Champions and Trailblazers

Ready to make an impact? Generation West Virginia has a fellowship for you.

01.13.20

Generation West Virginia Executive Director Natalie Roper at the Impact Fellowship application launch (via Generation West Virginia’s Facebook page)

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Generation West Virginia is now accepting applications for the next round of the Impact Fellowship! Impact Fellows are part of a year-long, paid fellowship program. During the course of a year, fellows work four days a week at participating companies, while dedicating one day a week donating their brainpower, time and expertise to projects in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.

From the team at Generation West Virginia:

“Impact is looking for early- to mid-career innovators and professionals across wide-ranging sectors who are driven to get engaged and make a difference in West Virginia. Unlike many fellowship programs, the Impact Fellowship is not limited to applicants in a certain sector or field of study. This program offers professional work opportunities to qualified designers, architects, marketers, analysts, developers, engineers, artists, managers, bankers, etc. (check out the Companies & Jobs page to check out this year’s positions). While coming from different professional and educational backgrounds, what all Impact Fellows have in common is a drive to make an impact. Impact Fellows are doers. They are change agents in their professional workplaces and in their communities. They don’t back down from complex challenges—in fact, they are driven to help find new solutions. And they are eager to dive into this work in West Virginia. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.”

For more information, visit Generation’s Impact Fellowship website »

Southern West Virginians honored for efforts to change lives, create jobs, and build communities

01.06.20

Pictured from left: Bishop Charles Shaw, Cabell County; Jessie Spaulding, of Fresh Start in Mingo County; Julie Greenlee, STEM teacher in Clay County; Jocelyn Shepherd of Appalachian Botanical Company in Boone County; Michelle Martin of Trash your Kayak in Kanawha County; Billy Strasser and Kim Maxwell of New River Gorge Trail Authority in Fayette County; and Chuck Toussing of Richwood Scientific in Nicholas County all received Power of Performance Awards at the Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference in South Charleston.

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Late last year, West Virginians were honored with Power of Performance Awards for their efforts to change lives, put people to work or revitalize their communities in southern West Virginia. The awards presentation was held at the second annual Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference, which showcased West Virginia successes and highlighted projects, people, and ideas that are building up the state’s 21 southernmost counties.

The conference, which is organized by the Alliance for Economic Development of Southern West Virginia, West Virginia Community Development Hub and Coalfield Development, took place at BridgeValley’s Advanced Technology Center in South Charleston.

Award Categories and Recipients

Changing Lives

Jesse Spaulding, of Mingo County, was recognized with a Changing Lives award for using his personal experience with substance use disorder to encourage those participating in the Fresh Start program, as well as advocating for assistance from various organizations to support the development of positive life skills for those in recovery.

Also recognized in the Changing Lives category was Julie Greenlee, Business Marketing and STEM Teacher at Clay County High School. Greenlee teaches her students leadership skills, strategic planning, marketing and workplace skills as they operate a food truck and catering service for various events in the community.

Putting People to Work

Jocelyn Sheppard, president and founder of Appalachian Botanical Company (ABCo) in Boone County, was recognized in the Putting People to Work award category. With a seven-person crew, ABCo started a commercial lavender farm on reclaimed mining land in Boone County in April 2019. Today, more than 30 people work for ABCo, and nearly all of them are from Boone County.

Chuck Toussieng of Richwood Scientific, Inc., was also recognized for his organization’s efforts in the Putting People to Work category. The non-profit organization in Nicholas County, which is funded by Toussieng’s company, West Virginia Silicon Holler, has trained more than 300 students in a free 12-week coding camp that prepares them for entry-level computer programmer and developer positions.

Revitalizing Communities

The New River Gorge Trail Alliance in Fayette County was recognized in the Revitalizing Communities category. The Alliance builds and maintains a regional trail network to spur economic growth and promote active and healthy lifestyles. The NRGTA clears and maintains 250 to 300 miles of trail annually with a large network of volunteers.

