Novel Shares Story Of Historical Black Kingdom In Western North Carolina

Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.

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Arts & Culture Bill Lynch +, Aug. 05, 2024

Encore: Remembering Floods And Recovering From Disaster, Inside Appalachia

Flooding is a recurring problem across Appalachia. This week, we’re taking stock, and looking back on floods that have devastated parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. We explore some of the reasons fo...

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Arts & Culture Briana Heaney, Sep. 19, 2023

Concord To Host Run For Heroes 5K Race

Organizers say the challenging and fun course was designed to honor the hard work and sacrifices endured by U.S. military personnel. The race proceeds will benefit veterans attending Concord University. The Concord Office of Veterans says this will help veterans attend college.

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Economy Duncan Slade, May. 25, 2021

Merging Home, Heart And Opportunity In The Mountains

Over this summer, Abie Reed will graduate culinary school, do a stint as a bread and pastry chef at a diner, plan a wedding, get married, and as if all that isn’t enough, build a house with her fiance -- a tiny house.They’re planning to move into the tiny home at the end of the summer, and settle in while she takes a gap year to find mentors in the food industry.

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Arts & Culture Eric Douglas, May. 24, 2021

Notre Dame High School Senior Is National Poetry Out Loud Finalist

Notre Dame High School senior Ben Long from Clarksburg is one of nine national Poetry Out Loud finalists.

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Recent Stories

Arts & Culture Eric Douglas, Apr. 30, 2021

New Book Details W.Va. Historical Markers

If you’ve ever wondered what some of those historical road markers say, and what the story behind the marker is, there is a new book available that will fill in those details.It is called “Signs of the Times: West Virginia’s Highway Historical Marker Program.”

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Arts & Culture Caitlin Tan, Apr. 26, 2021

Q&A With Crystal Wilkinson: Kentucky’s New Poet Laureate

Crystal Wilkinson is Kentucky’s new poet laureate, the first Black woman to have this title in the state. She recently spoke with Inside Appalachia’s co-host Caitlin Tan. Wilkinson began by reading a poem that is an ode to tobacco and her grandfather. The poem is featured in her soon-to-be-released collection of poems, ‘Perfect Black.’

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