A descendant of Thomas Jefferson, and his slave Sally Hemings. Lanier traces his lineage through Jefferson and Hemings’ son Madison Hemings. He is the co-author of the critically acclaimed book, “JEFFERSON’S CHILDREN; The Story of One American Family,” which he co-wrote at the age of nineteen.
Now, at twenty-four, Lanier has recently graduated from Kent State University with both a BS and MA in Electronic Media Production and Media Management. Lanier was recently chosen to study multiculturalism in Europe as part of a joint program at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and the University of Liverpool in Liverpool, England. While there he also studied the legacy of the slave trade in London, Dublin, Amsterdam and Paris.
In his hometown of Cincinnati, he was the host of the Emmy-Award Winning television show “Real Exchange”, (WCPO-TV Channel 9) which explored issues important to today’s young people. Lanier has also served as a mentor and motivator for many non profit organizations and programs which focus on celebrating and uplifting young people.
JANE FELDMAN
Co-author/Photographer of “JEFFERSON’S CHILDREN.” As a professional photographer her work has gained international attention in both the fields of advertising and in the non-profit arena. Feldman, a native New Yorker has devoted much of her professional and personal time to working with non-profit organizations that promote youth empowerment, including the Annenberg Foundation and the Citikids Foundation. Much of her work has focused on confronting racism.
In 1993, Feldman attended the Human Rights conference at the United Nations, in Vienna, and presented a multimedia slide show, incorporating the voices of international youth before the General Assembly. Feldman also accompanied one of the founders of Amnesty International, in to Bosnian and Croatian Refugee camps at the height of the war. In Puerto Rico, she documented the plight of environmental groups working in the Rainforest.
In addition, Feldman is the author and photographer of four books in the “Young Dreamers” series published by Random House.
Together, Lanier & Feldman have spoken at schools, colleges, and organizations throughout the country, since the publication of their book. Their multimedia presentation has been a welcomed catalyst for discussion of race and family. Both the book and their presentation invite audiences to explore issues of Diversity, Family, Identity, American History, African American History, Human Rights, Sociology, The Legacy of Slavery, and more.