It was impossible to bring millions of Africans to North America without them leaving a cultural imprint. This occurred despite efforts by slaveholders to stamp out African culture. West African slaves made up one of the largest ethnicities in the United States. Consequently, their culture had a lot of influence. The greatest impact of Africanization occurred in the American South, where most slaves ended up.

One of the greatest impacts of Africans on American culture involves music. Music and dance are an integral part of most West African cultures. What were once unique stylistic elements of their music are now found throughout American music, particularly music genres associated with the South, such as gospel, blues, and jazz. Call and response and polyrhythmic beats, so popular in contemporary American music, have their roots in West Africa. Dance moves such as the shale-downs, struts, shimmies, and jigs also have their origin in West Africa.

African religious elements also made their way to the South. Santería and Vodou are a mix of African religions that were adapted through their journey through the Caribbean and the Southern United States.

Several common household items also have their origins in Africa. Quilted blankets are an African art form brought over to North America and popularized by slaves. Several popular styles of coiled woven baskets came to America this way as well.

Some folktale traditions also are the result of the Africanization of the South. The rabbit is a popular character in African storytelling. He often plays the role of the trickster. This character occurs in several popular Southern folk-tales, such as The Br'er Rabbit.

There are likely many more ways in which slaves brought elements of African culture to the South and to the United States as a whole. Much effort was put into erasing African culture in America. As a result, much of it was practiced in secret and subversive ways or blended with the dominant culture to create something uniquely American.