Violetta Sharps Jones

Violetta Sharps Jones is a fifth generation Lakelander, Vice President of Lakeland Community Heritage Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting the history of Lakeland, an African American community in Prince George's County, Maryland established in 1890. Co-author of Lakeland: African Americans in College Park. Combining her genealogy and research of 30+ years with her love of Lakeland motivates her to continue to tell Lakelands’s story.

A member of the LCHP/UMD Brain Trust, established with Maryland Institute for Technologies in the Humanities (MITH) to coordinate and expand Lakeland’s digital Archives.

Currently serving as a Commissioner on Restorative Justice for Lakeland, and A Consultant on the UMD 1856 Project.

As a consultant, she has worked with Maryland State Highway Archaeologist researching Simon Hill Cemetery, Bladensburg MD which is part of a PBS series. The Dig: A Maryland Mystery Lady. https://www.pbs.org/video/the-dig-simon-hill-mystery-lady-part-1-x502ou/

Consultant with History Arts and Science Action Network (H.A.S.A.N) a non-profit organization, on the Columbian Harmony Cemetery project featured on CBS Sunday Morning Show Feb. 21,2021 and a recent participant at Governors Reception at Caledon State Park August 23, 2021.

Most recently invited to be a Member of the Riversdale Descendant Group, formed to document and tell the stories of the enslaved of Riversdale Mansion Riversdale MD.

Spending most of her life in Prince George's County, now residing in Upper Marlboro MD surrounded by her Children, grands and lots of family.