HE/HIM
Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia
My name is Rev. Michael L. Farmer, and I am the husband of Loren Farmer and the father of two daughters. I grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, in housing developments. I moved to St. Albans, West Virginia, in sixth grade and attended West Virginia State University for Information Technology.
I currently serve as pastor and director of Risen City Church – Community Center, a parish of Resurrection Church on Charleston’s West Side. Risen City has served the Westside community as a church for one year and as an after-school community center for the last four years. Prior to this, I worked in the for-profit world in banking and finance for seven years and spent eight years in non-profits directing youth programming. In my spare time, I am a hip artist and photographer, and a social activist of the Christian Justice Coalition, which I co-founded.
I also hosted President Barrack Obama in 2015 for the community forum to address the opioid crisis in WV via the Charleston Family Resource Center. Accolades include the 2016 Dreams MLK Outstanding Person Unity Awardee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Charleston-Institute Alumnae Chapter 2017 Social Action Awardee, 2019 Generation WV – One Foundation Beacon Awardee for community recognition of a person under 40 and The Saint Albans Ministerial Alliance Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2020 Humanitarian Awardee.
What prompted Michael to get involved with the AAN?
I have been interviewed and featured in many stories for community events and programs more times than I can remember over the last eight years. I believe I have grown accustomed to talking with the media and have learned how to answer questions and ask question to receive elicit responses.
What Michael hopes to gather through his time with the AAN:
Information on what it is like to live in an Urban Appalachia area, living as an African American, minority in West Virginia and Appalachia, also insight on Rural and Urban Poverty in West Virginia. Sharing experiences working and related to at-risk youth 5-18 and college kids as staff. Lastly general reporting as needed.
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