In this episode, Heather Andolina welcomes John King to discuss at-risk populations, specifically the poor, homeless, and mixed-ethnic and non-white communities in Appalachia and the Southeastern United States. John also introduces listeners to the conference, Class Con, and why he started the conference and what it's all about.

John King is an American Cultural Studies PhD candidate at Bowling Green State University and is a graduate of Berea College with a degree in Popular Culture. He studies at-risk populations with a particular focus on poor and homeless groups in the Southeastern United States. Most recently King was a contributing author for the Soulful Sounds of Derbytown, chronicling the history of black musicians and entertainers in Louisville, Kentucky.

John King / Class Con https://www.bgsu.edu/library/classcon.html will be March 14-15, 2025 at BGSU Jerome Library. It is free to present and attend, and will also be available on Zoom. Past presentations can be found in their digital archive: https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/classcon/ 

If anyone would like to get updates on Class Con 2025, or to become a member, please email [email protected]

Additional information mentioned in the episode:

Frederick Murphy's new documentary "The Indelible Appalachians"

Social media @historybeforeus

Spcial thanks to Kathy Lyday, Vice President of the MHA

Hosted by Heather Andolina (MHA President)

Produced by Lis Malone (Lis Malone LLC)

Presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association