SHAKINA: “My name is Shakina Jones, and this is my second summer being an intern for the Southeast KY African American Museum and Cultural Center. I am going to be a sophomore at Berea College in the Fall of 2022, and plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree in Psychology.

My time as an intern has given me knowledge on research skills, being more aware of the history that is not told as well as not known. With the amount of research that has been done, I have enjoyed gathering any information I can. But I have also gained more confidence and understanding that will help me with my experience at college and in my personal life.”

JAMIE: “My name is Jamie Jones, and I am a recent graduate of Hazard High as well as one of the two student leaders at Hazard Community and Technical College. As I start HCTC in the fall, I will be majoring in Human Services/Social Work. This is my first year as a summer intern for The Southeast Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center.

This internship has taught me many things about my African-American history, the forgotten or unspoken history from our ancestors, and brought me closer to that part of me. I hope to continue to keep learning about our history and sharing it with others. This internship has also given me a space to feel confident in my voice and the research I help find.”

SANDRA: “My name is Sandra Jones. Born and raised here in the Appalachian Mountains, I grew up playing outside until the streetlights came on with my neighbors and taking shortcuts through people's yards while walking to relative's homes. We played cowboys and Indians on the mountains. And I even played with bugs in the crawl space under the house. We had no fear. Those were the good old days. But my, how times really have changed.

I have been back home after living away for 15 years. But I’ve always sensed a call to return. Now that I'm back I have the desire to remember more and learn more about Appalachia and her people...my people...our people...our diverse Appalachian history. We are all intertwined, different cultures but one body, with valuable golden nuggets to share that must not be forgotten. I hope to help shed light on some of the mis-perceptions of what it's like living in these beautiful and peaceful mountains and bring new meaning to the phrase "there's no place like home".”