The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Robert Burch
Founder and Executive Director of the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation
ABSTRACT
Gullah Geechee Peoples
Gullah Geechee History
Cultures of the Black African Diaspora
U.S. African American History
African History
European Preeminence vs the World
Juneteenth
The Black Church
Unity Through Historical Truth
Zero Sum in White America / White Replacement Theory
Racism
How to Do African-Ancestored Genealogy
Finding Your Family’s Enslavers
BIO
Robert was born in Atlanta, GA, and attended Talladega College where he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a Divine Nine Fraternity – these are the original Black American-founded and attended fraternities. While serving in the United States Navy he received the Navy Expeditionary Cross for service as part of the U.S. Peacekeeping Force in the Mediterranean Ocean.
In 2015 Robert accepted the role as Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the largest Blackcentric genealogical society in the United States. In 2016 he accepted the role as President and proceeded to lead the organization, quickly learning that there was much Black history in Utah and no focus on it. In 2020, the organization faded regardless of attempts to keep it going as the COVID-19 Pandemic arose and worsened. While continuing to strive to get members to return and to acquire new members, Robert set his sights on focusing on Utah’s Black history despite being told by the national president that the focus was on genealogy.
In 2017, after having joined Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the first Black lineage society in the United States for Black People to trace their ancestors back to enslavement, Robert received his certification for having traced his family lines back to enslavement. Along the way he found the people who enslaved his family.
With a background in genealogy, Robert assisted many in starting their own family history (genealogy) research and assisted others when they became stuck and unable to continue backwards.
In 2020 Robert founded Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, after being told for years that there is no Black history in Utah. Helping individuals with their family history research he learned that was incorrect because he was finding their Black relatives in various areas of Utah. Since there was no existing Black history organization in Utah, he decided that rather than complaining about it he established one. Sema Hadithi Foundation focuses solely on the researching, teaching, and preserving of Utah's Black history. He is the organization’s Executive Director. In the five short years of its existence it has become not only Utah’s only Black history organization but a premiere organization.
Immediately upon the founding of Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert held its first Black history conference in October of 2020. The conference was something he started while President of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. Robert and his wife, Alice, financially sacrificed to keep the conference going because there were no sponsors for it. In 2025 the conference will mark its tenth anniversary.
In 2021 Robert’s goal of having a full dinner to honor the Ancestors and to recognize volunteers was achieved. Previously the Ancestral Remembrance Celebration was a short program with refreshments, but in 2021 the first Ancestral Remembrance Celebration & Recognition Dinner was held with great success. Currently it remains the only event of its kind in Utah that celebrates and honors our Black Ancestors.
To open the year 2022, Robert partnered with KUTV-2 News to do segments for their new Black History Month program “Belonging in Utah,” himself being its premiere interviewee. Sema Hadithi Foundation provided stories and speakers for the segment show, which lasted beyond its original month length and still continues today, entering its fourth year in 2025. Sema Hadithi Foundation continues to share story ideas and assist with stories that are done for the program.
In 2022 Robert received a Certificate of Recognition from the Black Family Genealogy & History Society of Phoenix, AZ for his commitment to researching the Buffalo Soldiers in Utah.
Leading the Salt Lake County Community Remembrance Coalition to remember two Black American men who were lynched in Salt Lake County, Robert and his team successfully held two remembrance and healing ceremonies in June 2022.
In 2023 Sema Hadithi Foundation received the Most Impactful Afro Non-profit of the Year Award for its outstanding business success and community service contributions within Utah.
Also in 2023, Robert worked with Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church, Utah’s oldest and first Blackcentric church, to launch its groundbreaking for its new hall as part of the church’s renovation process.
In 2024 Sema Hadithi Foundation made Utah history as the first Black American-founded and owned organization to receive the Utah State Historical Society’s Outstanding Achievements Award for work in history.
In addition to his Executive Director duties in Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert is the Vice President of Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the only lineage society for Black Americans. He is also a member of the Utah State Historical Society Board.
He formerly served on the National Board of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for two years and the Board of Iota Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for two years.
