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Kentucky's Poet Laureate Frank X Walker

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.

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'UK at the Half' Features Kentucky's Latest Poet Laureate, Frank X Walker

Frank X Walker, associate professor of English at the University of Kentucky and recently announced Kentucky poet laureate, was the guest on the March 2 "UK at the Half," which aired during the UK vs. Arkansas game that was broadcast on radio.

Read more about 'UK at the Half' Features Kentucky's Latest Poet Laureate, Frank X Walker

'UK at the Half' features Frank X Walker, Kentucky Poet Laureate

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.

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UK to Host 73rd Annual College Language Association Conference

The 73rd annual convention of the College Language Association (CLA) will blossom in the Bluegrass this year. Themed, "Mason-Dixon and Maginot Lines: Borders, Boundaries and Barriers in Languages and Literatures," the conference will last from April 11-13, with pre-convention events on Wednesday, April 10.

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Race and Appalachian Poetry: Frank Walker

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.

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'Rebuilding the Block' Culminates With Sankofa Awards

The Sankofa Awards, honoring African-American men who have demonstrated excellence in the categories of service, social and environmental justice, scholarship, philanthropy, creativity and entrepreneurship, will provide a symbolic end to the series that began in December 2011.

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Voices from Shanghai: May 2012 Symposium

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.

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Love/Conjure Blues

Performance Artist and Novelist/Poet, Sharon Bridgforth, reads from her performance novel, Love Conjure/Blues.