Black Bone: 25 Years of the Affrilachian Poets, represents and celebrates an enclave of writers of color in the Appalachian region. Founder Frank X Walker, who first coined the term “Affrilachia,” established the group in 1991 and has been active ever since to give way to an inclusive community. 

“Audiences will walk away from this reading with a more insightful understanding that Appalachia is not a homogeneous area of unlettered, unwashed masses,” says poet and playwright, Bianca Spriggs. “So often unfairly depicted by mainstream media and culture, [our region] is vibrant and complex, encompassing urban areas as much as rural, and houses a kaleidoscope of voices that represent the entire stretch of the thirteen states.”

Readers include:

Ricardo Nazario y Colon

Mitchell L. H. Douglas

Crystal Good

Dorian Hairston

Jeremy Paden

Danni Quintos

Bianca Spriggs

Frank X Walker