Robert has spoken at many places on topics ranging from the role of local government in historical preservation to lynching in Utah to racism to genealogy/family history. For several years straight he has been a favored speaker at Utah’s main Juneteenth Festival in Ogden and at several flag-raising ceremonies around Salt Lake County and at the University of Utah.
Robert is a highly sought-after speaker. Among the places he has spoken including:
- Veteran’s Program (at University of Utah)
- University of Utah Equity Office programs
- National Association of Black Storytellers Annual Conference in Utah
- J. Willard Marriott Library events (at University of Utah)
- Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah
- Sowing Seeds of Change’s Earth Day Garden Opening
- The L.D.S. Church Genesis Group
- RISE Virtual Academy
- Utah Musuems Association Annual Conference (multiple times)
- Fort Douglas Military Museum
- Utah Outdoor Summit
- Hyrum City Utah Museum
- Brigham City Utah Museum
- Ogden Family History Conference
- The Genealogical Society of Hispanic American Utah Chapter Annual Conference
- The Utah 1619 Anniversary Project Bell Ringing Ceremony for Freedom
- Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society National Annual Conference
Back to Speaker List
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Speakers
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About
Get in Touch
The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Robert Burch
Founder and Executive Director of the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation
ABSTRACT
Gullah Geechee Peoples
Gullah Geechee History
Cultures of the Black African Diaspora
U.S. African American History
African History
European Preeminence vs the World
Juneteenth
The Black Church
Unity Through Historical Truth
Zero Sum in White America / White Replacement Theory
Racism
How to Do African-Ancestored Genealogy
Finding Your Family’s Enslavers
BIO
Robert was born in Atlanta, GA, and attended Talladega College where he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a Divine Nine Fraternity – these are the original Black American-founded and attended fraternities. While serving in the United States Navy he received the Navy Expeditionary Cross for service as part of the U.S. Peacekeeping Force in the Mediterranean Ocean.
In 2015 Robert accepted the role as Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the largest Blackcentric genealogical society in the United States. In 2016 he accepted the role as President and proceeded to lead the organization, quickly learning that there was much Black history in Utah and no focus on it. In 2020, the organization faded regardless of attempts to keep it going as the COVID-19 Pandemic arose and worsened. While continuing to strive to get members to return and to acquire new members, Robert set his sights on focusing on Utah’s Black history despite being told by the national president that the focus was on genealogy.
In 2017, after having joined Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the first Black lineage society in the United States for Black People to trace their ancestors back to enslavement, Robert received his certification for having traced his family lines back to enslavement. Along the way he found the people who enslaved his family.
With a background in genealogy, Robert assisted many in starting their own family history (genealogy) research and assisted others when they became stuck and unable to continue backwards.
In 2020 Robert founded Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, after being told for years that there is no Black history in Utah. Helping individuals with their family history research he learned that was incorrect because he was finding their Black relatives in various areas of Utah. Since there was no existing Black history organization in Utah, he decided that rather than complaining about it he established one. Sema Hadithi Foundation focuses solely on the researching, teaching, and preserving of Utah's Black history. He is the organization’s Executive Director. In the five short years of its existence it has become not only Utah’s only Black history organization but a premiere organization.
Immediately upon the founding of Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert held its first Black history conference in October of 2020. The conference was something he started while President of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. Robert and his wife, Alice, financially sacrificed to keep the conference going because there were no sponsors for it. In 2025 the conference will mark its tenth anniversary.
In 2021 Robert’s goal of having a full dinner to honor the Ancestors and to recognize volunteers was achieved. Previously the Ancestral Remembrance Celebration was a short program with refreshments, but in 2021 the first Ancestral Remembrance Celebration & Recognition Dinner was held with great success. Currently it remains the only event of its kind in Utah that celebrates and honors our Black Ancestors.
To open the year 2022, Robert partnered with KUTV-2 News to do segments for their new Black History Month program “Belonging in Utah,” himself being its premiere interviewee. Sema Hadithi Foundation provided stories and speakers for the segment show, which lasted beyond its original month length and still continues today, entering its fourth year in 2025. Sema Hadithi Foundation continues to share story ideas and assist with stories that are done for the program.
