Hildreth-Mirza Hall, 101/102 - Great Room

Blacks in Appalachian Coal TownsLecture by Dr. William H. Turner From the turn of the 20th century through the Civil Rights era, thousands of Black families migrated to the Appalachian coalfields in search of opportunity. In towns carved into the mountains, they built communities, churches, schools, and social networks while facing the dual struggles of economic exploitation and racial segregation. Drawing from decades of scholarship and oral histories, Dr. William H. Turner—renowned author of The Harlan Renaissance—offers an illuminating look at the overlooked history of African Americans in coal towns across Appalachia. This lecture reveals stories of resilience, labor, faith, and cultural pride, reshaping how we understand both Black and Appalachian history.

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