Did the Church Sell Slaves? Rochell Sanders Prater of Descendants United

Send us Fan Mail

Rochell Sanders Prater is the Executive Director of Descendants United, formerly known as the GU272 Descendants Association. Rochell is the great-granddaughter of Jackson Hawkins, who was just three years old when he was forced aboard the Katherine Jackson, one of the ships that carried 272 enslaved people from Maryland to Louisiana in 1838.

These men, women, and children were owned by the Jesuits of the Catholic Church, who sold them from the Georgetown University plantation missions to keep the institution from closing. It’s a story that’s been told in national headlines — but today, we’ll hear it from Rochell’s heart.
Before learning this history, Rochell endured deep personal loss and grief — even thoughts of ending her life. But uncovering her family’s story gave her purpose, faith, and life again.

Today, we hold space for her to share how remembering her ancestors became her redemption.

#RochellSandersPrater, #JesuitSlaveSale, #1838JesuitSale, #GU272, #GeorgetownSlavery, #BlackHistory, #AfricanAmericanHistory, #HiddenHistory, #UntoldHistory, #ChurchAndSlavery, #FaithAndJustice, #BlackGenealogy, #KnowYourHistory, #AncestralHealing, #FamilyRoots, #PodcastInterview, #HistoryPodcast

Support the show