Conference Program

Our conference programs are focused on content developed through board leadership, peer discussion and scholarly research.

Our sessions have been carefully curated to prepare our members, our guests and the general public for the task ahead: helping communities, historians, genealogists, and researchers in understanding the importance of our ancestors as valuable contributors and founders of the United States of America. 

Financial Status:

• Treasurer General Douglas Cornwall 
• Auditor General Dean Henry

Membership Status:

• Genealogy General Dr. Shelley Murphy
• Registrar General Hope Elliot
• Surgeon General Dr. Wendall Goins 

State of the Society:

• President General Ric Murphy

10:00 AM - 10: 45 AM

Roundtable Discussion A:     Importance of Our African Ancestors

Facilitator:      Ric Murphy, President General of the Society of the First African Families of English America.  As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, communities across the nation have a unique opportunity to reflect, imagine, honor and strategize by developing comprehensive America 250 programs that are inclusive, forward-looking, and rooted in shared values. This session offers a deep dive into SOFAFEA’s strategic planning for commemorations, with an emphasis on historical reflection of America’s Forgotten Patriots, civic renewal, and community engagement.

The session originally slotted for this time will be deferred to a future conference. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused but this was beyond our control.

Scholars:

• Antoine Watts (President Living History),  

• Daryian Kelton (Vice President Living History),  

• Leslie Bramlett (Treasurer Living History),  

• Kevin Chapman (Secretary Living History),  

• Steve Thomas (Founder Living History),  

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Roundtable Discussion B:     Finding Our Ancestors in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

Facilitator:    Douglas Cornwall (Treasurer General, Society of the First African Families of English America), will lead a discussion with national thought leaders on the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, where our ancestors came from, how to trace them, their value to the American economy, and its relevance in today’s environment. 

Scholars:

• Thom Reed, Program Manager, African Heritage Initiatives for FamilySearch International. An international expert on diaspora records research and documentation.

• To Be Announced

11:45 - 12:00 Noon

Pictures at the Grand Staircase (in the order of)¹

• General Officers and National Vice Presidents
• Board of Directors with Society Members (with medals)
• Honored family Members
• Descendants of Forgotten Patriots
• Guests

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM

Lunch/ Networking/ Family Collaborations/ Tour of Museum

01:00 PM - 1:45 PM 

Roundtable Discussion C:     Community and Organizational Engagement

Facilitator:      Joi Edwards-Haynes (Organizing Secretary General, Society of the First African Families of English America) More than ever there is a need to develop foundations at the regional and community level to research, document and preserve information and artifacts ensuring that our ancestors are remembered as valuable contributors to American history. Ms. Edwards-Haynes will lead a discussion on how to take and expand a national organization regionally, and to expand the rich body of knowledge at the local level. 

Scholars:

• Bren Landon is Director of Public Relations for the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.  She counsels the DAR President General and membership on the many special initiatives of the National Society including the E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative. She will share how DAR disseminates information to their members and how they engage their members at the local level. 

• LaJoy Y. Mosby is the President, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. Ms. Mosby is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Inc., a charter member of African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky as well as a member of the Woodford County Historical Society, the Kentucky Genealogy Society, and the Alabama Genealogy Society. 

Facilitator: Dr. Shelley V. Murphy (Founder of the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute, and is the society’s Genealogist General), who will lead a discussion with national thought leaders on how we should properly preserve the history and legacy of the past and connect with the descendants for the future.

 Scholars:

• Attorney Michael Coard is a Philadelphia criminal defense attorney with more than 15 years of trial experience leading cases for mostly underprivileged citizens. He is a fierce advocate for his alma mater, Cheyney University, and can be heard weekly on his show Radio Courtroom on WURD radio.

• Bernice Alexander Bennett is an award-winning author, genealogist,
  nationally recognized guest speaker, storyteller, and former
  producer-host of the podcast - Research at the National Archives and
  Beyond BlogTalkRadio program, and current host of Ancestor’s
  Footprints. 

03:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Roundtable Discussion E:     America 250: Commemorating Our Nation’s Forgotten Patriots . 

Facilitator: Ric Murphy, President General of the Society of the First African Families of English America.

Scholars:

• Adrienne G. Whaley is an educator and history-lover who currently serves as the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Museum of the American Revolution.