Frank X Walker

Frank X Walker is the author of three books of poetry: Affrilachia (2000), which was nominated for the Kentucky Public Librarians’ Choice Award, and two collections completed in 2003: Cold Still and Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York. Buffalo Dance is written in the voice of York, the slave who accompanied his master, William Clark, on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Frank is also the editor of Eclipsing a Nappy New Millennium and a founding member of the Affrilachian Poets. He co-produced a video documentary about the group, Coal Black Voices: The History of the Affrilachian Poets. Supported in part by the KET Fund for Independent Production, Coal Black Voices received the 2002/03 Jesse Stuart Award presented by the Kentucky School Media Association.

A Kentucky Arts Council fellowship recipient, Frank has lectured, conducted workshops, read poetry, and exhibited at more than 250 national conferences and universities. He founded and has served as executive director of the Bluegrass Black Arts Consortium, is a former program coordinator for the University of Kentucky’s King Cultural Center, and serves as the executive director of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts.

A native of Danville, KY, Frank earned his B.A. from the University of Kentucky and completed an M.F.A. in writing at Spalding University.

Author’s web site:
• FrankXWalker.com

In the bookclub:
• Affrilachia was our April 2001 selection.
• Buffalo Dance was one of the five books featured in our April 2005 Poetry Special.
• See Frank’s poem Kentucke, dedicated to James Still.