E Williams
[Update]: E died unexpectedly due to complications following a heart procedure on September 23, 2020. Their passing left so many of us devastated. They were truly an incredible organizer who touched the lives of so many people. We ask folks to make donations in their memory at the organizations listed below.
Elandria at the beach! Photo Courtesy E. Williams.
Elandria Williams identifies as a Black, southern/Appalachian, disabled, genderqueer, pansexual, Unitarian Universalist, “auntiemama” to 3 nieces and nephews and 4 god-kids. E grew up on Cherokee land in Knoxville and Powell, Tennessee. In this interview, recorded at the STAY Project's summer gathering at Highlander in 2013, E talks about organizing, their complicated feelings about "country," how you can never be anonymous in the town you grew up in, and how much joy they get from seeing youth thrive.
For this episode, at E’s suggestion, we’re asking folks who have additional funds to donate to two initiatives. The first is Black, Appalachian, Young & Rising, a Black-led youth program of the STAY Project. STAY is a central Appalachian regional network of young folks 14-30 supporting one another to make their home communities places young people can and want to stay.
The second is the Disability Justice work of the People’s Hub, a nonprofit that offers live, interactive trainings and workshops to build community power and support grassroots work. Elandria is their Executive Director.
Host/Producer/Lead Editor: Rae Garringer. Assistant Editor/Composer-Performer of Acoustic and Electric Guitar Music: Tommie Anderson. Editorial Advisory Dream Team: Hermelinda Cortés, Sharon P. Holland, and Lewis Raven Wallace. Theme Song Composer/Banjo: Sam Gleaves. Theme Song Pedal Steel: Rebecca Branson Jones. Most importantly, thanks to E for sharing their story so generously with us all.