EMERGING FOLKLORISTS
Through our Emerging Folklorist Program, we invite you to join us in this collaborative effort to protect and celebrate the culture of today for the generations to come. This program is all about giving you the tools, knowledge, and mentorship to start preserving the stories, art, and experiences that matter most to you—right at home and in your neighborhood.
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Through our Emerging Folklorist Writers Section, we are proud to incorporate a segment for youth that show interest in studying, researching, and preserving our heritage. There is an entire section dedicated to them called the "African American Emerging Folklorist Section," which publishes articles and research papers from young people aged 10-24. Register today!
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By becoming a member of the AAF, you are welcomed into a vibrant and supportive network of archivists, youth archivists, and community members—all united by a shared mission: preserving and celebrating our culture. As an AAF member, you’ll connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to safeguarding the rich traditions, stories, and creative works that define African American heritage.
Join the AAF network today and be part of a movement that celebrates the power of culture, knowledge, and community. Together, we can preserve the stories and traditions that shape our identity and ensure they are passed on to future generations.
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Whether you’re an aspiring archivist, folklorist, or simply passionate about preserving cultural stories, archival mentorship will equip you with the knowledge and roadmap to make a lasting impact. We hold space for you to learn how to document, organize, and preserve oral histories, music, art, and community traditions—connecting the past with the present while shaping the future of cultural preservation.
Step into the world of folk studies and begin your journey as a cultural preservationist today!
meet BRILLIANCE EMERgING.
CULTURE CULTIVATED FOLKLORISTs.
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Lamont Pearley Jr. is a talented and ambitious 17-year-old emerging folklorist who writes for the African American Folklorist’s “Emerging Folklorist” section. Deeply passionate about both music and culture, Lamont channels his artistic energy through his primary instruments, the guitar and harmonica, continuously honing his musicianship and exploring new creative expressions.
As a dedicated student at the BG Rock Band Academy, Lamont is an accomplished guitar and early bass player, actively performing with the academy’s advanced band. His commitment to traditional Blues is evident through his recognition as a three-year recipient of the Pinetop Perkins Blues Camp scholarship in Mississippi, where he has excelled in mastering the harmonica.
Lamont’s dedication to cultural engagement goes beyond performance. He actively participates in field ethnography, conducting insightful interviews to document and preserve cultural narratives. Skilled at setting up interviewing equipment in the field, he ensures that every conversation is captured with clarity and professionalism, allowing voices and stories to be shared accurately and authentically.
An avid supporter of community storytelling, Lamont blends his love of art, music, and ethnographic research to deepen his understanding of cultural traditions. As an emerging scholar and artist, he continues to develop his craft, aiming to bridge musical practice with cultural inquiry, highlighting the dynamic relationship between tradition and modernity.
With his dedication to musicianship, ethnography, and community engagement, Lamont Pearley Jr. represents a new generation of cultural thought leaders committed to honoring and preserving heritage through artistic expression.
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Samara Pearley is a dynamic and insightful young columnist featured in the African American Folklorist’s “Emerging Folklorist” section. A passionate musician, she is continually honing her piano skills while ambitiously exploring other instruments to broaden her musical repertoire. As a dedicated student and performer at the BG Rock Band Academy, Samara is part of the Paisley Band, the academy’s highest-level ensemble, where she showcases her musical talent and commitment to performance excellence.
Samara’s dedication to the Blues is evident through her remarkable achievement of receiving a scholarship to the Pinetop Perkins Blues Camp for three consecutive years as a piano player, highlighting her commitment to mastering traditional Blues techniques and deepening her musical knowledge.
Her creative spirit extends beyond music to fashion, dance, and her love of magical girl cartoons – a vibrant influence on her artistic vision. She brings the same enthusiasm to her cultural engagements, actively participating in ethnographic interviews and field photography. Whether conducting interviews or documenting stories through photography in and out of the field, she combines technical skill with an artistic eye, bringing narratives to life through both words and visuals.
Driven to integrate music into her projects, Samara actively pursues new creative endeavors, guided by her passion for artistic growth. Despite her focused ambition, she remains grounded in her playful spirit, cherishing her collection of stuffed animals – especially her beloved pair of plush seals, Gina and G.Phattee, along with their four little ones.
With a unique blend of scholarly insight, artistic flair, musical excellence, and a keen eye for ethnographic storytelling, Samara Pearley exemplifies the next generation of cultural thought leaders.
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Dhane Bryce Pearley (Bam) is a strategic and creative leader serving as the Chief Marketing Officer for Change the Game Apparel since January 2020. In this role, he has been instrumental in shaping the brand’s identity by designing the company logo, managing social media presence – particularly on Instagram – and crafting national marketing strategies to expand the brand’s reach.
Currently, Dhane is pursuing his studies in Psychology at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans (August 2023–present), where he also showcases his athletic talent as a point guard on the men’s basketball team.
An accomplished writer, Dhane has been published in the African American Folklorist in both 2023 and 2024, demonstrating his commitment to cultural scholarship. He is also a proud and dedicated member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, reflecting his leadership and community values.
Dhane Bryce Pearley continues to make his mark through his innovative marketing strategies, academic achievements, athletic prowess, and cultural contributions.
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Gideon Wiesen is a talented 15-year-old from Inwood, the northernmost neighborhood in Manhattan. Currently a freshman at Elisabeth Irwin High School – the alma mater of activist Angela Davis – Gideon is actively involved in his school community as a member of both the Black Student Union and the Cinema Club, where he engages in discussions around cultural identity and film appreciation.
Beyond his high school pursuits, Gideon is passionately dedicated to filmmaking. Now in his second year at the Ghetto Film School, he is honing his craft, developing technical skills, and gaining hands-on experience in cinematic storytelling. As part of his commitment to creative growth, Gideon is currently working on his thesis film project, an endeavor that reflects his artistic vision and commitment to impactful storytelling.
Gideon’s passion for film and social engagement reflects his determination to make a difference both on and off the screen. Whether exploring storytelling through cinema or contributing to cultural conversations at school, he exemplifies the next generation of thoughtful, creative voices.
BECOME AN EMERGING FOLKLORIST
By connecting personal histories to larger cultural movements, we are building a future where cultural preservation is a collaborative effort that starts at the grassroots level. Through hands-on training, 1:1 mentorship, and community-driven initiatives, we will guide you as you document, share, and protect the creative expressions that define your community. You’ll learn how to capture oral histories, preserve local traditions, and ensure that the stories of your people are remembered and celebrated.
This is your chance to:
Connect with your roots and discover the power of your own story
Build skills in cultural preservation that will serve you and your community
Make a real impact by sharing your history and empowering others to do the same
By joining us, you’ll help create a future where cultural preservation isn’t just something that happens in a museum or archive—it’s something that starts with you, right where you live. Together, we’ll build a movement that celebrates who we are and ensures our history is never forgotten.
Step up. Get involved. Preserve your story.
