Gigi Best-Richardson

Gigi Best-Richardson is a Historian (Phi Alpha Theta), Genealogist, Speaker, and a Virginia Humanities Scholar. An award-winning author of Thomas the Melungeon: His Locust Family of Free Persons of Color Civil and Revolutionary War Patriots – Vol 1, Gigi attended Morgan State University’s Graduate Literature Program from 1992 to 1996. She is a Board Member of many national hereditary societies, including Historian General of the Society First African Families of English America, Past Vice President Sons and Daughters United States Middle Passage, and Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society. Gigi has held leadership positions in Daughters of the American Revolution; Colonial Dames 17th Century; Governor of National Society of the Sons & Daughters of Pilgrims; Colonial Dames of America; Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Gigi is also a member of the Order of the First Families of North Carolina and New England Women. She is Co-Owner and Curator of the Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature and Culture Nonprofit Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. A rare bookstore owner since 1987, member of the Association of African American Museums, and Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association. She is a museum Docent and utilizes research and primary records to teach genealogy classes locally and virtually.