Appalachian Imagination: Joe Tolbert, Jr

 Joe Tolbert Jr is an organizer, executive, minister, writer, and commentator whose work and passion lie at the intersection of art, culture, spirituality and social justice. 
Joe T. was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but had a balanced mix of urban and rural upbringing. His Father's family in Georgia were a tight nit group of people who always gather around Grandma's house. Being out in the country at Grandma's, Joe T's cousins would always want to rouse him by calling him the city cousin. A really nostalgic memory that he shares is; His dad would load him and his siblings up in the car and go on long road trips, spending quality time together. 
Leaving Knoxville, to attend graduate school in New York City, then returning to Knoxville, Joe struggles to adjust to the rapid growth of his home town. 
Joe for a long period of life never considered himself to be Appalachian, until some friends with the Stay Project, pointed out the fact that he indeed lives in the Appalachia Mountain range. He is now proud to represent a wider understanding of what it means to be Appalachian (or Affrilachian ). 
In 2023, Joe was named Waymakers Collective's first Executive Director, driven by his personal belief that art and community can be a powerful force that can create real change. 
Waymakers Collective- waymakerscollective.org 
Be sure to check out their website and find out more about Waymakers and what they do. 
Appalachian Futurism is equitable justice, creative cooperation, and sustainable stewardship. 
We thank God for all of our people across the Appalachian region!! 
We thank you for your ongoing support and listening! 
We thank our sponsors- The Jackson County Sun www.jacksonsunky.com WWAG 107.9fm www.wagoncountry.com and John Caywood in Oklahoma. 
You can email us at appalachianimagination@gmail.com 
STAY AWESOME APPALACHIA!!! 
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