Dr. Eric J. Chambers
Virtual Museum Curator, Los Angeles
Eric J. is a descendant of Willis Johnson, Rose Jordan, Willie Lee Byrd, Morgan Taylor, and Lucille Goodman, who was his grandmother. He is the son of Hester "Gogo" Ducre of Pearl River, LA.
He has been recording family history since the 1986 family reunion in his grandmother Lucille's yard. He has produced five documentaries on the family, which will be available in the near future for online viewing.
He is a radio/TV host and author based in Hollywood, California. A 9-time Emmy and Golden Mike Award winner for his work at CBS in Hollywood, he hosted The Jazzspel with Eric J., a national TV show that appeared on The Word Network for nine years. One of his 137 episodes was a TV special from the 2003 Taylor-Jordan Family Reunion at the family park in Rose Hill, MS. (Stay tuned for details on how to view it.)
Dr. Chambers has interviewed some of Hollywood's most noted celebrities, including Beyonce and Destiny's Child, Morgan Freeman, Harrison Ford, Mark Wahlberg, Colin Kaepernick, Arsenio Hall, Tyler Perry, Gladys Knight, Taraji P. Henson, H.E.R., Yolanda Adams, Jill Scott, Charlie Wilson, Jamie Foxx, Vivica A. Fox, Fred Hammond, Howard Hewett, Dawnn Lewis, Tiffany Haddish, Stevie Wonder, Kem, Kelly Rowland, and Civil Rights icons Sistah Rosa Parks, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., and Mrs. Mamie Till Mobley, (mother of Emmett Till) who became a surrogate grandmother to him.
He has written five books, Visit WhoDatPublishingHouse.com for the details.
He and his daughter Aerica, a University of Southern California student, reside in Orange County, CA.
Mrs. Mamie Till Mobley (mother of Emmett Till) and Eric J in San Diego in 2000.
Emma Thigpen Harrison
Family Ambassador, Slidell, LA
A descendant of Isaac and Rose Jordan, granddaughter of Willie Lee Byrd and Morgan (Jordan) Taylor, Emma is a family ambassador.
She has been on the advisory board for the Taylor-Jordan reunion for nearly a decade. She launched a plan to generate funds to build a new pavilion completed in The Taylor-Jordan Family Park in Rose Hill, MS, in Sept 2017. She created and spearheaded the family memorial board on display at the annual reunion and proposes bringing new playground equipment to the family park for Sept 2023.
Emma has been attending the reunion all her life. Some of her most incredible childhood memories are coming to stay with her Big Mama (Willie Bryd) & Big Daddy (Morgan Jordan Taylor) the Saturday night before the Mt. Jordan Meeting, held every 3rd Sunday in September. Seeing the multitude of family members a the annual reunion brings her great joy. She loves seeing her family come together in love, learning, and growing from one another. She has an intense passion that drives her to push to make it bigger and better each year.
Emma is the youngest of 6 children born to the late Early "J.D." and Mattie Taylor Thigpen.
She resides in Slidell, LA, with her husband of 30 years, Robert Harrison Jr. She is the mother of Trevor N Harrison and the "Grand E" of MacKenzie and Skylar Harrison.
She is an active member in her home church, Community Church Slidell. She serves in several ministries, including the prayer team, online moderator, and campus host. Emma realizes that all of her help comes from the Lord. Her favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5...TRUST HIM IN ALL YOU DO!
Emma has an Associate Degree in General Studies and a career in the healthcare industry for the past 30 years, holding various roles as administrator, Director of Business Development, and Account Executive. She is currently serving in the Hospice Division in New Orleans, LA. In her regular job, she is tasked with educating the community and helping to put resources in place for patients and family support. "Growing up, I spent much time in the hospitals with my mother, a local missionary visiting the sick. I now understand that it was developing me for my career in healthcare."
She envisions that one day, descendants of all bloodlines can reunite at the international place, our homeland of Cameroon, West Africa, where it all began over 200 yrs ago.
