'Just My Opinion' by Grady Woods captivates social media across WV

Spend just a few minutes talking with Grady Woods, and you quickly sense the depth he brings to every exchange. He has built his Facebook platform “Just My Opinion” around that very quality – genuine conversation and authentic commentary. And through candid videos, he shines a light on West Virginia’s everyday life, along with the history and identity woven into its small towns.

From Kimball to Mercer County

Grady now lives in Mercer County, but his roots run deep in Kimball, a small coal town in McDowell County just off U.S. Route 52. Today, Kimball’s population is slightly over 200 people. Grady says that when he was growing up, it was home to over one thousand. The town had its own electric company, two grocery stores and other local services.

“We didn’t have to go outside of Kimball for much of nothing,” he recalls.

Like many towns in southern West Virginia, Kimball changed when the coal industry declined. Coal towns remain on the map geographically, Grady says, but in many ways, they’re not what they once were.

The Facebook Debate That Sparked a Platform

Grady’s journey into content creation began unexpectedly and uniquely – during a Facebook debate about the Bible. Four months passed, during which he was reading scripture. He felt he found the answer to prove his point and got on Facebook Live. Grady’s intent was really just to reach the person he was initially debating with. Instead, more than 40 people tuned in.

“I thought that was the greatest thing ever,” he says. “So then after that, I just got used to hitting that record button.”

During COVID-19, when people were stuck inside, Grady went live regularly, discussing news and tackling current issues. He enjoyed chatting with people online. What started as a debate evolved into community dialogue – and then into something larger.

Discovering a Niche in West Virginia’s Story

Grady’s content took a different direction when he casually posted photos from the woods one day. He wasn’t trying to promote West Virginia – he was just sharing where he was. But the analytics showed him something important: people were interested. So Grady leaned in, creating videos about West Virginia’s history, places and day-to-day life.

“It seemed like I had a knack for it, and it seemed like people liked it,” he says.

At first, Grady carefully edited his videos, cleaning up every detail. Those videos didn’t go as far. When he stopped over-editing and simply showed up as himself – with imperfections and all – the content resonated better with his audience. Grady says that after this change, his following grew tenfold. He doesn’t claim to know all the reasons why people watch, but he is grateful they do.

Finding Beauty in the Familiar

Many of the places Grady uploads to his platform are not West Virginia’s tourism hotspots – they are the everyday spaces from his childhood. What feels new to many viewers is simply home to Grady, which is why he is so knowledgeable about the locations he shares.

He has not yet found a new destination that has left him in awe, but he is still searching. This spring and summer, he plans to explore some places he has never been to, including parts of northern West Virginia. Some residents have already invited him to collaborate and showcase the Mountain State in a positive light.

“I plan on bringing y’all West Virginia in all its full color and beauty,” Grady says.

‘Just My Opinion’ – Where Differences Don’t Mean Division

A central focus in Grady’s content is humanizing people. He makes a conscious effort not to belittle people, nor to place anyone on a pedestal. In his view, communication is more productive when everyone is on equal footing.

“As long as you keep them on that level, people seem to communicate better or take better communication,” Grady says. “You know, when you lose all the stereotypes or titles, and everybody is just everybody.”

That philosophy inspired the name of Grady’s page, “Just My Opinion,” a space where people can speak wholeheartedly and honestly. He believes the country was built on the idea that individuals can have their own beliefs. For Grady, disagreement doesn’t have to equal hostility – it just means two people see something differently. He may not support or agree with every opinion he encounters, but he says a country where everyone thinks alike would lack individuality, meaningful dialogue and opportunities for growth.

“I like dealing with individuals,” he says.

Although Grady notes that he will not tolerate comments with malicious intent and deletes them if absolutely necessary.

Challenging Stereotypes, Reclaiming History

Part of Grady’s motivation in creating content is to help people learn beyond the misconceptions about West Virginia. He is aware of the stereotypes – that residents are inbred, hillbillies, or that there are no Black communities in the state. He says a lot of the jokes are media-driven, and while locals might laugh along sometimes, they know that is not the full story.

He often points to McDowell County’s past as a prime example. Known historically as the “Free State of McDowell,” the county welcomed a diverse workforce when the nation was still segregated. Black people, white people, and European and Asian immigrants worked side by side in the coal industry.

At one point, McDowell County mined the most coal in the country. Grady believes these contributions, both industrial and social, were astronomical in their time but are now overlooked. Though the county’s prominence has faded, he argues its legacy deserves a place in the broader American story.

“I know it died down and nobody looks at it like that no more, and it’ll probably never be that no more,” he says. “However, that don’t mean we just forget about it. Everybody else is telling about their heydays in the extended history books. How come ours ain’t?”

Building Community, One Comment at a Time

Facebook remains Grady’s home base, though he also maintains a presence on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Expanding takes time, and managing one platform alone is work – responding to comments, engaging with followers, and keeping up with the algorithm.

He takes that responsibility seriously. No comment is too small, too silly, or will get pushed to the side, he says.

“Just everybody drop in,” he says. “Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t. Sometimes my page will be for you, sometimes it won’t.”

In partnership with BBG Farmer On The Flag, Grady is visiting Black-owned restaurants in southern West Virginia and reviewing their food on his Facebook and Instagram. He is also interviewing the owners of those restaurants. So far, he has hit up Frank & Clara’s Fresh Fish Market, Dab’s Country Cookin’, and Sweet ThingZ.

For Grady, content creation isn’t just about views – it’s about conversation, connection, and making sure his corner of West Virginia is part of the broader American story.

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