The Fulton County Arts Council (FCAC) created the National Black Arts Festival, Inc. in 1987. It is supported by an annual operating grant from the FCAC, along with grants from other public agencies, private foundations, and through corporate sponsorships, merchandising, and memberships. The NBAF is striving to diversify its base of support even more in the coming years. Currently, the festival is governed by an eighteen-member national Board of Directors, composed of corporate, arts, and community leaders.

The permanent staff of the NBAF includes: Managing Director Deborah R. Heard, Artistic Director Avery Brooks, Financial Manager Charles Ferguson, General Manager Doug Hosney, Director of Development Shirley Henderson Coleman, Education Coordinator Anita Whatley, Administrative Secretary Cynthia Clavon, and Receptionist/Database Manager Onia Green. The permanent staff is augmented by a team of seasoned arts and business consultants, who are contracted as needed to assist in the implementation of approximately 150 arts events and programs that comprise the festival.

The 10-day National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) showcases the outstanding work of artists of African descent in eight disciplines: music, dance, theater, film, folk arts, visual arts, performance art, and literature. The festival takes place biennially during mid-summer in Atlanta, Georgia, and typically presents the work of 1,500 artists from the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America. The first festival took place in 1988.

Festival events are held in traditional and non-traditional venues throughout the city. Many of the events are free. The 1994 NBAF had a total attendance of 1.3 million, approximately 25% of which came from outside of Atlanta. During the festival, audiences of all ages and ethnic backgrounds are educated, enlightened, and inspired by its rich variety of high-quality artistic presentations.

The mission of the National Black Arts Festival is to showcase the outstanding work of artists of African descent in music, dance, theater, film, folk art, literature, visual art, and performance. Festival events take place in numerous venues around the city of Atlanta. However, most activities center on other areas such as Colony Square, the Greenbrier Mall, and Auburn Avenue.