Acclaimed poet Frank X. Walker captivated an audience at Murray State University’s Curris Center Ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 4, as the 2025 Clinton and Mary Opal Moore Appalachian Writer-in-Residence. The free event drew students, faculty and community members eager to hear Walker share his work and perspectives on history, identity and Appalachia.

Walker, a native of Danville, Kentucky, became the first African American Kentucky Poet Laureate in 2013. He is also the founder of the Affrilachian Poets, a collective celebrating African American voices in Appalachia, and coined the term “Affrilachia” to describe this cultural identity. In his lecture, Walker emphasized the importance of preserving overlooked histories. 

“We must listen to the stories that history has almost forgotten,” he said, “because understanding our past shapes who we are today.”

Walker has published numerous collections of poetry, including “Turn Me Loose: The Unghosting of Medgar Evers,” which won the NAACP Image Award for Poetry, and “Buffalo Dance: The Journey of York,” recipient of the Lillian Smith Book Award. His most recent work, “Load in Nine Times,” highlights the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers, giving voice to those whose contributions have been historically ignored. Literary critic Oliver de la Paz described the collection as “seismic and significant work,” underscoring its enduring cultural impact.

The visit was made possible by the Clinton and Mary Opal Moore Appalachian Writer’s Residency, which honors the eastern Kentucky roots of Clinton and Mary Opal Moore while connecting Appalachian and western Kentucky literary communities. The residency also aims to enhance the creative development of Murray State’s writing students.

Walker’s presentation combined poetry and historical reflection, leaving a lasting impression. Audience members said the event was both inspiring and educational, a reminder that preserving and understanding history is essential to shaping the future.