Kelly McCoy

Kelly McCoy is an independent historian specializing in genealogy for the African diaspora, cultural heritage, and ancestral tourism based in Washington state. She is also the founder and owner of G.E.A.R. Shop Collective, a consultancy focused on curating community-centered tourism experiences globally. Kelly collaborates with organizations like the Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, where she serves as a program manager, to create inclusive and equitable opportunities through sustainable tourism practices. She has also worked with Earthjustice, leading efforts to illuminate environmental justice issues facing communities in Southeastern Louisiana along 'Death Cancer Alley,' and with Conservation Volunteers International Program, where she leads collaboration on community reforestation projects in Tanzania. Kelly also has a dedication to genealogical history and the migration patterns of Black people into the Midwest and Western United States. As a member of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society and a volunteer on the 10 Million Names Project with American Ancestors, she brings her passion to life. Kelly is just beginning work in writing to illuminate, recover, restore, and remember the stories of our Black ancestors.

Articles by Kelly McCoy