Also recognized in this category was the Trash Your Kayak River Cleanup Crew from Kanawha County. Formed in 2016 to clean up rivers throughout Boone, Lincoln and Kanawha Counties, the volunteer group has removed more than 3,000 tires and 3.5 tons of trash from the Little and Big Coal Rivers and the Elk River.

“These awards are to honor the unsung heroes that don’t often get recognized for their efforts to improve their communities,” The Hub’s executive director Stephanie Tyree said. “By lifting these POWER performers up, we hope to encourage the conference participants to continue the good work they do, and perhaps inspire others to start projects in their own communities.”

Small Communities, Big Solutions 2020 Advocate

The seventh award, the Small Communities, Big Solutions 2020 Advocate Award was presented to Bishop Charles D. Shaw, pastor and founder of Real Life Christian Church Center in Cabell County. The award recognizes Bishop Shaw for his life-long dedication to connecting low income individuals with job training and educational opportunities. His life’s mission is to help people find purpose and maximize success in all areas of life. He is dedicated to serving his community by volunteering as a board of directors of several organizations, including Recovery Point WV, President of Huntington Black Pastors Ministerial Association, Region 2 Workforce WV, United Way Of The River Cities, Recovered Solutions, Fairfield Community Development Corporation and Faith Coordinator of the Quick Response Team (QRT) in Huntington.

These are some of West Virginia’s best and we are showing our thanks and encouraging them to never stop doing what they are doing,” Sara Payne Scarbro, Operations Council Chair for the Alliance for Economic Development of Southern West Virginia, said. “There is a power performer in every community and we had an amazing opportunity today to highlight seven of them.”

“Matewan’s best days are ahead of us” – WV community looking to the future

11.25.19

BY KENZIE NEW, PRESERVE WV AMERICORPS AND WEST VIRGINIA MINE WARS MUSEUM

This next year is gearing up to be a big one in Matewan. From redevelopment of their Historic Lock Up and City Hall, to an expansion of the Mine Wars Museum, the 100 Year Anniversary of the Battle of Matewan, and the purchase and redevelopment of the historic Nenni buildings downtown, many have been hard at work pouring their efforts and passion into this town.

Organizations, residents, and committed community members are in high-gear prepping for May 16, 2020—the official date of the commemoration of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Battle of Matewan.

A wide array of individuals and groups are working together to make the Centennial all that it can be. The Matewan Drama Group, organizers at the Historic Jail, West Virginia Mine Wars Museum, Matewan Convention of Visitors Bureau, UMWA Local 1440, and Appalachian Lost and Found Museum are banding together to get the job done, representing the same unifying spirit that union miners had in 1920.

As resident and community organizer David Hatfield puts it, “Matewan’s best days are ahead of us.” There’s a lot of new energy and momentum building up in town.

Folks at Matewan’s Historic Lock-Up and City Hall continue to repurpose a 1908 building in the town’s historic district, just in time for the big day. Community members Francine Jones, Pat Brown, Roddie Swafford, along with Fresh Start and members of the Matewan Methodist Church have worked tirelessly to save the structure, and recently installed a new roof, HVAC, windows and doors, sidewalk, walls, replaced the old stone, and put on a fresh coat of paint. Truly amazing work!

Matewan CVB Director, Juan Joyce, says that he’s “really excited to see people come together to work for a common cause in 2020.”

In addition to this renovated structure, the West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is expanding its interpretive space and moving into a larger location, right across the street in a new multi-use building owned by UMWA Local 1440!

Another set of buildings ripe for renovation are the Nenni buildings that were recently purchased by Coalfield Development. The redeveloped buildings will serve as Coalfield’s southern West Virginia headquarters: allowing them to better serve Mingo and McDowell Counties through social enterprise development and support; personal, professional and academic development; and additional real estate projects.

Claudette Karr with Coalfield Development says about the project:

“What excites me the most is the fact of the building will be mixed use – not only is this benefiting individuals in the community with a higher education certification, it also gives trail riders a space to take breaks and utilize an additional bit of lodging that complements the existing places in town.”

Head on over to Matewan and follow these organizations on Facebook to be a part of this exciting time!

