2019 Summer intern Vallen Ellis has published an op-ed in the Roanoke Times about the importance of cultural awareness.

From the article: “Growing up as a biracial woman in the Appalachian mountains, I struggled to find my own identity. The area is predominantly white, and there are not many others who have my skin tone or texture of hair. The sides of my family are split into two races, and unfortunately no one could relate to my struggles on either side.”