Who is FoLC?
In April of 2019, a small group of dedicated volunteers came together at Lebanon Cemetery in North York Borough to help with upkeep. In the process, a very rich history of York County's African-American community was uncovered - literally. There was a sense of urgency surrounding the reclamation and preservation of this Hallowed Ground. In December of 2020, Friends of Lebanon Cemetery was created. Through volunteer efforts, we work to uncover the rich history of York County's African-American burial grounds by researching, identifying and documenting the people interred in these cemeteries, linking familial ties, preserving and restoring not just their locations but their stories. These places matter and merit our respect and protection because they represent a collective history and offer a way to preserve voices of those who were often left out of our historical narrative. Telling their stories through the preservation of their last resting places is vital to providing an authentic narrative of American history.
Our Board of Directors
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Co-founder and President of FoLC, Jenny leverages her extensive nursing background and genealogical expertise to promote local history preservation. Transitioning from a 27-year nursing career to care for her mother, she embodies a strong commitment to family and community. With 25 years in genealogy, specializing in DNA analysis, and 26 years as a Girl Scout volunteer, Jenny contributes significantly to the organization. Her focus on developing narratives, especially for veterans, highlights her passion for history, genealogy, and community engagement, underscoring her role as a vital leader in preserving local heritage.
Damita Wilson, Vice President
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Inspired by mentor Myra "Neicy" DeShields Moulten, Damita is a fervent advocate for the preservation of her ancestral history, tracing her lineage back to John Aquilla Wilson, a Civil War veteran from York County, Pennsylvania. Her research further uncovered Nathaniel Wilson, her great-great-grandfather and a founder of the first Fawn AMEZ Church in York County in the early 1800s. Committed to documenting historical legacies, Damita is drafting Family History books and a comprehensive guide to Fawn AMEZ Cemetery, recording headstones and markers despite record losses over time. Her contributions to Find a Grave and volunteer work with FoLC in headstone cleaning highlight her preservation efforts. Additionally, Damita has been the secretary of the Wilson Jones Family and Friends Reunion since the early 2000s, showcasing her organizational skills. Her participation in the Keystones Oral Histories project in 2020 further underscores her dedication to sharing her ancestors' military history, marking her as a key figure in preserving and promoting community history.
Vanessa Adamu, Board Member
Jenny DeJesus Marshall, President
Dr. Dwayne Cowles Wright, Board Member
A York, Pennsylvania native, Vanessa combines her passion for history with community engagement as an active member of the Friends of Lebanon Cemetery board for over a year. With a lifelong interest in history and archaeology, her involvement with FoLC enables her to contribute significantly to the preservation of the community's historical heritage. Additionally, Vanessa manages the Genealogy Masters Facebook page, where she leads a 140+ member community dedicated to exploring family histories. Her work both preserves local history and fosters a deeper connection among individuals to their ancestral pasts, making her a key contributor to FoLC and the broader historical and genealogical community.
Dr. Dwayne Cowles Wright, Board Member
Dr. Dwayne Cowles Wright, Board Member
Dr. Dwayne Cowles Wright, Board Member
Hailing from York, Pennsylvania and closely connected to Lebanon Cemetery, Dwayne is a renowned historian and advocate for African American heritage. With a PhD focusing on the African and African American experience, historiography, preservation, and culturally relevant education, he significantly contributes to historical understanding and community education. At Cleveland State University, Dr. Wright launched "OUR Stories," a program that integrates African American history into K-12 curricula through collaboration with local organizations. He also led "Preserving OUR Cedar/Central Pillars," an oral history project for students. A regular at academic conferences and skilled in grant writing, Dr. Wright's work underscores his dedication to celebrating and preserving African American history, making him a key figure in promoting the legacy of Lebanon Cemetery and African American history at large.
Samantha Dorm, Volunteer/Advisor
Dr. Dwayne Cowles Wright, Board Member
Samantha Dorm, Volunteer/Advisor
A seasoned grant consultant with over 20 years of expertise in supporting public safety and nonprofit agencies across the U.S., Samantha's work focuses on securing funding, statistical analysis, and program development. She reviews for federal agencies and leads grant writing workshops. Beyond her professional scope, Samantha serves on the board of the York County History Center and is one of the co-founders of FoLC. She is also involved in the Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds and Black Cemetery Networks, and collaborating with the National Cemetery Administration to support African American Veterans. Samantha's work has been recognized in media outlets including PBS, CBS, USA Today, and CNN, and she plays a key role in the Veterans Legacy Program.
FoLC Non-discrimination Policy
At Friends of Lebanon Cemetery, we value all employees and volunteers as unique individuals, and we welcome the variety of experiences they bring to our organization. As such, we have a strict non-discrimination policy. We believe everyone should be treated equally regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Contact Us
Friends of Lebanon Cemetery
3043 E Prospect Rd., York, PA 17402
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