Black history symposium set for Feb. 1-3 at Georgia Archives

Event is free and features speakers, hands-on learning.

The Georgia Archives and the metro Atlanta chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) will host an African American Symposium at the Georgia Archives on Feb. 1-3.

The event is free. For more information, visit GeorgiaArchives.org.

The schedule is as follows:

Feb. 1

■ 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Christina Davis of Savannah State University will speak on the history of that school as a Historic Black College and University (HBCU) and advancing the Black community.

■ 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Arthur Dunning, author of “Unreconciled,” speaks on “Reconciliation, is it possible?”

■ 1:30-2:30 p.m.: There will be a tour of the Georgia Archives, but space is limited and prior registration is required. The tour is a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of the archives.

Feb. 2

■ 9:30 a.m.: Tiffany Atwater Lee, of Atlanta University Center’s Woodruff Library, speaks on the library’s archives.

■ 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Derek Mosley, archives division manager of the Auburn Avenue Research Library, speaks on archival resources at that library.

■ 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Tamika Strong, reference archivist at the Georgia Archives, will speak on “Knowing Where to Look: Researching African Americans in Georgia Archives Resources.”

Feb. 3 Track One: African American Genealogy Basics

Pre-registration (via the website by Jan. 29) is required for this daylong workshop. Speakers include Tamika Strong (Georgia Archives); Tammy Ozier, family historian and genealogist; and Tamu Taylor (AAHGS), with the final hour (2:15-3:15 p.m.) offering hands-on learning with experts from AAHGS.

Track 2: African American research in Georgia

■ 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Sheila McAlister and Russell Palmer will discuss the Digital Library of Georgia and Galileo, both via UGA, including the e-book collection, newspapers and a wealth of resources.

■ 10:45-11:45 a.m.: Dr. Alvin Jackson speaks on “If These Cemeteries Could Talk.”

■ 1-2 p.m.: Writer and oral historian Trelani Michelle speaks on “Grandmama’s Cultural Inheritances Along the Gullah Corridor.”

■ 2:15-3:15 p.m.: The final session is a hands-on session with AAHGS members.

Sessions will be recorded and posted later on the Georgia Archives YouTube site.