Woot! Congratulations to these leaders in WV philanthropy

11.18.19

2020 West Virginia Spirit of Philanthropy Award Winners (via Philanthropy WV)

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Philanthropy West Virginia recently announced the 13th annual West Virginia Spirit of Philanthropy Awards. The awards were presented at Philanthropy West Virginia’s 26^th Annual Members Meeting & Conference in Parkersburg, WV at The Blennerhassett Hotel. The awards program was sponsored by Encova Insurance.

Congratulations to these awardees:

Critical Impact Award: For transforming the vision and focus of Huntington, WV’s future, the Foundation for the Tri-State Community & the Huntington America’s Best Communities Collaborative Team. FSTC and Huntington has used their passion, drive, and results-oriented work ethic to win the national America’s Best Communities Award and use it to launch new vision and action around Huntington’s future.
Volunteer Leadership Award: The 2019 honoree is Jean Clark for her personal philanthropic giving and leadership in community philanthropy and numerous causes in Preston and Monongalia Counties. Jean is a dynamo of energy, ideas, and action to grow North Central WV’s greatest opportunity which is the growth of Your Community Foundation of North Central WV.
Lifetime Volunteer Leadership Award: C.J. Kaiser is being honored for his longtime commitment to the Upper Ohio Valley community. Serving on the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley’s Board of Directors for 28 years, Mr. Kaiser is a driving force behind the Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley’s growth from a $1.4 Million organization in 1991 to over $60 Million in 2019. Mr. Kaiser is both a donor and advisor to many individuals who engage in personal philanthropy through the community foundation. Kaiser’s vision, dedication, and commitment has built a better CFOV as well as a stronger future for the Upper Ohio Valley.
Inaugural Corporate Responsibility Leader Award: Philanthropy WV created the Corporate Responsibility Leader Award in 2019 to inspire, encourage, and recognize companies of all sizes who are partners in West Virginia’s communities through giving, volunteering, and in-kind investments. The Corporate Responsibility Leader Award recognizes those companies who personify best community engagement practices for a stronger West Virginia. Dominion Energy and Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation received the inaugural award.
Staff Leadership Award: Making the amazing things happen is just one of the accomplishments of the 2019 Staff Leadership Award recipient, Tamara Mullins. Ms. Mullins gives a full-time heart and work-ethic to a part-time role as Executive Director of the Nicholas County Community Foundation. Mullins has worked on numerous projects and community education initiatives to bring together partners to grow the local philanthropy assets for Nicholas County’s future.
Lifetime Staff Leadership Award: For nearly twenty years, Sheri Ryder has strengthened, supported, and humbly served The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation and the Kanawha Valley Community as the Senior Program Officer of the foundation. Her leadership, impact, and creativity has fostered greater nonprofit partnerships, enhanced grantmaking, and implemented new strategies for the benefit of her community.

Local journalism is the heartbeat of our communities – celebrating National Newspaper Week

10.07.19

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Local journalism is the heartbeat of our communities in West Virginia. While we tend to the needs of our daily lives, we depend on our locally-based media to be our eyes and ears.

As I travel the state talking with West Virginians who are invested in making a difference in their communities about how to amplify the stories coming out of their work, one of the main tactics that we focus on together is how to engage with local journalists. When I ask them about who in the room is connected to a journalist – a majority of people in the group always raise their hand. We are a small, but mighty state. Our local journalists attend church with us, they went to high school with us, our children play with their children, they are our neighbors, friends, and family members.

Many of us can remember being at the knees of our own mothers and fathers while they sat with a newspaper in hand. Keeping up with the local news wasn’t just a pastime for them, it was a practice rooted in a value: being a member of this community means bearing witness to what is happening in the lives of our neighbors.

When I reflect on the challenges local media outlets are facing, I lament the potential loss of our chief watchdogs on community matters, but it is the loss of the stories of my neighbors that shoots straight to my heart. The stories coming out of local journalism efforts show us who we are as West Virginians – stories like the war veteran recounting his triumphs on the battlefield; the dreamer who sees a need for her community and opens up a business to fill it; or the volunteer team that is collecting Christmas presents for families in need.

