Memorial Day: A Commemoration

I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in School Administration and Supervision, and am a retired Indianapolis Public Schools teacher. I teach education classes for IVY Tech Community College and Child Development Associate (CDA) classes, and serve as an Advisor for Child Development Associate candidates. I have experience facilitating workshops for groups of 50-500 people on topics such as Diversity, Stress, Positive Guidance, Inclusion, and others. In addition to the "work" I do, in my spare time, I love listening to all kinds of music, traveling, dancing, walking in nature, doing Zumba, viewing movies, participating in genealogy webinars, researching ancestors to build my family tree, learning American Sign Language (ASL), and hanging out with close friends and family members.

Most proudly, as a single mom since 1992, I have successfully raised four wonderful children--a daughter who graduated Valedictorian from her high school (first Black at Lawrence Central!!) and Suma Cum Laude from Spelman College. She has earned a dual Doctoral Degree in Social-Cultural Anthropology from the University of Michigan, has written four books, is married, and is the mother of three of my four grand-loves. I have a son who graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering and a minor in Math. He was immediately hired by a leading engineering corporation and has earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He and his wife have recently become the parents of my newest grand-love.  My twin daughters both graduated, Magna Cum Laude, from Ball State University, with Bachelor’s Degrees in Telecommunications. They reside in sunny LA, with successful careers in the film/television field. Last but not least, I have two bonus children who have also earned Bachelor’s Degrees. I am a proud mama!

Now…back to genealogy…I have served on the IAAGG Board of Directors for the past five years. Positions served were Nominations Chair, Program Chair, Conference Committee Chair, and Vice President of IAAGG. My genealogy subscriptions and memberships include the Indiana Historical Society, Indiana Genealogical Society, Your DNA Guide, Ohio Genealogy Society, Afro-American Historical and Genealogy Society, Inc., Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago, African-American Genealogy Group of Kentucky, Southern California Genealogical Society, Legacy Family Tree Webinars, WiKi Tree, Georgia Genealogical Society, and others. 

I began researching my ancestors as a youngster, as part of a homework assignment, and built my family tree “back” to my grandparents (smile). I have only begun serious genealogical research within the past 10 years and cannot get enough of it! My maternal ancestors are from Ohio, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and southern Indiana (Surnames: Fillmore, Elmore, Dudley, Avery, Woodson, Roach, Elkins). My paternal ancestors are from IN, TN, KY, and MI (Surnames: Sallee, Caudle, Broadie, Whitlock, Anderson). Check out one of my family stories on our website, www.iaagg.org! You are invited to contribute a story, as well!

Kamia Jackson embarked on her genealogical journey in 2020, and what started as a quest to uncover her ancestry swiftly blossomed into a fervent passion. She joined the Indiana African American Genealogy Group (IAAGG) in 2021 and became the Program Committee Chair in 2023. Kamia is dedicated to preserving African American history and volunteers for the Kentucky US Colored Troops Project. She also enjoys sharing her learnings by delivering genealogy presentations both locally and virtually.

Kamia holds a B.A. in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Martin University, and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University. She brings a wealth of experience to her role, having previously served as secretary for the Indiana Association of College Stores (IACS) and the Martin University Alumni Association (MUAA).

Originally from Cincinnati, Kamia relocated to Indianapolis in the early 90s. In her leisure time, she enjoys attending concerts, traveling, reading, and cherishing moments as "Gigi" to her beloved grandchildren.

Terri Wilson-Lewis has a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University Indianapolis. She has worked in financials, education, and human resources. After a career in human resources, she homeschooled her son for 19 years. 

She has served in various community organizations as a Crime Watch block captain/coordinator, Board Member with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis, Administrator for the Symphonic Praise Choir, Indianapolis Opera Guild member, and various other volunteering.

In the mid-70s, Terri’s mother offered to help her find her birth mother. This set off a series of events culminating in finding her birth mother shortly after high school. This later led to research at a local repository in Greenwood, the State Library, and the Indianapolis Marion County Library. 

