The African American Folklorist is a multimedia platform and magazine dedicated to preserving, showcasing, and empowering Black cultural expression through storytelling, research, fieldwork, and community-led documentation of folklore and tradition. Owned, Trademarked, Operated, and Founded by Lamont & Denise Pearley, The African American Folklorist (AAF) is more than a quarterly magazine—it’s a m
ovement to honor, preserve, and document the deep-rooted cultural traditions, music, beliefs, and lived experiences of Black people in America. Distributed through the Jack Dappa Blues Heritage Preservation Foundation (a 501(c)(3) Private Foundation), AAF is dedicated to tracing the ancestral threads of the Blues People—bringing forward stories told by those living them. We believe that cultural preservation starts at home. Through education, mentorship, and accessible workshops, we encourage independent research, community archiving, and storytelling that captures the rich and powerful legacy of our people. As Editor-in-Chief Lamont Jack Pearley says:
“We aim to put the story of the blues people in the proper context—told by blues people. We appreciate the works done in the past, we are only making sure our story isn’t determined by others!”
Join us as we document tradition, empower the next generation of culture keepers, and build an ever-growing archive that reflects the soul, sound, and story of Black America.
