Summit Schedule

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Welcome & Valerie Scott: Poetry/Spoken Word Kickoff
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
Valerie Scott, a prominent civil rights advocate, artist, and poet, will open the summit with a dynamic spoken word performance. As a board member of the DuBois Community Center, Valerie has championed civil rights initiatives in rural Kentucky. Her poetry reflects her identity as a Black woman in America, bringing themes of heritage, resilience, and beauty to the forefront.

Valerie Scott is a civil rights activist and poet based in Mt. Sterling, KY. She has been instrumental in promoting equity through initiatives that have driven significant community change. Valerie is also active in the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, NAACP, and Delta Sigma Theta, among other organizations. As an artist, she expresses her heritage through poetry and bright, beautiful attire that celebrates her identity.

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Break
Explore the three floors of visual art galleries at the Gateway Regional Arts Center. Grab a snack or coffee in the Kezele Cafe Gallery (Basement Floor). Take a walk down beautiful and historic Main Street Mt. Sterling. Stretch your legs, make a new friend, network with others, and prepare to learn something new in the next session!

4:20 PM - 5:00 PM
Group Activity/Discussion: "Common Ground, Appalachia! Where Are YOU From?
Led by Marie T. Cochran
Location: Breakout Rooms
This interactive activity, crafted and led by Marie T. Cochran, founder Affrilachian Artist Project, will explore our “sense of place.” Participants will reflect on their own experiences and their relationship to Black culture in the region, past, present and future. We will consider how we can engage in the ongoing dialogue about culture and identity in Appalachia.

Marie T. Cochran launched the Affrilachian Artist Project in March 2011 at the 1st Affrilachian Symposium convened by Frank X Walker and hosted by the University of Kentucky. Later that year, she was invited to co-curate the first ever Affrilachian-themed visual art exhibition at the August Wilson Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, PA. For nearly 15 years, as arts advocate, creative practitioner and self-proclaimed cultural pollinator, Cochran has cultivated a diverse and sustainable network among the region's artists, culture bearers and community organizers. Cochran has just traveled to KY from the 109th Annual Association for the Study of African American Life and History conference in Pittsburgh, PA where she convened a roundtable conversation with Black Appalachian Storyteller fellowship recipients poet L. Renée and musician Aristotle Jones as they shared the bittersweet journeys as Black Creatives in Appalachia. In an upcoming chapter for the upcoming book “Teaching Affrilachia” to be published by the University of Kentucky Press, Cochran documents the legacy work being done to preserve the pioneering work of three unsung Black Appalachian artists from NC and TN who were her mentors.

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Break

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Networking Reception
Location: Kezele Cafe Gallery (Basement Floor)
This informal reception is designed to foster connections among artists, cultural leaders, and attendees. Light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be provided, offering participants an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue about the Affrilachian movement. (OPTIONAL: During this time offer drop-in drawing and writing on Mind maps from Interactive Group Activity/Discussion)

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
African Music Workshop with Area Youth**
Location: Rehearsal Studio (2nd Floor)
Local youth will participate in a hands-on African music workshop, exploring the instruments and traditions that form the roots of Appalachian folk music. This youth-centered program encourages creative expression and cultural connection through music.
**Guests at the Affrilachia Summit are welcome to quietly observe the workshop, but we ask that you do not interrupt the workshop while it is in session.**

7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
An Intimate Evening with Frank X Walker
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
Frank X Walker, the first African American Poet Laureate of Kentucky, will share his personal journey and the creation of the Affrilachian movement. His poetry reading will explore themes of race, place, and identity in Appalachia, followed by a Q&A where attendees can engage with Walker’s rich experiences and insights.

Frank X Walker is a native of Danville, KY, and the first African American to serve as Kentucky Poet Laureate. He has authored 13 poetry collections, including Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers, which won the 2014 NAACP Image Award. Walker is the co-founder of the Affrilachian Poets and coined the term "Affrilachia" to reflect the Black experience in Appalachia. He is also the founding editor of pluck! The Journal of Affrilachian Arts & Culture and a professor at the University of Kentucky.

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & Check-In
Location: Lobby
Attendees will gather for the day’s programming, receiving materials and a brief overview of the day’s schedule.

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Keynote Address: “I Pledge Allegiance to Affrilachia More Than Ever” by Marie T. Cochran
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
Marie T. Cochran’s keynote will explore the transformative power of the Black Appalachian movement in shaping the cultural narrative of the region and the nation. She will delve into her own experiences as a daughter of Affrilachia and offer a call to action which challenges unimaginative visions of identity and place.

Marie T. Cochran launched the Affrilachian Artist Project in March 2011 at the 1st Affrilachian Symposium convened by Frank X Walker and hosted by the University of Kentucky. Later that year, she was invited to co-curate the first ever Affrilachian-themed visual art exhibition at the August Wilson Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, PA. For nearly 15 years, as arts advocate, creative practitioner and self-proclaimed cultural pollinator, Cochran has cultivated a diverse and sustainable network among the region's artists, culture bearers and community organizers. Cochran has just traveled to KY from the 109th Annual Association for the Study of African American Life and History conference in Pittsburgh, PA where she convened a roundtable conversation with Black Appalachian Storyteller fellowship recipients poet L. Renée and musician Aristotle Jones as they shared the bittersweet journeys as Black Creatives in Appalachia. In an upcoming chapter for the upcoming book “Teaching Affrilachia” to be published by the University of Kentucky Press, Cochran documents the legacy work being done to preserve the pioneering work of three unsung Black Appalachian artists from NC and TN who were her mentors.

