Heyy (: It's been awhile.

Here's a little update from us -- you can check out our new air sensor map here (Newport News) and here (Lambert's Point).

We'll have more for you soon, but til then, check out our friends at Making Contact! From Frequencies of Change Media.

Malcolm Jones and Lathaniel Kirts are lifelong friends who are teaming up to deal with harmful coal dust that clouds the air in their hometown. The source: coal terminals that together form America’s largest coal export system. For decades, residents in two Black neighborhoods in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia have complained about the coal dust that coats the inside and outside of their homes, cars and playgrounds. Dust they also breathe. Many residents are deeply concerned about the impact of coal dust on their health and lives. Others are unaware of the dust and its effects. Crosswinds puts residents at the center of the story of coal dust in Hampton Roads, and what’s unfolding now in an effort to build healthier neighborhoods and lives.

CoalDustKills.com IG @coaldustkills X @therepairlab

Gentrification may be leverage needed to push environmental mitigation in neighborhoods coated in coal dust in Hampton Roads, Virginia. But changes in the neighborhood can also push residents out of their homes. And people wonder – how will the coal dust affect newcomers to the neighborhood, who may not know about the problem?

CoalDustKills.com IG @coaldustkills X @therepairlab

Since the earliest days of railroads in the US, Black and poor residents have covered the costs of the coal and rail industries with their health and well-being. It’s a tax they pay to wealthy fossil fuel corporations, who continue to escape accountability. This isn’t just in Hampton Roads – all along the railroad tracks, from West Virginia to Baltimore, the coal and rail industries displace costs onto neighboring residents.

Two versions of John Henry presented courtesy of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center and the Alan Lomax Collection there.

CoalDustKills.com IG @coaldustkills X @therepairlab

There is a new study that could offer more information on the coal dust in Hampton Roads, Virginia. But will it be enough to reduce coal dust? Doubt hangs in the air. The only thing residents know for sure is they want the coal dust gone.

CoalDustKills.com IG @coaldustkills X @therepairlab

Residents of Hampton Roads are demanding an end to the coal dust after decades of struggle. But the road to environmental justice is long and winding, full of setbacks and switchbacks. What does it mean to have faith that change is possible and that effort is worthwhile?

CoalDustKills.com IG @coaldustkills X @therepairlab

People struggle to breathe in two predominantly Black neighborhoods on Virginia's east coast. Toxic coal dust clouds the air in Southeast Newport News and Lambert’s Point in Norfolk, Virginia. The source: two terminals that together form America’s largest coal export system. For decades, residents in both neighborhoods have complained of coal dust that coats the interiors of their homes, cars and playgrounds in a fine black dust. Dust they also breathe. A 2005 study found asthma rates to be more than double the city and state-wide averages in Southeast Newport News. Some residents are deeply concerned about the impact of the dust on their lives. Others are unaware of the dust and its effects.

COALDUSTKILLS.COM X: @therepairlab IG: @coaldustkills

Crosswinds is a project of the Repair Lab. The Repair Lab is part of the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute for Democracy.

Find out more at http://www.coaldustkills.com

A live panel takes us deeper into themes of housing, race and sea-level rise particular to Norfolk, VA. This panel features Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Monét Johnson and Kim Sudderth.

Some highlights:

• Dr. Newby-Alexander quotes from "Frozen 2"
• Monét doesn't hold back
• Kim gives some solid advice

This was recorded live at the Attucks Theatre as part of our Community Listening Party on August 5, 2023.

Transcript coming soon at twotitans.org.

Find out more at http://www.coaldustkills.com