2026 MLA|DLA Annual Conference

John-Phillip Williams or simply J.P. in his spare time is a genealogical researcher and reparations advocate focused on advancing truth, memory, and reparative justice for Descendants of American Chattel Slavery. He holds a B.S. in African American Studies with an emphasis in Sociology from Florida State University. JP is a member of the Prince George’s County Lynching Memorial Project, presenting on The Untold Story of the Lynching of John Henry Scott, which occurred in 1875 in Oxon Hill, MD. Through research and advocacy, he works to document suppressed histories, introduce descendants to their family lineage in the United States and supports ongoing efforts toward reparative justice.