Google Harry Bradshaw Matthews and you'll learn a lot about Hartwick's associate dean and director of U.S. Pluralism Programs. You'll discover his interest in African American genealogy, his accomplishments as an author, and his dedication to his community. You'll learn about his work with local and national organizations, and you'll see praise for his writings.
Step onto the Hartwick campus and you'll learn even more. Maybe you'll strike up a conversation with students in the Harriet Tubman Mentoring project, which teaches students the process Matthews used in researching, documenting, and preserving local history, family research, and African American heritage. The program grew out of Matthews' latest study, "The African American Freedom Journey to New York and Related Sites, 1823-1870."
Or maybe you'll get your hands on a copy of his book "African American Genealogical Research: How to Trace Your Family History," which has been selected for inclusion in The Library of Congress' permanent collections.
Matthews' interest in African American genealogy was influenced by Alex Haley's 1976 book, Roots. Since then, he has become a voice for diversity, equality, and history, both on and off the Hartwick campus. He is president of the USCT Institute for Local History and Family Research, and has been received numerous awards and proclamations for his research, including recognition from former New York Governor George Pataki.
