Joyceann Gray

Independent Historian

Joyceann Gray, a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, is an independent family historian and genealogist who has a combined 40 years of service in the areas of history, genealogy, communications and marketing. The focus of her educational studies is communications and psychology. Her historical and genealogical research is primarily on her family movements from Virginia, Canada, and Liberia to Kentucky and Kansas between the 18th and 20th centuries. Her goal is to bring alive the stories of achievements and legacies that her ancestors left for present and future generations.
She has presented some of her work to the Middle Potomac History Researchers at the Josephine School Community Museum in Berryville, Virginia. She also recorded her research on the Hatter family for E-Learning- Jim Surkamp Presentations for American Public University System.

Carolyn L. Robertson Payton (1925-2001)

Dr. Carolyn L. Robertson Payton was the first African American and the first woman to become the director of the U.S. Peace Corps. She was appointed in 1977 by U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Carolyn L. Robertson Payton was born on May 13, 1925, in Norfolk, … Read MoreCarolyn L. Robertson Payton (1925-2001)

Gayleatha Beatrice Brown (1947-2013)

On July 2, 2009 President Barack Obama appointed Gayleatha Beatrice Brown to be the United States ambassador to Burkina Faso, a nation in West Africa. This was her second ambassadorial appointment. Previously, Brown had been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as U.S. … Read MoreGayleatha Beatrice Brown (1947-2013)

Jerome R. Riley (1840-1929)

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Jerome R. Riley, medical doctor, author, political and civil rights activist, was born in St. Catharines, Canada West on March 17, 1840 to Isaac and Catherine Riley. His father and mother were runaway slaves who made their way from Perry County, … Read MoreJerome R. Riley (1840-1929)

Sue K. Brown (1948- )

Ambassador Sue Katherine Brown is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister Counselor. In 2011 President Barack Obama nominated her to become the U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, the first African American to hold this post and only the second … Read MoreSue K. Brown (1948- )

Hamilton Hatter (1856-1942)

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Hamilton Hatter, educator and inventor, was the first principal of Bluefield Colored Institute in Bluefield, West Virginia. Hatter was born enslaved on April 24, 1856, in Jefferson County, Virginia, which became part of West Virginia in 1863. His parents Frank and … Read MoreHamilton Hatter (1856-1942)

Sylvia Gaye Stanfield (1943- )

Sylvia Stanfield, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, took up her post as U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brunei in November 1999. President William J. Clinton appointed Ambassador Stanfield to the … Read MoreSylvia Gaye Stanfield (1943- )

Leslie M. Alexander (1948- )

Ambassador Leslie M. Alexander was a Career Foreign Service Officer. He was appointed by President William J. Clinton to serve as U.S. Ambassador to three nations: Mauritius and the Comoros where he served from 1993 to 1996, Ecuador where he served from 1996 to 1999, … Read MoreLeslie M. Alexander (1948- )

Bernadette Mary Allen (1955- )

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Career Foreign Service Officer Bernadette Mary Allen was commissioned into the U.S. diplomatic service in January 1980. Twenty-five years later, on October 26, 2005, President George W. Bush appointed Allen to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Niger. She … Read MoreBernadette Mary Allen (1955- )

Barbara Mae Watson (1918-1983)

Barbara M. Watson, businesswoman, lawyer, government executive, and diplomat, was born in New York City, New York on November 5, 1918. She was the daughter of James S. Watson, the first black judge elected in New York State, and his wife, Violet Lopez Watson, one of the founders of the National Council of … Read MoreBarbara Mae Watson (1918-1983)

Anne Forrester Holloway (1941- 2006)

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Anne Forrester Holloway was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mali on November 6, 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. She was the first African American woman to hold that post. Forrester was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 2, 1941. She attended public schools in … Read MoreAnne Forrester Holloway (1941- 2006)