Celebrating African American
Folk Culture
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Art by Renee Stout
The Importance of Folk Culture
African American folk culture is the wellspring of our art, language, music, and faith. It is where our people turned pain into poetry, labor into rhythm, and survival into spiritual power. By preserving and reimagining these traditions, IAAFC safeguards not just heritage, but hope—ensuring that the creative genius of African American people continues to guide the world toward beauty, justice, and belonging. Folk culture is the spiritual binding—ancestral hands weaving strands of faith, song, and healing into our daily lives.
About Us
MaryKay Penn
Executive Director, IAAFC
At its heart, The Institute for African American Folk Culture (IAAFC) is about preserving, celebrating, and evolving African American culture as a living force that shapes community identity, creativity, and resilience.
The Institute views folk culture as more than history—it is the spiritual, artistic, and social heartbeat of a people. Through a unique blend of research, education, performance, and community initiatives, IAAFC reimagines these traditions as pathways to empowerment, healing, and creative renewal for today’s communities.
Based in Harlem,and founded on the belief that folk culture carries the spiritual, artistic, and social DNA of a people; the Institute works to ensure that this rich legacy continues to inform and uplift future generations.
We envision a future where African American folk traditions continue to guide the evolution of culture, creativity, and community resilience. By bridging art, spirituality, and education, the Institute ensures that Harlem’s cultural voice—born of struggle and triumph—remains a living force shaping a more just and inspired world.
VISION
IAAFC envisions a future where African American folk traditions are recognized as a sacred source of strength and innovation—a bridge between history and healing, art and activism, spirit and society. Through our programs, the Institute ensures that Harlem’s voice, born from resilience and brilliance, continues to echo forward—teaching all who listen how culture itself can be a form of liberation.
MISSION
To celebrate, protect, and evolve the artistic, spiritual, and communal traditions of African American life—ensuring that the cultural gifts of our ancestors continue to inspire new generations toward wholeness, creativity, and justice.
Our Core Work
IAAFC designs and sponsors programs that reflect the depth and diversity of African American folk traditions while addressing the contemporary needs of the community.
Our Program Areas:
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Knowledge Enrichment
We invite learners of all backgrounds to step into a living classroom where culture becomes a shared classroom of understanding, empowerment, and renewal. From workshops to interactive sessions, we provide learning opportunities that inspire curiosity and appreciation for the rich heritage.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Connecting Communities
We create spaces where African American folk traditions become a meeting ground—sparking connection, healing, and meaningful exchange across backgrounds and perspectives. Our programs encourage communities to come together in celebration of heritage, building understanding and unity through the everyday practices that define who we are.
EXHIBITIONS
Showcasing Artistic Expression
Our exhibitions invite you into the vibrant world of African American folk art—where everyday objects, sacred traditions, and contemporary visions come together in powerful visual dialogue. From ancestral traditions to bold new interpretations, our exhibitions illuminate the beauty, resilience, and expressive genius woven throughout African American folk culture.
Our signature initiatives include:
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Collective Aśe
Conference
January 2026
August 23, 2025
An annual convening of scholars, artists, and spiritual leaders exploring the transformative power of African and diasporic traditions in healing individuals and communities. The conference encourages dialogue,
collaboration, and cultural restoration across generations and geographies.
The Harlem Renaissance 100th Centennial
Music Series
2025
A three-year celebration honoring the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance
through blues and jazz concerts, exhibitions, and educational programs. This initiative reclaims Harlem’s position as a global beacon of Black creativity and cultural pride.
Marie’s House:
For Women Who Know Their Power
January 2026
A Harlem-based women’s empowerment program that draws on African American spiritual and cultural traditions to help women reclaim confidence, creativity, and leadership. Through workshops, arts events, and mentorship, Marie’s House uplifts the feminine spirit at the center of
cultural renewal.
Bessie Smith:
Empress of the Blues
Testimonials
Collective Ase 2025 Conference:
“Please create a collective working group that meets online or in person to continue this conversation. We can’t stop here.”
“Our culture is at the center of all things, our survival, our conversations. How can we talk more?”
“This conference needs to be done every quarter or at least twice a year. It’s necessary to make it official. We need this!”
Support Our Cause
Make a donation today!
Supporters of the Institute for African American Folk Culture become part of a vibrant community committed to honoring our ancestors, safeguarding our cultural expressions, and uplifting the next generation of artists, culture-keepers, and community builders.
Your support sustains our concerts, workshops, archives, youth programs, and Harlem Renaissance Centennial celebrations.
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