Join a talk with Jason B. Tartt Sr. on “Social Justice and Community Work in McDowell County” from 4-5 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 27), in 338 Hodges Hall. A Q&A session will follow the discussion.
The 10th installment of Seedy Talks will feature Tartt’s social justice challenges, accomplishments and vision for regional development in southern West Virginia while seeking to answer the following questions:
WVU has a significant presence through athletics in communities of persistent poverty across McDowell County. How can our communities in the county work with our institution for changemaking beyond the presence of athletics?
How, despite the ways in which Europe underdeveloped Africa, are places like Rwanda that have been rebuilt after destruction growing? Meanwhile, places like West Virginia continue to report some of the worst health statistics, population drain and an uninspired youth population in the U.S.
When do community and academia collide and collaborate on identifying solutions for McDowell County?
The economic development work needed in McDowell County begs for research to help create educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Data and analysis would present the benefits of agriculture and other economic drivers to investors, funders and collaborators interested in rebuilding the county and the region.
Register to receive the Zoom link.
Tartt is from the Vallscreek community in McDowell County and a graduate of Bluefield High School. In 2010, he returned to West Virginia with his family in tow after a military and Department of Defense contracting career.
He has spent the better part of 10 years working to understand and create awareness and education around the viability of agribusinesses in the region.
Tartt is the co-founder of Economic Development Greater East and several other organizations that work to identify regional economic drivers and develop models around food and agriculture, clean energy, tourism and community health. He has also developed training and experiential learning programs for budding food producers and future business owners in McDowell County.
He is an entrepreneur, farmer, business owner and an ambassador of change who is passionate about exploring the opportunities Appalachia offers to empower communities and build sustainable businesses for future generations.
Tartt aims for McDowell County and southern West Virginia to demonstrate Black excellence through creative agriculture and entrepreneurial projects. He recently appeared on CNN in an episode of Kamau Bell’s “United Shades of America.”
For questions, contact Mehmet Öztan at mehmet.oztan@mail.wvu.edu.