Inaugural Black Policy Day Gathered Local Activists in Charles Town
Black Policy Day – Eastern Panhandle Experience draws crowd to first annual event
The Shepherdstown Chronicle | Monday, August 18, 2025
By Staff
On August 15, a diverse crowd of 75 residents gathered in Corner Connections for the inaugural Black Policy Day - Eastern Panhandle Experience. Organized by Teresa Holmes under her nonprofit, Boots on the Ground Youth Leadership Academy, the event served as a prelude to the Jefferson County African American Culture & Heritage Festival. With a lineup that included prominent speakers like the president of the ACLU of West Virginia and local social activists such as Rev. Justin Brown, the gathering aimed to inspire political engagement and advocacy. Holmes was motivated to replicate this event after attending a similar one in Charleston, reinforcing the need for community activism in areas like Shepherdstown and Martinsburg.