Genealogy & Juneteenth: An Exploration Of The American Family

The conversation will focus on how, as the annual holiday gatherings grew and spread throughout the nation, they brought together separated family members and an exchange of information about finding other long-lost relations. Sharrock-Cole will also discuss changing concepts of freedom, the trauma of separation, and the use of genealogy to foster additional reconnections and discover previously unknown ancestral origins.

About the Speaker

Joyce Sharrock-Cole is a captivating storyteller whose trailblazing research empowers her audiences to connect with their heritage, understand their place in the world, and honor the legacies that shaped them. As a leading voice for uplifting forgotten Black history, she is a trusted advisor to numerous historical and cultural institutions, advocating for the preservation of long-buried stories, including those of enslaved people, Black veterans, and overlooked community builders. Her work has been recognized by the New York State Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the National Council of Negro Women. She is also the founder of JSC Research LLC, which helps individuals and institutions uncover their past to inspire the future