How did I get here?

My Professional Experiences
​Family History Research
I draw on my film, tv and communication consulting experience to support family historians in organizing their research for production, publicity, promotion and public engagement topics also relevant to writers, artists, business and civic leaders.

​Region Specialties - United States
Geographic Specialty: DC ; MD ; VA ; NYC
Mid-Atlantic; Washington, DC
Research Counties: Westmoreland County, VA ; St. Mary's County, MD

Entertainment Media

While working with award winning feature film directors, costume designers and actors, I developed a talent for building historical context into hairstyles for actor character looks. From my experience breaking down scripts, I create research plans for genealogical and historical works, including family histories, film/video and photo shoots, biographies, narratives, and memoirs.

Social Impact Consulting

Combining all aspects of my professional and research experience, I consult public officials, small business owners, real estate developers, and arts and cultural organizations in reaching their public engagement goals.

Degrees and Credentials

I attended Howard University. Entrepreneurial pursuits in the beauty and fashion industry bridged my two plus decade career in motion picture production as a member of Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Union Local 798.
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​I garnered a BA in Communication and Media Studies, and earned a Masters from The Johns Hopkins University in Communication in Contemporary Society concentrating in Political Communication and Public Relations. I studied graduate European Public Affairs and Public Relations at the University of Westminster in London, England. I am a graduate of the renowned Writers Bootcamp and a 2020 cohort of the Oral History Summer School.

My vision

Paperdoll Ancestry drives for a contemporary society, where humanity understands that culture and communication are interconnected and therefore, interdependent. It contributes to promoting access and engagement for students and researchers of Black American (Negro) descent to their ancestral records and history. It contributes to a society that greatly benefits from the capability of doing Black American (Negro) research with supported and engaged access. A society that understands the overall structure of culture and communication, and works together to understand and embrace all its details. Therefore, accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognize, respect and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way. A society that appreciates and respects the entire community to which they are part of and remembers that such a way of being is connected to the entire world thus, can live together in peace.

My mission

Paperdoll Ancestry is to provide legacy planning products and services; help clients promote and sustain their Black ancestral legacies; create solutions for holding space, reclaiming and promoting Black life and family histories for individuals, families and communities; to engage the holdings of archives, libraries, museums and other cultural organizations; to bring greater meaning, access, and opportunity for self-organized Black civic engagement, political participation, educational attainment, social change and welfare, economic opportunities, generational wealth and the future.
Black Family History​
Research is my passion.
Informed by Black history, documentary and lived experiences whose work is deeply influenced by communication and oral history theory and practice, it is my pleasure to work with you. The awe I share with community after uncovering, reconnecting and documenting family histories, is priceless.

​I believe, our family stories of perseverance and fortitude throughout The Great Migration, American Wars, Reconstruction, Emancipation, Slavery, Middle Passage and Africa, supports our present and guides our future.

​In honor of our ancestors, may we all reconnect to our roots. - Lisa Hazell
Top reasons to work with me:
  1. Over 20 years of experience in Black Family History research. My geographic specialities include Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and Harlem, NYC.
  2. Professional research in all of the major types of sources covering the time periods from the Colonial, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance eras to present day.
  3. Conducted research trips to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and abroad in Ghana, West Africa in Accra, Kumasi and Elmina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; London, England; Brussels, Belgium and Tuscany, Italy.
  4. Professional efficiency utilizing online sources which dramatically reduces the hours needed to answer your questions. In some cases your question can be answered by online sources and online information.
  5. Maintain professional standards for privacy and sharing information.
  6. access to archives; record repositories.
  7. lack of time; how to start or proceed.
My top 3 core family history research values:
  • Respect. Advocating for a more collaborative practice of documentary, oral history and genealogy work that values all human experiences and promotes greater trust, equity and inclusion for Black life in historical records.
  • Quality. Promoting Best Practices that guide the creation, curation, preservation, dissemination, and interpretation of Black life and family histories.
  • Sustainability. To embrace and promote fields and organizations working to ensure archives, holdings and collections of Black life, family history and culture are valued and accessible. 
My research focus:
  • Geographic Specialty: DC; MD; VA, NY. Harlem, NYC; St. Mary's County, MD; Westmoreland County, VA.​​
  • Archival Repositories: ​National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) ; Library of Congress (LOC) Local History and Genealogy Reading Room.
  • Projects: Black Family History: Colonial, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Migration eras. Biographical Story; Historical Fiction. Family History Legacy Planning.
My research is guided by 5 equally important results:
  • Understanding goals.
  • Learning about what is already known.
  • Communicating the project process.
  • Outlining a multi-generational family history story.
  • Producing a personalized plan. 
We can help each other reach our family history research goals. 
​We all have questions when it comes to family history. From how to maximize your ancestral heritage to knowing the appropriate documentation strategy based on your goals—it can be a lot to think about. Joining a genealogy club can help you feel more confident about reaching your goals.
​My research approach to family history research, documentation and preservation is uniquely inspirational and motivational.

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