Where Our Work Lives

why [here] matters believes that anywhere people come together towards pursuing a common cause is important; it matters. We support and highlight the efforts of communities, initiatives and leaders that are providing counter-narratives and practices to polarizing and harmful perceptions and beliefs, especially in under-represented and misunderstood communities outside of the urban and coastal contexts where media, resources and influence are disproportionately located.  

We work with and alongside leaders, organizations and their stakeholders, building teams that are culturally competent, representative and responsive. We believe that storytelling and community building are imperfect practices, refined through making mistakes, learning and adapting from them, while staying in integrity with the communities and people we serve.

National

At the national level, we work with networks and institutions to support network building, knowledge exchange, and narrative change at scale.

We help hold space for big questions, shared accountability, and collective action.

Regional

Regionally, throughout Appalachia and the South, we serve as an effective intermediary — connecting institutions, initiatives, and individuals, who may not usually be in the same room — by aligning resources and supporting strategies grounded in shared place and purpose.

This is often where listening, translation, and trust-building are most needed, and where collaboration can unlock real momentum.

* Please note that we use the Appalachian Regional Commission map of Appalachia to define our regional geography with acknowledgement that the communities and people we work with permeate those arbitrarily designated boundaries.

Local

We firmly believe that change starts in our own cities, neighborhoods and communities. Our team is primarily-based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and contributes by showing up, having conversations, pitching in, mobilizing resources and facilitating engagements wherever and whenever possible.

We work and partner with folks who hold themselves to the same intention and integrity wherever they call home.