What happens when history isn’t passed down, but buried? In this episode of Rooted in Story, Dr. Denise LaRosa explores Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez—a dual-timeline novel that shines a powerful light on the loss of generational wealth and generational memory for Black Americans.

With narratives from Luella and Nikki, this novel is a stunning meditation on land, legacy, and the stories that often go untold. As a Black woman currently journeying through the South to retrace the footsteps of ancestors and civil rights heroes, Dr. LaRosa reflects on how this novel hits home—and how it reminds us that discovering our roots is both personal and political.

✨ Whether you’ve read Happy Land or are adding it to your TBR, this episode will leave you inspired to ask questions, recover truths, and reconnect with your own lineage.

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What happens when the stories of trailblazing Black ballerinas are left out of history books, dance studios, and our cultural memory? In this episode of Rooted in Story, Dr. Denise LaRosa—a former professional dancer with a deep love for ballet—dives into The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby, a powerful reclamation of five extraordinary women who defied the odds and danced their way into history under the banner of Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theatre of Harlem.

With heartfelt reflection and informed insight, Dr. LaRosa explores the beauty, brilliance, and heartbreak woven into the lives of these unsung artists—and how their legacy reshapes the story of ballet in America. She also reckons with the complexities of Arthur Mitchell’s leadership and the ways we can hold space for imperfect visionaries while demanding more for future generations of dancers.

Whether you’re a dancer, a reader, or someone passionate about unearthing the stories that shape us, this episode invites you to reflect, learn, and spread the word.

📚 Want to read The Swans of Harlem and support local bookstores at the same time? Purchase your copy through my Bookshop store: bookshop.org/shop/larosareads

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Black hair is more than just hair—it’s history, identity, and resistance. In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re diving into Twisted: The Tangled History of Black Hair Culture by Emma Dabiri. This book unpacks the complex social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped Black hair narratives for centuries.

From Eurocentric beauty standards to the power of natural hair movements, Twisted challenges us to rethink what we’ve been taught about Black hair and its significance. Let’s explore the deep-rooted history, personal connections, and ongoing fight for self-expression woven into every curl and coil.

Diane Oliver’s Neighbors and Other Stories is a brilliant yet overlooked collection that offers a powerful glimpse into Black life in the 1960s. Though her life was tragically cut short, Oliver’s writing remains riveting, deeply rooted in its time, and reflective of the struggles and complexities of race, class, and identity.

In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re uncovering why Diane Oliver’s work deserves more recognition and how her short stories continue to resonate today. If you love discovering underappreciated literary voices, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

Few novels capture the profound, generational impact of enslavement like Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This sweeping, multi-generational saga follows two sisters—one sold into slavery, the other remaining in Ghana—and traces the ripple effects of their fates across centuries.

In this episode of Rooted in Story, I reflect on how Gyasi’s storytelling is layered, nuanced, and deeply human. As a Black woman, I was both captivated and devastated by the journey of these families and the haunting legacy of history. And that ending? Breathtaking. Let’s unpack this powerful novel and sit with the truths it reveals about Black America.

Who gets to tell the stories of Black women writers? In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re diving into The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture and unpacking the complexities of a book about Black women’s literary impact—written by a white scholar.

While The Sisterhood highlights the brilliance of Black women writers and their cultural influence, it also raises important questions about authorship, representation, and the role of diversity in academia. As a Black woman, mother, educator, and DEI director, I have my own thoughts on this—especially on the book’s critique of diversity offices in universities. Let’s explore the power of these women’s words and the tension of who gets to write our stories.

Jessie Redmon Fauset was a literary powerhouse of the Harlem Renaissance, yet her name is often overshadowed by the writers she nurtured—Langston Hughes, Nella Larsen, and more. In this episode of Rooted in Story, we’re diving into Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray, a novel that brings Fauset’s story to life.

Join me as we explore how Fauset shaped Black literature, the barriers she faced, and why her influence deserves more recognition. This book left me wondering: How many other brilliant Black women have been written out of history? Let’s give Fauset her flowers and unpack her remarkable, and long-overdue, legacy.

Stories have the power to challenge, inspire, and ground us. In this first episode of Rooted in Story, I’m introducing you to the heart of this podcast—why I created it, what you can expect, and how we’ll explore the books that leave a lasting impact. Each bi-weekly episode will highlight a book that sparks deep reflection, offering key insights and meaningful takeaways. Whether it’s fiction that uncovers hidden histories or nonfiction that shifts our perspectives, Rooted in Story is a space for book lovers who believe stories shape who we are.

Let’s dive in—because some books aren’t just meant to be read, they’re meant to be felt and remembered.