TN; Birmingham, AL; Youngstown, OH; Abingdon, VA; Cumberland, MD; and Washington DC.
I am changed because of this experience. I don’t currently have the words to explain how I have changed, but I am certainly not the same as I was back in October 2022. More importantly, though, is what comes next. Having forged new relationships with my Ohio crew especially - Sam Miller, Malania Birney, Marla Akridge, and Will Warren - and with 33 others across Appalachia, I think the possibilities are endless.
Now I will have ChatGPT conclude this blog….
“As the ceremony concluded, the journey was far from over for these Appalachian leaders. Armed with knowledge and a shared vision, they embarked on a mission to uplift their region, leaving behind a trail of positive change. Appalachia's future shines brighter, fueled by the dedication of these extraordinary leaders.”
Special shout-out to the just-announced 2023-2024 ARC Appalachian Leadership Institute Ohio cohort participants Amanda Crabtree, Marketing Director, Vinton County National Bank, Jackson; Chris Schaffer, Director of Grants and Sponsored Research, Shawnee State University, Waverly; Bailey Venzin, Executive Director, Hocking Hills Chamber of Commerce, Logan; and our own board member, Jona Rinard, Dean of Transfer and Public Service, Washington State Community College, Williamstown, WV.