Reclaiming Folk

Reclaiming Folk is an event series celebrating people of color in folk music, created by singer-songwriter Naomi Westwater. Folk music is traditional music, folk music is storytelling, folk music is the music of the people, and folk music is a voice for what’s happening in the world today. In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and share the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all.

We are “reclaiming” folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to Blues and Gospel to Indigenous traditions, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.

Founded in 2024, Reclaiming Folk achieved immediate success and support from the community, featuring performances by 15+ artists and traveling to over 10 locations in Massachusetts. The event includes original music from folk musicians singing in the round, cover songs that honor the musicians who came before us, short interviews with the musicians about folk music, and a Q&A from the audience.