Black By God launches ‘Project Spotlight West’ series

originally published in Black By God

I grew up on Watts Hill on Charleston’s West Side, a community home to one of the highest percentages of Black residents in a concentrated area in West Virginia.

Given the political and financial histories in West Virginia, the West Side is not the stereotypical neighborhood that many out-of-state residents picture. It is a diverse and urban community that is bustling and flourishing.

And just while much of the country makes false assumptions about our state’s neighborhoods, some Charleston area residents have done the same to the West Side. While growing up, I noticed that many people, including the media, implied that my community was nothing else but the “bad part of Charleston.”

Like many other communities, the West Side has faced hardships, but its residents and community leaders are some of the most hard-working, resilient and caring people I have ever known. Thanks to these residents who consistently strive to uplift others, the unfair negative narrative about their community continues to evolve.

Watts Hill overlooks the West Side of Charleston, with views of Bream Presbyterian Church, Garrett Tire, Railroad Avenue (where Phat Daddys on The Tracks is located, and other well-known community locations. In the background, one can also see the Interstate 64 bridge and the front part of Fort Hill. The Watts Hill area is also home to the historic Breezemont Mansion, said to have been built as a friendly rivalry to Gov. William A. MacCorkle’s Sunrise Mansion. | Photo by Amanda Barber

Many local organizations work diligently to provide residents access to free substance abuse treatment, mental health care, and COVID-19 tests and vaccines. West Side leaders give back to the youth by planning block parties, basketball tournaments, church events, community dinners and back-to-school donation drives. Other local organizations provide crucial services like food pantries, educational assistance, and low-cost or free childcare.

The West Side community is really just that: a COMMUNITY that truly understands the meaning of the phrase “It takes a village.”

With Black By God, I am launching “Project Spotlight West” to tell the stories of the West Side and its residents and leaders of change. I want to bring the neighborhood beyond some people’s perception that it is one of Charleston’s most dangerous locations.

Another goal of the project is to record oral histories from West Side residents, business owners, community leaders and historians. By doing this, I hope to provide deep and meaningful information about people’s daily lives and their past experiences.

“Project Spotlight West” will include articles, images, videos, and audio. In addition, we will amplify each story on our social media.

Individuals interested in sharing information or stories for this project may contact Black By God by clicking here.