23/54 PROJECT

Celebrating Black Appalachian Community

The 23/54 Project is all about honoring the lived experiences of Black families in Appalachia, specifically those who have fought for education and social justice. Inspired by the brave actions of Black parents and children in Pulaski, VA, who challenged racial discrimination in the landmark 1947 Corbin v. County School Board case, this project seeks to capture and amplify the voices of those who have lived through racial segregation, desegregation, the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing fight for equality. 

Your Story Matters

We want to hear from you because your story is vital in connecting the past to the present. Whether you’re a young person today, a parent, grandparent, or community member, your perspective plays a critical role in shaping the future. The lessons of courage, resilience, and sacrifice passed down through generations are often overlooked, especially in the narratives of Appalachia. This project aims to correct that by ensuring that your experiences—of struggle, perseverance, hope, and justice—are documented and shared with the world.

Share Your Story

Share

Instructions for Sharing Your Story

Getting Started

  • Create an Account: Sign up to have full control over your story. This lets you re-record, edit, or delete your entries whenever needed.
  • Gather materials: If you’d like to share any images, or other documents, have them scanned or photographed to be added to your entry.

Story Prompts: You’ll be guided through a series of questions to help frame your story.

  • What do you think Pulaski, VA would look like today if the goals of the Civil Rights Movement had all been achieved?
  • What lessons do you draw from how your parents or grandparents navigated politically turbulent times?
  • What did your parents and grandparents want for Pulaski’s future? How did they act on these desires?
  • Pulaski’s history includes slavery and racial segregation. Have you seen racism present in your lifetime? If so, how?
  • Previous generations inspire us to fight for social justice and equality today. What advice or moment with a family member still inspires you?

Tips for telling a great story

  • Tell your story as if you were talking to a friend or a relative. Make it personal.
  • Add photos! It is best if the first photo you add is a nice image of yourself so that people can see you as they listen to or read your story.

Tips for audio recording

  • You can re-record as many times as you want. Take a couple of practice runs until it feels more natural talking into your computer.
  • Try not to use a pre-written script so that your story sounds as natural as possible. It is ok if it is not perfect.
  • Try to speak as clearly as possible, and get as close to the microphone as you can.
  • Try to find a quiet place with no background noise. It is even better if the room has carpet. This will reduce the amount of echo on the recording.