African-Americans and their influence in Appalachia have long been under acknowledged and under appreciated. Despite providing crucial building blocks to the culture of the region - with the focus of this site being on the region's music - very few individuals are aware of the impact Black Appalachians, or Affrilachians, have had in the development of the region's musical styles, rhythms, instruments, and character. While many early scholars framed Appalachia and its residents as racially pure and isolated individuals, whose old-fashioned ways of life and speech were closer to their Anglican roots than their contemporary American counterparts this is now seen as a wholly simplified outlook on the region which glosses over many of the complex and particular aspects and relationships between both White and Black residents which when taken together truly make up Appalachian culture. This website hopes to address and provide examples of the impact Affrilachian musicians have had to the popular culture of Appalachia and America as a whole.