Jaelon T. Moaney is the Deputy Director of the Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College. A dedicated historic resource steward and civic leader, he is deeply rooted in Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where his ancestors helped establish Unionville and one of the nation’s earliest free Black communities.
Appointed by Gov. Wes Moore in 2023, Jaelon is the youngest member of the Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture. A graduate of Easton High School and Williams College, his scholarship on Chesapeake Bay communities has earned prestigious awards, including the Sentinels of the Republic Prize.
A national leader in historic preservation, Jaelon has played a key role in major legislative victories, such as the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area designation and the expansion of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. He also co-founded The Needle’s Eye Academy, empowering Black and Brown youth through literature, and serves on several education and humanities boards.
Jason will be a speaker in Session 3: Navigating Regulations on the Built Environment – Legislative Recap