In this episode of In Our Own World, Emmy-nominated poet, performer, and playwright Christell Victoria Roach brings us into the heart of her process—where language meets lineage and spirit meets story. We explore the power of poetry as a living archive—a way to connect with ancestors, honor untold family stories, and breathe life into those who are no longer physically present. We dive into the tension between truth and storytelling—where Christell beautifully reflects the emotional honesty of Blueswomen and the blurred lines between fact and fiction. We reflect on public intimacy in art as an act of courage that invites others to see themselves reflected. Christell speaks to the power of love as a deliberate choice, and as the force that has sustained and strengthened the Black community through generations of hardship. From climbing trees as a child to read books to exploring archives in search of her Bahamian roots, to creating art to preserve memory and reclaim identity, this entire episode unfolds like a poem. Rich with rhythm, memory, and emotion as Christell weaves stories of ancestry, identity, and creativity with the kind of vulnerability that feels both personal and universal.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.