In a tribute to Black History Month, Kingsport City Hall becomes the temporary home to 'Black in Appalachia', a visual walk through the rich tapestry of African American life in the Mountain South. The exhibit, hosted by Kingsport Cultural Arts in association with the Kingsport Archives, will hold court in the lobby through February 14, according to the City of Kingsport.

The initiative, spearheaded by East Tennessee PBS, delves deep into the African American influence that's woven into the historical and cultural fabric of Appalachia, with documentaries engaging local narratives. The stirring exhibition in Kingsport, 'Black in Appalachia' strives to amplify the voices and achievements of the Black communities in Sullivan and Hawkins counties of Tennessee and Scott County, Virginia, their history, their struggles, and their resilience.

This storytelling project comes to life with contributions from the Kingsport City Archives and the Kingsport Friends of the Archives. The Kingsport Community History Project embraced the local Black communities to dust off the annals and showcase a history that's as integral as it is indispensable.

Visitors to the exhibit can expect an array of banners boasting photographs historical biographical snippets, newspaper clippings, and a timeline depicting various facets of Black existence in Kingsport – not excluding the role of Black churches, the legacy of Douglass High School, the Riverview neighborhood dynamics, and the imprints of fraternal and social organizations. Among the notable African Americans featured is the influential Pierce family, each element compounding to narrate a story larger than the sum of its parts.

For the inquisitive minds seeking to delve deeper or for those who simply want to learn more, Kingsport City Archives offers a wealth of information and welcomes queries at 423-224-2559, ensuring that the dialogue sparked by "Black in Appalachia" expands beyond the walls of the city hall.