Dr. Caroliese Frink-Reed is a celebrated cultural scholar, master storyteller, and

one of the nation’s foremost keepers of African and African American oral

tradition.  As the Resident Historian of the National Association of Black

Storytellers (NABS),  she stands at the intersection of research, preservation,

and performance,  ensuring that the legacies, lineages, and living traditions of

Black storytelling remain rooted, respected, and rigorously documented for

generations to come.

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With a career spanning decades, Dr. Frink-Reed has dedicated her life to illuminating the brilliance, struggle, resilience, and creativity of African-descended people. Her work as a historian is distinguished by her commitment to connecting archival truth to contemporary lived experience. Whether uncovering forgotten narratives, contextualizing folklore, or tracing the evolution of Black performance traditions from the Motherland to modern stages, she brings unmatched depth, clarity, and cultural reverence to every project she touches.

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A gifted storyteller in her own right, Dr. Frink-Reed blends scholarly precision with the heart of a griot. Her presentations, lectures, and workshops are celebrated for their warmth, insight, and captivating narrative power. She has become a trusted voice within NABS and across the storytelling community, often called upon to interpret historical materials, develop cultural timelines, and guide organizations in honoring the authentic roots of Black narrative arts.

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Dr. Frink-Reed’s research spans Black folklore, diasporic memory, oral histories, communal rites of passage, and the sociocultural function of storytelling as a tool for liberation. Her work has influenced educators, performers, churches, libraries, and cultural institutions nationwide, strengthening their understanding of the historical and spiritual threads that bind Black storytelling to collective identity and community uplift.

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Through her leadership, NABS continues to anchor its work in historical integrity and cultural continuity. Dr. Frink-Reed not only preserves the past, she activates it, ensuring that the stories of our ancestors breathe, speak, and guide us forward.

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A revered elder, educator, and cultural custodian, Dr. Caroliese Frink-Reed remains a pillar within the storytelling village. Her life’s work affirms what our ancestors taught: When we keep the stories, the stories keep us.