Local journalists shine a light on our shared history. Their stories reflect the needs, values, and progress happening in our communities – they are our collective heartbeat. And, as recent research from Texas A&M, Louisiana State and Colorado State universities shows us, they support us in being a more engaged citizenry, making decisions in the voting booth that reflect our own – and our neighbors – best interests.

This National Newspaper Week, I’m extending my gratitude to West Virginia’s storytellers working alongside us on the ground as we build the path to a bright future for our state.

6 young leaders to watch in WV – Beacon Awardees honored by Generation WV and One Foundation

10.07.19

Head to the Beacon Awards page on the Generation WV site to see the awardees!

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Congratulations to the first 6 winners of the One Foundation and Generation WV’s Beacon Awards! The winners are:

Shardinae Adams “TK Blockstar” (Fairmont)
Sarah Cordwell (Charleston)
Michael Farmer (Charleston)
Lucy Godwin (Beverly)
Allison Ibarra (Fayetteville)
Dural Miller (Charleston)

This year’s Beacon Awardees will be honored at an event on October 17th at the Clay Center’s Caperton Planetarium & Theater with a reception from 6-7 pm and an award presentation from 7-8 pm.

The One Foundation and Generation WV describe the awards:

The West Virginia Beacon Awards recognize, support, and connect young leaders between the ages of 18-40 who are working tirelessly with their communities to create lasting impact. Beacon Awards Winners are leaning in to existing challenges, digging into possible solutions and most importantly, turning their ideas into action. The award winners serve as beacons in their communities and across the state, reminding us that even one person’s dedicated positive actions can truly make a difference.

Read an article about the Beacon Awardees on the Charleston Gazette-Mail site »

RSVP for the event and read more about the awards on the Generation WV site »

Now Accepting Nominations – 2019 Spirit of Philanthropy Awards from Philanthropy WV

09.17.19

2017 Spirit of Philanthropy Award Winners. Photo courtesy Philanthropy WV.

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Do you know of a remarkable program or project that has had a critical impact in WV; a star philanthropic volunteer; a WV corporate giving/foundation staff person; or a philanthropically-minded business who has made a significant difference in our state in the past two years?

If so, Philanthropy West Virginia is looking for your ideas. Through its programs and services, Philanthropy WV helps funders become more efficient, effective grantmakers.

Each year, they are give the Spirit of Philanthropy Awards to honor the people who are making a difference in this field.

In 2019, the team at Philanthropy West Virginia is adding the Corporate Responsibility Leader Spirit of Philanthropy Award to recognize a company who exemplifies and advances corporate giving through their annual giving, employees volunteerism, donation of in-kind services and products, and the impact their work has on their community and our state.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

The Volunteer Leadership Award honors an individual exhibiting an extraordinary commitment to philanthropy through their personal giving, their company’s philanthropy, engaging others to give, and/or serving as a board member of a philanthropic organization.
The Staff Leadership Award honors a staff member (paid or volunteer) that demonstrates commitment and leadership in the field though creativity, leading others, and going that extra mile.
The Critical Impact Award celebrates local grantmaking of any size and honors the organization whose grantmaking has demonstrated an enduring positive impact, sustainability, and philanthropic leadership.
The Corporate Responsibility Award recognizes outstanding companies, of any size, who are actively donating, volunteering, and making a difference in local communities and the state of West Virginia.

The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2019.

For more information and to nominate, visit the Philanthropy WV website »

Congratulations to West Virginian Brandon Dennison on the national Heinz Award

09.17.19

Brandon Dennison, from the 2019 Heinz Awards website

BY EMMA PEPPER, DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS, THE HUB

Congratulations to Brandon Dennison, founder and CEO of Coalfield Development on this national award! The Heinz Awards celebrates the accomplishments and spirit of the late U.S. Senator John Heinz by recognizing the extraordinary contributions of individuals in the areas of greatest importance to him.

Brandon is being recognized this year with a Heinz Award in the Technology, the Economy, and Employment category.

