long live the
keepers of blues
The Jack Dappa Blues Radio Podcast is a powerful platform that brings the rich sounds, stories, and history of blues music to life. Featuring the voices of the Afro-Indigenous and African American communities, the podcast delves deep into the history, culture, and folklore that have shaped the blues genre and its impact on music and society.
Through archived recordings and interviews, listeners can explore the profound connection between African American and Afro-Indigenous storytelling traditions, the roots of blues music, and its evolution over time. The Jack Dappa Blues Radio Podcast is a tribute to the resilience, creativity, and spirit of the people who have preserved these oral histories and brought them into the modern era.
Tune in to hear authentic accounts, captivating narratives, and timeless music that showcase the heart and soul of the blues, while honoring the legacy of those who paved the way for future generations.
Listen to the podcast now and immerse yourself in the powerful voices of the blues people!
clarity in context: jack dappa blues podcast sessions
Join us for Jack Dappa Blues Podcast Sessions, where we explore the depth of African American traditions through powerful conversations, storysharing, and cultural commentary. Broadcasted from the heart of the Black experience, each session connects listeners to the voices that have shaped—and continue to shape—our collective story.
🎧 Listen In For:
Candid interviews with elders, scholars, musicians, and folklorists
Community-driven storytelling and living history
Archival gems, field recordings, and traditional knowledge
Critical conversations on race, identity, and cultural preservation
Whether we’re digging into the roots of the Blues, uncovering oral histories, or highlighting today’s culture bearers, every episode is a bridge between past and present.
Listen live Sundays on Jack Dappa Blues Radio or explore the full archive on our YouTube channel for past episodes, special segments, and live recordings.
folklorist of the month
Each month, we shine a spotlight on a cultural worker, storyteller, scholar, or tradition-bearer who exemplifies the mission of preserving and uplifting African American folklore.
From grassroots archivists and oral historians to musicians, poets, and researchers, our Folklorist of the Month celebrates those who are doing the sacred work of memory-keeping and cultural transmission—whether on the front porch, in the classroom, or behind the mic.
Step into a vibrant space where Black history, folklore, and tradition meet media. African American Folklorist YouTube Channel is your visual gateway into the stories, sounds, and scholarship that define the Blues People.
From thought-provoking podcast episodes and live interviews to community storytelling sessions and archival deep dives, every video is a window into the living legacy of African American cultural heritage.
WORD as witness
We are a community-led network and focal point for the research, archiving, and raising awareness of African American Traditional Music and the Black Experience!!
The African American Folklorist magazine is dedicated to preserving, archiving, and raising awareness of African American traditional music and the Black experience. Through a combination of archival resources, historical insights, and coverage of our community’s impact, we work toward creating a more diverse media landscape. Using broadcast journalism, film, and multimedia, we produce meaningful and historically accurate content that enhances cultural awareness.
We focus on African American traditional music, from early Black Spirituals and pre-war Blues to today’s practitioners, while exploring the Black experience from past to present. Our magazine provides context through oral documentation of Blues, Spirituals, literature, vernaculars, and more—highlighting the cultural richness and social significance of African American traditions across generations.
the incubator: reviving memory, Preserving Culture
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Spoken word - the heartbeat of our culture, carrying stories, traditions, and histories through generations. At the core of our mission is the belief that by preserving and empowering the language of the blues people, we honor their stories and the cultural wisdom they’ve passed down.
Through the preservation of language, we offer a powerful means of engaging with and reclaiming our cultural traditions. It’s a process of cultural historical reclamation—one that invites individuals and communities to rediscover and connect with the roots of African American and Afro-Indigenous folklore.
By learning and sharing this wisdom, we collectively build awareness and recognition of the deep and lasting impact of blues music and culture. The voices of the blues people continue to shape the narrative of our shared heritage, and through language, we ensure that these voices are not only heard but celebrated for generations to come.
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By gathering and preserving family and community archival materials—whether they be images, songs, videos, or documents—we ensure that the stories of our ancestors and loved ones are not lost with time. These visual and audio collections serve as both a reflection of who we are and a beacon for future generations to connect with their heritage.
We provide a platform and space for these materials to be carefully curated, preserved, and shared, ensuring that each piece of history is passed down, not just as a record, but as a living, breathing testament to the resilience, creativity, and spirit of the African American community.
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This work is a labor of love, rooted in the collective strength and spirit of the people we serve. We center our beloved community in every step, every decision, and every creation, creating a space where we can share emotions, reflections, and creations together.
This is not just about preserving culture; it’s about cultivating it, living it, and passing it down through shared experiences. By coming together in this collaborative space, we empower ourselves to engage in self-preservation, cultural keeping, and mutual support. Each story, creation, and reflection contributes to a larger narrative that honors our history and builds our future.
Join us as we nurture our culture, celebrate our traditions, and build a legacy that will carry us through generations. This is our space—our community—our love.
