We are delighted to launch our Bridge Dinner Series with our guest, Ms. Emily Hudson! This free dinner series is designed to celebrate, share, and connect with what it means to be Appalachian and how we can mold the narrative of our region by connecting with others. Ms. Hudson will share her work, Stories Behind the Quilt. Participants will enjoy a dinner and special craft, creating a quilt oven mitt. Emily Jones Hudson is a native of Hazard, Kentucky, graduate of Berea College, a journalist and freelance writer. She is a pastor and poet, the author of four books: two inspirational-Water-Walking Faith and Touch the Hem; two works of poetry-Soul Miner, and Home, A Collection of poetic thoughts and things. She is the founder of CommonBond Christian Fellowship Ministries and Southeast Kentucky African-American Museum and Cultural Center.

Inspiration behind Stories Behind the Quilt series: We know that quilting is a tradition in the Appalachian Culture. But it is also a tradition in the African American culture and community. Growing up watching my mother quilt, I wanted to explore the commonalities in the quilting traditions found in both cultures. One thing we recognized is the place that sharing stories has while women come together to quilt. Thus, the birth of Stories Behind the Quilt. The series has taken on a life of its own and is growing more and more every day.