Honoring Legacy, Land, and Resilience: Mr. Blount’s Story

For Mr. Blount, home is more than just a house—it is a living testament to perseverance, self-reliance, and history. A lifelong resident of Covington County, Alabama, he carries the legacy of his ancestors, who were once enslaved on the very land he now stewards. Through his own hands, he has built a home, a livelihood, and a way of life that honors his past while adapting to modern challenges.

Building a Home, Brick by Brick

While many take out loans or rely on new materials, Mr. Blount built his home the way his father taught him—by using what was available and making the most of it. He salvaged lumber, windows, and doors from old, abandoned houses, carefully repurposing them into a place of his own. “I wasn’t about to put myself in debt when I had everything I needed right in front of me,” he says.

Debt-free living has always been a priority. He never saw the need for credit cards or loans when hard work and resourcefulness could provide the same, if not better, results. By the time he was a young man, he owned his home outright—no bank, no mortgage, just the satisfaction of knowing every board, every nail, was put there by his own hands.

His father, a man who had seen the struggles of segregation and inequality, instilled in him a deep sense of pride and resilience. “He always said, ‘If you wait for someone else to give you what you need, you’ll be waiting forever.’” Mr. Blount took that lesson to heart, forging his own path with determination and skill.

Fire and Land Stewardship: The Balance Between Tradition and Regulation

Beyond his home, Mr. Blount has spent his life tending the land, following the same principles his family has used for generations. One of the most valuable tools in land management, he believes, is fire. His father taught him to watch the land—to read the trees, the wind, the way moisture lingers in the soil. “The land will tell you when it’s time to burn.”

Mr. Blount has found ways to balance tradition with modern best practices. He respects the value of training and preparation, especially when working with others. “I know my land like the back of my hand, but if I’ve got folks out here with me, I need to make sure they’re safe too,” he explains. By blending old wisdom with new approaches, he ensures that both the land and the people working it are protected.

Turning Adversity into Strength

Throughout his life, Mr. Blount has faced obstacles far greater than weather patterns or land management regulations. Growing up in the segregated South, he encountered systemic injustices that shaped his perspective. “Every time someone told me I wasn’t good enough, I worked twice as hard to prove them wrong,” he says.

The challenges he faced could have discouraged him, but he found motivation in them. “Some people let [hardships] break them. I let [them] push me forward,” he reflects. Whether it was being denied opportunities or being treated unfairly, he focused on what he could control—his land, his home, and his skills. “They wanted me to fail, but I was too busy working to let that happen.”

Rather than letting hardship define him, he chose to invest his energy in creating a future rooted in resilience and self-sufficiency. His journey has made him a mentor and role model, offering guidance to those who will carry on the work of land stewardship and community leadership.

Lessons for the Next Generation

As Mr. Blount looks back on his journey, he sees a responsibility to share what he’s learned. Mr. Blount has recently partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to provide educational opportunities and demonstrations to the next generation of landowners and students interested in forestry, prescribed fire and legacy. His story is one of perseverance, wisdom, and self-sufficiency—lessons that continue to inspire people today. 

• Use what you have and stay resourceful. You don’t need the newest and best—just work with what you’ve got and make it work.
• Know your value and embrace your strength. Your worth isn’t up for negotiation—own it with confidence.
• Honor traditions while embracing progress. There’s a reason the old ways worked, but there’s no harm in learning something new.
• Lift up your community. You don’t get anywhere alone. The people who came before you and the ones coming after—they matter.

For Black History Month, Mr. Blount’s story is a reminder that history is not just something we read about—it lives in the people, the land, and the lessons passed down through generations. His journey is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of preserving family history, and the wisdom in balancing tradition with change.