Clevlyn Bankhead-Anderson is a dedicated genealogist, historian, and a long-standing member and officer of the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) Metro-Atlanta Chapter, where she has served as recording and corresponding secretary. In these roles, Clevlyn has expertly managed membership services, contributed to technology integration, and helped plan programs for up to 114 chapter members. Her contributions extend to the AAHGS national newsletter, where she has shared her insights and research discoveries through numerous articles. In recognition of her dedication and impact, she was honored as a 2023 recipient of the Paul Edward Sluby, Sr./Jean Sampson-Scott Meritorious Achievement Award.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Clevlyn has delved deeply into her lineage, tracing both her maternal and paternal lines in Noxubee County, Mississippi, and uncovering a wealth of historical documentation. Her extensive research has led to the discovery of six of her formerly enslaved ancestors, including her two-times great-grandfather, Cary McLeod, whom she recognizes as her honored ancestor. This dedication to uncovering her family's legacy earned her acceptance into the Society for the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (SDUSMP) in 2023.

In 2018, Clevlyn’s journey extended internationally, where her DNA results connected her to the Bamoun and Tikar ethnic groups in Cameroon. During her travels to West Africa, she met with members of these groups, further deepening her connection to her African heritage and adding a powerful chapter to her family’s story. This experience has enriched her genealogical work, offering a broader, global perspective on her lineage.

Clevlyn’s involvement in the genealogy community includes serving on the board of the Noxubee County Historical Society (NCHS) since 2019, where she became editor and contributor to the Noxubee County Mississippi Quarterly Bulletin. Her research efforts have been recognized through several awards, including a $2,000 fellowship in 2022 that enabled her to explore family records at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). Most recently, she was awarded the 2023 Paul Edward Sluby Sr. African American Scholarship, sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG).