join the circle - become a member
The African American Folklorist (AAF) is dedicated to the preservation, celebration, and engagement with African American folklore and cultural traditions. As a member of AAF, you will play an integral role in safeguarding the rich and diverse living archive of African American history—stories, customs, and artistic expressions that have shaped and continue to define our communities.
Join us in preserving the stories, songs, and traditions that are at the heart of the African American experience. Together, we can ensure that these cultural treasures continue to inspire and enrich generations to come.
Stay Close to the Drumbeat! For those who want to remain connected to the heartbeat of Black cultural memory. Ideal for supporters, learners, and community members who want to stay informed without taking an active role. As a Root Member, you’ll receive:
For Those Who Carry the Flame Forward Our offering to the next generation of scholars, students, fieldworkers, and seekers of cultural knowledge. Perfect for emerging researchers, student ethnographers, and cultural enthusiasts ready to walk in tradition and innovation.
For Cultural Leaders, Visionaries, and Builders This elite tier is for those committed to shaping and amplifying Black cultural preservation through long-term engagement. Designed for those looking to lead, invest, and expand their role in the cultural ecosystem.
Your Voice, Your Legacy This tier is for the creators—poets, storytellers, griots, musicians, writers—who want to contribute to the preservation and continuation of African American culture through AAF’s platforms. Submit 1–2 creative works per year to AAF (magazine, podcast, or digital stories) Designed for individuals who see their creativity as a cultural offering.
Grow the Archive, Build the Village This tier is for those investing not just in their own learning but in the sustainability of community heritage. Ideal for educators, organizers, and institutions supporting group participation and intergenerational knowledge transfer.
By Nomination Only!!! For Those Who Walk with the Ancestors Our highest honor, reserved for those who have spent a lifetime preserving and transmitting cultural knowledge. This lifetime, honorary tier includes: Lifetime access to all AAF programming and archives Reserved for legacy builders—our elders, mentors, and community wisdom keepers.
OUR incubator
the MAGAZINE
Each issue features insightful articles on the cultural context and geographical roots of African American heritage, while also examining the evolution of these traditions. AAF highlights the voices of musicians, historians, ethnographers, and community scholars, offering diverse perspectives on the African American experience.
the PODCAST
Each episode dives into the context in which African American traditions, culture, and social environment are shared through oral documentation that reflects community and their different classes throughout history. We highlight today’s practitioners, as we tackle the sensitive topics that relate to the Black Experience from the past to the present.
the archive
By gathering firsthand accounts, research, and artistic expressions, the Archive serves as a dynamic, living collection that preserves the stories, traditions, and cultural practices, documenting our history for future generations. We weave together the layered essence of the Black experience, offering a vibrant reflection of our past and present.
“the biggest lie you were told in your life. of course, they won't tell you where you come from, because where you come from is where you stand.”
— Waltho Wallace Wesley
Let’s work together
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!