Host: Hermene Hartman
Guests: Genealogist Christopher Smothers of Unearthing Your Roots and Dr. Steven Rogers
In this compelling N’Digo Studio conversation, host Hermene Hartman explores how discovering your ancestry can rewrite both personal and public history.
Recorded in Chicago, this episode dives into African American genealogy, family identity, and a surprising headline story, that the newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, born on the South Side of Chicago, may have African American ancestry traced through New Orleans and Haiti.
Genealogist Christopher Smothers breaks down how oral history, DNA testing, and legal records reveal forgotten legacies — from enslaved ancestors to Civil War freedom fighters.
Historian Dr. Steven Rogers shares how tracing his family led him to discover a six-year-old enslaved boy named Ishmael Brown, who later fought for the Union Army, transforming grief into pride and giving names to those erased by history.
Together, they unpack:
- How families can start researching their own ancestry
- Why genealogy matters for identity, healing, and even future reparations
A moving exploration of history, heritage, and hope — told through the voices of Chicago’s own storytellers.
Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and ndigo.com.
👉🏾 Follow host Hermene Hartman (@iamhermenehartman) and visit ndigo.com for more stories.
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
