Tell the Story

By listening to the community and following hunches, we discovered a a powerful community history of transformative leadership. The stories documented highlight the community’s value of education and local schools, essential community centers that provided the foundation for successful advocacy around environmental issues.

Films are a great way to share the stories of the community’s united push for transformation.

The following links are to videos I selected to tell the story of the coal ash movement at Belews Creek. There are many more to share. But these are highlighted in a narrative for an overview of what we accomplished.

At What Cost:
Danielle Bailey-Lash
Focus: Annie, Brown, Caroline Armijo, Danielle Bailey-Lash, McKinnley Warren and Dr. Cowan express their concerns about coal ash at Belews Creek.
(2014)

Life in the Sacrifice Zone - Truth to Power Trailer
Focus: Trailer focuses on the US Civil Rights Hearing on Coal Ash in Walnut Cove Public Library. Feature-length film highlights Belews Creek residents, especially David Hairston, and the battle to clean up the coal ash and prevent fracking.
(2016)

Persistence: The Power of People and Prayer
The Story We Want with Moms Clean Air Force
Focus: Tracey and Caroline are two moms making a difference around coal ash
(2016)

The Lilies Project Launch:
Introduction to the Grant
MLK Weekend
Focus: Launch of The Lilies Project after receiving funding from ArtPlace America as a National Creative Placemaking Fund Grant recipient
(January 2018)

The Seeds of A Dream
Focus: Film created for the hope of transformation of Walnut Cove at a summer Art on Main Event
(2018)

Celebrating Courage - The Life of John L. Hairston
Focus: London School and the Integration of Walnut Cove (Includes Curriculum)
(1918 - 1993)

A Time to Sing
Focus: Belews Creek Press Conference with Poor People’s Campaign During Celebration Courage Weekend
(2018)

The Gymnastics Show
Focus: Southeastern Stokes Middle School and Post-Integration of Schools
(1973-1987)

Ashes to Art
Focus: The Use of Coal Ash as Art art NCA&T Lab
(2018)

A Day of Prayer
Focus: We hosted three events on the five year anniversary of the Dan River Spill and refuted Duke Energy’s excuses for not excavating the coal ash at Belews Creek
(February 2nd, 2019)

Excavation Celebration
Focus: Celebration of NC DEQ’s Coal Ash Clean Up Decision
(2019)

What Remains
Focus: Loss of Danielle Bailey-Lash by UNC-CH Journalism School
(February 2020)

Walnut Cove Colored School: Celebrating 100 Years
Focus: Local Rosenwald School and the First Restoration in the US
(1921 - 1999)

Dispatches from the Front Lines of Coal Ash: Chicago EPA Hearing (Trailer)
Focus: People from around the country came to Chicago to demand the EPA close loopholes in the laws governing coal ash
(June 28, 2023)

More Stokes County Stories :: Little Egypt, James Brown, More