Ada (she/her) is from Whitesburg, Kentucky. Raised by Appalshop filmmakers, she learned about cultural organizing at an early age. Ada’s politic continues to be informed by Appalachian and rural landscapes, especially the myriad forms of resistance therein. She is a founding member of the Stay Together Appalachian Youth (STAY) Project, has served as a co-facilitator for the Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange, and finds political home in radical, southern organizing formations. Ada is currently on the board of the Mountain Association, an eastern Kentucky CDFI. After 15 years of movement building, she dreams and builds for what’s to come, knowing liberation is possible in our lifetime.

What Liberation Means to Ada

Tell us why you do what you do.

My politics are informed by Appalachian and rural landscapes, and the myriad forms of resistance therein. After 15 years of movement building, I dream and build for what’s to come, believing liberation is possible in our lifetime.

What’s most important to you about being part of Solidaire?

Resourcing can be a liberatory tool. Solidaire’s team is dedicated to assisting our movements in winning, and I hope to be a part of that team effort.

What does liberation mean to you?

Operating from abundance, finding ways to tend to our land and resources, and sustaining one’s cultural practices and beliefs to build connection.