Executive Director

Joe Tolbert Jr. is a cultural strategist and facilitator dedicated to strengthening creative ecosystems in Appalachia. As Executive Director of the Waymakers Collective, he leads initiatives that expand opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners while advocating for sustainable investment in the arts.

With degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Union Theological Seminary, Joe’s leadership has been recognized through fellowships with National Arts Strategies and the Intercultural Leadership Institute.

His work focuses on fostering innovation, securing fair access to resources, and empowering artists to drive cultural growth. Through his strategic leadership, Joe continues to position Appalachia as a hub for artistic excellence and creative resilience.

Hasan is rooted in a lifetime of community work shaped by youth leadership, justice engagement, and creative organizing. His “Hope Dealer” approach is grounded in connection and practice, offering communities new ways to see possibility and to honor the voices often overlooked in systems and decision-making.

Hasan brings lived experience, thoughtful clarity, and a steady commitment to the people of this region. His work has supported transformative initiatives across Appalachia, strengthening cultural power and deepening the leadership of artists and community visionaries. As a founding member of AppalCore, he helps guide strategies that expand the ways creative leadership can look across the region.

Kiran carries a long history of story work, community building, and creative guidance shaped by relationships across many parts of the world. His practice centers on the belief that stories are a shared inheritance and a pathway to deeper understanding.

Kiran’s work honors connection, healing, and the possibilities that emerge when people gather and listen. His experience includes guiding story-based initiatives that have brought communities together in meaningful ways across cultural lines. Within the AppalCore, he brings a global perspective grounded in humility and care, supporting a vision of Appalachia where artists and culture bearers continue to lead the way.

Kelle is a storyteller, musician, and cultural connector whose work celebrates the richness of Appalachian traditions. Blending folk artistry and community engagement, she uses storytelling and the ukulele to uplift the region's cultural narratives.

Passionate about building resilient communities, Kelle generates spaces where shared creativity and collaboration thrive. Rooted in the Appalachian region, she continues to shape and amplify the voices of those who call it home.

Malcolm is a musician, theatre artist, and cultural educator dedicated to preserving and amplifying Appalachian storytelling traditions. As founder of the Affrilachian Arts Institute, he builds and activates spaces where history, identity, and performance intersect to celebrate the region’s distinctive narratives.

Through his solo performance work, Malcolm brings to life the untold histories of Appalachian communities, ensuring that the voices of those before him remain heard. As a skilled facilitator and educator, he collaborates with schools and organizations to inspire young people through the power of artistic expression.

Committed to heritage, education, and cultural preservation, Malcolm’s work strengthens Appalachia’s artistic legacy and future.

A lifelong advocate for arts and social change, Margo is a cultural strategist, artist, and nonprofit leader committed to advancing creativity and community in Appalachia. Born and raised in East Tennessee, she spent over a decade as Executive Director of the Appalachian Community Fund, where she led funding initiatives that strengthened grassroots movements and secured critical resources for Central Appalachia.

Since the early 1990s, Margo has been an active member of Alternate ROOTS, collaborating with artists and cultural organizers to support community-driven art. Her visual arts debut came in 2024 through ROOTS’ UpRooting Ableism Workgroup, marking a new chapter in her artistic journey.

A founding assembly member of the Waymakers Collective, she was awarded her first independent artist grant in 2023, further deepening her commitment to creative expression. Whether through crafting, storytelling, or artistic collaborations, Margo continues to explore the intersection of art, joy, and community.

Rae is a writer and oral historian from southeastern West Virginia whose work uplifts rural life and the many forms of creativity found across central Appalachia. Rae’s commitment to place and people shapes a body of work that documents stories often left out of the broader Appalachian narrative.

Through listening, collaboration, and steady engagement with community voices, Rae brings depth and attention to the AppalCore. Rae’s story work has contributed to a wider understanding of rural experience within and beyond the region. Their presence strengthens the Collective’s efforts to nurture artists, culture keepers, and the future they are building together.

Shaylan is an organizer and facilitator from Harlan County, Kentucky, whose work centers care, education, and community-driven possibilities. Shaylan partners with people throughout eastern Kentucky to share resources, support conversation, and create environments where everyone feels welcome and valued.

Shaylan’s work has supported community-led spaces that open pathways to essential resources and collective visioning. As a member of the AppalCore, Shaylan brings a grounded commitment to connection, access, and the creative leadership that continues to shape the region.

Ty is a visual storyteller, creative strategist, and cultural advocate dedicated to using art as a catalyst for connection and transformation. Rooted in the Appalachian South, she creates bold, expressive, and thought-provoking work that amplifies stories, ignites dialogue, and strengthens community engagement.

As Director of Art and Communication at The Bottom, she plays a key role in developing creative spaces that empower artists and uplift cultural expression. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping The Bottom as a hub for artistic innovation, education, and community storytelling.

Committed to cultivating artistic resilience and collective empowerment, Ty continues to expand opportunities that inspire change and deepen community connections.