When Baylen Campbell’s hometown of Hazard, Kentucky, experienced historic flooding in 2022, his heart was broken by the devastation. But at the same time, it was put back together upon seeing the community unite to help one another. “Contrary to negative stereotypes of Eastern Kentucky and Appalachia as backwards, redneck, uneducated — a monolith of white conservatism… What we saw during the flood was a multi-racial, diverse community coming together to support each other. That’s who mountain people are.”

Baylen Campbell is director of Community Impact for Invest Appalachia, a social investment fund built by and for the people of Appalachia. Originally from Hazard, Ky., Baylen brings experience working as an economic development and social impact practitioner. He is passionate about utilizing strategic communications and storytelling to shift outdated narratives of Appalachia. Baylen is co-founder of the Lige Clarke Liberation Fund supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy in Eastern Kentucky, and he holds a BA in international affairs and an MSc in development practice.

The full session — entitled “Creating Loving Communities: Bridging Divides” — also features Charles Booker, Kiana Del and Sadiqa Reynolds (moderator). Watch the session in its entirety:    • Creating Loving Communities: Bridging...  

About the Festival of Faiths: 

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the Festival of Faiths is a nationally acclaimed, multi-day festival that hosts spiritual practitioners, thought leaders and movement makers.

The 2023 Festival of Faiths, Sacred Hearts, Sacred Minds: Embodying Love, celebrated the power of love to cultivate meaningful connections, strengthen communities and transform lives. Festival sessions explored contemporary concerns through the lens of faith and tapped into our unique capacity for love and compassion in order to envision a more loving future.

Connect with the Festival of Faiths — and join us on this journey of conversation, understanding and spiritual nourishment: 

Website: https://festivaloffaiths.org/ 
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