CALT Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship
Introduction
Mid Atlantic Arts partners with the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and South Arts on the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships. This program honors and promotes the understanding of Black Appalachian storytelling traditions that embody the history, heritage, and culture of African Americans in the region. The National Association of Black Storytellers awards one Fellowship per year in each of the six eligible states: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Fellows receive $5,000 in unrestricted funding, a unique physical award created by a Black Appalachian artist, and NABS membership during their award year. The Fellows are honored each year at the “In the Tradition…” National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference.
The Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships are part of Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachia Living Traditions program.
Eligibility and Schedule
Eligibility:
Applicants must:
- Represent one of the counties designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) in Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, or Virginia.
- Applicants do not need to reside in an ARC-designated county, but should have strong ties to Black Appalachian identity and heritage, such as being born there or maintaining family connections.
- Have the commitment and proven ability to sustain the traditions of Black storytelling.
- Identify as an oral tradition culture bearer and reflect the story-sharing traditions of family and/or community.
Schedule:
- June 25, 2024: Application available
- August 22, 2024: Application deadline
- September 3, 2024: Fellows Notified by NABS Co-Founder Mama Linda Goss
- October 24-27, 2024: 42nd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference, Buffalo, New York
Guidelines and Application
The guidelines and application are now available from the National Association of Black Storytellers.
This year, Fellows will receive funds for travel to both the 42nd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference, October 24-27, 2024, in Buffalo, New York, and the 43rd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference in Atlanta, GA, in Fall 2025.
Previous Fellows
2023 Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellows:
- Andrew Baskin: Madison County, Kentucky
- Ronnie W. Pepper: Henderson County, North Carolina
- Lyn Ford: Columbiana County, Ohio
- Kelle Jolly: Knox County, Tennessee
- L. Renée: Tazewell County, Virginia
- Aristotle Jones: Cabell and Monongalia Counties, West Virginia
Read more about the 2023 Fellows here. Each 2023 Fellow received a unique physical award created by Virginia gourd carver and instrument maker Dr. Dena Jennings.
2022 Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellows
- David Butcher: Athens County, Ohio
- Raymond Christian: Watauga County, North Carolina
- Ruby Daniels: Raleigh County, West Virginia
- Crystal Good: Kanawha County, West Virginia
- James “Sparky” Rucker: Blount County, Tennessee
- Alicestyne Turley: Powell County, Kentucky
Each 2022 Fellow received a unique physical award created by artist Harlan Mack.
