Ricky Skaggs headlines Dream Appalachia event in Martin County

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

Dream Appalachia hosted it’s 2024 Poverty Conference with neighboring Lawrence County native Ricky Skaggs performing at the Jim Booth Energy Building (formerly Sheldon Clark High School) last Thursday, April 25.

The event carried over until Friday with a conference that included speakers and breakout sessions devoted to entrepreneurship, faith, economic development, housing and more.

Those involved said it is the organization’s effort to continue a conversation that began with Lyndon B. Johnson during his visit to the mountains in 60 years ago 1964 when he declared “war on poverty” in Martin County.

The conference also recognized the ten-year anniversary of the creation of the Dream Martin County organization, which later became Dream Appalachia.

Organizers said the work being done in the mountains is impressive and impactful. The conference which was presented by Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), Appalachia Reach Out (ARO), THRIVE Community Coalition and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) is hoping to highlight the work and keep the conversation going.

Organizers of the event added that this entire event was devoted to dreamers, which was another heavy focus of the two-day conference.