“From Tulsa to Beyond: African American Genealogy in the Indian Territory and Oklahoma” virtual presentation by Nicka Smith

To celebrate Black History Month, the Oklahoma Historical Society will host a free presentation on Thursday, February 10, at noon (CST). Tune in on Zoom to hear from guest speaker Nicka Smith (citizen of the Cherokee Nation). Smith will present “From Tulsa to Beyond: African American Genealogy in the Indian Territory and Oklahoma.”

Attendees will learn how to research the lives of their ancestors using tribal records (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole), federal records, newspapers, college/university collections, historical society records, and more! Smith’s understanding of these records will help those researching family trees to discover deep roots in the Sooner State.

Nicka Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, host, consultant, and documentarian. With more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist, Smith has extensive knowledge of African ancestral genealogy, reverse genealogy, is an expert in genealogical research in the northeastern Louisiana area, and in researching enslaved communities.

Smith has diverse and varied experience in media with a background in audio, video, and written communications. She has appeared on the Today show, CNN, MSNBC, on the series Who Do You Think You Are?, and has been interviewed by the Oakland Tribune, the Undefeated, National Geographic, and TIME magazine. She is the host of BlackProGen LIVE, an innovative web show with more than 125 episodes focused on people of color genealogy and family history.

Smith is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She is a member of two lineage societies: Sons and Daughters of the Middle Passage (SDUSMP) and National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She has been a past board member of the California Genealogical Society, and the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (AAGSNC). Smith served as the chair of the Outreach and Education Committee for AAGSNC and is the former project manager for the Alameda County Youth Ancestral Project in California where more than 325 children were taught the value of family history.