“When individuals speak their truth, communities rise, and systems are transformed.”
From Redlining to Reality: Understanding Today’s Wealth Disparities
This video explores how the legacy of redlining continues to shape our present, connecting directly to today’s racial wealth gap, income inequality, health disparities, and housing insecurity. Drawing on both national and Kentucky-specific data, it highlights the staggering economic divides while reminding us that behind every statistic are real families, stories, and communities deeply impacted by these injustices.
The COmmon Thread Kit
The Common Thread Kit was created with one goal in mind: to keep community members safe, seen, and humanized in moments of vulnerability. Designed to be kept accessible in your vehicle in case you are pulled over—no reaching—the kit provides a way to tell your story before words are even spoken. This powerful tool is an important collaboration between Nikki Lanier of Harper Slade and Black Yarn Inc., woven from a shared commitment to dignity, safety, and connection.
Building Legacy: A Black Family’s Fight for Homeownership
This video shares the powerful story of one Black Lexington family’s journey to homeownership in the mid-20th century. Through sacrifice and determination—giving up birthdays and holidays to save for a house—the family secured a home in Fort Springs that remained in their hands for more than 60 years. Their story reflects both the struggles and the resilience of Black families building legacy in the face of systemic barriers.
Highlighting Local Non-profits: A Sense Of Place
At Black Yarn we love highlighting stories of organizations doing powerful work in our community. This video features A Sense of Place, a Lexington-based nonprofit whose mission is to remember and celebrate the history of Fayette County’s rural Black hamlets. Learn more at LexingtonHamlets.org.
From Comfort to Reality: Learning the Boundaries of Segregation
This video captures the reflections of growing up in segregated Lexington, where everyday experiences—from movie theaters to lunch counters to schools—revealed the harsh realities of discrimination. Told through the lens of childhood memories, it highlights both the challenges of navigating racism and the resilience found within community and family.
Highlighting Local Non-profits: Robert H Williams Center
At Black Yarn we love highlighting stories of organizations doing powerful work in our community. This video features The Robert H. Williams Cultural Center. Lexington-based nonprofit whose mission is to provide a welcoming space where individuals from all backgrounds can come together to learn, share, and celebrate cultural traditions. They strive to create programming and events that foster cultural exchange and dialogue, as well as promote social justice and equity. Learn more on their Facebook page @rhwcclex
University Partner: Civil Rights and Restorative Justice- Kentucky
CRRJ-KY works at the crossroads of history and justice, uncovering cold cases of civil rights violations in Kentucky. By partnering with families and communities, the clinic seeks redress, restores truth, and confronts the ongoing harm of racial terror through restorative justice.