A Camp For African American Heritage And ‘Holler,’ Inside Appalachia

Podcast - Inside Appalachia Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

This week, we visit a summer camp that’s part of the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan.

Also, during the Great Depression, Osage, West Virginia was a raucous river town. It’s sleepier now, but music is keeping the magic alive.

And, the author of an upcoming graphic novel about pipeline fighters has a message for people outside the region.

You'll hear this story and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

• The Legacy Of Norman Jordan
• The Music Of Osage
• Holler, A Pipeline Story
• Preparing For Wildfires

The Legacy Of Norman Jordan

Sariah Nichols (far left) and her vocal group perform “To Be Young Gifted and Black."
Photo Credit: Traci Phillips/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Affrilachian poet and playwright Norman Jordan is one of the most published poets in the region. Born in 1938, his works have been anthologized in over 40 books of poetry. He was also a prominent voice in the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 70s. He died in 2015, put part of his legacy is the Norman Jordan African American Arts and Heritage Academy in West Virginia.

Folkways Reporter Traci Phillips has the story.

The Music Of Osage

Aristotle Jones (right) and choir member Shelley Riley (left) singing “Oh, Happy Day” at the monthly choir meeting.
Photo Credit: Clara Haizlett/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Just across the Monongahela River from Morgantown, West Virginia, is a small unincorporated community called Osage. Years ago, it was a bustling, industrial town with a thriving nightlife. Today, Osage isn’t quite so bustling, but the love of music endures among its residents. Residents like musician Aristotle Jones.

Last year, Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett brought us this story.

Holler, A Pipeline Story

Author Denali Sai Nalamalapu.
Courtesy Photo

The 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia took 10 years to complete. Author Denali Sai Nalamalapu was part of the protests to stop the pipeline. They have a new book, called HOLLER: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance. It’s written and drawn in comics form and profiles six activists who fought the pipeline.

Mason Adams spoke with Nalamalapu.

Holler follows the stories of a group of pipeline protesters.
Courtesy Photo

Preparing For Wildfires

Prof. Smithwick is an expert on wildfires and a member of Science Moms.
Courtesy Photo

Wildfires seem to be getting worse — not just out West, but here in Appalachia, too. Erica Smithwick is a professor and fire expert at Pennsylvania State University.

Inside Appalachia Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Smithwick about what causes wildfires and how people can prepare.

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., The Carpenter Ants, Aristotle Jones, Morgan Wade, The Dirty River Boys and John Blissard.

Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Our Executive Producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our Audio Mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from Folkways editors Clara Haizlett and Nicole Musgrave.

You can send us an email: [email protected].

You can find us on Instagram, Threads and X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.