Baltimore – October 14, 2025 – Mid Atlantic Arts’ Central Appalachian Living Traditions initiative announced the 2025 recipients of 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 (NABS), in partnership with Mid Atlantic Arts and South Arts awards the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowships in Appalachian Regional Commission-designated counties of Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. NABS awards one Fellowship per year in each of the six eligible states.
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 year following their award, each Fellow is also invited to perform at the Festival.
The 2025 Fellows are:
Kentucky
Hasan Davis (Madison County)
North Carolina
DeWayne Barton (Buncombe County)
Ohio
Trevellya “Tee” Ford-Ahmed (Athens County)
Tennessee
Jazmine LeBlanc (Hamilton County)
Virginia
Naomi Hodge Muse (Martinsville)
West Virginia
Doris “Lady D” Fields (Raleigh County)
Learn more about the Black Appalachian Storytellers Fellowship and past honorees here.
About Mid Atlantic Arts
Mid Atlantic Arts supports artists, presenters, and organizations through unique programming, grant support, partnerships, and information sharing. Created in 1979, Mid Atlantic Arts is aligned with the region’s state arts councils and the National Endowment for the Arts. We combine state and federal funding with private support from corporations, foundations, and individuals to nurture diverse artistic expression while connecting people to meaningful arts experiences within our region and beyond. To learn more about Mid Atlantic Arts visit www.midatlanticarts.org.
Contact:
Mackenzie Kwok
Communications and Social Media Manager
Mid Atlantic Arts
mkwok@midatlanticarts.org
410.539.6656 x123