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2026 Festival and Conference Registration
PVD-Warwick RI
November 4-8 Crowne Plaza Hotel
Hotel reservations start on Nov. 3rd - Pre-Festival event is Nov. 4th
Registration Instructions
The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. (NABS) proudly presents the 44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, to be held in Warwick, Rhode Island. This year’s theme, Unbreakable Spirit: Telling Our Story, 250 Years and Beyond, honors the enduring strength, cultural richness, and intergenerational legacy of Black storytelling in America.
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… 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
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.
Media Release Statement
For media inquiries, please contact: questions@nabsinc.org
By attending the 44th Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, all participants grant NABS and its authorized media partners permission to capture and use their image, voice, and likeness in photographs, video recordings, and promotional materials. These materials may be used in print, online, and broadcast formats to support the mission and visibility of the organization.
T-Shirt and Tour Statement
All T-shirt and tour purchases are final. No refunds will be issued.
A valid photo ID is required to pick up your T-shirt and/or board the tour bus.
All T-shirts must be picked up by 12:00 noon on Saturday. No exceptions. No refunds.
Schedule