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 Pluck!. In this podcast, Walker discusses the importance of Affrilachia in further opening the doors of Appalachia’s cultural and racial diversity and how Pluck!…
Podcasts
English professor and current Kentucky Poet Laureate Frank X Walker appeared on Katerina Stoykova-Klemer's radio show called "Accents: a radio show for literature, art, and culture" on UK’s student-run radio station in August of 2013. The show aired on WRFL 88.1 FM. Together they delved into excerpts from his recent work, Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of…
Published
The African American and Africana Studies Program and the Department of Gender and Women's Studies are excited to welcome Chamara Jewel Kwakye to their faculty!
Kwakye's work at the University of Kentucky will revolve around the examination of the life experiences of black women and girls particularly focusing on their educational experiences. Like many who come to UK and join departments within the College of Arts & Sciences, Kwakye was drawn by the interdisciplinary…
Published
The Department of English and the African American and Africana Studies Program are excited to welcome DaMaris Hill to their faculty!
Hill's focus at the University of Kentucky will be on creative writing. While she tends to specialize in fiction, Hill has a background that spans the writing spectrum from poetry to play writing. Hill looks forward to continuing her research work monitoring the politics of…
Published
UK English Professor and Affrilachian poet Frank X Walker has been named Kentucky's Poet Laureate! In this segment from UK at the Half with Carl Nathe, Walker talks about the award and his childhood dreams of literary accomplishment.
Published
Frank Walker, associate professor in the Department of English, discusses the origin of the word "Affrilachia" and how the use of the word forces the redefinition of a region traditionally described as all-white. Walker noted several key artists and intellectuals from Appalachia to illustrate the region's cultural diversity.
This podcast is a recording of his lecture on May 21st, 2012, at Shanghai University. The session was part of the…
Published
At the end of May 2012, a delegation of faculty from the University of Kentucky went to Shanghai University to promote the American Studies Center, a partnership between UK and SHU. Michelle Sizemore facilitated a group discussion between UK and SHU students about cultural difference, identity, and storytelling across cultures. Four faculty members, Mary Anglin,…
Published
Frank X Walker, noted author, poet, and Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky, shares the history of the term "Affrilachia," his thoughts on identity and place, and ways in which Affrilachian poetry continues to reach individuals all over the region.
This podcast was produced by Cheyenne Hohman.
Published
Melynda Price is a professor in the College of Law, and is the organizer for the 2012 Annual Black Women's Conference, which is in its 18th year. It will take place from March 22nd until the 24th, at various locations on UK's campus and the Lyric Theatre. The African American and Africana Studies program is sponsoring the conference, which is titled "Learning the Ropes: Black Girlhood, Identity, and the Power of Play…
Published
Oxford American Magazine recently recognized Frank X Walker as one of the most creative teachers in the south. Walker discussed the award and a forthcoming book with host Tom Godell on WUKY's series, "UK Perspectives."
The interview was originally posted on WUKY's website.
Published