June 2026 General Membership Meeting
Slave Status & Inheritance – We Rise: Challenging His(story) in Turbulent Times with Roland Barksdale-Hall
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Business Meeting @ 6 PM | Speaker Presentation @ 7 PM
Business Meeting @ 6 PM
Speaker Presentation @ 7 PM
Slave Status & Inheritance – We Rise: Challenging His(story) in Turbulent Times is a thought-provoking genealogy presentation by Roland Barksdale-Hall that examines how enslaved status shaped family lines, property, and identity in America.
Through a historical lens, he will explore why understanding legal and social definitions of slave status is essential for interpreting records and tracing African American ancestry.
This free event welcomes visitors and members alike to connect, learn, and celebrate untold histories.
Roland Barksdale-Hall
Roland Barksdale-Hall is an award-winning essayist, historian, and librarian whose work centers on African American history and genealogy. As founder of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society and co-founder of Jah Kente International in Washington, DC, he has led community efforts to preserve and share Black family histories.
Drawing on years of archival research, community storytelling, and youth mentoring, Roland helps audiences discover practical strategies for tracing their roots and placing family stories in a broader historical context. His genealogy presentations are known for being both accessible to beginners and deeply grounded in cultural and historical insight.