A volunteer community organizer, Royce Lyden describes herself as “a grandmother who lives a nomadic, itinerant lifestyle, a coal miner’s daughter, and a first-born, empathic soul.”

Lyden is a Fairmont, West Virginia native and certified rural chaplain. She has worked as a pharmacy technician and a billing specialist. “West Virginians and Appalachians are hardworking and resilient,” Royce said. “We find creative paths to overcome obstacles. We use the obstacles laid before us as stepping stones on our journey to overthrow the oppressor. We are reclaiming our own narrative — the people have the power.”

Royce says that “Black Joy is to celebrate the creativity and diversity of all people.” She calls this project’s collaborative effort to amplify the voices of Black women in West Virginia “a celebration of beautiful souls.”