Rural Assembly Everywhere, the virtual gathering of the Rural Assembly, returns May 10-12 with a strong focus on rural arts and culture.
The free, two-day event will feature conversations with national and local rural and native leaders, including
- Neema Avashia, author of “Another Appalachia: Growing up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place”
- Youtube social and political commentator Beau of the Fifth Column
- Xochitl Torres Small, the USDA’s Under Secretary for Rural Development
- Neighbors from McMinn County, Tennessee, who are advocating for intellectual freedom after the banning of the graphic novel “Maus” in their school district
The event will also include discussions with small farmers about food democratization as well as a conversation presented by Welcoming America on building welcoming communities.
That discussion will feature three women leaders in Crete, Scottsbluff, and Lincoln, Nebraska of diverse backgrounds who will share their journeys to build stronger connections between immigrant and non-immigrant communities, fight against divisive rhetoric, and ensure that inclusive policy is the norm in their communities.
“These virtual gatherings give rural people and the rural-curious an opportunity to connect and share in rural culture and discussions, wherever they are,” said Whitney Kimball Coe, director of the Rural Assembly.
From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on May 10 and 11th, participants can tune in on the Crowdcast platform to chat and connect. Later each afternoon, participants can join breakout sessions and a digital happy hour.
The Rural Assembly is a nationwide movement striving to build better policy and more opportunity for rural communities across the country. Like the Daily Yonder, the Assembly is a program of The Center for Rural Strategies.
For years, the Rural Assembly has convened in-person gatherings. Rural Assembly Everywhere began in October 2020 to gather virtually during the coronavirus pandemic. This spring’s gathering will be the fourth virtual event. Past events have drawn hundreds of participants from all fifty states.
Registrants can join breakout sessions led by partner organizations, including Springboard for the Arts, The Rural Youth Catalyst Project and CIRCLE, and the Waging Peace Project.
How to Attend
Registration is free and unlocks the ability to join the live event in Crowdcast, receive videos after the event, and join breakout sessions.
Learn more and register at ruralassembly.org/everywhere or visit this link to register right away.
Disclosure: The Rural Assembly is a project of the Center for Rural Strategies, which publishes the Daily Yonder.
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