Melungeon Voices Melungeon Heritage Association

Dr. Melissa Carver is the author of the book, "Who the Hell Told You That?" She's also the founder of the Annual Rejuvenation Retreat, President of the nonprofit organization, Mindset Junkies, contributing writer for Chopra and Elephant Journal, as well as a Chopra certified instructor. She is a mindset practitioner who feels authentic perspectives, generate happiness and fulfillment in all aspects of life.

In this season's final episode, host Heather Andolina and Dr. Carver discuss historical and generational trauma, hidden heritage and transcending racism. And they make an exciting announcement about next year's MHA Annual Union Conference!

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by The Melungeon Heritage Association (www.melungeon.org).

Gabriel Greaves, who earned a master's in American Studies from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, and is now a professor of African and African Diaspora Studies at Kennesaw State University, with a background in Afro-Latino studies, the civil rights era, Christianity in the Americas, and the social impact of religious worldviews. He is also a human services professional, historian, educator, and interdisciplinary researcher who has worked within community and grassroots outreach for over 14 years.

In this episode, Gabriel and host Heather Andolina, examine the possible connections of the Melungeon people to Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as discuss maroon communities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States, and their ties to the Melungeon people.

Link to article referenced in this episode: https://the-melungeons.blogspot.com/2012/07/two-groups-of-melungeons-problem.html?m=1

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by The Melungeon Heritage Association. Visit www.melumgeon.prg to learn more.

Janeen Stevens is a native of Michigan and graduate of Wayne State University and has been researching her family genealogy and history for over 10 years. Growing up, she was exposed to the oral history given by her grandparents who were born in the early 1900s. And she experienced a deep longing to understand more about the history of her family.

For this week's episode, host Heather Andolina explains GED Matching, The One Drop Rule, and who was Walter Plecker, and has Janeen explore how one may discover their mixed ancestry, possible ties to the Melungeon and other origins through DNA.

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association. Visit them at www.melungeon.org to learn more.

Ron Carson is the founder of the Appalachian African American Cultural Center. He has dedicated his life and work to the collection and preservation of the narratives, experiences, and artifacts of historical import to the black people of Appalachia. Along with his wife, Jill, he prevented the demolition of an old one room schoolhouse he'd attended as a child, and in 1987, created the Appalachian African American Cultural Center within its walls.

In this week's episode, Heather Andolina welcomes back Ron Carson. He was a guest speaker at this year's Melungeon Heritage Association Union Conference. Ron further discusses the African American experience in Appalachia and how the Melungeon people are a part of black Appalachian history and his important work advocating for the diagnosis, treatment and benefits for coal miners with black lung.

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association. For more information please visit them on the web at www.melungeon.org. 

In this bonus episode, we recorded live from Martinsville, VA at the 2022 Melungeon Heritage Association Union Conference at the Author Event held at the historic Parish House. MHA Board President, Heather Andolina, welcomes listeners to the podcast, then hands the baton to podcast producer, Lis Malone, for interviews with featured authors:

LaTonya Beatty

Dr. Melissa Carver

Paul Johnson

Dr. Terry Mullins

Darlene Nixon

DruAnna Williams Overbay

Beverly Scarlett

Don’t miss this stellar collection of short discussions with an impressive lineup of authors who write about all aspects of Melungeon heritage, genealogy, mixed ancestry, and historical findings!

Melungeon Voices Podcast, produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association (www.melungeon.org), can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more! Subscribe today on your favorite platform so you don’t miss a single episode!

Katya Faris, MA ethnomusicology, MA Jyotisha/Vedic Astrology, is from Hindustan, Indiana, and is a certified Jyotishi, or sidereal Vedic astrologer, Middle Eastern dance artist and music producer, Tarot practitioner, and Master level Reiki healing practitioner.  Part of her heritage is “Black Dutch” Melungeon, Cherokee and Choctaw.

In this episode, Heather Andolina, Board President of the Melungeon Heritage Association, speaks with Katya about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), its symptoms, and possible connections to the Melungeon people, as well as Katya’s personal journey in learning about her own mixed-ancestry through genetic testing, connection to the Trail of Tears, as well as how her ancestry influences her work in Jyotisha Vedic Astrology, music, and dance.

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association. For more information please visit them on the web at www.melungeon.org to learn more and become a member.