Teresa Heinz, Chairman of the Heinz Family Foundation said, “Brandon has not stopped at simply identifying need and equipping individuals with employable skills. He has developed a model that harnesses the tremendous potential, talent and courage of Appalachia’s people while also creating new, sustainable jobs in emerging fields and addressing the social barriers that have hindered opportunity in an area that for decades powered the economic growth of our country. In presenting Brandon with this year’s Heinz Award, we are not only recognizing what has been achieved, we are also celebrating the bright future that is being created for the communities of Appalachia.”

Journal of Martinsburg: Town invests $27 million into improving quality of life

09.10.19

Martinsburg as captured by the Journal of Martinsburg – find the photo on their Facebook page

BY BREANNA FRANCIS FOR THE JOURNAL OF MARTINSBURG

Among various projects in both utility and beautification, the City of Martinsburg said it has invested over $27 million back into the city in fiscal year 2019-20.

According to City Manager Mark Baldwin, with a total of $23,799,464 from reserve accounts, the general fund and the sales tax fund and an additional $3,338,626 in funds matched by the state, the total reinvestment into the city is $27,138,090.

Baldwin said this much reinvestment shows the city’s efforts to giving back to the community…

Read the full story on the Journal of Martinsburg site »

Is your work making a difference in southern WV? Apply for a Power of Performance Award

09.09.19

Attendees at the 2018 Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference

BY STEPHANIE TYREE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE HUB

The team behind the Small Communities, BIG Solutions Conference (register here!) is looking for nominations of communities, groups, organizations and individuals that are driving forward success in Southern West Virginia.

The selected nominees will be honored at the conference on November 18^th with a Power of Performance Award.

The conference partners, including the Alliance for Economic Development in Southern West Virginia, Coalfield Development Corporation, and the WV Community Development Hub, are looking to highlight innovative and passionate projects throughout the event (see our story on last year’s conference). The event will shine a spotlight on professionals, community leaders, and experts and their unique perspectives on Southern West Virginia successes.

About the Award

Power of Performance honorees can either be an individual, employer, nonprofit, organization or institution that is doing something remarkable in Southern West Virginia. These honorees are truly power performers in Southern West Virginia. They are making positive things happen in their neighborhoods, communities, and across the state.

Thought-leaders with a strong grasp of these areas of work are encouraged to submit their success story on their preferred topic. The topics include:

Putting People to Work: Are you involved in a project that is helping to put people to work? Share your story, whether it is through training, connecting workers with existing jobs or hiring workers for your new start up, we want to know how you are helping to connect potential employees with job opportunities. This conference wants to showcase successful workforce programs that are connecting the dots between employers and the workforce as well as employers who are hiring.
Revitalizing Communities: Are you working to help revitalize your community? Share your story, whether you are organizing a recycling program, building more housing, or implementing a community led project, we want to learn how you or your business or organization is helping to redevelop and grow your community.
Changing Lives: Are you or your organization helping West Virginians lead more productive and/or healthier lives? Whether it is through offering support services, unique educational opportunities, counseling or mentoring, we want hear from you. We are interested in learning more about your successful program that is helping to lift individuals out of poverty, giving individuals a second chance on being productive adults, and/or equipping West Virginians with vital training and resources.

The conference team is looking to highlight success stories within the following 21-county region: Boone, Cabell, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, Webster and Wyoming counties.

The selection committee will review the submissions and choose up to six projects to highlight during the conference. Last year’s awardees included the Community Transformation Project (Beckley); Ashland Scenic Campground (McDowell County); Fruits of Labor (Greenbrier County); WV Hive Network (Beckley); High Rocks Educational Corporation (Pocahontas County); and the Healthy Grandfamilies Project (Kanawha County).

To apply, fill out the nomination form by October 23, 2019. Click here to go to the form.

Important Notes

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, October 23, 2019.
All honorees will be notified via email or mail by November 4, 2019.
Self-nominations for this award are encouraged.
Filling out the nomination form does not commit you to any speaking role.
All honorees selected will receive an official invitation to the conference.
Honorees will have an opportunity to share their Southern West Virginia success story during the official conference program.
Honorees will be highlighted in conference materials.

Apply today – complete the nomination form »