Ali Blackmon

Ali Blackmon (formerly known publicly as Ali Dugger) is a writer, speaker, and founder of Help Me Hope, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of hope.

She writes personal essays about survival, identity, reinvention, and life after upheaval. Publishing publicly since 2016, Blackmon explores how hope, joy, and purpose can remain possible when life changes dramatically. She publishes Alive, Anyway and, through Help Me Hope, works to translate established hope research into practical tools and programs centered on agency and pathways.

Blackmon lived with Type 1 diabetes before receiving a kidney-pancreas transplant. That experience informs her work without defining its boundaries. Her writing and speaking examine what it means to survive, reconsider who you are, and build a life after everything changes.

Ali’s independent writing began in October 2016. She has spoken publicly since May 2019 and founded Help Me Hope in January 2026.

She publishes her personal essays in Alive, Anyway. Help Me Hope is the nonprofit she founded to advance the science of hope.

Previously known online and published under Ali Dugger. Earlier interviews and features are collected on the Media & Interviews page.