In 2022 Robert received a Certificate of Recognition from the Black Family Genealogy & History Society of Phoenix, AZ for his commitment to researching the Buffalo Soldiers in Utah.
Leading the Salt Lake County Community Remembrance Coalition to remember two Black American men who were lynched in Salt Lake County, Robert and his team successfully held two remembrance and healing ceremonies in June 2022.
In 2023 Sema Hadithi Foundation received the Most Impactful Afro Non-profit of the Year Award for its outstanding business success and community service contributions within Utah.
Also in 2023, Robert worked with Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church, Utah’s oldest and first Blackcentric church, to launch its groundbreaking for its new hall as part of the church’s renovation process.
In 2024 Sema Hadithi Foundation made Utah history as the first Black American-founded and owned organization to receive the Utah State Historical Society’s Outstanding Achievements Award for work in history.
In addition to his Executive Director duties in Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert is the Vice President of Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the only lineage society for Black Americans. He is also a member of the Utah State Historical Society Board.
He formerly served on the National Board of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for two years and the Board of Iota Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for two years.
Robert has spoken at many places on topics ranging from the role of local government in historical preservation to lynching in Utah to racism to genealogy/family history. For several years straight he has been a favored speaker at Utah’s main Juneteenth Festival in Ogden and at several flag-raising ceremonies around Salt Lake County and at the University of Utah.
Robert is a highly sought-after speaker. Among the places he has spoken including:
- Veteran’s Program (at University of Utah)
- University of Utah Equity Office programs
- National Association of Black Storytellers Annual Conference in Utah
- J. Willard Marriott Library events (at University of Utah)
- Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah
- Sowing Seeds of Change’s Earth Day Garden Opening
- The L.D.S. Church Genesis Group
- RISE Virtual Academy
- Utah Musuems Association Annual Conference (multiple times)
- Fort Douglas Military Museum
- Utah Outdoor Summit
- Hyrum City Utah Museum
- Brigham City Utah Museum
- Ogden Family History Conference
- The Genealogical Society of Hispanic American Utah Chapter Annual Conference
- The Utah 1619 Anniversary Project Bell Ringing Ceremony for Freedom
- Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society National Annual Conference
Back to Speaker List
Speakers
Customizable Programs
About
Get in Touch
The Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series invites members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to engage in a journey of understanding, healing, and reconciliation. Through thoughtful dialogue and reflection, the series seeks to break down racial barriers, illuminate truth, and strengthen families and communities in the gathering. The series is administered by the Black Lives Bless Foundation, a nonprofit organization recognized as tax-exempt under 501(c)(3).
Copyright © 2025 Darius Gray Legacy Insight Series. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service & Privacy Policy
Robert Burch
Founder and Executive Director of the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation
ABSTRACT
Gullah Geechee Peoples
Gullah Geechee History
Cultures of the Black African Diaspora
U.S. African American History
African History
European Preeminence vs the World
Juneteenth
The Black Church
Unity Through Historical Truth
Zero Sum in White America / White Replacement Theory
Racism
How to Do African-Ancestored Genealogy
Finding Your Family’s Enslavers
BIO
Robert was born in Atlanta, GA, and attended Talladega College where he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a Divine Nine Fraternity – these are the original Black American-founded and attended fraternities. While serving in the United States Navy he received the Navy Expeditionary Cross for service as part of the U.S. Peacekeeping Force in the Mediterranean Ocean.
In 2015 Robert accepted the role as Secretary of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS), the largest Blackcentric genealogical society in the United States. In 2016 he accepted the role as President and proceeded to lead the organization, quickly learning that there was much Black history in Utah and no focus on it. In 2020, the organization faded regardless of attempts to keep it going as the COVID-19 Pandemic arose and worsened. While continuing to strive to get members to return and to acquire new members, Robert set his sights on focusing on Utah’s Black history despite being told by the national president that the focus was on genealogy.
