Episode Details

What makes the city you hated become the place you call home — and then spend years working to make it that way for everyone else?

That's the quiet, powerful question at the heart of this conversation with Marisa Kelley, president of the Dalton-Whitfield NAACP. Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014, hated it (her words — two thumbs down), and couldn't find her community. Fast forward 12 years, and she's one of the most visible, invested leaders in the city, organizing what may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth celebration in the country. We talk about what changed, how the NAACP's work is for everyone, and why Juneteenth is one of the most American celebrations there is.

Oh, and we also celebrate a little milestone of our own: one year of Hear Local Media.

Highlights

• Marisa arrived in Dalton in 2014 and hated it — no community, no places that felt like hers. Downtown's revitalization was the turning point that made her want to stay.
• She became NAACP president after a friend told her she was "a little too passive" — and she took that as a challenge she never told anyone about.
• The Dalton-Whitfield NAACP is open to everyone regardless of race — $30/year membership, meetings the 4th Monday of every month at 6:30 PM at the community center.
• The NAACP's vision is an inclusive community rooted in liberation, where all persons can exercise their civil and human rights without discrimination.
• Dalton's Juneteenth celebration is in its 8th year and may be the largest two-weekend Juneteenth event put on by a single organization in the country.
• Nana's Family Fun Day is named in honor of Ms. Debbie Madden, a vendor from the very first celebration who passed away from breast cancer — a beautiful tribute to the person who planted that seed.
• Marisa explains the real history of Juneteenth: why the Emancipation Proclamation didn't actually free anyone, what Union General Granger's arrival in Galveston meant, and why formerly enslaved people started celebrating just one year later — in 1866.
• The Pan-African flag colors explained: red for the blood shed for freedom, green for the richness of the earth and looking forward, black for Black people and unity worldwide.
• Marisa's favorite thing about Dalton? The people — specifically those who are intentional about doing the work to make it better, not just talking about it.

Chapters

0:37 – One Year Milestone

1:17 – Meet Marisa Kelley

3:30 – Dalton Love Overflowing

4:00 – Her Path to Dalton

5:25 – Finding Community

6:42 – Downtown Turning Point

9:17 – Burr Park Connections

10:12 – NAACP Leadership Journey

12:21 – Mission and Vision

14:22 – Get Involved and Juneteenth

16:09 – Events and Service

16:28 – MLK Service Projects

17:16 – Hot Dogs, Hoodies & Haircuts

18:05 – Juneteenth Gets Bigger

18:46 – Origins in Kansas

19:59 – Spades and Fish Fry

21:56 – Nana's Family Fun Day

22:53 – Parade, Concert & Gala

23:44 – Juneteenth History Explained

26:48 – Symbols, Food & Flags

29:32 – Dalton Favorites & Farewell

Resources Mentioned

• Believe Greater Dalton — YouTube channel featuring Marisa and community members: youtube.com/@BelieveGreaterDalton
• Dalton-Whitfield NAACP — Follow on Facebook and Instagram for event updates and meeting info

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