Despite the vastness and diversity of Appalachia, the term is often associated with cultural aspects that are not inclusive of African Americans. In this lesson, students will explore black life in the mountains, first through the lens of “Affrilachia,” a term coined by black Appalachian poet Frank X Walker. Through the exploration of poetry and music, students will gain an understanding of the important role African Americans have played in mountain culture. Students will further explore the various experiences of African Americans living in the North Carolina Mountains by listening to oral history interviews from the Southern Oral History Program, covering topics from daily life to the impact of the Civil Rights Movement. Students will culminate their learnings by creating a performance piece about black life in Appalachia from oral history interview excerpts.

Accompanying PowerPoint is available here.