Speak On It!

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Mayor Yamekia Robinson, the first African American Woman Mayor of Historic Lake City, SC. Mayor Robinson will share how a major challenge to her community led to her community activism, election as Councilwoman and her journey to becoming Mayor. The Honorable Yamekia Robinson is a native of Lake City, SC. She served as a Councilwo...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for an interview with Angela Walton-Raji (Author, Genealogist, and Blogger) as she shares information regarding her new book:  Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes. Angela Walton-Raji a native of Fort Smith Arkansas is known nationally for her genealogical and historical research and work. Among her specialties are Oklahoma Native-American records, Arkan...

Join Janice and Cherekana for an interview with Dolly Marshall, historical preservation activist, researcher, genealogist and lecturer. Ms. Marshall leads many community partnerships related to African American experiences and the African diaspora, bringing this crucial part of history to life for the public. Ms. Dolly Marshall is the Historic Preservation Specialist for the City of Camden, Educat...

Join Janice and Cherekana for a conversation with Trisha Mays-Cummings and her husband, Phillip Cummings as they share their passion for research, genealogy, and assisting researchers (especially beginners). Trisha has researched her family history since 2011. She is the content creator of Journey Through the Generations, which includes a genealogy blog, podcast, and YouTube channel. She is a memb...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Robert and Larry Cox as they share their genealogy journey. Robert Cox is the Vice President of the Mountain View Historical Association (of Mountain View, CA). He writes two columns for the association’s newsletter: “Finding Your Family History” which provides general genealogical advice, and “Mountain View Family History Fun Fac...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Conductor, Vocalist,and Composer, Emorja Roberson regarding his journey to research, document, and share his family history. Emorja Roberson graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, where he studied with Krzysztof Biernacki. In 2019, Roberson served as the choir director...

Join Janice and Cherekana as they interview Dr. Dawn Chitty, Director of Education at the African American Civil War Museum. Dr. Dawn Chitty is the Director of Education at the African American Civil War Museum where she has worked since 2010. Before joining the staff at the museum, Dawn was a curriculum specialist and social studies teacher serving school districts in South Carolina. Dawn special...

Join Janice Gilyard as she interviews Cherekana Feliciano regarding her ancestor, Larkin Woodruff, a U.S. Colored Troop and the amazing discovery that was recently made regarding him. Cherekana Feliciano is a family historian, public history enthusiast and law school graduate. She has conducted her family history research for almost fifteen years and currently serves as the Vice President of the A...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Guy Weston regarding Historic Timbuctoo, New Jersey. Guy has been engaged in genealogy research for over 25 years, with substantial focus on his maternal ancestors in Timbuctoo, NJ, where his fourth great-grandfather bought his family's plot in 1829 for $30. His introduction to genealogy came when he had to do research to secure t...

Join Janice & Cherekana for an interview with Christopher Everett, President of Speller Street Films. Christopher Everett is a film director, producer, social media specialist, and graphic artist. He founded the creative studio, Speller Street Films in 2015, while directing and producing his first feature-length documentary, WILMINGTON ON FIRE. Everett combines his love for history and visual...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Lamont Pearley of The African American Folklorist.  Pearley is an award-winning Independent Filmmaker and radio journalist. Pearley is an applied folklorist, ethnographer, African American traditional music historian, and practitioner enrolled at WKU in the African American and Folk Studies programs. The founder and Editor in Chie...

Join Cherekana and Janice for a conversation with award-winning poet, fiction, nonfiction writer and educator, Shonda Buchanan. A Pushcart Prize nominee, Oxfam Ambassador, USC Los Angeles Institute for the Humanities Fellow, and a City of Los Angeles (COLA) Department of Cultural Affairs Master Artist Fellow, Shonda Buchanan is the author of five books, including the award-winning memoir, Black In...

