What We Do
Uplift and celebrate the unique and beautiful culture of Affrilachian people.
Cultivate an Affrilachian artists’ roster, supporting them in the development, workshopping and staging of their art.
Codify through art and story the rich history of Affrilachians in this place and space.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to uplift a new generation of Black Artists in Appalachia. The Affrilachian Arts Institute utilizes history and creative practices to disrupt the dominant narrative of the region we call home. We strive to strengthen the sense of belonging to place and culture for Black Artists.
PROJECT
The Slave, Monk Estill
The first project being supported by the Affrilachian Arts Institute is "The Slave, Monk Estill," a solo-performance piece uplifting the feats and epic journey of Monk Estill, an enslaved African and Kentuckian. The play is written, performed, and directed by our founder Malcolm Davis.
Monk Estill is just the first historical Black figure that the AAI is dedicated to uplifting and sharing the story of.
As a project and performance piece, it serves to set the tone of the work we seek to support and produce, and should inspire and inform project proposals.
Below is an excerpt performed by Malcolm during Nicole Garneau's Rebellious Performance Retreat, Fall '23. It's available in audio or visual format.
About Us
The Affrilachian Arts Institute (AAI) deploys a framework of Art, Land and History to uplift Black Artists within Appalachia. AAI strengthens the sense of belonging to place and culture for Black Artists while providing them opportunities to thrive, mentally, physically and creatively, here in Appalachia.
AFFRILACHIAN::
A person of African descent who comes from or lives in the region of Appalachia.
People of African descent have, as a consequence of Colonialism abroad in Africa and here in Turtle Island (aka North America) been present in Appalachia for hundereds of years.
We have been enslaved and free, soldiers and revolutionary thinkers, artists and craftsmen, teachers and athletes.
To be Affrilachian is to be connected to your home and history through love and bigotry, community and isolation, and throughout it all, resistance and struggle.
Affrilachian artists have a unique history, relationship to modern political and cultural struggle, and cultural identity, all of which we plan to showcase to the world.
Malcolm Davis
Founder of Affrilachian Arts
Affrilachian born and raised in Berea, Kentucky, Malcolm is an artist, educator, activist and proud resident of Appalachia.
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