Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community
A book of oral histories of members of the Junaluska community, published by McFarland on Juneteenth in 2020, is the first-ever comprehensive history of Appalachia’s oldest black community in the residents’ own voices. A finalist for the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary award in 2020, Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community is #48 in the Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies series.
The book is co-edited by Dr. Susan Keefe and the Junaluska Heritage Association (JHA).
Recipient of the North Carolina Genealogical Society award (2021), the thirty-six life history narratives adapted from interviews with residents (born between 1885 and 1993) offer a people’s history of the Black experience in the southern mountains. Their stories provide a unique glimpse into the lives of African Americans in Appalachia during the 20th century – and a community determined to survive into the next.
Keefe, Professor Emerita of Anthropology at Appalachian State University, has worked closely with members of the community in editing the book, which is based on three decades of participatory research. “We are happy to see the publication of this book which documents our history and the lives of our people,” said Roberta Jackson, facilitator of the JHA and member of the community.
Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community was also chosen for Appalachian State University’s Common Reading Program for the 2022-23 academic year. The Common Reading Program is designed to provide first-year students with the opportunity to interact with fellow incoming students from diverse backgrounds and disciplines while familiarizing them with the community.
The Junaluska community is an example of remarkable community resilience and can be especially significant to these students who are embarking on new journies. The integration of Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community will encourage students to develop a sense of connectedness and shared values with their peers.
Various community members have given talks about the book, and three of these that were recorded are shared below. These talks give context to how the book was crafted, how Dr. Keefe became involved with the community, the mission and origins of Junaluska Heritage Association, and what projects JHA have taken part in since the book has been published.
Purchase Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community here:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, the McFarland website, Bookshop.org, or a local bookshop such as Foggy Pine Books (they would be happy to order you a copy)
Book Talks