11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Break

11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Monk Estill Performance by Malcolm Davis
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
Malcolm Davis will present a theatrical performance centered on the story of Monk Estill, one of the first African Americans to gain freedom in Kentucky. This performance will combine storytelling, original music, and historical exploration to highlight the contributions of Black and Indigenous Kentuckians to the region.

Malcolm Davis is a musician and oral history performer from Eastern Kentucky. His one-man shows explore African American and Indigenous heritage, continuing the storytelling legacy of his family, particularly his father, Hasan Davis. Malcolm has taught youth poetry and theatre, and his performances bring to life the diverse narratives of Affrilachian culture.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch (Free; provided)
Location: Kezele Cafe Gallery (Basement Floor)
Attendees will enjoy a catered lunch featuring regional Appalachian dishes, offering an opportunity to network and discuss the morning’s sessions.

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Session: "Who Can Speak for Black Appalachians?" Inquiry-Based Learning Workshop
Presented by Shaniqua Robinson & Helena Sands
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
This interactive session will use inquiry-based learning to explore who holds the authority to speak for Black Appalachians. Participants will analyze historical sources and engage in critical discussion, guided by educators Shaniqua Robinson and Helena Sands.

Shaniqua Robinson is the Executive Director of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky. A Mt. Sterling native, she has over a decade of experience in education, focusing on social studies and writing. She collaborates with educators to develop curricula that highlight the voices of Black Kentuckians.

Helena Sands is a Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky and former Government and U.S. History teacher. She is passionate about inquiry-based learning and civic engagement, currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Sciences at UK.

2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Break

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Performance: "An Appalachian Hip Hop Story" by Monstalung
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
Hip hop artist Monstalung will perform songs from his album An Appalachian Hip Hop Story Pt. 1, blending personal stories of growing up Black in Appalachia with modern hip hop. His performance highlights the diversity and richness of Black Appalachian experiences through music.

Monstalung is a veteran hip hop artist, producer, and founder of an independent hip hop label based in Morgantown, West Virginia. With over 30 years of experience, he has collaborated with industry greats like Father MC, Loon from Bad Boy Records, and Tekitha from Wu-Tang Clan, and has shared stages with major artists including Drake, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain. After years in the industry, Monstalung continues to find joy in creating music, embracing his passion for hip hop as a form of therapy. He is also set to release his first memoir this fall, reflecting on his journey and resilience in the ever-evolving music landscape. He was just awarded the Fellowship for the 2024 class of the National Association of Black Storytellers.

3:15 PM - 3:25 PM
Break

3:25 PM - 4:30 PM
Painting Affrilachia: A Class for All Levels
Location: Imagination Lab
Participants of all skill levels are invited to express their interpretation of Affrilachian culture through painting. This hands-on workshop, led by a local artist, will explore techniques for creating visual art that reflects the vibrancy of Appalachian culture.

4:30 PM - 5:45 PM
Soul Food and Black Culinary Traditions: Screening & Discussion of Soul Food Junkies
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
The screening of Byron Hurt’s Soul Food Junkies will explore the cultural and historical significance of soul food in Black communities, followed by a discussion on the foodways of Affrilachian culture, its health implications, and its role in shaping identity.

5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
Dinner & Debrief Conversation (Free; provided)

Location: Kezele Cafe Gallery (Basement Floor)
Enjoy a closing meal and a debrief conversation with your new friends and acquaintances. 

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Martha Redbone in Concert (Open Bar Available)
Location: Performance Hall (Ground Floor)
The summit will close with a performance by Martha Redbone, an acclaimed singer whose work blends Native American, African American, and Appalachian musical traditions. Her concert will celebrate the fusion of cultural influences that define Affrilachian identity.

Ongoing Activities

Poster Presentations

Location: Dempsey’s Corner (Ground Floor)

On breaks throughout the Summit, enjoy interactive and informative displays from Western Carolina University’s Professor Johnnifer Brown on the Rosenwald School Construction and Design in Rural North Carolina and BLAC By Popular Demand, centering on the Black Appalachian Coalition's focus on oral history and environmental justice focus. 

Affrilachian Film Festival

Location: Rehearsal Studio (2nd Floor) 

Enjoy films on a range of topics relevant to Black cultural life in the region as they play throughout both days for participants to enjoy. It’s also a great spot to take a break and decompress as needed. Please see Film Festival schedule for specific film showing times. 

Live Mural Painting at the DuBois Community Center

Location: 100 Hamilton Ave, Mt. Sterling, KY 40353.

Drive by to check out the process as Kentucky mural artist Casey Page brings Black history to life through a mural on the side of DuBois Community Center, the hub of Mt. Sterling’s Black cultural life. While you’re on the grounds, learn the rich history of this rural Rosenwald school that was burned during the civil rights movement.