About Us
Black Ancestries empowers people of African descent to explore their family history by providing professional genealogy research, engaging presentations, and educational workshops.
Our Founder
Our Founder
Our founder and CEO Andre Kearns brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field. He holds degrees from Morehouse College and Harvard Business School, combining rigorous research with heartfelt storytelling to make genealogy accessible and inspiring.
As a leader in various genealogical societies and a noted public speaker, Andre’s work is recognized across major platforms, enriching the genealogy community with his profound insights and engaging lectures.
Connecting Families Through History
Explore moments from our journey of connecting families with their histories and celebrating their heritage together.
Featured Talks
Revealing Our Full American Mosaic
Getting Started with African American Genealogy
Helping African Americans Trace to Slaveholding Ancestors
The Cumbo Family: Tracing one of the First African Descended Families in America
Media and Recognition
Medium •
October, 2026
Four Caribbean Branches, One Family in Key West, Florida: Raymond Suarez’s Ancestry
Black Ancestries traces journalist Raymond Suarez’s paternal ancestry across Cuba, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Key West, correcting long-held assumptions about his family’s origins. The research reveals how migration, maritime work, cigar making, and family relationships brought four Caribbean branches together and reshaped Raymond’s understanding of his paternal ancestry.
Medium •
September, 2026
Generations of Readers, Generations of Writers
The publication of Finding Cornerstone Stories inspired a deeper look at a family legacy of literacy, education, reading, and writing. From ancestors who pursued education after emancipation to descendants who became authors, this story explores how knowledge and storytelling can become an inheritance passed from one generation to another.
Medium •
September, 2026
A Day of Service, Remarkable History, and Django Unchained
A tombstone discovered during a day of service leads to the remarkable story of Henry Hatton, a free Black blacksmith, and his sons who served in the United States Colored Troops. Their story demonstrates how extraordinary Black history can be hiding in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered and preserved.
Medium •
August, 2026
The Woman Behind the Byrd Name: Lewis Byrd’s Family Story Across Three Centuries
Black Ancestries follows Lewis Byrd’s family across three centuries, uncovering the people and relationships behind a surname passed through generations. The research demonstrates how genealogy can recover overlooked lives, connect families across time, and reveal the ancestors whose choices and perseverance created opportunities their descendants still carry forward.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Let us help you discover your family’s inspiring legacy and connect with your roots.