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Festival and Conference

Featured Teller and Workshop Presenters, click here to apply.

Click here to register for the 2026 Festival

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In the Tradition… Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference is held in the fall of each year. In 2026 the Festival will be in its 44th year. The event includes performances, workshops, ceremonies, and awards from Thursday to Sunday. The event presents the creative work of 8 featured tellers, 6 special presenters, 6 Black Appalachian Storyteller Fellows, and 12 workshop presenters. Previous workshop titles have included Way Beyond Wikipedia: Crafting Folklife into Historical Tales, Aesop Remix: How to Craft Old School Fables into New School Tales, Steps to Self-Publishing and Stories in Verse: Crafting Poetic Tales. Click —> 2025 Souvenir Journal

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Affiliate members participate in Village Telling and story swaps are for all festival attendees. Award Ceremonies include The Zora Neale Hurston Award, Circle of Elders Award, the Linda Jenkins Brown Nia Service Award and the Baba Jamal Koram Youth Award. During the Festival, The Adopt-A-Teller Program (AATP), a week-long community initiative, hosts up to 40 services engaging up to 25 vetted roster artists. A free public community concert is presented, and other venues include schools, libraries, senior centers, museums, juvenile justice centers, community centers and churches. AATP audiences averages between 3500 and 4000 community members experiencing the creative artistry of the AATP Tellers each year.

Other On-Going Activities Supporting Creative Writers and their Work.

NABS 2024 Youth Concert

NABS 2024 Youth Concert

Past Journal Covers 1983 to Present

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1983cover

1986chicago2

1984festdailynews

1985cover

1987fest

1990cover-neworleans

1989cover-washingtondc

1991cover-southcarolina (1)

1992cover-baltimore

1993cover-milwaukee

1994cover-kansascity

1995cover-detroit

1996cover-philadelphia

1997cleveland2

1998cover-orlando

1999cover-winstonsalem

2000cover - rochester

2001cover - richmond

2002baltimore2

2003cover - providence

2004cover-neworleans

2005cover-tampa

2006cover-san diego

2007cover - atlanta

2008cover - cincinnati

2010cover - minneapolis

2011cover - atlanta

2012cover - baltimore

2013 festival cover

2015cover-washingtondc

2016journalcover1

2025cover

1983cover

1986chicago2

1984festdailynews

1985cover

1987fest

1990cover-neworleans

1989cover-washingtondc

1991cover-southcarolina (1)

1992cover-baltimore

1993cover-milwaukee

1994cover-kansascity

1995cover-detroit

1996cover-philadelphia

1997cleveland2

1998cover-orlando

1999cover-winstonsalem

2000cover - rochester

2001cover - richmond

2002baltimore2

2003cover - providence

2004cover-neworleans

2005cover-tampa

2006cover-san diego

2007cover - atlanta

2008cover - cincinnati

2010cover - minneapolis

2011cover - atlanta

2012cover - baltimore

2013 festival cover

2015cover-washingtondc

2016journalcover1

2025cover

NABS Past Festivals and Conferences

NABS Past Festivals and Conferences

NABS Past Festivals and Conferences

National Association of Black Storytellers Festival 2008

National Association of Black Storytellers Festival 2008

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National Association of Black Storytellers 2007

National Association of Black Storytellers 2007

08:54

Brother Blue

Brother Blue

05:50

Speakers

Engage in meaningful conversations about the preservation of African and African American history and explore the roles in the modern context.

Workshops

Engage in meaningful conversations about the preservation of African and African American history and explore the roles in the modern context.

Performances

Enjoy live performances showcasing the music, dance, and storytelling traditions that highlight African and African American heritage and its connections to society.

Youth Programs

Special activities for young attendees, including interactive workshops and educational sessions designed to inspire a new generation to learn about the their heritage.

“In the Tradition…"

44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference

Unbreakable Spirit: Telling our Story, 250 years and Beyond

November 3-8, 2026

Crowne Plaza Hotel
801 Greenwich Avenue
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
Phone: (401) 732-6000 ext. 7919

Deadline – No Later Than Midnight Sunday, April 12, 2026

Presenter Application

for Featured Tellers and Workshop Presenters

First name

Last name

Email

Initials

Address

Phone

Affiliate Membership (if applicable)

Please check all that apply:

Current NABS Member

Youth Member

I am applying for:

Featured Teller

Workshop Presenter

Recent Performances; (Featured Teller / Last workshop presented)

Video link to evidence of your work:

Video link to evidence of your work:

Bio: (50 words or less)

Reference #1:

Please provide name, relationship, and phone number. One must be a storyteller.

Reference #2:

Please provide name, relationship, and phone number. One must be a storyteller.

Reference #3:

Please provide name, relationship, and phone number. One must be a storyteller.

Bibliography: (one-page: published books, articles, recordings, etc.)

Photograph: (300 dpi jpeg/png - color)

Workshop Applicants: One-page workshop description with title, length, intended audience (i.e., beginning teller, teachers, youth), and technical needs. If previously presented, provide details such as the presenting venue/event and the audience.

All applicants must submit the following:

Photograph - 300 dpi jpeg/png - Color (required)
Recent performances (Featured Teller)/Last workshop presented (workshop)
Evidence of your work; Video Links (Featured Teller: TWO preferred)
Biography (50 words or fewer)
At least three (3) references (One must be a storyteller)
Bibliography (1-page: published books, articles, recordings, etc.)
Workshops Applicants Only: One-page workshop description with title, length, intended audience (i.e., beginning teller, teachers, youth), and technical needs. If the workshop was presented previously, provide details such as the presenting venue/event and the audience.

* FEATURED TELLER & WORKSHOP PRESENTER APPLICANTS may be asked to provide additional information in a Zoom Meeting on WEDNESDAY, April 26, 2025, BETWEEN 7:30 PM – 10 PM (EST).

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