Sema Hadithi African American Heritage & Culture was founded in 2020 in Utah by Robert S. Burch. to address the belief that there is no Black history in Utah. Sema Hadithi means "Tell The Story" in Swahili, and that's the mission of the 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, to tell the story of Black American in Utah and the Utah Territory over the last 200 years.

Since its inception Sema Hadithi Foundation has provided many community-based opportunities to research and teach Black history in Utah. It has been the main source for the segments of KUTV-2 News' "Belonging In Utah" hosted by Jamie McGriff, regulars on KRCL Radio Broadcast RadioActive, and supporters of other organizations and groups with Black history questions.

Sema Hadithi Foundation has also contributed to February Black History Month events and Juneteenth events such as teaching history, teaching genealogy, and providing exhibits. It has been instrumental in providing historical contacts for community events, campaigns, and college-level lectures. It has provided presenters for local colleges, Brigham City Art & History Museum, Mormon History Association Annual Conferences and tours, regional history and genealogical societies such as Albuquerque Genealogical Society and Hispanic Genealogical Society of Utah and Black Family Genealogy & History Society of Phoenix AZ.

Sema Hadithi has received a number of recognitions

From the Black community in Utah Sema Hadithi received

• The award for the Most Impactful Afro Nonprofit of the Year from Afro-Utah in 2023
• The Hall of Fame Creative and Cultural Impact award from the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce in 2026

From the History community

• Two awards, 2024 and 2026, from the Utah Historical Society for Outstanding Achievement in history
• From the State Historical Preservation Office it received a Letter of Recognition for its initiation and shared leadership in the creation of Utah's Buffalo Soldier Heritage Trail in 2025