Jerome Spears

Jerome Spears, Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS) member – Native of Baltimore, Maryland, earned Geography degrees from Morgan State University & the University of Hawaii & over the years, has used his formal training & other life experiences to champion the cause of uncovering & preserving his family’s narrative & history (going back many generations). He is an Historic Sotterley & Susquehanna Plantation descendant, as well as a (Georgetown) GU272 relative, who in 2016, authored a manuscript entitled “I’VE GOT YOUR BACK”, where he chronicled his eight linear ancestral families (in southern Maryland) – rising out from slavery to freedom & beyond. This effort garnered him the esteemed [ AAHGS - Elizabeth Clark-Lewis Genealogy Award ], acknowledging his measured contributions to original African American research. In 2023 he was a featured panelist at the inaugural stakeholders Descendants of Slavery Empowerment Conference at the National Museum of African American History & Culture, in Washington, D.C., & is also featured in three (award winning) short-film documentaries, the first being “Talking and Walking Common Ground”, the second (viewable via PBS) is entitled: “FINDING US”, as well as a third project (via YouTube) entitled: “The Story of Camp Stanton”. He has extensively used DNA (including “Genetic Visual Phasing”) & other advanced methods to find & then successfully contact distant relatives in Africa & other places around the world. His previous national-level presentation appearances include: AAHGS, RootsTech Connect, the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree, Juneteenth Ancestral Remembrance Day, the East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, and two DNA Track sessions as an Instructor with the Midwest African American Institute (MAAGI). Jerome is also a retired U.S. Army veteran & current Board Member of the Descendants of Jesuit Enslavement Historical & Genealogical Society, who now spends his time researching, lecturing, discovering, & placing his past & present, close & distant relatives within the context of place & time.