The mission of the Black Folk Festival is to bring to life a tangible Black utopia.
The banjo is a symbol of Black resilience and creativity.
In recognition of the banjo’s arrival in America through enslaved Africans, who pioneered the earliest incarnations of American music, the Black Folk Festival aims to honor the profound impact that Black individuals have had on Americana & Folk music.
The terms Americana, Roots music, and American folk evoke white artists and audiences, despite the significant and undeniable contributions of Black musicians and musical traditions to these genres. This misrepresentation stems from a complex interplay of historical factors, cultural biases, and industry practices that have marginalized Black contributions and perpetuated a narrative of white ownership of these musical styles.
We aim to rectify this erasure.
Black Folk Festival coming soon, Fall of 2024.
CELEBRATING BLACK CULTURE
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Charlé Washington
Co-Founder / Creative Director
Meet Charle, a fervent disciple of the adage, “Black people are not a monolith”. She is the mad scientist and creative visionary behind Black Folk Festival. Charlé is conjuring Black Folk Festival, a space where all Black identities can dance to the beat of their own drum, unburdened by the shackles of expectation.
Alexandria Bass
Co-Founder / Festival Producer
Meet Alexandria Bass; an accomplished professional in the Music Industry proudly hailing from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her primary focus revolves around touring production and live event management. With over 15 years of experience in the music industry, Alexandria has embarked on a journey that includes touring alongside Grammy Award-winning artists like Robert Glasper and John Legend. Additionally, she has contributed to the production teams of leading music festivals across the country.
Alexandria is a dedicated advocate for racial justice and gender equity within the industry. By Co-Founding CAE Presents, she actively narrows the divide as a Black Woman Producer, crafting opportunities behind the scenes and fostering safe spaces such as the Black Folk Festival for the BIPOC community to freely express themselves.
Elyse Macaulay
Co-Founder/Festival Operations Director
Meet Elyse, with over two decades experience in the music industry, has dedicated her career to making an impact. Her festival production work has revolved around supporting non-profit initiatives and organizations that celebrate and uplift Black art and music, including Essence Music Festival of Culture, where she first met Alexandria in 2013. She has been involved in start-up music festivals throughout her career. Elyse’s primary role is as the head of Artist Relations at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, managing over 700 unique musical performances from cultures all over Louisiana and the world. When not immersed in work, Elyse cherishes raising her daughter, who loves to hang backstage and pass out snacks.
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Design by Lyndsey Jimenez • Build by Victoria Wilson