This website holds the archives of UNC Asheville‘s African Americans in WNC and Southern Appalachia Conference. The conference began in 2014 under the leadership of Dr. Darin J. Waters. The multi-day event offers scholars and the community an opportunity to meet and discuss the African American experience in the region, including history and culture. The focus is original scholarship that sheds new light on African Americans in Southern Appalachia. Asheville has a long history as a regional center for African Americans – its vibrant culture and diverse communities serves as a model for the conference, which addresses issues of both past and current significance.
The African Americans in WNC and Southern Appalachia Conference is funded in part by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
