Rian Johnson
Associate Director Content Development
LFA Supervisor & C2C Comms Intern Supervisor
We’re proud to share that the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) has been featured on the StriveTogether blog in a new story titled Postsecondary Completion: A Community Strategy for Economic Mobility in Appalachian Kentucky.
This piece highlights the power of place-based partnerships in rural communities—and how our region is rethinking what it means to support young people beyond high school. From increasing access to dual credit and paid work experiences to ensuring students feel a true sense of belonging, our strategy is rooted in collaboration, community leadership, and local insight.
We’re grateful to StriveTogether for elevating this story and to our many partners who make this work possible every day. Together, we’re not just helping students graduate—we’re helping them build futures.
Rural AmeriCorps: Building Communities from the Inside Out
— Dreama Gentry, President and CEO, Partners for Rural Impact AmeriCorps is often framed as an urban program, where young people travel to unfamiliar cities
Turning the Page on Our Literacy Crisis Will Require All of Us
Editor’s Note: This blog post is co-authored by Dr. Felicia Cumings Smith, President & CEO of the National Center for Family Learning, and Dreama Gentry,
Hearts and Minds United: How Monthly APPC2C Partner Meetings Are Building a Better Appalachia
When the Appalachian Cradle to Career Partnership (APPC2C) convenes its monthly partner meeting, the energy in the (virtual) room is undeniable. Despite the distance between
From Behind the Lens to Big Dreams: Meet Ella Harris
Meet Ella Harris — a cheerful, mindful, and kind soul who has been shining on our communications team with her creativity and positive energy! A
Fleming-Neon Library Makeover Opens New Chapter for Student Learning
A quiet transformation has taken place at Fleming-Neon Middle School—one that promises to inspire students for years to come. Thanks to a partnership between the
Shiners: A Packed House, Powerful Stories, and the Heart of Appalachian Kentucky
On Sunday, June 22, the Cinemark Theater in Richmond was filled wall to wall—not just with people, but with pride, emotion, and applause—as Shiners: Voices