What is Roots Music?
Roots music is a broad term that for us includes styles including folk, bluegrass, old time, early blues, and Americana. The sound of this music is considered by many to be quintessentially American, yet the extensive Black contributions - from the creation of the banjo and fiddle traditions to the roots of social dances performed alongside the music - are not widely acknowledged. FWAAMFest aims to change that, unsettling the often-forgotten and suppressed contributions made by Black folks.
2026 FWAAMFest is presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
This project received funding from the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250,” a Smithsonian-wide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years.
Venue Partner
Help ensure the future of the Fort African American Roots Music Festival: Make a donation or become a FWAAMFest sponsor!
FWAAMFest is a program of
