Lou Murrey

Lou is an Appalachian organizer, photographer, hearth keeper, land tender and a steadfast (if not beleaguered) believer that a better world is possible. Originally from Boone, NC, they have spent the last 10 years organizing with people around kitchen tables and on front porches across the South and Appalachia.

From their work with the STAY Project coordinating a network of young leaders in Appalachia to develop the skills, relationships and analysis necessary to survive and thrive, to their work organizing Peoples Movement Assemblies with the Southern Movement Assembly — the focus of Lou’s career has been on practicing community-led democratic governance and strategizing, locally and regionally, to build people-power and resist unjust systems.

In addition to their work building climate resilience with Appalachian Voices, Lou plays an active role on the board of their local worker- and vendor-owned grocery co-op. When they are not dreaming and scheming, Lou loves to share a meal with friends, read romance novels, work in the garden and walk the land with their dog Knick Knack.