Grounded

“The impact of new ideas isn’t really quantifiable,” said TedXCorbin attendee Merritt Conley. “Every little innovation resonates and moves the mind like music moves the soul. I wouldn’t begin to know how many ideas are rippling outward from the free and honest voices at TedX, but I’m very glad to have them heard.”

Why do people stay in economically disadvantaged areas? Why do they return? Crystal Kinser was so intrigued by these questions that she approached the nationally recognized TedX speaker series and pitched them the idea of hosting a series of Appalachian-focused talks. The event, held in Corbin, Kentucky this winter, sold out in a matter of days and watch parties, set up in adjacent cities and locations, showed the live feed to even more people.

Kinser remarked that “this was the perfect opportunity to allow people to speak for themselves on a platform that provides them more of a voice than they’ve ever had. The work had been done, the people were there, but using this well-known platform brought attention to the region.”

It takes an enormous amount of planning to put together such a large event. Figuring out where to hold the talks is the first order of business, and it is an important decision because it sets the scene. Kinser and her team selected Corbin because the energy and excitement of the area are indicative of recent growth in small towns across Appalachia.

“We have refocused the things that made downtowns the gathering hub of the 1950s era. By putting economy and community back into focus, Corbin has farmers markets, family events, and strong entrepreneurial leadership building great businesses that are welcoming and unique,” said Aaron Sturgill, Downtown Corbin manager. Sturgill remembers that when he was growing up most of the downtown was made up of shuttered businesses. He’s excited about the changes that have happened over the last few years. “We went from 60 percent to almost 100 percent occupancy, and now, when you drive downtown any day of the week, you see busy streets, people walking. You see life again.”

That sense of place and hometown pride also inspired the theme of the talks: Grounded. Musicians, poets, education advocates, podcast hosts, scientists, chefs, and goat wrangling artists were all part of the lineup and interpreted the theme in many different ways.

The theme drew speaker Mae Suramek, owner of Noodle Nirvana and Hole & Corner Donuts in Berea, Kentucky, and allowed her to share her expertise as a small business owner and social entrepreneur. She has seen great success by using a business model that benefitted the community while taking care of her employees. “From my experience, I see a lot of like-minded people who are saying that their towns are worthy of having a vibrant downtown, good restaurants, coffee shops, an art scene, and a music scene. That doesn’t come about on its own. People are reclaiming their towns and helping to make that happen,” she said.

Suramek also noted that one of the most exciting outcomes for the speakers at TedXCorbin has been the sense of community between them. She says that she had never experienced such an immediate connection between people so drastically different from each other, something that never would have happened had they met in passing. “These movers and shakers are chaplains, work in outdoor classrooms, are ukulele playing doctors – it makes me feel like I’m something more than a noodle shop owner in a small town,” elaborated Suramek. “It helped me feel more secure and validated as an Appalachian.”

Jonathan Piercy, a doctor from Hazard, Kentucky, believed that the variety of speakers is reflective of what is taking place in the area. “There are a lot of people doing interesting things in the region that are specific to Eastern Kentucky. Bringing people together to talk about what they are doing was really something. I’m excited to see those ideas get out into the world.” Piercy was excited to discuss the different ways that rural doctors balance community connection and changes in the practice of medicine.

Dr. Piercy says that when he looks back on the event, one thing is obvious. “The TedXCorbin event shows that there are tremendous ideas coming from people within Appalachia and that those ideas are worth exploring.” •

FIND OUT MORE on the web: tedxcorbin.com on facebook: facebook.com/TEDxCorbin photographs courtesy Jacob Wachal, Chris Radcliffe

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