This is the highest Award given by the National Association of Black Storytellers. This Award recognizes an individual whose body of work, accomplishments, and experiences has had a historic, regional, national and/or international impact in preserving and perpetuating the arts, culture, and humanities from the African Diaspora.These categories include: storytelling, folklore, literature, material culture, fiber arts, performing arts, spoken word, visual arts, theater, dance, history, folk & traditional arts, music, journalism, education, anthropology, etc. Up to
three (3) individuals may receive the Zora Neale Hurston Award. A person may be nominated for the award if nominee has made transition between the immediate past NABS Festival and
Conference and the immediate deadline of the upcoming Festival.