Conversations with Kenyatta

Conversations with Kenyatta

"Genealogy Roadshow" host and author of "The Family Tree Toolkit," Kenyatta D. Berry looks into genealogy, ancestry, and family history as well as what it means to have enslaved ancestors, and interviews experts in the field. The music for episodes 1-76 is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa, and 76+ is by Rheme via Pixabay.

Episodes

November 11, 2025 41 mins

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Exploring the Life and Legacy of Charles W. Chesnutt

Guest: Dr. Tess Chakkalakal
Host: Kenyatta D. Berry

In this episode, Kenyatta D. Berry speaks with Dr. Tess Chakkalakal, a scholar of nineteenth-century African American and American literature, about her new book A Matter of Complexion: The Life and Fictions of Charles W. Chesnutt. Together, they explore Chesnutt’s remarkable career as one of the earliest Africa...

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In this relaunch episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, host Kenyatta D. Berry and producer Caitlin Howle introduce the podcast’s powerful new direction—spotlighting stories systematically erased from history and amplifying marginalized voices. Drawing on her extensive research and her own family history as a descendant of enslaved individuals, Kenyatta shares the inspiration behind this shift. Together, they explore...

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In this episode of Conversation with Kenyatta, host Kenyatta D. Berry welcomes back author Gail Lukasik to discuss her latest book, What They Never Told Us: True Stories of Family Secrets and Hidden Identities Revealed

Gail shares poignant and often heart-wrenching stories from the book, including tales of individuals discovering their true parentage and racial identities, and the profound emotional and psy...

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On this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow remembers the past 75 episodes of her podcast through a retrospective interview - that looks at her favorite guests, as well as examines what she wants for the future of her show. 

Conversations with Kenyatta features Kenyatta D. Berry. Music for episodes 1-76 is "Good Vibe&...

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September 17, 2024 57 mins

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In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry sits down with Dr. Ed Ayers, a distinguished historian with a deep focus on the American South. They delve into Ed's childhood in East Tennessee, his educational journey, and his serendipitous path to becoming a historian. 

Ed shares his fascination with integrating social history to include everyday people, and his groundbreaking work on ...

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August 29, 2024 41 mins

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In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta - Kenyatta D. Berry interviews Dr. Marcia Chatelain, a historian and professor who recently transitioned from Georgetown University to the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Chatelain discusses her profound journey from a childhood love of reading to her career in history and teaching. She examines the backlash against teaching accurate history, focusing on the pol...

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In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, host Kenyatta D. Berry sits down with historian and author W. Caleb McDaniel to explore the fascinating intersection of history, storytelling, and the enduring quest for justice.

McDaniel, an award-winning author and professor at Rice University, shares insights into his journey as a historian, author, the impact of influential teachers, and the compelling stor...

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In this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow  talks with historian and author Dylan C. Penningroth about his background, upbringing, and his journey towards becoming a historian.
 
Penningroth shares insights from his book Before the Movement: The Hidden History of Black Civil Rights' shedding light on how fam...

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May 31, 2024 48 mins

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On this episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Daniel Brook, author and Historian.

Kenyatta and Daniel explore the unique civil rights histories of Charleston, South Carolina, and New Orleans, Louisiana. The conversation delves into why Charleston and New Orleans diverged from other Southern cities during the Civil Rights Era, attributing it...

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May 15, 2024 58 mins

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 In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta -Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit - is joined by Steve Luxenberg, author and associate Editor of the Washington Post.

Steve's story is fascinating - as an adult, he found that his mother had kept a family secret - that she had a sister who was committed to an asylum and then died. He n...

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April 19, 2024 52 mins

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In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta - Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Dr. Manisha Sinha, who shares her journey from India to the United States to study and teach US  history.

This interview delves into Dr. Sinha's perspective on slavery, enslaved individuals, and talks about her latest book, published in Ma...

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March 29, 2024 51 mins

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This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry author of The Family Tree Toolkit  and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Victor Luckerson, an author and journalist.

Victor and Kenyatta talk about his love of research and his new book Built from the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa's Greenwood District, America's Black Wall Street. He also talks about his work as a journalis...

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February 8, 2024 57 mins

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On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Rachel J. Webster, a professor of creative writing, and author of Benjamin Banneker and Us: Eleven Generations of an American Family

The two discuss what it means to find that you descend from a famous individual in history, what it means to ...

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In this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Pulitzer Prize Winner, author, and historian, Dr. Jefferson Cowie.

The two discuss his latest book Freedom's Dominion: A Saga of White Resistance to Federal Power, which won the Pulitzer Prize in History, his research, and so much more.

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January 12, 2024 44 mins

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This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by author and historian Gregory May.

The two discuss his work and his books and research for his latest - A Madman’s Will which tells the story of one of the largest and most controversial private emancipations in United States history.

About Gregory May ...

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December 15, 2023 49 mins

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On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta is joined by Dr. Lynn Hudson, historian and professor.

The two discuss the immigration of Black individuals because of Jim Crow,  Black inidivudals and the Klu Klux Klan in Los Angeles, and O'Day Short. 

Conversations with Kenyatta features Kenyatta D. Berry. Music for episodes 1-76 is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa, Music for episodes 7...

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On today's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow, and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by Cassandra Newby-Alexander, an author and historian whose contributions to history
have helped pilot some of the most important research on Black individuals, and the enslaved, as well as extensive work in the state of Virginia.

Conversations with Kenyatt...

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November 17, 2023 60 mins

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This week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Sarah Allen, an author, journalist, and executive producer of Showtime's #STAND documentary, where the two met and collaborated. 

This episode looks at the behind-the-scenes of Sarah's career, and how she has come to be one of the most ve...

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November 9, 2023 55 mins

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This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit, and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by KB Barcomb. The two discuss military records, military history, and how WWI and WII can aid in the lens of discovering family history.

ABOUT KB BARCOMB

-  KB Barcomb specializes in conducting WWI and WWII research through the lens of family history. A r...

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October 12, 2023 58 mins

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On this week's episode of Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, author of The Family Tree Toolkit and host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow is joined by Alec Ferretti, professional genealogist and board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. 

The two discuss Freedom of Information Act Records, what Alec does for his own family history, and how he came to be a genealogist. 

Conver...

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