Who We Are
Madison ROOTS is a community of people who live, work, and seek to thrive in Madison County, N.C.
Since 2020, we have been serving, learning, and transforming our community with the vision of building a beloved community where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.
We believe change begins close to home. That’s why ROOTS brings together neighbors from every walk of life to nurture understanding, foster trust, and stand in solidarity with one another.
Who We Work Alongside
We partner with people of color, law enforcement, educators, elected officials, public and private institutions, faith communities, and everyday do-gooders. Together, we focus on:
Policy Change: advocating for solutions that make Madison County stronger and fairer.
Issue Education: deepening understanding of challenges and opportunities facing our neighbors.
Relationship Building: prioritizing authentic connections as the foundation of lasting transformation.
Real change happens when neighbors work together.
ROOTS partners with schools, faith communities, nonprofits and local leaders to build a stronger, more connected Madison County.
Our Story
Madison County ROOTS grows out of years of local advocacy and bridge-building.
We honor the work of the Madison County Racial Justice Coalition, which helped plant the seeds of dialogue and action that continue to shape us today.
Our Values:
ROOTS
Respect for All
Respect for All – Every person deserves dignity, voice, and belonging.
Opportunities for All to Thrive
Opportunities for All to Thrive – Every neighbor should have a fair chance to live, learn, and succeed.
Organizing for Positive Change
Organizing for Positive Change – Shared values become action when we work together.
Trust / Transform
Trust / Transform – Trust is the soil from which true community transformation grows.
Standing in Solidarity
Standing in Solidarity – We walk alongside those most impacted by injustice, learning and acting together.
Our Mission
We exist to foster a spirit of community, wrestle with the difficult truths of the past and present as we advocate for positive social change, and pursue justice and equity alongside people of color in Madison County, N.C.
Our Commitment
We are rooted here. By working side by side with neighbors and institutions, we are cultivating a Madison County where justice, equity, and opportunity take deep root — ensuring a flourishing future for all.
Photo from downtown Mars Hill two days after Hurricane Helene in 2024
Land Acknowledgement for Madison County
Grounding Our Work in Truth and Place
We honor that the land we gather on today, known as Madison County, North Carolina, lies within the ancestral homelands of the ᎠᏂᏴᏫᏯ (Aniyvwiya / Cherokee) people, who have cared for these mountains, valleys, and waters since time immemorial.
We recognize the deep and ongoing connection between Indigenous peoples and this land — a relationship disrupted by violence, displacement, and broken treaties, yet sustained through resilience, language, and ceremony. We also acknowledge that other Indigenous nations have walked, lived, and traded on these lands, including the Yuchi (Tsoyaha) and Catawba (Iswa) peoples.
As we work for racial justice and community healing, we commit to learning from the past and living into right relationship with the land and all peoples who call it home. May our work reflect the values of respect, reciprocity, and restoration that this land teaches us.
Contact us
Interested in collaborating with Madison ROOTS? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!