In 2017, after having joined Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the first Black lineage society in the United States for Black People to trace their ancestors back to enslavement, Robert received his certification for having traced his family lines back to enslavement. Along the way he found the people who enslaved his family.
With a background in genealogy, Robert assisted many in starting their own family history (genealogy) research and assisted others when they became stuck and unable to continue backwards.
In 2020 Robert founded Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, after being told for years that there is no Black history in Utah. Helping individuals with their family history research he learned that was incorrect because he was finding their Black relatives in various areas of Utah. Since there was no existing Black history organization in Utah, he decided that rather than complaining about it he established one. Sema Hadithi Foundation focuses solely on the researching, teaching, and preserving of Utah's Black history. He is the organization’s Executive Director. In the five short years of its existence it has become not only Utah’s only Black history organization but a premiere organization.
Immediately upon the founding of Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert held its first Black history conference in October of 2020. The conference was something he started while President of the Utah Chapter of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. Robert and his wife, Alice, financially sacrificed to keep the conference going because there were no sponsors for it. In 2025 the conference will mark its tenth anniversary.
In 2021 Robert’s goal of having a full dinner to honor the Ancestors and to recognize volunteers was achieved. Previously the Ancestral Remembrance Celebration was a short program with refreshments, but in 2021 the first Ancestral Remembrance Celebration & Recognition Dinner was held with great success. Currently it remains the only event of its kind in Utah that celebrates and honors our Black Ancestors.
To open the year 2022, Robert partnered with KUTV-2 News to do segments for their new Black History Month program “Belonging in Utah,” himself being its premiere interviewee. Sema Hadithi Foundation provided stories and speakers for the segment show, which lasted beyond its original month length and still continues today, entering its fourth year in 2025. Sema Hadithi Foundation continues to share story ideas and assist with stories that are done for the program.
In 2022 Robert received a Certificate of Recognition from the Black Family Genealogy & History Society of Phoenix, AZ for his commitment to researching the Buffalo Soldiers in Utah.
Leading the Salt Lake County Community Remembrance Coalition to remember two Black American men who were lynched in Salt Lake County, Robert and his team successfully held two remembrance and healing ceremonies in June 2022.
In 2023 Sema Hadithi Foundation received the Most Impactful Afro Non-profit of the Year Award for its outstanding business success and community service contributions within Utah.
Also in 2023, Robert worked with Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church, Utah’s oldest and first Blackcentric church, to launch its groundbreaking for its new hall as part of the church’s renovation process.
In 2024 Sema Hadithi Foundation made Utah history as the first Black American-founded and owned organization to receive the Utah State Historical Society’s Outstanding Achievements Award for work in history.
In addition to his Executive Director duties in Sema Hadithi Foundation, Robert is the Vice President of Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage, the only lineage society for Black Americans. He is also a member of the Utah State Historical Society Board.
He formerly served on the National Board of Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society for two years and the Board of Iota Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for two years.
Robert has spoken at many places on topics ranging from the role of local government in historical preservation to lynching in Utah to racism to genealogy/family history. For several years straight he has been a favored speaker at Utah’s main Juneteenth Festival in Ogden and at several flag-raising ceremonies around Salt Lake County and at the University of Utah.
Robert is a highly sought-after speaker. Among the places he has spoken including:
- Veteran’s Program (at University of Utah)
- University of Utah Equity Office programs
- National Association of Black Storytellers Annual Conference in Utah
- J. Willard Marriott Library events (at University of Utah)
- Hinckley Institute at the University of Utah
- Sowing Seeds of Change’s Earth Day Garden Opening
- The L.D.S. Church Genesis Group
- RISE Virtual Academy
- Utah Musuems Association Annual Conference (multiple times)
- Fort Douglas Military Museum
- Utah Outdoor Summit
- Hyrum City Utah Museum
- Brigham City Utah Museum
- Ogden Family History Conference
- The Genealogical Society of Hispanic American Utah Chapter Annual Conference
- The Utah 1619 Anniversary Project Bell Ringing Ceremony for Freedom
- Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society National Annual Conference
Back to Speaker List