As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, growing up in Eastern Kentucky was traumatic for Tasha Sams.
So as soon as she could drive, she started looking for acceptance elsewhere, in places like Louisville, Lexington and Covington.
"When I turned 18, I did what everyone does — I left," Sams said, "Not only to go to school and better myself through that angle, but also because I had no community, and there was a lack of acceptance and really a lack of tolerance around who I was. It's horrific just to think that people have to leave their homes for a reason like that."
Sams wasn't the only person to leave Eastern Kentucky. In fact, according to the 2020 Census, most Eastern counties have seen a significant decline in population over the last decade, ranging from a 2% to 16% loss.
While several factors have contributed to that mass migration, Sams realized there were some people that didn't necessarily want to leave, but felt like they had to in order to find acceptance, community and opportunity.
That's where the idea for HOME Appalachia was born. It's an effort to build what Sams needed when she was younger: a supportive, inclusive community that will drive innovation and economic growth for the region.
"When you think about Louisville, Lexington and Covington, they're not only the most economically viable parts of Kentucky, but they're also the most diverse and the most accepting of the LGBTQ+ community," she said. "This is an obvious correlation between economic development and innovation... You can't have innovation if you don't have diversity."
Sams began her entrepreneurial journey in June 2021, raising $15,000 on Kickstarter to validate her idea and gather input on what the vision for HOME should be.
Ultimately, Sams moved forward with a two-tier business model, which includes both coworking space and a small event venue — similar to Story in Louisville. Story, founded by Natalia Bishop and led by CEO Lauren VanCleave, opened its coworking and event space at 900 E. Main St. in 2019.
"They've [Bishop and VanCleave] been great supporters. They are wonderful advisors and I can't thank them enough for everything they've done up until this point," Sams said.
Pikeville was the perfect place to establish HOME, Sams said, noting its university and its relatively recent launch of Pride events. She hasn't finalized a location yet, but noted she has looked at some properties in downtown Pikeville.
Once Sams finds a home for HOME, there will be just one missing piece: funding. She still has that initial $15,000 raised via Kickstarter, and has since raised an additional $15,000 for $30,000 in total, but anticipates it will take an additional $75,000 to $100,000 to give HOME a year-long runway. Rather than pursuing another crowdfunding campaign, Sams said she is actively looking for strategic investors that want to see the vision come to fruition.
"It's an initiative, a business that will not only encourage people to move back to their home and assure them that they will have that community, opportunities and be accepted for who they are, but it will also give people who are thinking about leaving a reason to stay," she said.
HOME Appalachia is one of the 13 Invest 606 finalists, which will be competing for $30,000 in prizes this spring. Read more about the cohort here.
For more information about HOME, reach out to Sams at homeappalachia@gmail.com.
