Your Ancestors Have a Message! | Dr. Lakara Foster

THIS is what the UNIVERSE told ME | Zhailon Levingston

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] What happens when theater becomes more than entertainment—and turns into a tool for activism, healing, and social change? In this powerful episode of R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience, we sit down with Tony Award-winning director, educator, and activist Zhailon Levingston, one of the most influential voices redefining American theater today. Raised in Louisiana and celebrated as the youngest Black director on Broadway, Zhailon is helping transform some of the nation’s most historic cultural institutions while amplifying stories that have too often been left unheard. From his groundbreaking work as co-director of Cats: The Jellicle Ball to his leadership with the Tony Award-winning Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Zhailon shares how art can challenge systems, reclaim narratives, and create space for communities seeking visibility, belonging, and liberation. Together, we explore the power of storytelling as resistance, the importance of representation in shaping identity, and how ancestry, activism, and artistry continue to influence his work on and off the stage. We also discuss the cultural impact of centering Black, queer, and marginalized voices in spaces that have historically excluded them—and why the future of theater depends on whose stories get told. Whether you’re passionate about the arts, social justice, leadership, or the transformative power of culture, this conversation offers a thought-provoking look at how creative expression can inspire change far beyond the stage. Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Zhailon Levingston—a visionary director using art not only to entertain, but to challenge, heal, and transform the world around us. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

Find Out the TRUTH of Connecticut's BLACK Soldiers HERE! - John Mills

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] In this powerful Season 2 premiere of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we sit down with genealogist, historian, and author John Mills to uncover remarkable stories of courage, resilience, and legacy. John discusses his groundbreaking new book, The Narrative of Primus, which traces the life of Primus, a young African boy who survived the horrors of enslavement in colonial Connecticut and whose descendants would go on to shape American history. Through meticulous research, John reveals the hidden stories of Black patriots, including members of the historic 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry Regiment who fought for freedom, dignity, and recognition during the Civil War.   The conversation also explores the deeply personal inspiration behind the  Alex Breanne Corporation, the nonprofit John founded to research and preserve the histories of formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants. What began as a family story grew into a mission to restore forgotten voices, reconnect families to their roots, and ensure these important histories are never lost.   From untold stories of enslavement and military service to the transformative power of genealogy and historical truth, this episode is a moving reminder that understanding our past helps us better understand ourselves. Listen as we explore: * The hidden history behind The Narrative of Primus * The legacy of the 29th Connecticut Colored Infantry * Connecticut’s often-overlooked role in slavery and Black military service * The emotional journey of tracing ancestral stories * The heartfelt creation and mission of the Alex Breanne Corporation * Why preserving these stories matters for future generations Some stories are forgotten. Others are waiting to be found. This is one of them. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

The PAIN You Didn't Ask For Has a Purpose...Here's WHY | Rev. Dr. Odell Montgomery Cooper

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] In this powerful and deeply moving episode of The R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience Podcast, we sit down with Rev. Dr. Odell Montgomery Cooper—author, speaker, and founder of Interruptions Without Walls—for a conversation that is as heartbreaking as it is transformative. Dr. Cooper shares her personal journey through unimaginable loss following the tragic death of her son, and how that pain became the catalyst for purpose. Through her books Interruptions and Letters to My Son, she offers a raw and honest look at grief, faith, and the process of rebuilding after life-altering trauma. This episode goes beyond storytelling—it’s a call to action. We explore the importance of breaking generational cycles of trauma, creating space for honest conversations, and confronting the emotional patterns that keep us stuck. Dr. Cooper challenges us to stop avoiding the hard truths and instead lean into healing, accountability, and growth. If you’ve ever faced loss, questioned your purpose, or struggled to make sense of pain—this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. Because sometimes, the pain you didn’t ask for… becomes the purpose you were meant to walk in. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

What Started This Podcast Will Surprise You...

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] "Say The Thing Outloud: Behind Our Why"  goes beyond the mic and into the story behind the story. 🎙️ In this exclusive behind-the-scenes episode of Our Why, we open up in a deeper, more personal way—sharing the experiences, moments, and truths that shaped each of us. This is where the mission becomes real, and the roots of R.E.A.L. Roots & Resilience come to life. If you connected with Episode 1, this is where you’ll truly understand why we do this work. #REALRootsAndResilience #OurWhy #BehindTheScenes #PodcastJourney #Storytelling #HealingThroughStory #KnowYourRoots Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]

She Took on Harvard for Her Ancestors! Tamara Lanier

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/fan_mail/new] What happens when one woman challenges one of the most powerful universities in the world to reclaim her family’s stolen history? Tamara Lanier shares the powerful story behind her fight with Harvard to honor the humanity and legacy of her ancestors. In this powerful episode, Tamara reveals the deeply personal journey that began with a family story and led to a historic legal battle with Harvard University over the earliest known photographs of enslaved people—images of her ancestors, Renty and his daughter Delia. What started as a search for truth became a courageous stand for dignity, recognition, and justice. Tamara speaks about the emotional weight of uncovering her lineage, confronting institutions that have historically controlled and profited from Black bodies and narratives, and the determination it takes to restore humanity to those whose lives were reduced to objects of study. Her story is not just about the past—it is about reclaiming identity, protecting ancestral memory, and ensuring that the voices of our ancestors are finally heard. This episode is about truth, justice, memory, and the ongoing work of restoring dignity to the stories that history tried to erase. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2329020/support]