Mining Black Stories from Appalachia to the Gullah Coast
November 7th - 9th, Downtown Durham, NC
Heart spoken.
Homegrown.
Carolina Gold.
Each fall, the roots of Southern storytelling rise again in Durham, North Carolina—where Black voices bloom, and legacy finds new light.
This year, Griot & Grey Owl invites you to a powerful gathering that celebrates the brilliance cultivated right here in the Carolinas. From the poetry of the page to the power of the mic, from farmers’ hands to griots’ tongues, we honor the heritage that shapes us and the home that calls us back.
📅 November 7–9, 2025
📍 Durham, NC
Explore the schedule. Join the Slam. Find your place in the story.
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🦉Register Now! 🦉
Whether you’re here for the stories, the slam, or the full weekend of magic, there’s a ticket made just for you!
🟡 General Admission — $100
Access to all public conference sessions
Entry to workshops, panels, and keynotes
Sunday community gathering
Great for first-time attendees!
Get GA Ticket Today!
🟠 VIP — $150
All General Admission benefits
Early access to exclusive GGO swag
Includes ticket to Saturday Night Slam
- $50 Coupon for the GGO Store!
Get VIP Ticket Today!
🟢 All-Access — $200
Everything in VIP
Catered Evening with the Authors dinner
Access to All-Access–only events and panels
$60 Coupon for the GGO Store!
Get All-Access Ticket Today!
🎟 Sliding Fee & Student Tickets
We believe cost should never be a barrier to community and creativity. If you’re a student or in need of our sliding fee option, please fill out this form to help us get you the right ticket.
Your answers help us:
Confirm your eligibility
Ensure we reserve the right ticket for you
Keep our events accessible for everyone
All information is kept confidential. Once submitted, we’ll follow up with next steps and instructions for securing your ticket.
Schedule Coming soon!!
📅 What to Expect at Carolina Gold 2025
In Downtown Durham, NC
From intimate workshops and electrifying panels to our unforgettable poetry slam and the Evening with the Authors, dinner—this year’s conference will unfold across Durham like a homecoming. Each day is crafted to nourish your roots and lift your voice.
A three-day celebration of Black Southern storytelling, featuring:
🎤 High-stakes poetry slams with $2,000 in prizes
📚 Panels and keynotes with nationally recognized authors
🛍️ A curated marketplace of Black-owned brands
✍🏾 Writing and performance workshops
💬 Intimate conversations on craft, culture, and legacy
🎶 Live performances that uplift the spirit and the South
Come ready to be inspired, challenged, and surrounded by a community of artists and storytellers rooted in Black brilliance.
We’re putting the final touches on the full schedule to give you the best experience possible.
🛠️ The full schedule is coming soon. Stay tuned!
Meet the Griots of 2025
This year’s stage will shine with voices that have shaped the South’s literary heartbeat — from award-winning poets to celebrated storytellers and cultural visionaries. Our keynote, Crystal Wilkinson, will be joined by Jaki Shelton Green, Nnenna Freelon, Pierce Freelon, Glenis Redmond, Vanessa Miller, Kamal Bell, Kianna Alexander, Halle Hill, Donovan Livingston, Fred Joiner, James Stewart, and Jordan Baily. Together, they will share work that is fierce, tender, and unforgettable. Join us in Durham this November for three days of brilliance, craft, and community — the magic they bring will stay with you long after the closing words.
The Griot Slam returns!
🎤 The Griot Slam
This ain’t just a poetry slam—it’s a reckoning.
The Griot Slam is where rhythm meets ritual, and every bar carries the weight of lineage. On Saturday night, the mic becomes sacred ground as poets from across the South and beyond compete for over $2,000 in prizes—and the chance to leave the stage unforgettable.
Expect fire. Expect feeling. Expect the kind of truth that makes the whole room lean forward.
🏆 Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Poem of the Night
💸 Slam Buy-In: $50
🎟️ Free with VIP and All-Access tickets
🗣️ Slammers can and are encouraged to attend the conference!!
Whether you’re spitting or spectating, the Griot Slam is where the soul of Carolina Gold comes alive.
🎤 Want to Slam at Carolina Gold 2025?
Think you’ve got the words to move the crowd? We want to hear from you!
If you’re interested in competing in the Carolina Gold Poetry Slam, please contact us to secure your spot and get all the details.
We prioritize poets of color, centering voices that reflect the richness and diversity of our community.
📩 Email: griotandgreyowl+slamQuestion@gmail.com
Be sure to put “Griot Slam, I want in!” in the subject line
Spots are limited, so reach out today and bring your best work to the stage!
Vendors!!
We’re proud to feature a curated marketplace of artists, makers, authors, and small businesses whose work celebrates culture, creativity, and community. Visit our vendor area throughout the weekend to shop books, art, apparel, handmade goods, and more — all while supporting local and regional entrepreneurs.
Interested in vending?
Email us at 📧 griotandgreyowl+vendorQuestion@gmail.com for more information about booth space, setup details, and availability.
Got Questions?
📌 Need to Know
Before you pack your bags or step to the mic, here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your Carolina Gold experience:
🕰️ Schedule Coming Soon — We’re finalizing all the magic. Stay tuned!
🧾 Tickets — All-Access, VIP, GA, and Slam options available. Sliding scale tickets are limited.
📍 Location — Events will take place across Downtown Durham.
🧳 Travel — RDU is the closest airport. Hotel recommendations coming soon.
🍽️ Food & Accessibility — Gluten-free options will be available at catered events. Most venues are ADA accessible.
📸 Media & Photography — Sessions may be recorded or photographed. You’ll have the option to opt out.
🤝 Community Agreements — Respect the mic, the moment, and each other. We create space, not take it.
Got questions? We got you.
👉 Email us at griotandgreyowl+GG025@gmail.com
