Rooted in Story - Exploring the stories that ground us

A powerful, human-centered story set during the Tulsa Race Massacre. Vanessa Miller brings this devastating event in American history to life by centering characters inspired by real people. It’s a reminder that behind every historical tragedy are human beings — mothers, fathers, sisters, grandmothers — who lived it. 📚 Grab your copy of The Filling Station through ⁠⁠⁠LaRosa Reads on Bookshop⁠⁠⁠ t...

Black love at its finest. Myah Ariel delivers sensual romance layered with real-life struggles. We talk about Ella Simone, a superstar wrestling with insecurities, and Miles, the gorgeous pro athlete who proves he’s more than just his looks. Plot holes aside, this one is a delightful, vulnerable, and necessary addition to the Black romance canon. 📚 Grab your copy of No Ordinary Love through ⁠⁠LaR...

A swoony, lyrical romance set against the backdrop of country music’s Black roots. We dive into the history of Black musicians in country music, today’s mainstream breakthroughs with Beyoncé, Shaboozey, Tanner Adell, and others, and how Regina Black blends generational complexities, romance, and trauma into a unique love story. 📚 Grab your copy of August Lane through ⁠LaRosa Reads on Bookshop⁠ to...

Poetry, pain, and possibility. We explore Tupac’s iconic collection through the lens of resilience, voice, and the power of storytelling. These poems remind us that even in the harshest environments, beauty can grow — and thrive. 📚 Grab your copy of The Rose that Grew from Concrete through ⁠LaRosa Reads on Bookshop⁠ to support indie bookstores. 📲 DM your thoughts @larosareads on Instagram and jo...

What happens when pain becomes purpose? In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Denise LaRosa reflects on An Unspeakable Hope by Leon Ford—a powerful memoir that chronicles Ford’s life after a violent act of police brutality left him paralyzed at the age of 19. As a Black woman, mother, and diversity practitioner, Dr. LaRosa shares how Leon’s story of resilience, radical love, and healing struck a ch...

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...

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 un...

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...

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...

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 woma...

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 r...

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...

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...