Join Janice and Cherekana as they interview Dr. Wanda Lundy regarding the 313+ Ancestors Speak Research project in Elizabeth, NJ.  Dr. Wanda Lundy is currently engaged in the Ancestors Speak Research Project 313+, an initiative that researches the identity of free and enslaved African people buried in unmarked graves in the Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth, NJ cemetery. Its ultimat...

Are you a descendant of a Black Homesteader?  Join us as we interview Author, Bernice Alexander Bennett and contributors, Orice Jenkins, Deborah Mitchell, and Dr. Nona Edward Thomas regarding the new book: Black Homesteaders of The South.  The Homestead Act of 1862, the Emancipation Proclamation and subsequent Reconstruction amendments didn't just abolish slavery - they gave African Americans a ch...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Phyllis Biffle Elmore as she discusses her book, Quilt of Souls - A Memoir and her family history.  Phyllis Biffle Elmore was born in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of four, she was sent to the tiny town of Livingston, Alabama to be raised by her grandmother Lula Horn (1883-1988), who made beautiful quilts out of the clothing of he...

Join Janice and Cherekana for an interview with Maya Davis. Maya is the new director at the Riversdale House Museum. Maya was also a Research Archivist and Legislative Liaison at the Maryland State Archives. During her time at the Archives, she consulted on statewide projects that document, interpret, and preserve African American history and culture and facilitated discussions on state legislatio...

Walter B. Curry, Jr., Ed. D  received a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Carolina State University, and has earned several graduate degrees in education, which includes a doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Argosy University, Sarasota. Dr. Curry taught  social studies for five years and is an adjunct professor of education at Claflin University. In 2018, he launc...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Adrienne G. Whaley from the Museum of the American Revolution. Adrienne G. Whaley is an educator and history-lover who currently serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution. Adrienne earned her bachelor’s degree in African American Studies from Harvard University and her Master...

Join Janice and Cherekana for a conversation with award winning author, Denise I. Griggs.  She will share her research journey with us regarding her enslaved ancestor, Peter Hunt (1844-1915). Denise Griggs is an Author of books for children and young adults about Genealogy, Diversity, and Theology. She is the Owner/Publisher of Blue Eclipse Publishing for young adults and Owner/Publisher of Glass...

Join Janice and Cherekana for a conversation with Alex Da' Paul Lee.  Alex is passionate about conducting family research and connecting with all of the descendants of his ancestors.  He will share some of the extensive work he has done, what he is currently working on and what compels him to search relentlessly for accurate information regarding his ancestors. Alex Da’ Paul Lee, Sr., is a native...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Tanzy Ward. Tanzy will share her unique journey to becoming an antique dealer, author, historian, antiquarian and how she blends both in her successful business.   Dedicated to historic preservation and education, Tanzy Ward began her journey as a business owner, specializing in the preservation of antique heirlooms at Zanathia Je...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Paige Cummins. She will share her personal research journey, why she started a genealogy research service, examples of research mysteries she solved, and how her faith factors into the work that she does. Paige Cummins is a passionate genealogist and family historian. She’s the Owner and Lead Genealogist at Cousin Paige’s Genealog...

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Robyn Smith of Reclaiming Kin.  Robyn will share the purpose of creating Reclaiming Kin, Genealogy Skill Building tips, and highlights from her personal research journey.  Robyn has researched her family and others for over 25 years. An engineer by day, Robyn applies those research and problem-solving skills to the field of geneal...

Join Janice & Cherekana for a conversation with Eunice Buffington of The Family Tree Buff.  Researching your family history is so important, but how do you deal with the trauma your ancestors experienced or traumatic experiences you have dealt with? Eunice will share her personal experiences and the work that she is doing to be an agent of change to stop repeated cycles of trauma in families. ...

Join Janice and Cherekana for a conversation with Rita Fuller-Yates:  Your Local History Matters.  She will share some of the work she has done in Columbus, Ohio to research, document, and share her findings regarding African Americans. Rita Fuller-Yates is an acclaimed Author and Historian from Columbus, Ohio.  Fuller-Yates obtained her bachelor’s degree in history from Ohio University and later...