It all started on a wet, snowy day at Moxxee Coffee while I was at work. I was making a Clover cup of coffee for a customer, when Eric Mathis, a Commissioner with the Williamson Redevelopment Authority & CEO/Founder of The Jobs Project walked in the tall, glass covered doors.
He walked up to where I would took orders and before he ordered his cup, he asked, “Are you the videographer dude?”
I responded, “Yeah, man!” And then blah blah blah…
That was five months ago, and now I’ve been working with him on the Sustainable Williamson project for the last four months. It truly has been an honor.
Watch the Campaign Documentary I produced for their IndieGoGo Campaign above.
Now, I can say, I’ve become a part of the cause, and I feel as if I am now a part of the Williamson Community.
Each step I’ve taken in working to ensure sustainability within Williamson & the central Appalachian coalfield region has been a dream come true.
From meetings with community leaders and collaborating with fellow artists, to capturing the stories of the work of the community, to creative direction and development of Sustainable Williamson’s brand, to working as the Campaign Manager for their national IndieGoGo crowd funding campaign, and much much more. It all has been an honor and fulfillment of past/current dreams.
Now we’re in the middle of an ongoing, 60 day national campaign, working to raise funds and awareness for sustainable development throughout the central Appalachian coalfield region, and beyond.
This campaign is not just about securing funds for Williamson, but using Williamson as a gateway or example, and it’s upcoming Smart-Office as a hub, for sustainable development throughout the region and nation.
The projects they have and are working on are standing as a testament to the rest of the world that, with a little bit of nerve, a big heart, clear vision, and with hands ready to get to work, economic diversification within Coal Country is not just possible, but tangible.
Now, I’m asking each of you reading to take a moment and look at the beauty that is exuding from Williamson, of the tangible reality at hand, and support their efforts, not just in thought, but with real commitment.
Flippin click HERE and contribute your donation to their campaign! If it’s $5 lazy dollars (which is so helpful!), or a thousand, do it.
Without the support of people like you and I, these projects will not continue to be a reality. So lets not stop at watching a cool video (Oh wait! Where did my humility go? I made those videos!), but click the link below and donate to a more than worthy cause.
This campaign is not about projects, but about people. People in a community craving hope; that tomorrow they wouldn’t lose their jobs, or be left behind by uncaring leaders in their country because of their political agenda.
Williamson could be known as last on every statistic for poverty, obesity, diabetes, or unhealthy living, or the ground zero for Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, or the place where mountains are removed, coal is burned, and a bunch of hillbillies run around with their heads cut off. (***This area is off limits to stereotyping).
But Williamson is much more than that: they are a hard working, loving, compassionate community with a hope for change, action steps to get it done, and a clear vision for the future.
Join the Collaboration Across the Nation, and support their campaign for “a Better World.”
