On February 6, 2014, the UK Student Activities Board hosted a reading featuring the Affrilachian Poets as part of a celebration of Black History Month. The poets, representing their publication Pluck! the Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture, each read a selection of their work individually.
English Professor and Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker introduces us to the history and origins of Affrilachia while also fast-forwarding to it’s present-day development in Kentucky’s first Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture known as
Kentucky has a rich literary history, and the new Poet Laureate of the Bluegrass State, Frank X Walker, has a deep respect and knowledge of those great writers before him.
Frank’s Kentucky roots have integrally shaped his perspective as a writer and teacher. The Danville native has said "One of the things I know, having lived in other states than Kentucky, is that it means something to be a Kentucky writer."
Frank created the word “Affrilachia,” which identified the African American experience in the Appalachian region.
The Carpetbag Theatre, Nikki Giovanni, Dr. William Turner, and Sparky and Rhonda Rucker were all recognized for their massive contributions to Affrilachian art, music, scholarship and heritage.
Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops performing "West End Blues"
Dom Flemons singing as part of the Symposium on Affrilachia
Dom Flemons playing the Quills as part of the Symposium on Affrilachia
Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops performing "Po Black Sheep"
Dom Flemons playing the jug as part of the Symposium on Affrilachia
