Solidarity Rides

Inspired by Freedom Riders of the 1960’s, the purpose of Solidarity Rides is not just to tour frontline communities, but to strategically bring leaders together, in Solidarity to catalyze Environmental Justice.

Louisville Solidarity Ride

Photography by Jon Cherry

On July 20, 2024, Counterstream Media and Black Appalachian Coalition hosted the BLAC Policy Summit in Louisville, Kentucky. During the summit, Counterstream organized its first Solidarity Ride which was a power-building experience under the theme of healing, convergence, resurgence, and justice.

Solidarity Riders convened at the Food Literacy Project, whose mission is to see young people transforming their communities through food, farming, and the land.

Archbishop Marcia Dinkins, the founder of Black Appalachian Coalition is on a mission to build a multi-state campaign that amplifies black voices, dismantles the colonized narrative of Appalachia, and uses story-based strategies and solutions that center the voices and lived experience of Black Appalachians. Archbishop has been a leading voice in the charge to confront petrochemical polluters while uplifting the voices and solutions of Black Appalachians.

The name "Rubbertown" refers to an industrial complex in Louisville along the Ohio River. It gets its name from the chemical manufacturing plants lining the area. These plants manufacture tires, synthetic rubber, plastics, resins, and other petrochemical related products.

Chickens at the BearFruit and Grow, a black owned food justice organization that creates pathways for food access, land acquisition, and distribution of resources.

On the Solidarity Ride, Jericho, a youth urban farmer from the Food Literacy Project details the harms caused by Rubbertown while also underscoring the solutions she and youth farmers are bringing to food insecure communities in Louisville.

Rev. Dr. Kevin Cosby, President of Simmons College and Pastor of St. Stephens Church in Louisville, Kentucky beseeched to BLAC Policy Summit attendees and Solidarity Riders that "If we don't organize, we will agonize."

Solidarity Riders learn the art of chicken farming from LeTica, the founder of BearFruit and Grow.

Examining some of the greens grown at the Food Literacy Project.

See more at counterstream.org