It would take years to finally discover her birth-father’s identity as well as four half-siblings. After joining IAAGG in 2019, Terri was asked to present her story during an annual conference. Additional research led to discovering her adoptive mother and birth father had two shared relatives. So essentially, Terri was distantly related to her adoptive mother’s family! Another exciting discovery is that she is related to one of the first documented Africans to arrive in the English colonies, Virginia, in the 'New World’ in 1620 through her maternal birth grandfather Robert Gardner.

Thanks to IAAGG’s informational meetings, Terri continues to utilize digital resources via Ancestry, interviewing birth family members and a recent trip to Ft. Wayne’s genealogy center. When not working, she continues to research birth family and her adopted family in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois. The names researched are Cork, Gardner, Ramsey, Marang, Richardson, Pepper. Wilson, Piccolo.

Future trips to Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky are planned to gleam more information to allow Terri to finish building her complicated birth-family/adoptive family trees.

Terri has three sons, two step-sons, two step-daughters and nine grandchildren who keep her busy. She enjoys singing, playing flute, learning ASL, history, and traveling when she can.

JaKobi joined IAAGG after attending his 1st genealogy conference in 2014. Like his father, he has always been interested in history. JaKobi is excited to apprentice under Charles Barker to learn and grow in preparation of becoming the Treasurer of IAAGG. To diversify his professional portfolio and become more involved in his community, he has volunteered to become a board member of his Homeowner's Association as well as the Moore Heritage Projects Corporation.

Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, JaKobi Burton is proud to be a product of Indianapolis Public Schools K-8. After graduating from North Central High School, he went on to acquire his Bachelor of Arts in Industrial and Mechanical Technology from Indiana State University.

After years of designing utility trucks for domestic and international customers, JaKobi has readjusted his focus to traverse a more personally fulfilling and rewarding career path. He is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University Bloomington while being a consultant for his first independent business venture, Enigmatic Enterprises Inc.  Utilizing the foundation in genealogical research he gained from Tonya Hull, he plans to offer fee-based services to help others gain knowledge about their ancestors.

In addition to enjoying nature, outdoor activities, movies, board games, and quality time with family and friends, JaKobi loves living in Avon with his partner, Crystal, and their two children and dog, Rocky.

My name is Duane D. Perry, and I joined IAAGG after attending my first genealogy conference in 2014 with the encouragement of Charles Vaughn. Before the age of sixty, I was not fond of history and knew little about Black History unless taught in school or on TV. I never went searching for it. I was the father of two boys (Duane Jr. and Leland Lamar), and one girl (Latisha Danielle) --all athletes through high school. I coached Little League Baseball for 3 years. I was a leader at our church for more than 40 years, and on the board of directors there for over 10 years. I married my high school sweetheart, Lois Yvonne Causey, in 1977, and we have built a wonderful family and life together.   

I was born in 1953, in Fort Wayne, Allen, Indiana. My parents were Grady Stuart Perry and Jean Eloise Warfield. I have two brothers and two sisters. I attended Ft. Wayne public schools through Central High School and graduated in 1971.   

I worked at International Harvester (1973 – 1976) before enlisting in the US Air Force 1976 – 1980. After my honorable discharge, I attended ITT Technical Institute and received my degree in Electronic Engineering. 

Philips Medical System interviewed over fifty graduates and chose me. I worked for this one company for 37+ years and retired May 29, 2020. 

My genealogical research started in 2013 because at that time I did not know any Perrys that I was related to. At 60 years old now, that became increasingly embarrassing. I needed to do something about that. This is what changed my life.  

I not only found this huge Perry family, but I found so much more—the love of history and meeting other people researching. I joined IAAGG, the Noxubee County Historical Society, and the Marion County Historical Society. I have done several presentations for IAAGG and its members.  

I was asked to lead a team of researchers from IAAGG to research the Greenlawn Cemetery Project and then to be a member of the Community Advisory Group (CAG)  for the city of Indianapolis. We are researching those Black Americans buried in Greenlawn over 150 years ago to bring them honor and a proper burial.  

Now I Love History and what IAAGG is all about.

