Finding Cornerstone Stories reveals tales of Black entrepreneurship and resilience from slavery to leadership through the family tree of author André Kearns. Presented as illustrated essays, the book provides inspiration on every page as the author offers personal stories and practical guidance for readers to conduct genealogical research and discover their own family histories. André Kearns is a recognized genealogist, writer, and speaker with deep African American roots. He holds degrees from Morehouse College and Harvard Business School, combining rigorous research with heartfelt storytelling to make genealogy accessible and uplifting. As a leader in various genealogical societies and a noted public speaker, André's work is recognized across major platforms, enriching the genealogy community with his profound insights and engaging lectures.
Author: André Kearns
Praise for André Kearns’s Finding Cornerstone Stories
André Kearns’s Finding Cornerstone Stories is the blueprint and practical guide genealogists have needed to transform the raw material of family trees, treasured photographs, archival documents, yellowing newspaper clippings, and DNA tests into compelling narratives. Just in time for the nation’s 250th, he traces the journey of a thoroughly American family from his African ancestors’ arrival in Virginia in the early 1600s through generations of accomplished relatives whose contributions continue to enrich their communities.
—A’Lelia Bundles, author of On Her Own Ground and Joy Goddess
Through rigorous research and deeply personal storytelling, André Kearns shows how Black family history can illuminate the broader American experience. Finding Cornerstone Stories inspires readers to uncover the resilience, humanity, and achievements of earlier generations, reminding us that genealogy is not merely about names and dates but about preserving stories that deserve to be remembered and shared.
—Paul Heinegg, author of Free African Americans of North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina
Our stories are sacred. They connect us to those who came before us and help illuminate the path for those who will come after us. In Finding Cornerstone Stories, André Kearns offers a compelling invitation to discover the wisdom, resilience, and inspiration hidden within our own family histories.
—Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, General Secretary, Progressive National Baptist Convention
7 x 10 softcover, 144 pages, illustrated
Published by American Ancestors in September 2026