Minister Vance "Stretch" Sanders
Family Genealogist, Las Vegas, NV
Minister Vance "Stretch" Sanders is a descendant of Henry B. Jordan, one of Kizzy Jordan's 14 children. The 28-year-old husband and father is the president and founder of the Stretch For Change Foundation.
He is also a historian, a minister, and a community organizer. He made history for being the youngest person ever to run for Mayor in Las Vegas.
As an empowerment speaker, Spiritual Life Coach, and Licensed Minister, he lectures and organizes events geared toward personal growth, unity, and love.
Due to his accomplishments and passion for community service, he was honored on February 19th, being proclaimed Minister Stretch Sanders Day in the City of Las Vegas.
L'Tanga Johnson
Family Genealogist, Greenville, SC
L'Tanga Johnson is a descendant of Willis Johnson, the grandfather of Willie Lee Byrd and Mary Byrd Bender, whose mother was Calla Johnson Byrd, the daughter of Willis. L'Tanga's great-grandfather was Willis' brother.
She has a passion for family history and research as a Genealogist/Search Angel and family historian. She serves in various leadership capacities at her home church Shady Oak Baptist Church of Greenville, SC.
L'Tanga Michelle Johnson is the eldest of three children of Mrs. Eula Johnson and the late Donald Edward Johnson. She is a Midwesterner from Rockford, IL., an Information Technology and Human Resources business leader, and a volunteer in the Upstate of South Carolina for over 24 years. She holds many professional business certifications, including her Gallup Strengths-Based Leadership Coach certification. She earned a Master's in Computer Info. Systems (Bellevue University), a Master of Science in Administration (Central Michigan Univ), and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Drake University). She serves on the Board of Directors for her Alma Mater, Drake University's Black Alumni Association. She represents BMW Group as America's Region Information Security Manager on their Security Operations Team, overseeing 14 Legal Entities and a network of over 240 Information Protection Delegates. L'Tanga also loves her family.
She loves to sing with her Praise and Worship Team and serves as a Youth Advisor. She is an Aunt to her nephews Josiah Douglas and Kaden Johnson, nieces De'Zhane' and JaeLynn Johnson, and god-daughter Breanna Dawson.
Click the link below to learn more about that tribe of the family.
The Johnson/Jordan Tribe.
Douglas R. Bender
Family Genealogist, Greensboro, NC
Douglas R. Bender is an avid genealogy expert who has done extensive research on the Bender, Taylor, and Jordan family tree.
His late father, Rev. Frederick Douglas Bender, was a close friend of civil rights icon Medgar Evers.
Douglas is a human resources executive, formerly with the Mars Company, the makers of M&Ms, Snickers, and more. He and his wife Belinda reside in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Dr. Myra Scales
Family Genealogist, Kansas City, MO.
Myra is the eldest child of Charles William & Jane Carol (McCurtis) Hilton. Her maternal grandparents are Leroy & Lena Mae (Jordan) McCurtis. Her great-grandparents are Abraham Jr. & Hattie Bell (Jackson) Jordan. Her great, great-grandparents are Abraham Sr., & Ellen Jordan. Her great, great, great grandmother is Kizzy Jordan.
She was born in New Orleans, La, and raised in St. Louis, MO. She holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting, a master’s degree in Business Administration, and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Christian Education.
Myra has dedicated her life to serving and helping people, regardless of ethnic identity, cultural background, or economic status. She is the co-founder of Seed of Faith Church located in Raytown, Missouri. She also serves as the Executive Director of Impact Neighborhood Community Center, Inc., a non-profit community organization providing health, fitness, and career development education to economically disadvantaged families.
In addition, she is part of the leadership team for Caring for Kids Raytown, a branch functioning as a neutral convener bringing churches, businesses, and civic groups together to help neighborhood schools succeed.
Myra also supports numerous churches and community organizations, including the Inter-Faith Alliance of Kansas City, Hope House of KC, The River of Refuge, The Shekinah Glory Revival, and many more. She is truly a dynamic leader who strives to empower people to live victoriously in every area of life.
Myra enjoys researching family genealogy, crocheting, watching movies, and listening to audiobooks. She resides in Independence, Missouri, outside Kansas City, with her husband, Herman Scales.
Education
2015-2017
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