My family lived on the northwest side of Indianapolis where I graduated from North Central High School. After graduating with a BA in Accounting from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, my husband David and I moved to the northern Chicago suburb of Waukegan, Illinois. There, I worked in the retail grocery business for Jewel- Osco before retiring in 2017 after 33 years of service. I became disabled by a chronic illness over the past few years which led David and I to escape the Illinois cold winters for my health. Consequently, we now live six months of the year in San Antonio, Florida in the Tampa Bay area.   

I remain active as a volunteer Bible teacher, as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and am an avid genealogy enthusiast. I have been doing family research for many years on my mom’s biological side. I began researching my biological father’s side in 2020 after other family members received their DNA results. I joined IAAGG after attending my first zoom conference in 2020 and now my husband, David, recently joined too.   

David and I have 3 adult sons: David II and Nina, Jon and wife Katie, Justin and wife Maria. We also have five grandchildren: Tava, Layton, Julian, Edie and Jack. We hope to spend many hours sharing and discovering with them our links to our past generations especially those in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. For the present, I hope to be of assistance to others like me who seek to successfully link their genealogy research with their DNA  results. 

Ontay earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Northwood University, Midland, Michigan and a Master’s of Public Administration Degree from the Bernard M. Baruch College School of Public Affairs at City University of New York. He is also a proud alumna of the prestigious National Urban Fellows Program (NUF). The NUF develops people of color and women into leaders who are change agents with a strong commitment to social and  justice equity. 

For nearly eight years, Ontay served as Executive Director for the 100 Black Men of Indianapolis. Ontay also served as the Executive Director of EmpowerED Families for nearly two years. He was responsible for the oversight and execution of day-to-day operations, programs, initiatives and procurement of funds. Most recently serving as Chief Engagement Officer for Child Advocates, having oversight and execution of fund development. 

Before making Indianapolis his home, Ontay served at the pleasure of former Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm as Community Resource Manager for the Michigan Department of Corrections, Office of Offender Re-entry. Prior to working for the governor of Michigan, he served as Chief of Staff for former State Representative Carl Williams (95th District, Saginaw, MI). 

A civically minded individual, Ontay is engaged in the Greater Indianapolis community through his involvement on boards, and various other task forces including special appointments from former Mayor Gregory Ballard to the “Your Life Matters” Task Force and current Mayor Joe Hogsett’s Census “Count Me Indy”. In his spare time Ontay enjoys spending time with his family, reading, singing, dancing, exercising, and biking.

I am a retired long-distance runner and software developer. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Certificate in Ecommerce development from IUPUI. I was also a design draftsman for over 10 years. I worked at Naval Avionics for 11 years and Sallie Mae for 9 years. I was honorably discharged from the United States Naval Reserves after 10 years of service as a data processing technician.

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, and was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a founding member of the Michigan Black Panther Party (BPP) back in the 1960s. I moved to Chicago in 1976 to become the Afro-American editor for the October Leagues’ Call Newspaper.

I have been a member of IAAGG since mid-2019 and have been an active genealogy researcher for over 25 years, off and on. I started out using the DOS version of Family Scrapbook, an excellent genealogy database program, and now use Family Tree Maker.

In particular, I am researching ancestors from Jamaica, Cuba, Virginia, Michigan, and Maryland. My goal is to validate my research with sources and prepare it for publication so that I can leave something behind for my descendants and relatives.

I am a retired long-distance runner and software developer. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago an Associate in Applied Science in Mechanical Technology, 1980, Wright City College, Chicago, IL and a Certificate in Ecommerce Development from IUPUI. I was also a design draftsman for over 10 years. I worked at Naval Avionics for 11 years and Sallie Mae for 9 years. I was honorably discharged from the United States Naval Reserves after 10 years of service as a data processing technician.

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI, was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a founding member of the Michigan Black Panther Party (BPP) back in the 1960s. I moved to Chicago in 1976 to become the Afro-American editor for the October Leagues’ Call Newspaper.

I have been a member of IAAGG since mid-2019 and have been an active genealogy researcher for over 25 years, on and off. I started out using the DOS version of Family Scrapbook, an excellent genealogy database program, and now use Family Tree Maker.

In particular, I am researching ancestors from Jamaica, Cuba, Virginia, Michigan, and Maryland. My goal is to validate my research with sources and prepare it for publication so that I can leave something behind for my descendants and relatives.