Stephanie Tyree: How did you first hear about the West Virginia Community Development Hub and the work the organization does?
Brianna Hickman: I first heard about The Hub while working for a local nonprofit working in community development. The Hub’s newsletters and resource sharing were how we were made aware of several grants, workshops, and networking opportunities. I really started following along when one of my local communities, New Martinsville, was selected as a Blueprint Community® and received community coaching assistance to transform its downtown community.
ST: What about The Hub’s work caught your attention as something you want to be involved in?
BH: I’ve followed The Hub for several years now after learning more about the community coaching program. I love the grassroots, community-minded approach that The Hub takes towards building and supporting our West Virginia communities. When I first learned of the opportunity to work with the ACT Now Coalition and Community and Business Resilience Initiative (CBRI), I knew that the same community-minded approach would be a part of the plan. It’s so important to recognize the leaders already doing the work in our communities – they truly are the experts. Helping them connect with the resources and tools needed to revitalize their communities, and, in turn, reshape West Virginia’s future, was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
ST: What are you most hopeful for about your role in The Hub and how it can help create transformational change through the CBRI work?
BH: When you look at the goals and objectives for CBRI and the impact that will be made, you can see that this work can truly reshape and revitalize our West Virginia communities as well as be a national leader in how we address climate resiliency. This work will create a network of resilient communities who can share their stories with others in the state, Appalachia, and the country, and I’m really excited to be a part of the team that helps with that.
ST: What has been your experience with community development and why do you think it is so important in West Virginia?
BH: Community development is so important in West Virginia because, particularly when it’s facilitated in The Hub’s unique way, it instills a sense of pride in both our communities and our state. It’s often said that West Virginia’s greatest resource is its people, and it’s true. When actual community members are involved in growing and cultivating the community, they take ownership of that and create a sense of belonging. No one knows better what a community needs than someone who is already there, living that experience. I’ve spent the last 5 years working in the nonprofit, education, and local government fields bringing people together to talk about how we can continue to improve our communities and connect them with potential resources. By supporting the people already doing the work and already with the in-depth knowledge of the community, we’re investing in that community for years to come.
ST: What are your hopes for the work that is going to happen for Southern West Virginia as part of the USDA Rural Partners Network?
BH: My hope for the Southern WV Community Rural Partners Network is that it will truly transform the 12-county region and create a true network and collaboration of community organizations and individuals who share resources, ideas, and connections to continue building the region. When we break down barriers between our communities and work together, we can use shared resources to create a bigger impact and help even more people. The Southern West Virginia Community Network has the opportunity to do just that.
ST: What is something that brings you joy when it comes to community development work?
BH: There’s something incredibly special about watching a community take pride in its accomplishments, whether that’s opening a new business in a historic downtown area, bringing thousands of people to a festival, or providing opportunities for its residents to grow and be successful. As a lifelong West Virginian, I know there is always someone saying that things are going downhill, but as someone involved in my community and actively working to make an impact? I see firsthand the joy on residents’ faces as they participate in the progress being made to change our communities. I hear the excitement in people’s voices as they talk about the new store coming in that will bring jobs and opportunities to residents. Watching that pride become widespread is the best part about working in community development.
ST: What is a lesson you learned from community development that you would share with anyone interested in getting involved?
BH: It does not matter what your background is in, your level of education, or even how long you’ve lived in your community for you to make a difference. Community development happens when a group of people who want to make a difference come together and make that happen. If you’re interested in making that difference and getting involved, just ask. If there’s not already a team doing this, start one. We need all seats at the table filled.